Question:
I am 4 wks post-op RNY and I have a burning pain on the left side of my belly button.

The pain is at the base of my incision, on the left side of my belly button. I lost two stitches on the bottom, and the incision at that point is taking it's time in healing. Meanwhile, I have daily pain underneath that area that is sometimes really painful. Anyone else experience this before? I'm afraid it's an incisional hernia.    — Judith H. (posted on April 17, 2002)

April 17, 2002
Hi.I had a hysterectomy back in Nov. 1999 and about 1 month after I had it done I had a protrusion right above my belly button and it had a burning and hurting sensation and it turned out to be an incisional hernia. My PCP referred me to a surgeon right away because he was worried my intestines would become entrapped and cause strangulation. I'm not a doctor but I believe I would get yours checked out if you have any questions about it. Sometimes it can become quite uncomfortable. Good Luck. Jeanie
   — Jeanie B.

April 17, 2002
You were just cut open! It could be muscles healing or adhesions (where tissue adheres to organs and other things as it heals). Definitely check with the doctor, but it sounds like the normal burning that comes from healing muscles. I've gone through Open RNY and a spleenectomy where I was cut about six inches across my belly. Both times I had that burning sensation near the incision,
   — PT LawMom

April 20, 2002
My surgery was 9 days ago and since I came home I have experienced terrible burning pain which started to the right of my navel and has now traveled upward along my incision. After 3 doctor visits, I found out that my body is rejecting the internal stitch material. It is very painful! There is a knot of stitch material below the incision, that is why the burning started there. All I can do is take heavy duty pain medication and Benedryl (for the alergy). I was told that it could take 2-3 weeks before it stops. Good luck to you
   — debi W.