Bulge along centerline of abdomen

I have a condition where if I tighten / strain my abs I get a protruding hump at the centerline of my abdomen.  My doc said it was a tear in the muscle sheath and blew me off.

I am overweight and anxious to start a serious exercise program.  Does this condition require any special consideration with ab workouts etc or does it just look worse than it is,

Any help is appreciated

[remar]

I would see another Dr. since this one blew you off. Does it cause you pain? Your Dr. could be right of course but it could be something else, maybe a hernia.
Good for you for wanting to start an excercise program! But make sure you find out what's going on before you start one. Take care. Remar

[jdb017]

You sound like a classic ventral hernia.  This CAN be serious.  Even durring normal exercise or regular straining...the danger is when the bulge (intestines) cannot retract back through the opening through which it came (a small hole in the abdominal lining that encompasses the entire intestine).  This can result in that part of the intestines protruding becoming "strangled" and loseing it's blood supply.....

[remar]

jdb017, that's what I first thought too, a hernia. I hope this person comes back and reads these comments so they will go to the Dr.

[bonkk]

I have the same bulge that remar is talking about, and went to the surgeon (whom I do NOT care for) and she told me the same thing.. It does still worry me a little, especially since my GP told me not to do sit-ups etc. with it.  I too am over weight, and would love to reduce the measure of my waist line.. with the bulge above and the belly below, I look 6 mo pregnant.. (which is likely the reason for the pulled muscle in the first place.. too many pregnancies)  I'll be watching to see if she gets a different answer.