Paraumbilical and Umbilical Hernia Repair
A hernia near your umbilicus is a common condition caused by a weakness in your abdominal wall. If left untreated, a hernia near your umbilicus can cause serious complications.
Your abdominal cavity contains your intestines and other structures. These are protected by your abdominal wall, which is made up of four layers.
Weak spots can develop in the layer of muscle, resulting in the contents of your abdomen, along with the inner layer, pushing through your abdominal wall. This produces a lump called a hernia.
Paraumbilical and umbilical hernias are common as there is a natural weakness in the wall of your abdomen at your umbilicus. This is caused by the way babies develop in the womb.
You should no longer have the hernia. Surgery should prevent the serious complications that a hernia can cause and allow you to return to normal activities.
In children under the age of about 4, umbilical hernias tend to close. For older children and adults, surgery is recommended as it is the only dependable way to cure the condition.
The operation is usually performed under a general anaesthetic but various anaesthetic techniques are possible.
The operation usually takes about 30 minutes. Your surgeon will make a cut near your umbilicus. They will free up the ‘hernial sac’, place the contents back inside your abdomen and remove the hernial sac. Your surgeon will close the weak spot with strong stitches or a synthetic mesh and close your skin.
You should be able to go home the same day.
Increase how much you walk around over the first few days.
You should be able to return to work after 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how much surgery you need and your type of work.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
Most people make a full recovery and can return to normal activities. However, the hernia can come back.
Some complications can be serious and can even cause death.
General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Unsightly scarring of your skin
- Blood clot in your leg
- Blood clot in your lung
- Infection of the surgical site (wound)
Specific complications of this operation
- Developing a collection of blood (haematoma) or fluid (seroma) under your wound
- Injury to your bowel
- Infection of the mesh
- Removing your umbilicus (belly button)
Consultants who provide this treatment
Any further questions?
We will not contact you for any other reason than to respond to the question or information you request in this form.
For information about how your personal data may be processed please see our Privacy Policy.
This document is intended for information purposes only and should not replace advice your healthcare team gives you. This information is published under license from EIDO Healthcare UK and is protected by copyright. Other than for your personal, non-commercial use, you may not copy, print, download or otherwise reproduce it.
What to do next
- Talk to us about ways to pay, either insured or self-pay, and find out if you need a referral from your doctor.
- If you need one, ask your doctor for a referral letter.
- To book an appointment with a consultant you can either call us, email us, or book online if you are self-paying for your treatment.
- Currently, not all Consultants are available for Self-Pay Online Booking. Please contact us directly if you do not see the consultant/service you are looking for and would like to make a booking.
Cancellation Policy
Funding your treatment
Find out more about getting started with private health insurance.
Find out more about our self-pay options.
Find out more about financing your treatment.