Belly Bowl

What's with the bowl on my belly? You know, the one that sits just above the belly button, and is the size & shape of a soup bowl. When I was at my top weight, it was hard and pronounced. Now, even though it has shrunk along with the rest of me, it's still there, and not too soft. I'm afraid I look pregnant. I'm trying not to obsess about it, but every time I see myself in the mirror at the gym it upsets me. I look much heavier than I am. Is this a hernia? What does a hernia feel like? I'm thinking if it was the surgeon should have seen it during my surgery. Oh, I have never been pregnant, so it isn't related to that. Any ideas? -Julie

hmmm im gonna look at my tummy again today....lol. ive been wondering about hernias and being paranoid about it  lately beacuse one of my firends had to have ER surgery last week due to a bowl obstruction and a hernia.  i guess if you had one your dr would have noticed but if your super concerned make an apt and ask them to check for one. i have a 3mo check up later this mo and ill ask him to make sure nothing is poping up for me

Hmm if you had it before surgery you'd think the surgeon would have noticed while he was poking around inside you.  I know mine goes ahead and checks out the baby maker area while he's in there.  You'd think if it was a big hernia or any kind of mass he'd have noticed.  If you are worried though, see someone because its better to ease your mind. Nothing on me is firm anymore, everything is squishy and mushy and jelloey.  I do have a small lipoma under my breast and as I've shrunk it seems like its getting bigger.  Its not, but its just easier to feel now.  Maybe that's what you are experiencing?  Whatever it is, its just becoming more obvious to you as your padding melts? All the best, Jenn

well i'm thinking.....

we all carry our weight in different spots right? I, for instance am all tits and gut which means I am now developing stick legs.

my friend has saddle bags-always the last to go.

and my sister has thighs of thunder!!

i'm thinking maybe it's a pocket of fat enclosed by sinew and hopefull soon it will melt away away away 

Julie, Does your belly bowl move?  I have had a reoccurring hernia for the past 7 years or so.  I guess hernias just LOVE me!  Mine was removed at surgery (and was partly the reason I had to have open RNY)  About a year later I would feel movement..like some kinda alien had set it's roots under my skin.  I always pictured a hernia being a "thing" and it really is a hole or tear in the ab wall which is usually "mended" with mesh.  I was able to have a panncutetomy at the same time as my hernia and gallbladder.  Maybe something to work out for you like that and your insurance could cover it?  Right now unfortunately, I'm fighting with my insurance over my panni back in October 2007.  They say it wasn't medically neccessary..what???They say they weren't given enough info..a picture is worth a thousand words right??? I guess my ps office didn't do that yet..I send another letter and copies of medical records..hope it works this time.  Good luck finding what your mystery bump is..probably a hernia Hugs, Ginger

I vote that it is shrinking fat.  We talk over coffee after my DH gets home and then eat over trays in front of the TV.  I used to prop the front of my tray on my upper belly.  As I gained the position of my tray changed to my lower tummy.  After my lower body lift I was once again propping it on the upper belly, my muffin top.  It's firm and all fat.  The surgeon says weight loss instead of more plastic surgery is it's solution in my usual body.  My BMI is 29.  I'll bet you see it change more as you lose more.  Loris