“Today, about 70% of all hernia surgery operations can be safely and successfully performed on an outpatient basis,” says Dr. Seun Sowemimo, a board-certified laparoscopic surgeon in Freehold.

Find out if that lower belly pain or bulging lump many be a hernia.

Prime Surgicare Patient Review (March 2023)

“I had umbilical hernia surgery with Dr. Seun Sowemimo a week ago. It was a great experience. When I say research before you have surgery, I can’t stress enough how important that is. I’m glad I did! From the minute I walked into the office, to my follow up appointment today, everything was great. I have no complaints. Dr. Seun listens to his patients, your well-being is important. He takes his time, HE LISTENS. He’s not rude, he has great bedside manor. I think his reviews speak for themselves. Thank you to Dr. Seun and his whole team for making this easier on me. Having a good team makes the experience less stressful.”

Shannon Garrabrant (Hernia Center Google Review)

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We all get those intermittent, nagging stomach pinches now and then. They can result from a strained muscle from a hard cough or sneeze, over-exercising the core, heavy lifting or even a gastrointestinal issue. But that sensation can also be a hernia symptom, which requires prompt medical diagnosis and treatment. In other words, this condition will not go away without medical intervention. Conversely, some people worry they have a hernia when, in fact, it is just an acute muscle strain or tear. Keep in mind that hernias can occur from the abdomen, down through the torso and into the groin area.

So what are some signs to help identify your belly or groin-region pain?

Physical Lumps and Bumps

• When someone experiences a pulled abdominal muscle, there can be inflammation and some swelling, but generally no physically-identifiable marker.
• A hernia usually causes a noticeable bulge on the surface of the abdomen. This bulge can be painless but change in size with exertion.
• Hernias are generally aggravated by exertion. Exertion may be related to one’s occupation or additional acute or chronic health factors such as chronic cough, constipation or male prostate enlargement. These exacerbating factors need to be addressed to minimize the risk of it recurring after a hernia surgical repair.

Pain or No Pain

• A pulled abdominal muscle can cause mild or sudden sharp pain, which may be aggravated by coughing, laughing and sneezing in a consistent area.
• Hernias don’t usually cause pain initially. But as they grow, they can cause discomfort that many people describe as ‘achy or heavy.’ The physical bulge doesn’t cause tenderness unless abdominal contents have become trapped in the hernia, which is an emergency necessitating immediate medical attention.

Location

• Abdominal muscle strains can happen in various locations and include any of the abdominal wall muscles.
• Abdominal hernias normally occur at specific sites, most commonly in the groin region, the belly button or around previous surgical incisions or other abdominal wounds.
• Other types of hernias are not so easily discernible. Beyond the medical history of the individual and a physical examination by a surgeon, sophisticated imaging like CT scans may be required.

WATCH: Joseph Kacmarski describes his groin hernia diagnosis and treatment at The Hernia Center at Prime Surgicare

A pulled stomach muscle can be uncomfortable, certainly. What your trainer or high school gym teacher told you is true—before exercising or playing sports, take precautions and stretch beforehand for at least six-10 minutes.

Bend your knees deeply if you must lift heavy items and, most importantly, keep moving your body every day to stay limber and as flexible as possible.

Finally, please remember the old adage: “When in doubt, check it out.”

READ: “Female Hernias Can Be Missed or Misdiagnosed”

“I Think I May Have a Hernia”

Dr. Seun Sowemimo

Call The Hernia Center at Prime Surgicare at (732) 414-2707, where you will receive a prompt and detailed in-office appointment to confirm your need for surgical hernia repair. Medical director Dr. Seun Sowemimo, a board-certified and fellowship-trained laparoscopic and general surgeon, regularly performs hernia repair operations weekly here in central New Jersey at CentraState Medical Center, local outpatient surgery centers and hospitals affiliated with Hackensack Meridian Health.