[AnnieBL]

I was relating my experience with the notorious gastroenterologist to a rather dour acquaintance, and she commented 'perhaps he didn't find your breasts sufficiently attractive'. I don't know whether she was 'noticing" me, or whether she was just commenting on his alleged propensities. As for the volvulus, the surgeon said that he couldn't say when or if it might occur again, but he was unable to predict the outcome of further bowel surgery, and therefore couldn't recommend it. Today however I saw my NP, who having prodded and listened to my belly, asked whether anyone had recommended any action in respect of my hernia. I said "what hernia' and "do I have one?', and that it was the first I'd heard of it. It seems that I have developed a substantial ventral hernia, probably following my gall bladder surgery a year ago. and this could well have been responsible for the latest volvulus if part of my gut had moved into the hernia. I had been noticing that I was bulging more than I should immediately below my rib cage and above my navel, with a rather prominent midline ridged protrusion when I tensed my stomach muscles. Possibly this has contributed to the flare of the bottom of my rib cage (which does nothing to improve the presentation of my breasts).