Last updated 2026-11-08 · Medically reviewed by Dr Raman Garg · Punjab, India
20+ years | 10,000+ laparoscopic surgeries | 1,000+ hernia repairs | Cashless insurance | OPD Mon to Sat 10 AM to 5 PM
What is an umbilical hernia?
Your navel is the scar where the umbilical cord once joined you. It is a naturally thin spot in the belly wall. When belly pressure pushes fat or bowel through this spot, you get a bulge at the belly button. People call it navel hernia, belly button hernia, naabhi ka hernia or pet ka hernia.
Body diagram in words: imagine a small door in the middle of the belly wall, closed by a thin curtain. Under pressure the curtain stretches and a soft pouch pops out. Inside the pouch you may find only fat, but sometimes a loop of bowel.
A paraumbilical hernia sits just above or below the navel through the strong midline tissue. It is the usual kind in adults. The repair is the same, and the name makes no difference to you.
Umbilical hernias in adults almost never close on their own. In babies the story is different, as explained near the end of this section.
Who gets it and what causes it?
- Women after one or more pregnancies, because the belly wall stretches
- People who are overweight or have a large belly
- Heavy lifters and manual workers
- People with long-standing cough, constipation or fluid in the belly
- Men and women over 40 as muscles weaken
Belly pressure is the push, and a weak navel is the opening. You can reduce the push by controlling weight, cough and constipation, but you cannot close the opening without repair.
A note on babies. Many babies are born with a small navel bulge. Most close by themselves by age 4 or 5. Dr Raman Garg treats adult patients, so for a baby please see a paediatric surgeon. Go to hospital the same day if a baby's navel bulge turns hard, red or very painful, or if the baby vomits repeatedly.
How big is too big? Size guide for 7 mm and 2 cm
Patients often ask: "Is a 2 cm or 7 mm umbilical hernia big?" Here is the plain answer.
| Gap size | How it compares | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 cm (including 7 mm) | About the width of a pea | Small. Not an emergency by size, but even small gaps can trap fat, so watch for pain |
| 1 to 2 cm | Up to the width of your thumbnail | Medium. Unlikely to close in adults. Repair is advised, usually with mesh |
| 2 to 4 cm | A coin or larger | Larger. Mesh repair is the standard. Waiting makes the repair bigger |
| Above 4 cm | A large bulge, often with a wide belly wall gap | Complex. Needs planning and a larger mesh. See ventral hernia surgery |
A 7 mm hernia is small, but small does not mean safe to ignore. Small gaps have a tight neck, and a tight neck is exactly what can trap fat or bowel. A 2 cm hernia is medium and rarely heals alone. Dr Raman Garg decides by how it looks and feels, whether it hurts, whether you are planning a pregnancy, and your work.
Symptoms and when to worry
- A soft bulge at the navel that grows when you cough, stand or strain
- A dull ache or pulling feeling near the navel, worse by evening
- A bulge that you can push back flat when lying down
Go to hospital the same day if: the bulge turns hard and will not go back, pain becomes sudden and severe, the skin turns red or dark, you vomit, you have fever, or you pass no gas or stool. These can mean trapped bowel. Call +91 82641-60001 at any hour. See emergency hernia surgery.
More signs are on the hernia symptoms page.
How Dr Raman Garg diagnoses it
Dr Raman Garg looks at the navel while you lie down, then while you cough or lift your head. Usually this is enough. An ultrasound of the abdominal wall measures the gap and checks for a second one. A CT scan is kept for large or complex hernias, or after earlier surgery.
| Step | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPD consultation | 500 | 700 | 1,000 |
| Ultrasound abdomen or groin | 600 | 1,000 | 1,800 |
| CT scan abdomen (when needed) | 3,500 | 6,000 | 9,000 |
| Pre-operative blood tests, ECG and chest X-ray | 1,500 | 2,500 | 4,000 |
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on the hernia type, size, number of sides, mesh used and your health.
Read about hernia diagnosis tests. Out of town? Send your reports on WhatsApp to +91 82641-60001.
Treatment options: without surgery and with surgery
Hernia ko jad se khatam karne ka ek hi tarika hai: operation. A belt, exercise or yoga cannot close a navel gap. An abdominal binder gives short-term comfort and costs Rs 400 (starting), Rs 900 (average), Rs 2,500 (maximum). Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on the hernia type, size, number of sides, mesh used and your health. Read umbilical hernia treatment without surgery in adults for what truly helps.
Waiting. A small, painless hernia in an older or unwell patient can be watched. Reasons to repair sooner: pain, growth, tight neck, work involving lifting, or a plan for pregnancy.
Pregnancy. If you are pregnant, repair is normally postponed until after delivery, unless you have trapping signs. Support, light activity and weight control carry you through. If you plan more children, Dr Raman Garg may advise repair after the family is complete, because a new pregnancy can stretch the repair. Read umbilical hernia after pregnancy and hernia after C-section.
Surgery. There are two routes:
| Open mesh repair | Laparoscopic (IPOM) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cut | One small cut at the navel | Three small cuts away from the navel |
| Best for | Small to medium gaps | Medium to large gaps, several gaps, repeat hernias |
| Hospital | 1 to 2 days | Home within 24 hours for most |
| Desk work | 2 to 3 weeks | About 1 week |
The operation step by step
- Anaesthesia. General anaesthesia for keyhole; open repair can use spinal anaesthesia if suitable. See spinal or general anaesthesia.
- Cuts. Open: a small curved cut at the navel edge. Keyhole: three small cuts on the sides.
- Sac and contents. The fat or bowel is returned to the belly.
- Mesh. The gap is covered with a mesh at least 3 to 5 cm wider than the hole on every side. Gaps are narrowed with stitches where possible.
- Skin glue. Cuts are sealed with stitchless skin glue. No stitch-removal visit.
Operation time is about 45 to 90 minutes. Learn about mesh hernia repair and the laparoscopic hernia surgery approach.
Before surgery checklist
- Bring your old scans, reports and medicine list
- Tell us about blood thinners, sugar and BP tablets
- Stop smoking 2 weeks before if you can
- No food or drink 6 to 8 hours before, as advised
Day of surgery timeline
- Operation: about 45 to 90 minutes.
- Recovery: you wake within an hour, and most keyhole patients walk within hours.
- Discharge: home within 24 hours for most keyhole repairs.
Call +91 82641-60001 | WhatsApp your report | Book appointment
Call +91 82641-60001 WhatsApp your report Book appointmentRecovery timeline
| Time | What most patients can do |
|---|---|
| Same day | Walk, sit, light meals |
| Week 1 | Desk work and normal light routine |
| Week 1 to 2 | Driving |
| Week 4 to 6 | Heavy lifting begins slowly |
| Week 8 to 12 | Farm and labour work |
A small firm ridge or swelling at the repair for some weeks is normal. Follow-up is by phone or video. See hernia surgery recovery.
Risks and how they are handled
Possible problems include bruising, fluid collection at the navel, infection, delayed skin healing, pain around the mesh, and rarely the hernia returning. Smoking, diabetes and weight raise these risks. Anaesthesia risk depends on age and health.
We reduce risks with correct mesh size, clean technique, a modern laparoscopic theatre, advice on sugar and weight, and one surgeon from consultation to follow-up. Read is hernia mesh safe.
Cost of umbilical hernia surgery in Punjab
Hernia operation kitne ka hota hai? Costs depend on size, route and mesh. Laparoscopic repair costs more than open because of equipment and the coated mesh, but you return to desk work 1 to 2 weeks earlier.
| Procedure | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Umbilical hernia repair, open with mesh | 30,000 | 48,000 | 75,000 |
| Umbilical or paraumbilical hernia, laparoscopic (IPOM) | 55,000 | 80,000 | 1,20,000 |
| Epigastric or ventral hernia repair | 50,000 | 78,000 | 1,15,000 |
| Incisional hernia repair (after C-section or other surgery) | 70,000 | 1,05,000 | 1,60,000 |
| Standard mesh (polypropylene), add-on | 3,000 | 8,000 | 15,000 |
| Composite, 3D or IPOM mesh, add-on | 15,000 | 25,000 | 40,000 |
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on the hernia type, size, number of sides, mesh used and your health.
See the full hernia surgery cost in Punjab page.
Insurance and cashless treatment
BGCI is empanelled with almost all major insurers and TPAs for cashless treatment: Aditya Birla Health Insurance, Niva Bupa, Digit Insurance, Care Health Insurance, Vidal Health TPA, ICICI Lombard, Raksha TPA, Future Generali, SBI General Insurance, Oriental Insurance, Liberty General Insurance, IFFCO Tokio, Cholamandalam MS, Medi Assist TPA, and almost all other major insurers and TPAs.
- Send your policy card and reports on WhatsApp.
- The insurance desk checks cover and arranges pre-authorisation.
- You are admitted and treated; the desk files the claim.
- At discharge the approved amount is settled directly.
Ayushman Bharat: call us with your card details and our insurance desk will tell you the same day how your card can be used. See hernia surgery insurance.
Facilities at BGCI
A good hernia hospital should offer a modern laparoscopic theatre, a lab, emergency support and an insurance desk. BGCI offers:
- Modern laparoscopic operation theatre
- Advanced endoscopy and colonoscopy suite
- Fully equipped in-house diagnostic laboratory
- Comfortable patient rooms
- 24/7 emergency care support on +91 82641-60001
- Cashless insurance desk
- Stitchless laparoscopic technique with skin glue
- Same-day walking and discharge within 24 hours for most keyhole repairs
- One surgeon from consultation to follow-up
- Online pre-arrival consultation for NRI and out-of-town patients, with follow-up by phone or video
See the hernia hospital in Punjab page.
Why patients choose Dr Raman Garg
Dr Raman Garg is a Surgical Gastroenterologist and Laparoscopic Hernia Surgeon, one of the leading hernia surgeons in Punjab, with 20+ years of experience, 10,000+ laparoscopic surgeries and 1,000+ laparoscopic hernia repairs. He is the first surgical gastroenterologist in the Malwa belt of Punjab.
MBBS (Government Medical College, Patiala); MS General Surgery (Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana); DNB Surgical Gastroenterology (Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai); Fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery; advanced laparoscopy training in Seoul, South Korea. Registered with the Dubai Health Authority as Physician Specialist, Gastrointestinal Surgery. Member, IAGES and AMASI.
Patients come from all Punjab districts, Haryana, Rajasthan and abroad. See the Dr Raman Garg page or hernia surgery in Bathinda.
Patients we see from your area
About road distance from BGCI: Mansa 50 km, 1 hour | Sirsa 95 km, 2 hours | Faridkot 65 km, 1 hour 20 minutes. All towns: areas we serve.
How to book
- Call or WhatsApp +91 82641-60001 (or +91 99885-03800) and send your reports.
- Visit OPD Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Sunday is emergency only.
- Dr Raman Garg examines you and gives your plan and cost range.
- Pick your date; cashless paperwork is handled for you.
Address: Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Power House Road, Near Street No. 10, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India. Email: bgcibathinda@gmail.com. Emergency care support 24/7. Reach us by road, by bus from the main bus stand, or by train to Bathinda Junction. Book appointment.
Call +91 82641-60001 | WhatsApp your report | Book appointment
Call +91 82641-60001 WhatsApp your report Book appointmentRelated pages
Laparoscopic hernia surgery | Ventral hernia surgery | Incisional hernia surgery | Hernia surgery in Punjab
Medically reviewed by Dr Raman Garg. Last updated: 8 November 2026. This page is general information; your plan is set after Dr Raman Garg examines you.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 2 cm or 7 mm umbilical hernia big?
No. A 7 mm hernia is small and a 2 cm hernia is medium. Size alone is not an emergency, but a 2 cm gap rarely closes in adults and usually needs mesh repair. Small gaps can still trap fat, so any pain or hardness needs a check.
Is umbilical hernia surgery safe?
Yes, for most patients. It is a common, well-planned operation. Risks such as bruising, infection or fluid collection are small and are managed with careful technique and follow-up. Diabetes, smoking and obesity raise risk, so Dr Raman Garg checks and advises on these before surgery.
Umbilical hernia ka operation kitne ka hota hai?
Open mesh repair Rs 30,000 se 75,000 tak hota hai, average Rs 48,000. Keyhole (IPOM) repair Rs 55,000 se 1,20,000 tak, average Rs 80,000. Final kharcha size aur mesh par depend karta hai. Dr Raman Garg jaanch ke baad poora range batate hain.
Naabhi ka hernia bina operation theek ho sakta hai?
Adults mein naabhi ka hernia bina operation theek nahi hota. Belt ya exercise sirf aaram dete hain, gap band nahi karte. Chhota aur dard-rahit hernia doctor ki salah se dekha ja sakta hai, lekin badhne ya dard hone par operation hi sahi raasta hai.
Can umbilical hernia go away on its own?
In adults, no. In babies, most close by age 4 or 5. An adult navel gap is a hole in muscle and does not seal itself. Waiting usually lets it grow, and a bigger hernia means a bigger repair.
Can I have an umbilical hernia repaired during pregnancy?
Usually no. Repair is postponed until after delivery unless the hernia is trapped. During pregnancy you manage with support, light activity and regular checks. After delivery and recovery, Dr Raman Garg plans repair, ideally when you do not plan another pregnancy soon.
Hernia da operation kithe karwayiye navel de hernia lai?
Naabhi de hernia da operation Bathinda vich Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute te Dr Raman Garg karde ne. Pehla step WhatsApp te report bhejna hai, fer OPD Monday ton Saturday, 10 vaje ton 5 vaje takk. Cashless insurance di madad vi milti hai.
What happens if I leave an umbilical hernia untreated?
It usually grows slowly and may become painful. The main danger is trapping, when fat or bowel gets stuck and loses blood supply. That needs emergency surgery, which is riskier and costlier than a planned repair. Do not wait if you notice hardness, vomiting or redness.
Will I have a scar after umbilical hernia surgery?
Yes, a small scar. Keyhole cuts are tiny and fade over months. An open repair leaves one small curved scar hidden in the navel fold. No operation can promise a mark-free result, but skin glue and careful closure keep scars neat.
Does insurance cover umbilical hernia surgery?
Many policies cover it cashless at BGCI, including Niva Bupa, Care Health and ICICI Lombard. The insurance desk arranges pre-authorisation. For Ayushman Bharat, call us with your card details and our insurance desk will tell you the same day how your card can be used.