What is umbilical hernia?
An umbilical hernia develops when fatty tissue or part of the bowel pushes through a weak point in the abdominal wall at or near the navel, creating a soft bulge. In babies these hernias are common and usually close by themselves, but in adults they do not heal on their own and tend to enlarge slowly over time.
Adult umbilical and paraumbilical hernias are more common in people who are overweight, have had multiple pregnancies, do heavy lifting or have a persistent cough. Diagnosis is normally made by simple examination, with the bulge often more obvious on standing or straining; an ultrasound scan is occasionally used to confirm smaller hernias or rule out other causes of a lump.
Common symptoms
- A soft bulge at or beside the belly button
- The lump becoming more obvious when coughing, laughing or straining
- Aching or dragging discomfort around the navel
- Discomfort after standing for long periods or heavy lifting
- Skin over the lump becoming stretched or tender
- Sudden severe pain with a firm, irreducible lump (needs urgent assessment)
How long will you wait?
Routine NHS waits for umbilical hernia repair commonly run to four to nine months at many trusts, as these repairs sit in the same general surgery queues as other elective operations.
Privately, you can typically see a consultant within 3–7 days, with surgery usually scheduled within 2–4 weeks.
NHS England median referral-to-treatment wait: 12.4 weeks, with 2.5 million people waiting over 18 weeks (May 2026). Individual waits vary by trust and urgency.
Treatment options
- Watchful waiting. Very small, painless hernias can be monitored, though adult umbilical hernias do not resolve without surgery.
- Open repair with sutures or mesh. Through a small incision by the navel, the defect is closed with stitches or reinforced with mesh, usually as a day case.
- Laparoscopic (keyhole) repair. Used for larger or recurrent hernias, mesh is placed behind the abdominal wall through small incisions.
What does private treatment cost?
As a guide, self-pay umbilical hernia repair typically costs around £2,500–£4,000 in the UK in 2026, depending on the size of the hernia and the technique used.
Does health insurance cover umbilical hernia?
Private medical insurance usually covers umbilical hernia repair in full when the hernia first appears after your policy begins, as it is an acute condition with a definitive surgical fix. A hernia you already had, or had symptoms from, before joining will normally be excluded as pre-existing to begin with. On moratorium policies the exclusion may lift after a set trouble-free period, so it is worth checking your terms.
Frequently asked questions
Can an umbilical hernia get better without surgery?
In adults, no. Unlike infant umbilical hernias, which often close naturally in the first few years of life, an adult hernia is a permanent defect in the abdominal wall. Losing weight and avoiding heavy lifting can ease symptoms and slow enlargement, but the only cure is surgical repair. Small, painless hernias can reasonably be left alone under review.
How long does umbilical hernia surgery take and what is recovery like?
The operation itself usually takes 30–60 minutes and is almost always done as a day case under general or local anaesthetic. Most people are back to light activities within a few days and desk work within one to two weeks. You will be advised to avoid heavy lifting for around four to six weeks while the repair strengthens.
Is mesh always used in the repair?
Not always. Small defects, typically under about 1–2 cm, can often be closed securely with stitches alone. For larger hernias, surgeons usually recommend mesh because it substantially lowers the risk of the hernia coming back. Your surgeon will discuss the options, the evidence and any concerns you have about mesh before you decide together on the approach.