Can It Still Be a Ventral Hernia?

asked 1 year ago by Debi in Iowa in Clinton, IA
Latest answer by Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Question viewed 166 times
Tags: bulging, diastasis recti, GERD, hernia

I was told by my PCP that he thought I may have a "large ventral hernia" and sent me to a General Surgeon, who did an abdominal exam and says it is diastasis recti...Could it really be a hernia? The bulge is quite large and when I sit, it feels like a lump under my rib cage. I also have severe reflux, for which the surgeon gave me Nexium...Get "lump" sensation from almost all foods and reflux with waterbrash, whether it be bland like toast or spicy like tacos. Should I get a second opinion?

3 answers to Can It Still Be a Ventral Hernia?

Ventral hernia or diastasis requires examination by a plastic surgeon.

With respect to your personal physician, a large abdominal bulge may indeed be a ventral hernia, and he was wise and caring to send you to a general surgeon, who has the expertise AND anatomic experience from many abdominal operations to properly make this diagnosis. I would absolutely trust your general surgeon consultant's diagnosis. However, you also have symptoms of GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), which is mostly unrelated to your abdominal bulge, despite your description of... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

Do I have diastasis recti or a haernia.

To answer your question with any kind of validity you have to provide us with more information. Hernias in that area are usually due to previous surgery. Did you have surgery.,how many pregnancies, any twins? Diastasis is at it's widest by the belly bottom. The examination is very important to tell the difference. I think you need a second opinion may be a plastic surgeon.

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD
Morristown Plastic Surgeon