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Umbilical Hernia Repair
Umbilical Hernia Repair in Katy & Sugar Land, TX
Belly Button Hernia Surgery for Adults: Open, Laparoscopic & Robotic
An umbilical hernia is a bulge at or just beside the belly button, where fat or a small loop of intestine pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. In babies these often close on their own. In adults they do not, and they tend to enlarge slowly over the years.
Many adults live with a small umbilical hernia for a long time before it starts to ache, catch on a waistband, or become a worry. Board-certified surgeon Dr. Murtaza Shakir repairs adult umbilical hernias at offices in Katy and Sugar Land, choosing between suture repair, mesh repair, and open, laparoscopic, or robotic surgery based on the size of the opening and your health. For every hernia type we treat, see the main hernia repair page.
Meet the Surgeon
Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, general surgeon and hernia specialist in Katy and Sugar Land, TX
- Dual board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology
- Named a Houstonia Top Doctor in General Surgery, 2026 (see listing)
- Highly reviewed: rated 4.9 stars on Google
- Specialized in open, laparoscopic, and robotic umbilical and abdominal wall hernia repair, gallbladder surgery, and complex abdominal surgery
Patient Reviews
Patient Experiences With Dr. Shakir
Rated 4.9 stars on Google. Real experiences from patients treated in Katy and Sugar Land.
Jump to a section
- At a glance
- What is an umbilical hernia?
- Adults vs. children
- Causes
- Symptoms and when to see a surgeon
- Diastasis recti and umbilical hernia
- Diagnosis
- When is repair advised?
- Meet your surgeon
- Suture or mesh repair?
- Open, laparoscopic, and robotic repair
- Before and on surgery day
- Recovery
- Risks and recurrence
- Patient reviews
- Why choose us
- Insurance
- Locations
- FAQs
- Schedule a consultation
At a Glance
Umbilical Hernia Repair at a Glance
- What it is
- Surgery to close an opening in the abdominal wall at or beside the belly button, with or without mesh.
- Who treats it
- A general surgeon. Dr. Shakir is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.
- When repair is advised
- A hernia that hurts, is growing, is larger than about 1 to 2 cm, or has ever become stuck. A small, painless hernia can often be watched.
- Repair options
- Open suture repair for very small defects; mesh repair for most others; laparoscopic or robotic repair for larger, recurrent, or diastasis-related hernias.
- Hospital stay
- Almost always outpatient: you go home the same day with a driver.
- Typical recovery
- Desk work within a few days to a week; lifting and core exercise limited for four to six weeks, longer after diastasis closure.
- Urgent warning signs
- A navel bulge that becomes firm, very painful, red or purple, or will not go back in, especially with vomiting. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
- Where
- Offices in Katy and Sugar Land, TX. Call 713-955-9191.
Umbilical Hernia Basics
What Is an Umbilical Hernia?
An umbilical hernia is an opening in the abdominal wall at the navel that lets tissue from inside the abdomen push outward under the skin. The bulge usually contains fat; less often it contains a loop of intestine.
What matters most to a surgeon is the size of the opening in the muscle layer, called the defect, not the size of the bulge you see. A small defect can sit under a surprisingly large bulge, and the defect size guides both the timing and the type of repair.
Anatomy Around the Navel
Before birth, the umbilical cord passes through a ring in the abdominal wall. That ring closes after birth, but the scar it leaves at the navel stays one of the thinnest points in the abdominal wall for life.
Running vertically through the navel is the linea alba, the band of tough connective tissue where the two rectus (“six-pack”) muscles meet in the midline. Adult umbilical hernias form either through the old umbilical ring or through the linea alba immediately above or below it.
Umbilical vs. Paraumbilical Hernia
A hernia directly through the umbilical ring is a true umbilical hernia; one through the linea alba just beside the navel is often called a paraumbilical hernia. They look and feel the same, are treated the same way, and are usually grouped together. A hernia higher up between the navel and breastbone is an epigastric hernia, and one at an old scar is an incisional hernia, covered on our ventral and incisional hernia repair page.
Adults vs. Children
Umbilical Hernias in Adults vs. Children
Umbilical hernias in babies usually close without surgery, while umbilical hernias in adults do not close and tend to slowly enlarge. The two behave so differently that the advice for one should not be applied to the other.
In Infants and Young Children
A soft navel bulge is common in infants and often becomes more obvious when the baby cries or strains. Most close on their own by age 3 to 4, and taping or strapping a coin over the navel does not help. Surgery is generally reserved for a hernia that has not closed by that age or one that becomes trapped. Parents should start with their child’s pediatrician.
In Adults
Most adult umbilical hernias are acquired, meaning they form later in life as pressure inside the abdomen stretches the weak point at the navel. They are more common in women, especially after pregnancy, and in people carrying extra weight. Because the opening does not close, an adult hernia either stays the same or gradually grows. This page focuses on adults.
Why It Happens
What Causes an Adult Umbilical Hernia?
An adult umbilical hernia is caused by repeated or prolonged pressure inside the abdomen pushing on the naturally thin tissue at the navel. Anything that raises that pressure over time can open the weak point or make an existing hernia bigger:
- Pregnancy, particularly multiple pregnancies
- Weight gain and abdominal obesity
- Chronic coughing or constipation
- Heavy lifting or straining
- Fluid in the abdomen (ascites) from liver disease
- Previous abdominal surgery near the navel, including laparoscopic port sites
Umbilical hernias are among the most common hernias Dr. Shakir repairs. Our article on umbilical hernias in adults covers the early signs in more detail.
Pregnancy
A growing uterus stretches the abdominal wall and raises pressure behind the navel. Many women first notice an umbilical hernia during or after pregnancy, often together with a separation of the rectus muscles (diastasis recti). Future pregnancies can stretch a hernia or a fresh repair again, which affects the timing of surgery.
Weight
Extra abdominal weight presses constantly on the navel. It also thins the tissue around the defect and makes a repair harder to keep intact, which is why weight is one of the strongest risk factors for a hernia coming back after surgery.
Ascites and Liver Disease
In cirrhosis and other liver conditions, fluid can build up in the abdomen (ascites). The fluid pressure can enlarge an umbilical hernia quickly and thin the skin over it. Repair in this setting carries more risk and is usually planned together with the doctor treating the liver disease, ideally after the fluid is controlled.
Signs and Symptoms
Umbilical Hernia Symptoms and When to See a Surgeon
The most common sign of an umbilical hernia is a soft bulge at or beside the belly button that becomes more obvious when you stand, cough, or strain. Typical symptoms include:
- A soft bulge at or beside the belly button
- A navel that has become an “outie” in adulthood
- A bulge that is more obvious when standing, coughing, or straining
- Aching, pressure, or a dull pain around the navel
- Discomfort that increases after a long day or exercise
- Tenderness when the area is pressed
- A bulge that is slowly getting larger
- Difficulty pushing the bulge back in
Small hernias may cause no symptoms at all and are often noticed during a routine exam or on a CT scan done for another reason.
When to Schedule a Surgical Visit
Book a consultation if the bulge is new, growing, aching, harder to push back in, or affecting work or exercise. You should also be seen if a hernia was found on imaging, if a previous umbilical repair has come back, or if you are planning a pregnancy and want advice on timing. Read about when to worry about hernia pain and signs you may need a hernia specialist.
When an Umbilical Hernia Needs Urgent Care
Seek immediate care for sudden, severe navel pain, a firm, tender, red or purple bulge, a hernia that no longer goes back in, or vomiting or trouble passing gas or stool. With ascites, thin, dark or leaking skin over the hernia is urgent too. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Diastasis Recti
Umbilical Hernia and Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti is a widening of the gap between the two rectus muscles, while an umbilical hernia is a true hole at the navel; the two are different problems that often occur together. Many adults, especially after pregnancy or significant weight change, have both, with the hernia sitting in the middle of the separation.
Diastasis Recti
The midline tissue stretches and thins, but there is no hole. It causes a ridge or dome down the middle of the abdomen when you sit up or strain. Because there is no opening, it does not trap tissue. Diastasis alone is often managed with core-strengthening exercise, and surgery is generally not performed for the separation by itself.
Umbilical Hernia
A defined opening at or beside the navel that fat or intestine can push through. It produces a rounder, more localized bulge at the belly button, may ache, and can occasionally trap tissue. Unlike a diastasis, it does not improve with exercise.
When Both Are Present
Repairing only the hernia in this setting leaves the surrounding wall weak. A robotic repair that closes the diastasis and reinforces it with mesh can address both at once. Whether this is appropriate depends on the width of the separation, your symptoms, and future pregnancy plans. When the main concern is loose skin or abdominal shape rather than the hernia, a cosmetic abdominoplasty by a plastic surgeon may be the better fit.
Diagnosis
How an Umbilical Hernia Is Diagnosed
Most umbilical hernias are diagnosed with a physical exam in the office. The hernia is examined standing and lying down, and while you cough or bear down. Dr. Shakir estimates the size of the defect, checks whether the contents go back in easily, and feels above and below the navel for a separation of the rectus muscles.
Most umbilical hernias need no imaging. An ultrasound or CT scan is useful when the exam is difficult, when the hernia is large, when a rectus diastasis is suspected, when there may be more than one defect, or when liver disease or ascites may be contributing. Please bring any imaging reports and prior operative notes to your visit. Read more: A CT scan showed a hernia. Do I need surgery?
Other Causes of a Lump or Pain at the Navel
Not every navel bulge is an umbilical hernia. A diastasis, a fatty lump (lipoma), a skin cyst, an epigastric hernia higher in the midline, an incisional hernia at an old laparoscopic port, and infection in the navel can look or feel similar. Belly button pain without a bulge can also come from conditions inside the abdomen. A surgical exam usually tells them apart, and imaging helps when it does not.
Timing of Repair
When Is Umbilical Hernia Repair Recommended?
Repair is usually recommended when an adult umbilical hernia hurts, is getting bigger, is larger than about 1 to 2 cm, or has ever become stuck. Not every hernia needs surgery right away. Dr. Shakir weighs these factors before advising whether to repair now or watch:
Symptoms and Size
A small (under about 1 cm), painless hernia in a healthy adult can often be observed. Hernias that hurt, are enlarging, are larger than 1 to 2 cm, or have ever become stuck are usually repaired. Larger hernias are also more likely to cause symptoms and need a bigger repair later.
Pregnancy Plans
For women planning further pregnancies, timing matters. A small hernia that is not causing symptoms is often left until childbearing is complete, because pregnancy can stress a fresh repair. A painful or enlarging hernia may still warrant repair beforehand.
Weight and Health
Obesity, smoking, diabetes, and liver disease with ascites all increase recurrence and complication risk. When these can be improved before surgery, Dr. Shakir may recommend a short delay to do so.
Previous Surgery
Prior laparoscopic ports at the navel, a previous umbilical repair, or other abdominal operations affect the choice of approach and whether mesh is placed.
If you choose to wait, watchful waiting means regular check-ins and a plan: the hernia is repaired if it starts to hurt, grows, or becomes harder to push back in, and you know which warning signs need emergency care. Because adult umbilical hernias do not close, waiting does not make the hernia go away; it delays surgery until the benefit is clearer. Read more about whether hernias go away on their own and when hernia surgery becomes necessary.
Your Surgeon
Meet Your Umbilical Hernia Surgeon
Murtaza Shakir, MD
Board-Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
Umbilical hernia care at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas is led by Dr. Murtaza Shakir, who is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.
Board certification
American Board of Surgery: General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology
Medical degree
Aga Khan University
Residency
General Surgery, Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
Fellowship
Two-year Surgical Oncology fellowship, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Surgical practice includes
Named a Houstonia Top Doctor in General Surgery (2026). Learn more about our general surgery services.
Repair Planning
Suture Repair or Mesh for an Umbilical Hernia?
Mesh is recommended for most adult umbilical hernias with an opening of about 1 cm or more, while a very small defect can be closed with stitches alone. International hernia society guidelines support mesh for most umbilical hernia repairs because it lowers the chance of the hernia coming back.
When a Suture Repair Is Reasonable
For very small defects (under about 1 cm) in a slim, healthy adult, closing the opening with permanent stitches is a reasonable choice and avoids a foreign material. The trade-off is a higher chance of recurrence if the defect is larger or the tissue is under strain.
When Mesh Is Usually Advised
For defects larger than about 1 cm, and for most patients with obesity, a previous recurrence, or a diastasis, mesh markedly lowers the chance of the hernia coming back. The mesh used is small and sits flat behind the muscle, where it is not felt.
Your Say in the Decision
Dr. Shakir discusses the type of mesh, where it will sit, and the trade-offs before surgery, so the decision is yours as well as his. Mesh problems such as infection are uncommon, and you will know in advance whether mesh is planned for your repair.
Surgical Approaches
Open, Laparoscopic, and Robotic Umbilical Hernia Repair
Small umbilical hernias are usually best repaired through a short open incision at the navel, while larger, recurrent, or diastasis-related hernias are usually better suited to laparoscopic or robotic repair. Dr. Shakir performs all three and matches the approach to your hernia.
Larger and Recurrent Umbilical Hernias
A large umbilical hernia, a hernia with more than one defect along the midline, or one that has come back after a previous repair is planned more like a ventral hernia repair. A minimally invasive approach lets the surgeon see the whole midline, find additional defects, and place mesh with a wide overlap. Prior operative reports and, often, a CT scan are reviewed first. Read more about ventral and incisional hernia repair, recurrent hernia repair, and the robotic vs. open hernia repair comparison.
| Feature | Open | Laparoscopic | Robotic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisions | Small curved incision hidden in the navel | Three small incisions away from the navel | Same small incisions as laparoscopic |
| Defect closure | Closed with sutures | Repaired from inside the abdomen | Sutured closed from inside |
| Mesh | Small mesh if over about 1 cm | Mesh against the inner abdominal wall | Mesh between abdominal wall layers |
| Often used for | Outpatient repair, general or local anesthesia | Larger or recurrent umbilical hernias | Hernias with diastasis and heavier patients |
Typical patterns only. Dr. Shakir recommends an approach after your exam.
Preparing for Surgery
Before Surgery and on the Day of Your Repair
Most of the preparation for umbilical hernia repair happens at your consultation and in the days before surgery. Tell the surgical team about blood thinners, diabetes medications, supplements, allergies, previous abdominal surgery, and heart, lung, or liver conditions. If you smoke, stopping before surgery helps the incision and repair heal. Do not stop a prescription medication unless instructed by the appropriate healthcare professional. Follow the fasting and medication instructions in our pre-operative guide.
What Happens on Surgery Day
- You arrive at the surgical center having followed your fasting and medication instructions.
- Anesthesia is given: general anesthesia for laparoscopic or robotic repair; general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation for open repair.
- The operation takes roughly 30 to 60 minutes for an open repair and 60 to 90 minutes for a minimally invasive repair.
- You spend an hour or two in recovery and go home the same day with a driver.
- A follow-up visit is scheduled within one to two weeks.
After Surgery
Recovery After Umbilical Hernia Repair
Most adults go home the same day, return to desk work within about a week, and wait four to six weeks before heavy lifting or core exercise. Your own timeline depends on the size of the hernia, whether mesh and diastasis closure were needed, and the work you do.
Same Day
Almost all umbilical hernia repairs are outpatient. You go home a few hours after surgery with a driver, and walking is encouraged right away.
First Week
Soreness at the navel, some bruising, and a bloated feeling after a minimally invasive repair are normal. Most patients manage with over-the-counter medication; larger mesh repairs can be more uncomfortable for the first week. Showering is usually fine after 24 to 48 hours; keep the navel clean and dry afterward.
Work and Driving
Desk work is often possible within a few days to a week, and physical work in two to four weeks. Most people can drive once they are off prescription pain medication and can brake suddenly without pain.
Lifting and Exercise
Avoid lifting more than about 10 to 15 pounds and avoid core exercise for four to six weeks; larger repairs with mesh and diastasis closure may need six to eight weeks. Follow the timeline Dr. Shakir gives you and our post-operative instructions.
For more detail, see the recovery timeline after hernia surgery, time off work after hernia surgery, and how long after hernia surgery you can work out.
Risks and Recurrence
Risks, Complications, and Recurrence
Umbilical hernia repair is a common operation with a low risk of serious complications in healthy adults, but every surgery carries some risk. Dr. Shakir reviews the risks that apply to you before surgery. Possible complications include:
- Bruising, bleeding, or a fluid collection (seroma) under the navel, which usually settles on its own
- Wound infection or slow healing of the skin at the navel
- A change in the shape of the navel, mainly after very large hernias that have stretched the skin
- Mesh-related problems such as infection, which are uncommon
- Injury to the intestine, which is rare
- Reactions to anesthesia, breathing problems, or blood clots
- Return of the hernia (recurrence)
Lowering the Chance of Recurrence
Recurrence is uncommon after a mesh repair. The main risk factors are obesity, smoking, diabetes, wound infection, a larger defect closed without mesh, and lifting too soon. Not smoking, keeping blood sugar under control, and following your lifting restrictions all help the repair hold. If an umbilical hernia does come back, it can be repaired, usually with mesh and a minimally invasive approach; see recurrent hernia repair.
When to Call the Office After Surgery
Call the office if you develop a fever, increasing redness, warmth, or drainage at the navel, pain that is getting worse instead of better, or a new bulge at the repair site. For severe pain, vomiting, or trouble breathing, call 911.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas for Umbilical Hernia Repair?
Dr. Murtaza Shakir is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology and repairs adult umbilical hernias at offices in Katy and Sugar Land.
- A repair sized to your hernia, with mesh when needed
- Open, laparoscopic and robotic techniques available
- Honest timing advice, including waiting until after pregnancy
- Clear answers on mesh use and recovery
- Consultations and follow-up in Katy and Sugar Land
Insurance Coverage
Insurance for Umbilical Hernia Repair
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas accepts many major insurance plans for umbilical hernia evaluation and repair, including participating Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Our office can confirm whether your specific plan participates and whether a referral or prior authorization is needed before your visit.
Coverage, network participation, authorization requirements, and your share of the cost vary by plan. You can also review the insurance accepted for surgical care at our practice.
Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield are only some of the plans we accept. Plan-specific details are on our Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield pages. If your plan is not listed, contact our office and our team will help verify it.
Insurance participation and benefits vary by individual plan. Verification does not guarantee coverage, authorization or payment. Please contact our office and your insurer to verify benefits before treatment.
Our Locations
Two Convenient Fort Bend County Offices
Learn more about our Katy and Sugar Land practices, or view all locations.
Katy Office
410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D
Katy, TX 77494
Serves: Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Cinco Ranch and West Houston
Sugar Land Office
17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Serves: Sugar Land, Richmond, Stafford, Missouri City, Fort Bend County and Southwest Houston
Approximate Drive Times
From West Houston (Energy Corridor): about 15 minutes to Katy, or 25 to 30 minutes to Sugar Land.
From North Houston: about 40 to 50 minutes to either office, depending on traffic.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Umbilical Hernia Repair
Does an adult umbilical hernia need surgery?
Not always immediately. Adult umbilical hernias do not close on their own, but a small, painless one can often be watched. Repair is usually recommended when the hernia hurts, enlarges, exceeds about 1 to 2 cm, or has ever become stuck.
Can an umbilical hernia go away on its own in adults?
No. In infants, most umbilical hernias close by age 3 to 4, but in adults the opening stays and usually enlarges slowly. Read more about whether hernias go away on their own.
Is an umbilical hernia dangerous?
Most are not dangerous day to day, but tissue can become trapped in the opening. A navel bulge that becomes firm, very painful, discolored, or will not go back in, especially with vomiting, needs emergency care.
Is mesh needed for umbilical hernia repair?
For defects under about 1 cm in a healthy, slim patient, suture repair alone is reasonable. For larger defects and most patients with obesity or a previous recurrence, mesh significantly lowers the chance of the hernia coming back.
Can an umbilical hernia be repaired robotically?
Yes. Robotic repair is particularly useful for larger umbilical hernias, hernias with a rectus diastasis, and heavier patients, because the defect can be sutured closed and mesh placed within the abdominal wall layers.
What is the difference between an umbilical hernia and diastasis recti?
Diastasis is a widening of the gap between the rectus muscles without a true hole in the abdominal wall; it causes a midline bulge on sitting up but does not trap tissue. An umbilical hernia is a true opening at the navel. The two often occur together.
Should I wait until after pregnancy to have my umbilical hernia repaired?
If the hernia is small and not bothering you, waiting until you have finished having children is often sensible. If it is painful, enlarging, or has become stuck, repair beforehand may still be recommended. This is an individual discussion.
How long is recovery after umbilical hernia surgery?
Most patients go home the same day and return to desk work within about a week. Lifting and core exercise are limited for four to six weeks, and longer after larger repairs with diastasis closure.
Can an umbilical hernia come back after repair?
Yes, though recurrence is uncommon after a mesh repair. Obesity, smoking, and lifting too soon are the main risk factors. Recurrent umbilical hernias can be repaired, usually with mesh and a minimally invasive approach; see recurrent hernia repair.
Does insurance cover umbilical hernia repair?
Coverage depends on your specific plan, network status, deductible, and authorization requirements. Our office can help check whether your plan participates and whether prior authorization is needed before surgery.
Sources and references
- Umbilical hernia repair, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Guidelines for treatment of umbilical and epigastric hernias from the European Hernia Society and Americas Hernia Society, Henriksen NA et al., British Journal of Surgery, 2020
- Diastasis recti, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Umbilical hernia, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ventral Hernia Repair Surgery: Patient Information, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
Reviewed by the Review Team at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas.
Medical Disclaimer: This page provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. For a painful, firm, or discolored bulge at the navel, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or other emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Last updated October 16, 2026.
Schedule an Umbilical Hernia Consultation
Have a bulge at your belly button that is growing or aching? Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Murtaza Shakir to learn whether it is a hernia, a diastasis or both, whether to watch or repair it, and which technique fits. Offices in Katy and Sugar Land serve Richmond, Fulshear and Greater Houston.
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