Yes, I am 49 yrs old, female, who had a sub total colectomy with 12-15 inch vertical incision mid abdomen for the procedure in 2009. The incision was closed with staples. Prior to the surgery, I was healthy, athletic, (professional athlete ), and happy. The operation was done for chronic constipation/large bowel inertia/severe. My large intestines were overly long, thick, and torturous . Within 6-8 month after surgery I started having severe abdominal pain, and. The formation of a golf ball size umbilical hernia on the left upper quadrant of my abdominal wall. Over the last 18 months this hernia has increased to the size of a grapefruit I m having incisional pain severe abdominal pain, bloating severe constipation not relieved by enemas suppositories or laxatives weight gain fatigue and general decline in health. My gastroenterologist does not seem to think that the hernia is something that I should be overly concerned with and I ve had trouble getting an appointment over the last two months to have this checked out the surgeon that did my abdominal procedure did sloppy work and I had severe post operative hemorrhage requiring four units of blood transfusioned. My question for you is what is the prevalence of abdominal adhesions and/or the possibility that I have strangulated bowel in the hernia region since as I have such severe abdominal bloating and constipation and pain/incisional pain and stretching...and should this be something that I should have taking care of surgically right away? Also is there a type of specialist that works on bowel and hernia repairs since my gastroenterologist is not a surgeon and the surgeon that did the procedure does not specialize in gastroenterology problems? I am located in Austin Texas thank you sincerely Leahnn McGee