Just found out I have a giant hernia-I'm a little scared :-(

[Guest guest]

Well, it's been 4 and a half months since my DS surgery, and I am

down 82 pounds. I couldn't be more thankful. My struggle to even get

this life saving surgery was long and hard as I know it was for many

of you. I know that having a hernia does not make me unique, as I

have read about them on this board many times. About three weeks

ago, I finally started swimming at the local gym....just doing some

laps, and taking water aerobics about twice a week. I have been

noticing for a week or two that my tummy, well it's like I have two

tummys actually...the lower one which of course kind of hangs at

this point, then my upper tummy, right under my breasts...well, the

upper one looks jetted way out, and it is as hard as a rock, the

lower one still like a bowl of jello. But the upper one feels and

looks like I am walking around with a basketball under my shirt.

Very strange. I showed it to my massage therapist, and she's the one

who said it was a hernia. I told her she was crazy, because from

what I knew, a hernia was about the size of a golf ball. She made me

go home right away and call Dr.K's office. Sure enough I explained

it to Dee...and she confirmed the fact that yes it is a hernia. She

said to just go ahead and start wearing my binder again. I asked her

if I should come to Delano right away, and she said that Dr. K

wouldn't do a thing about it right now, except to tell me to wear my

binder, and that when I come for my 6 month follow-up on August

10th, he'll look at it and probably still not do anything about it

til it's time for my TT. I'm thinking that may be 2 years away.

Won't my hernia just keep tearing inside of me? I'm kinda scared,

and unfamiliar with all this...any thoughts? Thanx...you guys are

great. Hope to see you as I attend my 1st support group in Delano in

August...Luv and hugs...Deb

[Guest guest]

> Won't my hernia just keep tearing inside of me? I'm kinda scared,

> and unfamiliar with all this...any thoughts? Thanx...you guys are

> great. Hope to see you as I attend my 1st support group in Delano

in

> August...Luv and hugs...Deb

Deb,

Nothing to worry about, as Jerry said. I had hernias for years. I

chose not to wear binders due to discomfort and yes, they continued

to tear and grow. They were not particularly painful. I had them

before Dr.K met me and he finally fixed them last October with the

abdomenoplasty. That is why I am scared to do any sit-ups! lol I

am considering sit-ups now, however.

Marta

[Guest guest]

Thanx Jerry and Marta for putting my mind a little more at ease. I

am so happy that I finally started swimming...Dr. K told me at my

one month post-op appt. to start exercising, and I actually didn't

start til about three weeks ago. I feel so good when I swim...I

don't have to stop because of this hernia do I?

> > Won't my hernia just keep tearing inside of me? I'm kinda

scared,

> > and unfamiliar with all this...any thoughts? Thanx...you guys

are

> > great. Hope to see you as I attend my 1st support group in

Delano

> in

> > August...Luv and hugs...Deb

>

> Deb,

>

> Nothing to worry about, as Jerry said. I had hernias for years.

I

> chose not to wear binders due to discomfort and yes, they

continued

> to tear and grow. They were not particularly painful. I had them

> before Dr.K met me and he finally fixed them last October with the

> abdomenoplasty. That is why I am scared to do any sit-ups! lol

I

> am considering sit-ups now, however.

>

> Marta