Question:
My question is , I had an open surgery, my muscles were cut, will they repair back to

I was sick with the stomach flu last week. I got really dehydrated and ended up at the hospital last week. The doctors ordered a x-ray and cat scan to check my stomach, intestines etc. Their was no hernia present. My question is everytime I cough my stomach pokes out right below my breasts like a softball. I asked the nurse why it was doing this. She said my stomach muscles were cut in this surgery and causes my upper abdomen to stick out because of lack of stomach muscles. I asked her if it will go away and she couldn't answer me. Does anybody else have this problem and when will it go away? I am 5 mos post and have lost 137lbs.Everywhere else is firming up nicely, but this little bulge the size of a cantalope is sticking out. I wera my stomach binder to help support that area. Thanks for your help, BETH    — Elizabeth C. (posted on January 20, 2003)

January 20, 2003
I would ask your doctor- it may a hernia. That is what it sounds like to me.
   — Jan S.

January 20, 2003
Hi, Beth--As an RN, may I say.....that nurse must've gotten her license from a Cracker Jack box! Sounds like you have a hernia, dear. It's not something that would be picked up with a CT scan or x-ray. It's diagnosed by palpation and......watching the abdomen while you cough. It can be easily repaired with surgery (the only thing is you hafta go thru another surgery but...it CAN be repaired, no problem). I don't know how close you are to goal, but you may want to consider having a tummy tuck along with the hernia repair--in MOST cases, insurance will pay. Good luck!
   — Joyce C.