A hernia develops when an internal part of your body, such as an organ, pushes through a weak area in the surrounding muscle or tissue. An umbilical hernia is when tissue or a part of the bowel protrudes into the tummy near the belly button. It causes the belly button to pop outwards. This type of hernia is very common in babies, particularly those who are born prematurely. It occurs when the opening in their tummy that the umbilical cord passes through does not seal properly after birth. You may see a lump or bulge near their belly button when they laugh, cough, cry or go to the toilet.
Umbilical hernias do not usually cause pain in children and often disappear before their first birthday. If your child has a large hernia or it does not disappear by their third or fourth birthday, they may need a short operation. Adults can also get an umbilical hernia, possibly as a result of repeated strain on the tummy. It may cause discomfort. To prevent complications, surgery is recommended in most cases. If the hernia is not repaired, it is likely to get bigger over time. The operation to repair an umbilical hernia is straightforward and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You or your child are given a general anaesthetic. This means that you are asleep during the operation and do not feel any pain.
Here at The Holly Private Hospital, we have an expert team of hernia repair consultants. We offer an all-inclusive self-pay package for hernia repair. Prices for open surgery to repair an umbilical hernia and one follow-up appointment start from £2,550 (terms and conditions apply). For more information and eligibility criteria, speak to one of our self-pay advisors by calling
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