Hernia? How do you know if you have one or not?

In the past couple of hours I started getting a very bad pain in my lower left abdomen. I don't have any appendix or gallbladder. In fact i have quite a few missing body parts. I am supposed to be on my way to Phoenix with my husband and son for my son's ice hockey tournament. I am staying home by myself. I am so sad and bummed that I am missing his games, never have missed a tournament. Think its the best if I stay at home. If it's an hernia when will I know that I really really really need to get to the hospital? I have already called my surgeons office and they said to just keep a watch on the pain. Its 80 miles one way to get to the hospital. I am alone this weekend so I would have to drive myself as my parents live in Arizona. I just want to know from any of you what your symptoms (sp) and severity of pain before you left to go to the hospital. Thanks. Denise

Hi there Denise, How are you? If you get a chance read my profile. I had severe pain for quite a few months before I let my surgeon go in and look. The pain started in July of 2004 and got worse and worse radiating into my back. I was on the floor in such pain. I was hospitalized 4 times before I let him take me back to the OR. Any tests I took showed nothing. It was after he went in did he find an "INNER HERNIA" I think that this is quite common after all the body fat leaves and the intestines move around. I don't know if I had it before my WLS on 12/15/03. I would stay home until I could not stand it anymore. When I would tell my family about the pain,I think they did not believe me. Thank God I took care of it.Does your Dr see the hernia. Mine was undectable..I am glad that horrible experience is over. Take care ...Lorraine

Hi Denise. Just wanted to see how you were feeling. Have you had any additional pain? Did you talk to your doctor's office again? Hope your son's tournament went well. Cathy