Lump on my stomach

Hey everyone—I’ve noticed this weird lump popping up just below my belly button, slightly to the left. If I had to give you a visual, it feels about the size of a large kidney bean. It’s been there for a few days now, and it’s definitely tender when I touch it. I haven't been hitting the gym or doing any heavy lifting lately, so I can't really point to any physical strain. I'm not sure if it's related, but I haven't had a bowel movement in four days, which is unusual for me since I'm normally very regular. I have been dieting, though, so maybe that's why things have slowed down.
Also, just to add some context, I've been eating a ton of cauliflower twice a day over the last week.
If anyone has any thoughts or ideas on what this might be...😕

Melissa Wells6 said:Hey everyone—I’ve noticed this weird lump popping up just below my belly button, slightly to the left. If I had to give you a visual, it feels about the size of a large kidney bean. It’s been there for a few days now, and it’s definitely tender when I touch it. I haven't been hitting the gym or doing any heavy lifting lately, so I can't really point to any physical strain. I'm not sure if it's related, but I haven't had a bowel movement in four days, which is unusual for me since I'm normally very regular. I have been dieting, though, so maybe that's why things have slowed down.
Also, just to add some context, I've been eating a ton of cauliflower twice a day over the last week.
If anyone has any thoughts or ideas on what this might be...😕

Could be a swollen lymph node or a hernia. Honestly, without a physical exam or an ultrasound, it's impossible to say for sure.

Look, I’ve got this protrusion on the lower right side of my abdomen that sticks out quite a bit. It’s about 10cm long and 6cm wide, positioned just to the right of my navel, basically level with it. My entire midsection seems shifted to the left, meaning my belly button sits slightly off-center toward the left side. If anyone actually knows what might be causing this, let me know. I should also mention that the muscle in that specific area feels completely immobile, whereas I can move the left side however I want.
And when I lean forward with my whole body, the right side hangs lower than the left...

Unbelievable, I’m dealing with almost the exact same thing 😲

Same side, right side of the belly button, about 10x10 cm. It's this visible bulge, like a little ball. When I flex my abs—the left side tightens up, but this thing just stays sticking out. If I lean forward, it kind of hangs there... everything is identical, except my belly button is centered.

I mean, personally? I'd tell you it sounds like a hernia or something. Just speaking for myself, though—I know for a fact mine isn't that, which means besides a hernia, it could be something else. But what? Who knows. 🤷

I’m not entirely sure if we’re even talking about the same thing here, but whenever I let my stomach relax, the left side seems to bulge out just a little bit more than the right. It’s probably nothing major, and honestly, it isn't super obvious to anyone else, but I definitely notice this weird little asymmetry when I'm looking in the mirror.

That’s definitely not normal. Bruh?

Talk to a doctor...

It sounds like you might be dealing with a hernia. Essentially, your internal organs are pushing through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. It’s basically a tear in the lining where things start poking through. Usually, the fix involves surgery to install some mesh to reinforce the area and tuck everything back where it belongs. If it gets stuck, though, you're looking at an emergency situation.

And what if it isn’t BJJ training fatigue? I've got this thing where it isn't even about muscle tension—it's just that when you run your hand over everything, it feels smooth, but then suddenly your hand hits this little bump, drops off, and hits another dip... kind of like hitting a pothole on a backroad.

I think anyone starting out can check if it's just swelling by pressing the area back in. If there's nothing to push back, then it's just like my situation—just some weird deformity that popped up out of nowhere...

For me, it's not even an issue when I'm lying down. Everything stays flat. It only happens when I'm standing up straight or leaning forward...

Has anyone here actually bothered to go see a general practitioner or a family doctor lately?

Can't speak for everyone else, but in my experience? Nothing. I’ve been through two different surgeries where they basically rearranged everything in my abdomen—if there was actually a hole or anything left to see, they would've found it. So yeah, nothing to report, and the lump is still right where it started. 😕

So, I actually stumbled onto this by accident about 14 years ago when I was just, you know, checking out my midsection.🤣 I don't really suspect it's anything major or worth making a fuss over, honestly.🤷 It’s more like... well, the ribs on that side seem a little more pronounced than the ones on the other side, if that makes sense.😁
I mean, who knows, maybe it’s just one of those natural asymmetries we all have going on.

vividsailor7 said:Has anyone here actually bothered to go see a general practitioner or a family doctor lately?

Apparently not. And honestly, why would anyone bother? ☕

I’ve seen plenty of doctors at this point, and look, everything with my bladder is fine, but they did mention there's a chance a hernia might be developing—though honestly, if it’s been sitting there for over a year and a half, I doubt it. The other possibility they floated was some kind of gut issue. When I pressed them on how to handle it if it actually is an intestinal problem, they told me a gastroscopy would be the next step, but they aren't exactly pushing for it. Their logic is that if I’ve managed to live with this for eighteen months without a crisis, it probably isn't anything life-threatening, and if it isn't dangerous, they’d rather just leave well enough alone. But here’s the thing: I can't even go out and swing an axe without feeling the pain.

quietridge5 said:I’ve seen plenty of doctors at this point, and look, everything with my bladder is fine, but they did mention there's a chance a hernia might be developing—though honestly, if it’s been sitting there for over a year and a half, I doubt it. The other possibility they floated was some kind of gut issue. When I pressed them on how to handle it if it actually is an intestinal problem, they told me a gastroscopy would be the next step, but they aren't exactly pushing for it. Their logic is that if I’ve managed to live with this for eighteen months without a crisis, it probably isn't anything life-threatening, and if it isn't dangerous, they’d rather just leave well enough alone. But here’s the thing: I can't even go out and swing an axe without feeling the pain.

1. "A lot of doctors" is a pretty broad way to put it. A little more detail would help—like, were you seeing primary care, a GI specialist, a radiologist, a urologist...?
2.What specific tests did you actually have done, and what were the results?
3.Have you dealt with any major health issues before—surgeries or anything like that?
4.Are you on any medications?
5.Any allergies to meds or food?
6.Has your weight stayed steady, or have you been losing/gaining lately?
7.Does anyone else in your family (parents, siblings, grandparents...) have a similar stomach shape or deal with similar issues?
8.Was there some specific event that kicked off these pains and issues? (Like a hit, a fall, or maybe drinking way too much?)
9.Do you work (or did you work) a heavy physical job?

A hernia can "grow" for decades, honestly.
If the "issue" is in your intestines, then you're probably looking at a colonoscopy.
A gastroscopy is used to check the stomach.
Did they happen to mention a hiatal hernia?

Greetings.

I gave birth via C-section exactly two years ago, and fortunately, there were no immediate complications following the procedure. However, over the course of some time, I have begun to experience a persistent sensation of swelling in the lower right quadrant of my abdomen—specifically on the side where the appendix is located, rather than the colon. While there is no acute pain upon physical touch, there is a distinct feeling of fullness or protrusion. This sensation is most noticeable when I lie down, which typically occurs in the evening since my daytime schedule rarely allows for much downtime.
I am fully aware that the prudent course of action is to consult a physician and perhaps undergo an abdominal ultrasound or similar diagnostic imaging, yet I find myself struggling to take that first step. It seems that, much like many others, my default inclination is simply to ignore the issue.
If there are any medical professionals or individuals with relevant expertise here, I would sincerely appreciate your professional insight.

Thank you.

You know deep down that you need to see a doctor. Even if you can't quite bring yourself to prioritize your own health right now, please, think about your two-year-old. If this is just some minor, strange sensation, it might all resolve itself without any drama. However, if that swelling becomes inflamed or turns into something more serious, you could be facing surgery—and you certainly don't need to be away from your child for days on end. That is the last thing your little one needs.

Don't let fear hold you back; just go ahead and book that appointment. I am crossing my fingers that everything turns out perfectly fine.

I appreciate the advice! 🙂

So, it’s been pretty freezing lately, and I’ve been dealing with this nagging cold, so I’ve been blowing my nose quite a bit. I blew my nose earlier this morning and felt totally fine, but then when I went to do it again around lunchtime, I felt this weird sensation down in my lower right abdomen, just below my belly button... I tried blowing my nose one more time and it felt like something actually swelled up or shifted around in there...

To make a long story short... whenever I strain my stomach muscles even a little bit, something strange happens in that lower right area under my navel.

Has anyone else ever dealt with something like this, and does it sound like anything I should be worried about?

Go see your primary care doctor—you might have a hernia

Seriously?