Stomach or intestine problem-I would appreciate any help--

Hi, I posted this messge last week on the Sept 2004 board. One of the responsers told me to contact this board for any further help. Hi, It has been a long while since I have looked at messages and even longer since I have posted anything. My husband has been very sick for the last 14 weeks. He was in the hospital for 4 of them and now home 5 weeks. I have been quite busy with him and have not had time to worry about me. I have been noticing a solid feeling just above my navel for the last few weeks. It is about the size of my hand. It seems worse just after eating and is lessened after a bowel movement. I doesn't hurt except when I bend over for a long time like when I pull weeds in the garden. I called my wls doctor and they referred me to a general surgeon. I am going to see him Monday July 11. I just wanted to know if anyone else has had a similar feeling. It was suggested that we can get partial blockages in our intestines. I have always had an irritable bowel for many years, so I was not alarmed at first. My wls doctor also removed a hernia during my operation last Sept. He also used silk stivhes as well as the staples during surgery. I have not had any other problems except for my leg blood clot and the coumadin issues that have resulted. I have lost 79 pounds and feel really good most of the time. I am so happy that I did this, only wish I had done it 15 years ago. I have enjoyed reading many of your posts tonight and seeing how you are all doing. I feel like I know you because we share similar surgery dates. This is my favorite board. Thanks for listening to me, Susan

Hi Susan, You may have another hernia. I have a friend that is a year out of surgery and he has three hernias that need to come out. I felt his abdomen and it felt like a long lump right in the middle of his belly, above the navel. I'm glad that you'll be having it checked out...I hope that it's nothing serious. Also, are you sure you are not constipated? Sometimes when my daughter gets constipated (she's 7), I can massage her belly and actually feel lumps of bowel way up near her navel... Take care and let me know how you make out. paula