hernia after laparoscopy?

[Tobi711]

had a laparotomy last march to remove some fibroids and a uterine suspension.   I developed some adhesions and ovarian cysts several months ago, and combined with not being able to conceive after 9 months of trying I did a laparoscopy last week.  The doc removed a large cyst, some adhesions and a little bit of endo..My belly button incision is fine, however, there is a big hard 'lump' around the incision made using the old scar from last year.  the bump does not hurt, but the area around it does.. it gets smaller when i lie down and larger when I stand up.  Does anyone know if this could the a hernia, or just a normal occurence of using an old scar? the actual incision made for the laparoscopy is only about 5 mm long.  

[sillyvixen]

if it needs doing they will tell you - i a, uk based and it took 11 months on a waiting list to get surgery - only a small lump to start with but it increased rapidly and pain increased also ... i was put on light duties 4 months prior to surgry and continued on light duties for 6 months after - i am back to normal (almost) but it has been a bit of a slog!!

[Sue357]

Hi.  I had lapro hand assisted colon resection in Jan. of 08.  Now I just found out I have an umbilical hernia.  I have some soreness around the belly button.  I would have it checked out.  I had a ct scan at the hospital as I have still been experiencing pain and got call from my PCP that he wants to follow up.  I did research, on internet, and it sounds like most of these type of hernias they like to repair as they usually grow and can strangle your intestines.  I am going tomorrow and while I am dreading another surgery, I would like to be pain free.  Hope this helps.

[Tobi711]

thanks for the comment.  that must have been a stressful ordeal for you.. good thing it was not an emergency!!
I have no idea what it can be, but you may be right and its just scar tissue.  it does get smaller when I lay down, and it hurts in my abdomen above incision... the incision itself does not really hurt.  I have a dr's appointment on monday, so he can tell me whats going on.  In the meant time, I will try not to strain myself too much.

[sillyvixen]

i had an open choly and 12 months later notice a lump at the incision site (6 inch) at the time it was a lump the size of 1/2 a small tangerine - but in the 11 months it took me to get surgical intervention (uk nhs waiting list) it had grown to the size of 1/2 a melon and was very uncomfortable - a large portion of intestine was through the muscle but was not entraped as the hole was so large - i went to the dr as it was not scar tissue (if i laid down on my back-  the lump initially went, but if i forced a cough the lump would increase in size from what is was in my standing possition).

scar tissue can cause a lump - but if you are worried about anything out of the ordenary see a dr.  while my hernia was not an emergency problem when i eventually got my surgery - if left it could have become serious - as it was they had to increase my incision site a further 2 inches  to get the mesh in - the mesh used to repair the muscle was 13 inch wide!! i am much more comfortable now it has been done and healed !!