Question:
Is it possible to have a hernia about 5 inches above your belly button under the

Is it possible to have a hernia about 5 inches above your belly button under the incision line? For about 5 weeks now, I have had a pain in this area and thought I just pulled a stitch or muscle. (I'm 12 weeks post-op.) I have felt a small bump under the skin - (maybe 1 inch by 1 inch)-doesn't protrude yet, though. I have just never heard of a hernia above the belly button - I thought they were mostly below! Anyone with some insight?    — raye (posted on April 17, 2003)

April 17, 2003
Yes it is possible to have a hernia above your belly button. Actually, it is posiible to have a hernia anywhere on your abdomen that you have a surgical site. It is called and incisional hernia, not a hiatal hernia. When you have any open surgery the surgeon cuts through a layer of muscle when he makes the incision. As the wound heals, those severed muscles fuse back together. A hernia occurs when those muscles do not fuse properly. This leaves a weak spot in the muscle layer of your stomach. Your stomach and internal organs put constant pressure on that spot, and eventually push through causing a small hole. If left untreated over time this hole can expand and become larger. The bubble or lump that forms under the suface of the skin is usually intestine or some other tissue pushing through the hole. My aunt had a hernia at her gallbladder incision site. I have a hernia where I had a c-section. My started out very small, but now is about the size of a grapefruit. Of course, you should consult with your doctor. It is entirely possible that what you have is not a hernia, and only your doctor can tell you for sure. Hope this helps!
   — Jenny S.

April 17, 2003
Yup, sure is possible. That is where mine is and it is huge (think of one end of a watermelon) and it is causing moderate to severe discomfort. It is being removed on 5/7/03...whoopee. I had open gall bladder surgery on 2/7/03 and spent over thirty days in the hospital last year after gastric bypass and its complications. Guess why I call Southern Maine Medical Center my home away from home...I dread another surgery but I trust my surgeon and the folks at SMMC have been so good to me. Just one more thing to cope with...ain't life grand? Nina in Maine
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 17, 2003
I am 11 weeks out. I had pain under my incision also. I thought the same thing that it may be a hernia. But when I went back to see my surgeon, he found a pocket of infection. He made a small opening to allow it to drain and ever since, there has been no pain. Might be a good idea to have it checked out. Kim 02/04/03 -63#
   — Kimberly K.

April 17, 2003
I am working on a major hernia right now too. It started the size of a soft ball and now (a month later). Anyway, yes it is very easy to get a hernia pretty much anywhere.
   — Rachel W.