As a high-volume hernia center, our team has extensive experience treating common concerns, such as an umbilical hernia. Our elite surgeons routinely perform umbilical hernia repair surgeries with excellent outcomes.
About Umbilical (Belly Button) Hernias
An umbilical hernia happens when part of the intestine or fat tissue pushes through weakened muscle in the belly button. Umbilical hernias, more so than other types of hernias, commonly affect babies or young children and often get better on their own.
An umbilical hernia can also develop during adulthood for a variety of reasons. For example, an umbilical hernia may form during pregnancy due to increased pressure on abdominal wall tissues. Umbilical hernias that develop in adulthood require surgery.
What Is Umbilical Hernia Repair Surgery?
Most umbilical hernia surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis, with no hospital stay required.
We offer the latest hernia surgery options, including open and minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic umbilical hernia surgery. Unlike open surgery (which requires one large incision), minimally invasive hernia surgery repairs a hernia using tiny incisions. A less-invasive approach offers several potential benefits, including a lower risk of complications and faster healing. Your doctor will recommend a plan that makes sense for your situation.
During umbilical hernia repair surgery, a surgeon usually:
- Puts you to sleep with general anesthesia.
- Makes one larger incision or multiple tiny incisions near the navel to reach the hernia.
- Moves the bulging tissue back where it should be (reduces the hernia).
- Closes up the hole where the hernia occurred with stitches.
- May use mesh material to further strengthen the weakened tissue and prevent another hernia.
Umbilical Hernia Surgery: Why Choose Penn Medicine?
At Penn Hernia Center, umbilical hernia surgery is a team effort. Penn surgeons work side by side with infectious disease and pain management experts — often under the same roof. This team-based approach helps us better meet your needs.
Our program also features:
- Top hernia surgeons: Our team includes accomplished hernia surgeons who are leaders in their field across the globe. Our surgeons have specialized expertise in both clinical care and research few other centers can match.
- Positive outcomes: Penn is a high-volume center for many types of hernia surgery. Our surgeons treat all types of umbilical hernias, including the most difficult-to-treat cases. We consistently deliver superior outcomes with low rates of complications and hernia recurrence.
- Advanced options for complex needs: Our surgeons have developed and refined many surgical techniques. We are known for our expertise performing complicated surgeries to repair multiply recurrent hernias (difficult-to-treat hernias that return after several repairs).
- Long-term follow-up care after surgery: Our comprehensive follow-up care provides support and guidance for up to two years after hernia repair surgery. We help you avoid a hernia recurrence and minimize the risk of other complications.
- Easy access, efficient care: We provide high-quality hernia care at several convenient locations throughout the Philadelphia region.
- Personalized support, from start to finish: Thinking through hernia repair surgery options may leave you with questions or concerns. Your care team is by your side to support you at every step. We also offer helpful tips in our patient guide to GI surgery.
Umbilical Hernia Surgery Recovery
Umbilical hernia repair surgery is a routine, safe procedure. Whatever your recovery entails, your care team will provide valuable support and guidance as your body heals.
Our long-term follow-up care process and hernia surgery recovery and rehabilitation reinforce healthy habits so you avoid a hernia recurrence down the road.
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