What causes an umbilical hernia?
The belly button is a natural weak point in the abdominal wall. Pressure inside the abdomen from pregnancy, weight gain, a chronic cough, heavy lifting or fluid in the abdomen can stretch this area until fat or intestine pushes through.
A closely related problem, a paraumbilical hernia, sits just above or below the navel. It is evaluated and treated in the same way.
Symptoms
- A soft bulge at the belly button that may get bigger when you cough, strain or stand
- Tenderness or aching at the navel
- Skin changes or thinning over the bulge in long-standing hernias
Talk with Dr. Arsenous about your options.
When is surgery recommended?
Repair is usually recommended if the hernia is painful, getting larger, or difficult to push back in. Small hernias with no symptoms can sometimes be watched. Because the opening in an umbilical hernia can be narrow, trapped tissue is a real risk, and Dr. Arsenous will help you weigh the timing of repair.
Seek emergency care if the bulge becomes hard, very painful or discolored, or if you develop vomiting or cannot pass stool or gas.
How the repair is done
Most umbilical hernias are repaired through a small curved incision at the edge of the belly button, which keeps the scar discreet. The tissue is returned to the abdomen and the opening is closed.
Very small defects can be closed with stitches alone. For larger openings, mesh is usually placed to reinforce the repair, which lowers the chance of recurrence. Some hernias, particularly larger ones or those combined with other abdominal wall weakness, are repaired laparoscopically.
Recovery
Most patients go home the same day and return to light activity within a few days. Office work is often possible within one to two weeks. Heavy lifting is usually avoided for several weeks while the repair heals.