Do I have an abdominal hernia?

Is this an upper abdominal hernia (ventral hernia)?

• After I had my 2nd baby in October 2011 I was left with very sagging skin and my my muscles were VERY weak and seperated. Plus, I had a belly button hernia. I corrected all this with a full tummy tuck in April 2011. One week after the procedure, I started noticing this upper ab bulge. My plastic surgeon said muscles did not seperate and that it was just swelling. Long story short, my muscles DID reseperate from belly button all the way up to my breastbone. I went to anothe plastic surgeon who corrected it via endoscopically (through my belly button) at which time he found a 1cm ventral hernia. Immediately after the bulge was still there. This plastic surgeon said my ab muscles are as tight as they can get and no hernia either. He says its swelling and soft tissue. This bulge is firm to touch and gets bigger through the day, especially if I eat or drink anything . . . even water. I am wondering if this is recurrence of hernia. The bulge is bigger than before the endoscopic procedure. As well, I have had constipation since I had my 2nd baby and wonder if there is some connection here. I have seen my family doctor, specialist, walk-in clinics and had an abdominal x-ray but nothing !! I dont know what to do from here. My plastic surgeon said he wants to see me in three months time. Right now I am only 4 weeks postop so I know its normal to have swelling but this just doesnt look and feel right to me. I have also noticed this weird "chalky" taste in my mouth for the past several months. I am unable to upload a picture unfortunatley. It looks like a swallowed an egg !

• Answer:

  Did you contact the surgeon (recent) who did the endoscopic repair of the hernia and tell him you are having these symptoms 4 weeks after surgery? It would be wise to let your recent (plastic?) surgeon know you are having problems (if he said wait 3 months, I would contact a general surgeon for a second opinion). If you begin to have bad pains in your abdomen and develop a fever, you should have someone take you to the emergency room or call 911 (or your local emergency number).