Umbilical (belly button) hernia in adults: symptoms and surgery
A soft lump at or just above the navel, more obvious when you stand, cough or strain, and often flatter when you lie down. That is the usual story of an umbilical hernia in an adult. The belly button is a natural weak point in the tummy wall, and when fatty tissue or bowel pushes through it you get a hernia near the navel.
Many adult umbilical hernias are small and simple to fix as day surgery. Some can safely be watched. This page explains the symptoms, why adults develop a belly button hernia, when repair is recommended, and what umbilical hernia surgery involves. It covers adults only. Dr Goutham Sivasuthan, Specialist Surgeon, assesses and repairs umbilical hernias at St Andrew's War Memorial, Sunnybank Private and Mater Private Redland.
What is an umbilical hernia?
An umbilical hernia is a bulge at or near the belly button. It happens when fatty tissue or part of the bowel pushes through a natural weak spot in the tummy wall where the navel sits. The result is a soft lump at or just above the navel that is often more obvious when you stand, cough or strain.
An epigastric hernia is a similar bulge a little higher up, between the belly button and the breastbone. It is repaired in much the same way as an umbilical hernia, and much of this page applies to it too. Both belong to the group of abdominal wall hernias that Dr Goutham repairs.
Umbilical hernia symptoms in adults
The most common sign is the lump itself. Some adults have no other symptoms at all and notice the hernia only because the navel looks different. Others feel it more as an ache.
- A lump or bulge at the belly button, or just above it.
- A lump that stands out when you stand, cough or strain, and may flatten when you lie down.
- Aching or discomfort around the navel, especially when lifting or straining.
- In many people, little or no pain.
Umbilical hernias can slowly enlarge over time. A lump that is growing, or that has started to ache, is worth having examined. If you are not sure whether your symptoms fit a hernia, the hernia symptoms self-check walks through the common signs.
Why adults get a belly button hernia
The navel is a weak point in everyone. In adults, a hernia appears there when pressure inside the tummy rises for long enough to push tissue through. Adult umbilical hernias are more common with extra weight, after pregnancy, and with anything that raises pressure in the tummy such as a long-term cough or constipation.
None of these causes means you did something wrong. They simply explain why the weak spot gave way. Some of them, such as constipation or a persistent cough, are worth addressing before surgery so the repair is under less strain afterwards.
Questions about your belly button hernia? The rooms can explain the next steps and arrange a consultation.
How an umbilical hernia is diagnosed
Most umbilical hernias are diagnosed during a physical examination. Dr Goutham examines the bulge, often asking you to stand and cough to make it more obvious. If the diagnosis is uncertain, or to check the hernia's size and contents before surgery, an ultrasound can help confirm it.
The usual first step is your GP, who examines the lump and refers you. A GP referral makes the specialist consultation Medicare-rebatable, and sending it ahead of time lets Dr Goutham review it before you visit.
Bring your referral, any scan reports and a list of your current medicines to the first appointment. If you have had abdominal surgery before, mention it, because a lump near an old scar may be an incisional hernia rather than an umbilical one, and the two are planned differently.
Does an umbilical hernia need surgery, or can it be watched?
Not always. A small, comfortable umbilical hernia can sometimes simply be watched. This is called watchful waiting, and it is a legitimate plan after specialist assessment rather than a way of putting things off.
Repair is usually recommended if the hernia is growing, uncomfortable, or at risk of trapping bowel. Dr Goutham talks through what is right for you, taking into account the size of the defect, your symptoms, your work and your other health. There is no pressure to book surgery at the first consultation.
Watching a hernia means knowing what to watch for. Three changes are worth reporting: the lump getting bigger, a new or steadier ache around the navel, and any episode where the lump is hard to push back in. Any of these can shift the balance towards repair, and a review is easy to arrange.
When a belly button hernia needs urgent care
Umbilical hernias rarely become an emergency. Seek medical care promptly, at your nearest emergency department if needed, if the lump suddenly becomes painful, firm or red, or will not push back in. Those signs can mean bowel has become trapped. Do not try to force the lump back in.
How an umbilical hernia is repaired
Umbilical hernia repair closes the weak spot and, for most adult hernias, reinforces it with a small piece of soft mesh to lower the chance of the hernia returning. The technique depends mainly on the size of the defect.
Suture-only repair
Used only for very small defects, less than 1 cm, in patients at low risk of recurrence. A short incision around the navel, and no mesh.
Open mesh repair
A small (3–5 cm) incision around or just above the navel, with mesh placed to reinforce the defect. This suits most first-time adult umbilical hernias, and the scar is designed to be discreet, often hidden within the belly-button area.
Keyhole (laparoscopic) or robotic-assisted mesh repair
Three small (5–10 mm) keyhole incisions, with mesh placed inside the abdominal wall. Useful for larger defects, recurrent hernias, and patients with multiple midline defects. For selected hernias Dr Goutham also offers a robotic-assisted approach, which uses the same minimally invasive principles. Read more about keyhole hernia repair.
Most umbilical hernia repairs are day surgery under general anaesthetic, so you go home the same day. Your plan, and any mesh used, is confirmed with you beforehand. Dr Goutham does not perform hiatal (paraoesophageal) or parastomal hernia repair — those are referred to upper-GI or colorectal sub-specialists.
Is hernia mesh safe?
Modern hernia mesh is well-studied and very safe, and it significantly reduces the chance of recurrence compared with stitching the gap closed on its own. It is a soft material that your own tissue grows into over the following weeks, strengthening the wall.
Dr Goutham selects the appropriate mesh for your repair and discusses it with you. Where a defect is very small and your risk of recurrence is low, he may recommend a suture-only repair instead, and will explain why.
Preparing for umbilical hernia surgery
Good preparation can reduce avoidable risk and support a smoother recovery. Your plan is personalised and may include:
- Smoking: stopping before surgery, ideally for at least four weeks where possible, supports wound healing and lung function.
- Diabetes and nutrition: diabetes control, including an individual HbA1c target where relevant, and adequate nutrition are reviewed before surgery.
- Weight and conditioning: when appropriate, gradual weight optimisation and maintaining safe activity can lower strain on the repair.
- Medicines and breathing: blood thinners, other medicines, cough and breathing conditions are reviewed. Never stop anticoagulants unless your treating team gives you a clear plan.
Recovery after umbilical hernia surgery
Recovery is usually quick. These are typical ranges rather than promises, and your surgeon will confirm the timeframes for your repair.
- Desk work and light activity: typically within about a week.
- Heavier lifting and strenuous exercise: typically resumed by around 4–6 weeks.
- Bowels: keep them regular so you are not straining against the repair.
- Follow-up: you receive written aftercare and a review appointment.
Some bruising and swelling around the navel is normal in the first week or two. The full day-by-day picture, including driving, showering and return-to-work ranges, is on the recovery after hernia surgery page.
Risks of umbilical hernia repair
Umbilical hernia repair is very safe. As with any surgery, possible risks include bleeding, infection, bruising, fluid collection (seroma) and, uncommonly, recurrence. Serious complications are rare. Dr Goutham discusses the risks relevant to your repair before you decide.
What umbilical hernia surgery costs
A first-time umbilical hernia repair is one of the procedures Dr Goutham performs under a known-gap arrangement for eligible insured patients. A known gap is a capped out-of-pocket amount for the surgeon's fee, confirmed in writing after your consultation. It sits on top of what Medicare and your health fund pay, and it is not your total cost: the hospital excess and the anaesthetist's fee are billed separately.
The hernia surgery cost guide covers eligibility, the separate hospital and anaesthetist costs, and the Medicare item numbers involved. Fees apply only to procedures personally performed by Dr Goutham Sivasuthan, Specialist Surgeon (Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons; UQ MBBS; AHPRA MED0002000354). Every case is unique. Size, location, complexity and the surgical approach all affect cost, so your exact figure is confirmed in writing after consultation, with no pressure to proceed.
Next step
Dr Goutham consults at Watkins Medical Centre in Spring Hill, Brisbane South Private in Springwood and Mater Private Redland in Cleveland. He operates at St Andrew's War Memorial, Sunnybank Private and Mater Private Redland. That keeps care close to home across Brisbane, Logan, Redland and Moreton Bay.
If you have a bulge or discomfort at your belly button, ask your GP for a referral and call the rooms on (07) 3333 5518, or request a consultation online. After consultation, the rooms explain the recommended pathway and provide a written quote. All costs are confirmed in writing before any procedure.
Tailored umbilical hernia care
- ✓Approach matched to you — small-incision, keyhole or robotic-assisted repair after assessment.
- ✓Often a day procedure — home the same day where suitable.
- ✓Mesh-reinforced, durable repair for most adult hernias.
- ✓Care close to home — across Brisbane, Redland, Moreton Bay and Logan.
- ✓Direct surgeon access — before and after surgery.
Dr Goutham Sivasuthan is a general and endoscopic surgeon, Australian-trained through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and GESA-accredited (UQ MBBS; AHPRA MED0002000354) with a focus on minimally invasive (keyhole and robotic) hernia surgery at St Andrew's War Memorial, Mater Private Redland and Sunnybank Private.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth fixing an umbilical hernia?
Often, yes, but not always. A small, comfortable hernia can sometimes be watched. Repair is usually recommended when the hernia is growing, uncomfortable, or at risk of trapping bowel, because adult hernias do not heal on their own and tend to enlarge. Most repairs are day surgery with a quick recovery. Dr Goutham gives you a straight answer either way after examining you.
Do all umbilical hernias need surgery?
No. Small, comfortable hernias can sometimes be watched after specialist assessment. Surgery is recommended if the hernia is growing, uncomfortable, or at risk of trapping bowel. The decision depends on the size of the defect, your symptoms, your work and your general health, and there is no pressure to book on the day of your consultation.
Is belly button hernia repair day surgery?
Usually, yes. Most adult umbilical hernia repairs are done as day surgery under general anaesthetic, so you go home the same day once you are awake, walking, eating and comfortable on oral pain relief. You need a responsible adult to take you home. Your exact plan is confirmed with you before the day.
Will there be a scar?
Yes, but a small one. Open repairs use a short incision around or just above the navel, about 3–5 cm for a mesh repair, and are designed to be discreet, often hidden within the belly-button area. Keyhole repairs use three 5–10 mm incisions. Most repairs use dissolvable stitches under the skin, so there is usually nothing to remove.
How soon can I exercise again after umbilical hernia surgery?
Light activity, including walking, typically within about a week. Heavier lifting and strenuous exercise are usually resumed by around 4–6 weeks, once the repair has settled. These are typical ranges and depend on the size of the repair and the technique used. Dr Goutham confirms your own timeframes at your review.
Is umbilical hernia surgery covered by Medicare?
In principle, yes. With a GP referral, Medicare rebates apply to the specialist consultation and to the surgeon's fee for a medically indicated umbilical hernia repair, and your health fund contributes under your hospital cover. Private hospital and anaesthetist fees are separate. The rebates and any known gap are set out in your written quote after consultation, before you decide.
Is hernia mesh safe?
Modern hernia mesh is well-studied and very safe, and it significantly reduces the chance of recurrence compared with a suture-only repair. It is a soft material that your own tissue grows into. Dr Goutham selects the appropriate mesh for your repair and discusses it with you, and for very small defects he may recommend stitches alone.
What warning signs should I not ignore?
Umbilical hernias rarely become an emergency, but seek medical care promptly, at your nearest emergency department if needed, if the lump suddenly becomes painful, firm or red, or will not push back in. These can be signs that bowel has become trapped. Do not try to force the lump back in.
Caring for South-East Queensland
Dr Goutham consults and operates across Brisbane, Redland, Moreton Bay and Logan — care close to home, wherever you are in South-East Queensland.
Discuss your umbilical hernia with Dr Goutham
If you have a bulge or discomfort at your belly button, speak with your GP about a referral or contact Upper Edge Surgery. After consultation, the rooms can explain the recommended pathway and provide a written quote. All costs are confirmed in writing before any procedure.