DR HILARY...DR HILARY...DR HILARY...DR HILARY...

DR HILARY'S DIAGNOSIS

In Andrea’s case, going back to work as well as looking after Amy would have made it difficult to find the time to exercise.

The hernia is a direct result of rapid weight gain.

The pressure of the growing baby will have forced Andrea’s tummy muscles apart at the weakest point, which is between the two muscles downwards either side of her belly button.

A loop of intestine is pushed through the gap between the muscles, forming a bulge, which is soft and spongy.

It’s ugly to look at and, worse still, if the muscles pinch the intestinal wall and make it inflamed and swollen, the blood supply can be cut off – leading to gangrene and a life-threatening emergency.

An operation is needed to push the bowel back into position and sew the muscles back together.

Extra sit-ups might only make Andrea’s smaller hernia worse, so it seems that a second operation may be needed, followed by lots of tummy exercises to help her regain her figure.

'My hernia makes me look pregnant'

EVERY WEEK A CELEB ASKS OUR FABULOUS DOCTOR FOR DIAGNOSIS. THIS WEEK IT’S GMTV’S ANDREA MCLEAN

I gave birth to my youngest child 16 months ago, but my stomach is still swollen and painful.

I put on 4st when I was pregnant with my son Finlay six years ago. After I gave birth, my stomach stayed puffy and pregnant-looking.

I wasn’t worried as I was prepared for it to take time to return to its normal shape, but after I’d had my daughter Amy in November 2006, it got worse.

Four months later, even though I’d lost more than 2st and was a size 12, I still looked seven months pregnant.

My belly button area stuck out at a bizarre angle, like an elbow.

It became really painful, and even just a hug from Finlay was agony, so last year I consulted my GP.

He sent me to a specialist, who diagnosed me with a double umbilical hernia – a big one right behind my belly button and a smaller one a couple of inches higher, just below my breastbone.

The only option was surgery, which I had last winter.

The surgeon only removed the larger hernia, hoping the second one would disappear with exercise.

Unfortunately it hasn’t.

I do sit-ups but they put pressure on the hernia and it’s become painful again.

I look pregnant and still have 1st to lose to get back to my pre-baby weight of 9st.

My stomach muscles have never regained their strength, so I can’t suck my tummy in to make it look flatter.

What else can I do to get rid of it?”

Credits

Words: Claie Wilson Photography: Camera Press/Tessa Hallmann
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