<prompt> If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patients description.I have been about 50 pounds overweight for years, but recently when I lay back on the exercise ball to do my ab crunches, I can feel a ridge like a mountain range running up and down inside my abdomen area. It seems to be growing and has started to push out my belly button which has always gone in. I am wondering if this could be some sort of fat tumor or is it probably just belly fat? It feels different than just the fat I have become used to over the years. I have never felt anything like it. The ridge is definitely very obvious to feel and find. Should I be concerned?  <response>: HI. Thanks for your query. Nice explanation to make a diagnosis on clinical history alone. This looks to be a Hernia as it rises on increases intra-abdominal pressure. If the ridge is too long this can be due to variation separation of the recto muscles from each other - this is also as bad as a hernia. No this may not be a fat tumor. The best way is to get this confirmed by clinical examination by a Surgeon and to plan. If this is hernia- a proline mesh repair will help to block of this protrusion. 