I had gastric sleeve & hiatal hernia repair on 12-27-11, it has been 11 days since my surgery and I was having more pain than normal last night and was rubbing my stomach and found a large knot, the size of my hand almost behind the main surgical incisions. My pain has increased over the last 2 days at this specific incision and then to find that lump, scared me. I do not have a fever, vomiting or no other symptoms, nor does the site look different or even red. Can someone tell me if this is something that has happened to you after the gastric sleeve & if this is normal or should this be looked at by emergency room.

WOW! I've not had surgery yet, so I can't say for sure, but I'd be calling the surgeon at the VERY least! Do they have a weekend emg number?

I was sleeved December 9, and I had the same thing--a hard knot behind and around one of my incisions. I called the surgeon, and he said it is a normal side effect of the suturing and that it would dissipate over time. That has been true for me--now at 4 weeks out, the knot has shrunk to the size of a marble and the pain has lessened considerably. At my post-op appointment this week, the surgeon examined that incision and said it was healing normally and would continue to improve. He did suggest a heating pad and light massage might help.

You may still want to call the doctor, but from my experience, it does get better over time.