How to tell its a Hernia?

I am four and a half weeks post TT/pani/lipo/muscle tightening/BA/lip of "side boobs" and over the last four days have this very tight almost ball feeling by my belly button that is killing me! I haven't lifted anything that I shouldn't, other than bending a little more than I should be I really have taken it easy. The pain is getting worse each day and hurts even when I am laying down. Last night went to put on my PJ pants and lifted my leg only to be so hit with this insane sharp pain that tears filled my eyes and I had to sit down instantly.

Called the Dr's office and they think it might be a hernia and are checking with my surgeon. Just wondering what a hernia feels like and how can I tell if I have one. I took off my binder and there is no redness or even a bump. I cant touch the spot or else it hurts. But again there doesn't even feel like there is anything there.

Just wondering if anyone has any insight as to what this could be?

 It could be a seroma. It's a build up of trapped fluid and normally it can be aspirated. It could also be a hernia. I have heard that if you lay on your back and lift your feet off the ground by a few inches and then lift your head...look at your abdomen and see if you see anything protruding.

Thanks Renee!
I will try this out tonight. I'm hoping its scar tissue or just a tensed muscle. My surgeon wants me to rub it, even if it hurts for a few days and if it doesn't get better, or gets worse to call right away and he'll see me.

Hope its nothing, I am in no mood for another surgery! I just want to heal, enjoy my new body and get past all this surgery bs!!!

Thanks for your help

Sincerely,
Elle

Elle, couple of questions.  Are you saying that it hurts all the time but ocassionally the pain is sharper?   Are you still on your pain med?  what and how often?

Hey Jenny,
The pain is consistent. But worse as the day goes on, and sometimes if I move just right a sharp paralyzing pain hits me. I'm not on pain meds. Haven't taken them in weeks. But did try a couple of nights on my muscle relaxers to see it that helped. It didn't! My husband gave a vicoden last night and that didn't help either. Its a very deep inside pain.

Thanks for your help!!

Hmmm... I'm wondering if you got to see a doctor today.  If you are still worried even a emergency clinic could help you determine if it is a hernia.  You must judge the amount of pain you are having and if it gets bad head to an emergency room.  My hernia pain was helped by pain meds at first but then it got worse and I knew I needed immediate surgery.  Mine was incarcerated.  But also you could be have some kind of nerve pain from your recent sugery....  Hope it gets better soon, Jenny

Thanks Jenny...you've been very helpful. I am thinking it might be a tense muscle or maybe I pulled something. The pain is staying the same, at least not getting worse. It's still there, but doesn't hurt when I have a bowel movement. I don't feel any better or worse. My Dr. said to give it a few days unless it gets worse. He wants me to massage the area two-three times a day. Thinks it might be scar tissue build up. It feels like a bruise to me...so its been VERY hard to massage. I can't even touch the spot. I see him in a week and a half.

Thanks again! I really appreciate your advice and wisdom.