Umbilical hernia
An umbilical hernia is a bulge at or near the belly button where fat or part of the bowel pushes through a weakness in the abdominal wall. In adults it often shows as a soft lump that is more obvious when standing, coughing or straining. Many cause few symptoms. Unlike in babies, adult umbilical hernias usually do not close by themselves, and surgery is often recommended, especially if the hernia is painful or growing. A hernia that becomes painful, firm or cannot be pushed back needs emergency care.
What is umbilical hernia?
An umbilical hernia is a bulge at or near the belly button where fat or bowel pushes through a weakness in the abdominal wall. The belly button is a natural weak point. In babies these hernias usually close by around age five, but in adults they rarely close and tend to enlarge.
The belly button is a natural weak point in the abdominal wall because of where the umbilical cord was attached. Umbilical hernias are common in babies and usually disappear by around age five. In adults they are more often acquired, caused by raised pressure inside the abdomen pushing through this weak spot. The opening is often small and the hernia frequently contains only fat, but bowel can also enter it.
What causes an umbilical hernia in adults?
Adult umbilical hernias are usually caused by raised pressure inside the abdomen pushing through the weak point at the belly button. Common factors are being overweight, multiple pregnancies, fluid in the abdomen from conditions such as liver disease, heavy lifting and previous surgery near the belly button.
- A natural weak point at the belly button
- Being overweight or living with obesity
- Multiple pregnancies
- Fluid build-up in the abdomen (ascites), for example from liver disease
- Frequent heavy lifting or straining
- Previous abdominal surgery near the belly button
What are the symptoms?
An umbilical hernia usually shows as a soft lump in or around the belly button that is more obvious when standing, coughing or straining and smaller when lying down. It may cause discomfort or pressure, especially when straining, but many people have few or no symptoms.
- A soft lump or swelling in or around the belly button
- A lump that is more obvious when standing, coughing or straining and smaller when lying down
- Discomfort, pressure or pain around the belly button
- No symptoms at all in many people
When is an umbilical hernia an emergency?
See a doctor about a new lump at the belly button. Seek emergency care for very bad abdominal pain, vomiting, a hernia that is swollen, firm or discoloured, or one that cannot be pushed back. These can mean the hernia is trapped and its blood supply is at risk, which needs urgent surgery.
The warning signs below need prompt attention.
- Very bad abdominal pain that does not go away
- Nausea, vomiting or being unable to keep food down
- A hernia that is more swollen than usual, firm, or with skin that has changed colour
- A hernia that cannot be pushed back or does not shrink when you lie down
- Being unable to pass wind or stool
How is it diagnosed?
An umbilical hernia is usually diagnosed by examination alone, with you standing and lying down to see whether the lump goes back in. Ultrasound or CT scanning is used when the examination is unclear, the hernia is large or recurrent, or other abdominal conditions need to be checked.
- Examination of the belly button while you stand and lie down
- Checking whether the lump goes back in
- Ultrasound or CT scan if the examination is unclear or the hernia is large or recurrent
- Assessment of other conditions, such as liver disease, that affect the timing of surgery
How is an umbilical hernia repaired?
Surgery is often recommended for adult umbilical hernias, because they rarely improve. The hernia is pushed back and the gap closed, usually reinforced with a mesh. Most are repaired through a small cut near the belly button, and keyhole repair is considered for larger hernias. A trapped hernia needs emergency surgery.
- Monitoring of a very small hernia that is not causing discomfort
- Open repair through a small curved cut below the belly button
- Keyhole (laparoscopic) repair, considered for larger hernias or higher wound risk
- A mesh to reinforce the repair, recommended by the EHS and AHS guidelines to reduce recurrence
- Stitches alone in selected small hernias
- Emergency repair if the hernia is trapped or its blood supply is cut off
Is it covered by MediSave or insurance?
Dr Wong is a panel doctor under Alliance Medinet. Before your procedure, he can request pre-authorisation from Prudential and AIA, and the clinic writes in to other insurers in the same way. Prudential patients can claim when Dr Wong operates at Aptus Surgery (Paragon), a day surgery centre listed on Prudential's PRUPanel Connect. Pre-authorisation is decided by the insurer and is not a guarantee of payment. Eligible charges may be paid from MediSave within the limits for your procedure, and any uncovered balance is paid in cash.
How it works, step by step: fees, MediSave and insurance.
What is recovery like?
Day of surgery Often home the same day
The operation usually lasts 30 to 60 minutes
Return to work Usually at least 1 to 2 weeks
Up to 6 weeks if your job involves heavy lifting
Full recovery Usually 4 to 6 weeks
Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise until then
What are the risks and complications?
Possible complications of umbilical hernia repair include wound infection, bleeding, blood clots, lasting pain, the hernia coming back and, rarely, injury to the bowel. Risks are higher in people with other serious medical problems.
- Infection at the wound
- Bleeding or blood clots
- Lasting pain
- The hernia coming back
- Rarely, injury to the small or large intestine
How much does it cost in Singapore?
Dr Wong’s fees are guided by the Ministry of Health’s benchmark. The figure shown is approximately the upper end of the benchmark for a routine case. Your own fee depends on how complex your case is.
| Procedure | MOH code | Surgeon’s fee, excluding GST | Including 9% GST | MediSave surgical limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umbilical or epigastric hernia repair | SF814A | approximately $4,900 | approximately $5,341 | $1,390 |
Source: Ministry of Health, Bills and Fee Benchmarks, read 5 November 2026. Surgeon’s fees only. Anaesthetist, hospital, medicines and tests are billed separately. Figures are approximate and use the highest MOH benchmark figure for each procedure. The benchmark is a reference, not a cap. See fees, MediSave and insurance for the full picture.
Medically reviewed by Dr Wong Nan-Yaw
MBBS (NUS), FRCS (Edinburgh). 33 years in medicine (since 1993), 23 years as an accredited specialist (since 2003) and 18 years in private practice at Mount Elizabeth (since 2008). Last reviewed 6 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Will my umbilical hernia close on its own?
In babies it usually does by around age five. In adults it is unlikely to get better by itself, and hernias tend to get bigger over time, which is why surgery is often recommended.
Can I leave a small umbilical hernia alone?
A very small hernia that goes back in and causes no discomfort can sometimes be watched. You should know the warning signs of a trapped hernia and seek care if they appear.
Will I need a mesh?
Guidelines from the European and Americas Hernia Societies recommend mesh for most umbilical hernia repairs to lower the chance of recurrence. Some small hernias are closed with stitches alone.
Can I have the repair if I plan another pregnancy?
This is worth discussing before surgery, because pregnancy raises pressure inside the abdomen. Dr Wong will talk through timing with you.
References and further reading
- NHS: Umbilical hernia
- MedlinePlus: Umbilical hernia repair
- Alexandra Hospital: Umbilical hernia
- NUH Hernia Centre
- American College of Surgeons: Adult umbilical hernia
- European Hernia Society: Umbilical and epigastric hernia (patient information)
- British Journal of Surgery: EHS and AHS guidelines for umbilical and epigastric hernias (2020)
- MOH fee benchmark SF814A: Epigastric/umbilical hernia repair
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