Question:
I think I have a hernia.

For the last two weeks, I have been having bad stomach cramps and burning which I believe is related to gas. I've had a lot of Now, I notice when I strain in my stomach I have a buldge about the size of a softball below my breastbone. It is soft and does not hurt. Could this be a hernia? Could a hernia cause gas, belching, abdominal cramps and burning pain? If it is, I know I might be able to have it repaired at the same time that I have a tummy tuck, but I was also wondering if I could just do nothing. I'm not so keen about going under the knife again. Also, if I do have it repaired can it wait for six months? My reasoning is even though I've lost 100 pounds I have minimal sagging skin. I have another 50 pounds to go to reach my goal. I'm going to see the doctor today, so I'll find out definitely if this is a hernia.    — Lisa N M. (posted on August 19, 2002)

August 19, 2002
I think I have one too but dont see the Dr til thurs. Let me know how things go and what U find out if U will please.
   — Sassy M.

August 19, 2002
I don't know if the hernia causes gas but the burning pain sounds like it might be a hernia. A hernia is an excellent way to get the insurance to pay for the tummy tuck as it will qualify as medical necessity. You can certainly wait 6 months unless it strangulates and then it has to be emergency surgery since it is life threatening at that point. I am only 10 pounds from my surgeon's goal for me before tummy tuck but he won't do the hernia repair and TT until November because he likes his patients to be close to a year out before he does the tummy tuck. My open RNY was November 29, 2001 and I have lost 136 pounds so far. I hope to have my hernia repair and tummy tuck done sometime around November 15 as we might change insurance companies December 1 and I have a good policy now and don't want to chance it with a new company. Good luck to you.
   — Patty_Butler