Hernia Surgery
Expert Umbilical Hernia Treatment in Chennai
Advanced keyhole treatment for a belly button bulge in Chennai — laparoscopic, robotic and open umbilical hernia repair by Dr. Kumaragurubaran, with 28+ years of experience.
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- 28+ yearsin practice
- 20,000+laparoscopic surgeries
- 4.9/5300+ Google reviews
- BillrothShenoy Nagar
Key facts about Umbilical Hernia
- Condition
- Umbilical Hernia
- Speciality
- Hernia Surgery
- Approach
- Keyhole where suitable
- Treated by
- Dr. Kumaragurubaran
- Hospital
- Billroth, Shenoy Nagar
- Consultations
- Mon–Sat, no referral
What is Umbilical Hernia?
An umbilical hernia develops when tissue from inside the abdomen pushes through a weakened area around the belly button, also known as the umbilicus.
It usually appears as a bulge or swelling in or around the navel (a belly button bulge). The swelling may become more prominent when standing, coughing, sneezing, lifting or straining.
Some umbilical hernias remain small and cause little discomfort, while others may gradually become larger and painful. An examination by an umbilical hernia specialist in Chennai can help determine the size, location and characteristics of the hernia.
An umbilical hernia may begin as a small bulge around the belly button, but it can gradually increase in size and cause pain or discomfort during everyday activities. Getting the condition evaluated early by an experienced hernia surgeon can help determine whether monitoring or surgical repair is appropriate.
Dr. Kumaragurubaran is a Senior Surgical Gastroenterologist and Advanced Laparoscopic, GI & Robotic Surgeon at Billroth Hospitals, Chennai, with 28+ years of surgical experience in umbilical hernia treatment and surgery, and expertise across 30,000+ surgical procedures, including 20,000+ laparoscopic surgeries. He provides comprehensive evaluation and personalised treatment for umbilical hernias, with laparoscopic, robotic and open approaches considered according to the patient's condition.
When should you see an umbilical hernia doctor in Chennai?
You should consider consulting an umbilical hernia doctor in Chennai if you notice a persistent swelling around your belly button, particularly if it is becoming larger or painful. Medical evaluation is important if:
- The hernia is increasing in size
- Pain is becoming more frequent
- The swelling interferes with daily activities
- You experience discomfort during exercise or lifting
- The bulge becomes difficult to push back
- You have undergone previous abdominal surgery
- A previously repaired hernia has returned
Sudden severe pain, vomiting, abdominal swelling, or a firm and painful swelling that cannot be pushed back, requires urgent medical attention.
Symptoms of Umbilical Hernia
The signs patients most often describe. Anything lasting more than a few weeks is worth having examined.
- A visible or palpable bulge around the navel — a belly button bulge
- Pain or tenderness at the belly button
- A feeling of pressure or heaviness around the navel
- Burning or aching around the swelling
- Discomfort while coughing or sneezing
- Pain during lifting or exercise, or when pushing on the bulge
- Increasing size of the bulge
- The belly button sticking out
- A soft lump above the belly button, with the navel turning outward
- Some patients have an umbilical hernia without significant symptoms, but a new or enlarging swelling should be evaluated
What causes Umbilical Hernia?
- Weakness in the abdominal wall around the navel
- Obesity or excess abdominal weight
- Pregnancy — postpartum umbilical hernia
- Repeated heavy lifting
- Persistent coughing
- Chronic constipation and straining
- Fluid accumulation in the abdomen — ascites
- Previous abdominal surgery
- Natural weakness in the abdominal wall
- A congenital defect at the umbilicus — paediatric umbilical hernia
- Having one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean that a person will develop a hernia
How Umbilical Hernia is diagnosed
No operation is planned on a guess — the diagnosis is established first.
- An umbilical hernia can often be diagnosed through a physical examination
- The size of the hernia is assessed
- The location of the abdominal wall defect is identified
- Whether the hernia is reducible is checked
- The severity and duration of symptoms are reviewed
- Previous abdominal surgeries are taken into account
- The general medical condition of the patient is assessed
- An ultrasound or CT scan may be advised when the diagnosis is unclear or detailed information is needed for surgical planning
How Umbilical Hernia is treated
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General anaesthesia is given, and the abdomen is painted and draped.
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Gas is introduced into the abdomen with a needle and a pneumoperitoneum is created.
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The surgeon creates small surgical access points called ports.
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A camera and specialised instruments are inserted.
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The umbilical defect is identified.
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The protruding tissue is repositioned.
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The defect is repaired.
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The abdominal wall is reinforced with mesh when clinically appropriate.
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The gas is let out and the ports are removed.
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The surgical access sites are closed.
What is the best umbilical hernia treatment in Chennai?
The best umbilical hernia treatment in Chennai depends on the size and location of the hernia, the symptoms, previous surgery and the patient's overall health.
Small and minimally symptomatic hernias may sometimes be monitored under medical guidance. When surgery is recommended, the repair may be performed using an open or a minimally invasive technique. The primary objective of surgery is to repair the abdominal wall defect and reinforce the weakened area, to provide a durable repair and reduce the possibility of recurrence.
Laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair in Chennai
For appropriately selected patients, Dr. Kumaragurubaran provides umbilical hernia laparoscopic surgery in Chennai, using a minimally invasive approach to hernia repair with faster recovery and minimal pain.
Laparoscopic surgery uses a camera and specialised instruments inserted through small incisions. The surgeon identifies the hernia defect, returns the protruding tissue to its appropriate position and reinforces the weakened abdominal wall. A surgical mesh may be used when clinically appropriate to strengthen the repair.
Benefits of laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair include:
- Smaller surgical incisions
- Less tissue disruption
- Reduced post-operative discomfort
- Earlier mobilisation
- Faster return to routine activities
The decision to perform laparoscopic surgery depends on the size, location and complexity of the hernia and the patient's individual condition.
Robotic umbilical hernia repair in Chennai
For selected patients with an umbilical hernia, robotic surgery is offered. Robotic ports are introduced, the instruments are docked, and the surgeon operates the robotic arms from the surgeon's console to repair the defect. Robotic surgery is particularly useful in recurrent and complex hernias.
Open umbilical hernia repair in Chennai
Open umbilical hernia surgery is usually reserved for large umbilical hernias and for umbilical hernias with complications such as incarceration, obstruction or strangulation. Large umbilical hernias with skin necrosis may also need an open repair.
Open repair is performed with mesh (umbilical hernioplasty) or without mesh, where an anatomical repair of the defect is carried out.
Postpartum umbilical hernia — umbilical hernia after pregnancy
An umbilical hernia is quite common during and after pregnancy, because of the increased abdominal pressure caused by the enlarged uterus. It is often called a “postpartum belly button hernia”, and is many times associated with divarication (diastasis) of the recti.
Most of the time, with proper rehabilitation, a postpartum umbilical hernia and the divarication may reverse. However, in the absence of rehabilitation the hernia and the divarication remain unchanged and may lead to surgery after a year or so.
Paediatric umbilical hernia — umbilical hernia in babies
Since the umbilicus is a scar resulting from the stump of the umbilical cord, many infants and children in their early years show a bulge at the umbilicus — a paediatric umbilical hernia. The good news is that many of these hernias disappear on their own as the child grows, and mostly do not need surgery.
Symptoms in children
There is a bulge at the umbilicus which becomes more prominent when the child cries. The common signs noticed by parents include:
- A bulge in the belly button that sticks out when the child cries
- A lump or swelling that flattens when the baby is calm and lying down
Management in children
Most of the time the hernia disappears as the child grows to two years of age. If it does not disappear, surgical treatment may be necessary.
Can an umbilical hernia come back?
Although hernia surgery aims to provide a durable repair, recurrence is possible. The risk can depend on factors such as:
- The surgeon's expertise
- Hernia size
- Tissue quality
- Previous hernia repairs
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Wound complications
- Other medical conditions
- Post-operative factors
Following the surgeon's recovery and activity recommendations can help support healing.
Cost of umbilical hernia surgery in Chennai
The cost of umbilical hernia surgery depends on the surgical approach, the type of mesh and the hospital.
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Umbilical hernia surgery in Chennai | ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh, depending on the surgical approach, mesh type and hospital |
Why is Dr. Kumaragurubaran the best surgeon for umbilical hernia repair in Chennai?
- 28+ years of surgical experience in umbilical hernia repair and treatment
- 28+ years of experience in laparoscopic umbilical hernia surgery
- 30,000+ surgical procedures performed
- 20,000+ laparoscopic surgeries
- Advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgical expertise
- Day-care hernia surgery
- Recurrent umbilical hernia expertise
- Personalised diagnosis and treatment planning
- Experience managing different types and complexities of umbilical hernias
- Expertise in TAPP, TEP, eTEP and Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (AWR)
Consult an umbilical hernia specialist in Chennai
An umbilical hernia should be evaluated if it is growing, painful or interfering with your daily activities. Early diagnosis can help determine the most appropriate treatment before complications develop.
Dr. Kumaragurubaran provides comprehensive evaluation and surgical treatment for umbilical hernias, with laparoscopic, robotic and minimally invasive options for appropriately selected patients.
Book your consultation to discuss your symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options with an experienced hernia specialist.
Recovery after treatment
- A liquid diet can be taken about six hours after surgery, followed by a semi-solid diet
- A normal soft diet is usually possible around 2 to 3 days after surgery
- Walking is encouraged for the first few days
- After 1 to 2 weeks, gradually increase walking and normal daily activities
- After 2 weeks, light exercise such as cycling or gentle cardio can be started
- Mild swelling or a small lump can be normal for a few weeks — it may be due to healing or a seroma
- Recovery varies according to the surgical technique, hernia size and individual health
Risks if Umbilical Hernia is left untreated
- An untreated hernia can increase in size and become more symptomatic
- Incarceration — a stuck hernia, where the contents cannot be pushed back into the abdominal cavity and cause pain around the navel
- Strangulation — the contents become gangrenous, with severe pain and tenderness, abdominal distension and vomiting, requiring emergency surgery
- Bowel obstruction, with vomiting and abdominal distension
- Seek urgent medical care if the swelling suddenly becomes very painful, firm or non-reducible, especially with vomiting or abdominal swelling
Why patients choose this practice
Diagnosis before decision
No operation is scheduled on a guess. Many patients who arrive expecting surgery leave with a treatment plan instead.
Costs in writing, first
A written estimate covering surgeon, theatre, anaesthesia, implants and expected stay before you are asked to consent.
Keyhole most of the time
Ninety-five per cent of procedures are completed through keyhole access; the rest are open because open was the safer call.
Second opinions
If surgery has been advised elsewhere, bring the scans and the plan. Reviewing another surgeon’s recommendation is routine.
About the surgeon
Treated by
Dr. Kumaragurubaran
Senior Surgical Gastroenterologist, Advanced Laparoscopic, GI & Robotic Surgeon
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MRCS (England), FIAGES (Gastro), FALS (Colorectal, Bariatric, Hernia, Robotic), Dip. ALS (Advanced Laparoscopy)
Gastroenterologist, GI & Laparoscopic Surgeon at Billroth Hospitals in Shenoy Nagar, Chennai. Treats Hernia, Reflux, Obesity, Colorectal, Gastrointestinal and Anorectal conditions, and provides medical treatment for GERD, Gastritis, Peptic ulcer, Jaundice, Pancreatitis, Colitis and IBD.
Umbilical Hernia: frequently asked questions
Can weight lifting cause an umbilical hernia?
Yes, unsupervised weight lifting can cause an umbilical hernia.
Is laparoscopic surgery suitable for an umbilical hernia?
Laparoscopic surgery can be considered for most umbilical hernia patients. Suitability depends on factors such as the size and complexity of the hernia, previous surgeries and the patient's overall health.
Can an umbilical hernia be cured without surgery?
Usually an adult umbilical hernia does not heal on its own. A paediatric umbilical hernia can heal on its own up to two years of age. Some small and minimally symptomatic hernias may be monitored under medical guidance, but surgery may be recommended when the hernia becomes painful, enlarges, interferes with daily activities or develops complications.
Is mesh used in umbilical hernia surgery?
Mesh may be recommended for certain hernias to reinforce the abdominal wall and reduce the risk of recurrence. Whether mesh is required depends on the individual patient's condition.
How long does recovery take after umbilical hernia surgery?
Recovery varies according to the surgical technique, hernia size and individual health. The surgeon will provide specific guidance on walking, exercise, lifting and returning to normal activities.
What is the cost of belly button hernia surgery in Chennai?
The cost of umbilical hernia surgery depends on the surgical approach, the type of mesh and the hospital. It usually costs around 1 to 1.5 lakhs.
When is an umbilical hernia an emergency?
Sudden severe pain, vomiting, abdominal swelling, or a firm and painful swelling that cannot be pushed back may indicate incarceration or strangulation. The belly button hernia may turn purple, hard and tense. These symptoms require urgent medical evaluation.
What can I eat after belly button hernia surgery?
You can take a liquid diet after six hours of surgery, followed by a semi-solid diet. A normal soft diet is usually possible around 2 to 3 days after surgery.
Is swelling normal after umbilical hernia repair?
Mild swelling or a small lump can be normal for a few weeks. It may be due to healing or a seroma.
When can I exercise after umbilical hernia repair?
Walking is encouraged for the first few days. After 1 to 2 weeks you can gradually increase walking and normal daily activities, and after 2 weeks light exercise such as cycling or gentle cardio can be done.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Kumaragurubaran, MS (General Surgery), DNB (Surgical Gastroenterology), Senior Consultant at Billroth Hospitals, Shenoy Nagar. This page is patient education and does not replace a consultation in which you have been examined.
Next step
Discuss Umbilical Hernia with Dr. Kumaragurubaran
Bring any scans or reports you already have. You will be told plainly what is wrong, what the options are, and what happens if nothing is done.