Umbilical Hernia in Singapore: Symptoms, Surgery Options, and Recovery
If you’ve noticed a soft bulge around your belly button, you may be dealing with an umbilical hernia.
In adults, an umbilical hernia usually develops gradually rather than being present from birth. Unlike in infants, it rarely closes on its own.
Adult umbilical hernias are also more likely to cause discomfort and require treatment. Here’s all you need to know, from symptoms to surgical options, to make a decision.
What is an Umbilical Hernia?
An umbilical hernia is a condition where tissue, such as part of your intestine or fat, pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles at your belly button.
In adults, this weakness usually develops gradually. As your abdominal wall loses strength over time, everyday pressure from activities, lifting, or even coughing can make it easier for tissue to push through the opening.
Common Symptoms and How to Identify One
The most recognisable sign is a belly button bulge. You may notice it more clearly when you cough, laugh, strain, exercise, or lift something heavy. When lying down, the bulge may flatten or reduce.
Other signs can include:
- A feeling of pressure or heaviness around the navel
- Mild discomfort that worsens with activity
- Tenderness around your belly button
Some umbilical hernias remain painless, but symptoms can change over time, which is why monitoring them is important.
Causes and Risk Factors of Umbilical Hernia for Adults in Singapore
Several factors can increase your chances of developing an umbilical hernia, such as:
Pregnancy: Repeated stretching of the abdomen during and after pregnancy can weaken the muscles around your belly button.
Obesity or sudden weight gain: Extra weight increases pressure on the abdominal wall, making weak areas more likely to give way.
Heavy lifting: Regular gym training or manual work strains the abdominal muscles.
Chronic cough or constipation: Frequent straining can raise pressure in the abdomen over time.
These factors don’t always cause symptoms straight away, but they can gradually enlarge a pre-existing weakness, making a hernia more noticeable over time.
Umbilical Hernia Surgery in Singapore: Your Options
Surgery is the only definitive way to repair an umbilical hernia in adults. The approach depends on the size of your hernia, the symptoms you’re experiencing, and your personal goals for recovery and appearance.
Open Hernia Repair
This traditional method involves a small incision near your navel. The surgeon carefully returns the protruding tissue and reinforces the abdominal wall, restoring strength and preventing the hernia from recurring.
Laparoscopic (Keyhole) Surgery
In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon uses a camera and specialised instruments inserted through small ports to repair the hernia from the inside. This method generally results in less postoperative discomfort, smaller scars, and a quicker return to daily activities compared to open surgery.
The Argent Approach
At Argent Plastic Surgery in Singapore, we can often combine umbilical hernia repair with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) when appropriate. This means we can fix the hernia, strengthen weakened abdominal muscles, and refine the shape of your abdomen and belly button all in one procedure.
Cost of Umbilical Hernia Repair in Singapore
The cost of umbilical hernia repair in Singapore generally ranges from SGD 3,000 to 15,000, depending on factors such as the size of the hernia, the surgical method, and whether additional procedures like a tummy tuck are included.
Financial Considerations
Some of the costs may be covered by MediSave or Integrated Shield Plans if the surgery is medically necessary. Coverage can vary if the repair is combined with aesthetic procedures, so you should confirm with your surgeon and insurance provider beforehand.