Umbilical Hernia Surgery in Port Charlotte, FL
An umbilical hernia is a bulge at or near the belly button where tissue pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. In adults it often develops with pressure inside the abdomen from pregnancy, excess weight, heavy lifting, straining or a chronic cough. We care for patients from Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port, Englewood and across Charlotte County and Southwest Florida.
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Symptoms of an umbilical hernia
- A soft bulge at or around the belly button
- A bulge that grows when you cough, strain or stand
- Pressure or aching at the navel
When to see a surgeon
See a surgeon if you notice a bulge at your belly button or if a known hernia is getting bigger or more uncomfortable. Go to the emergency room if it becomes firm, very painful or discolored, or cannot be pushed back in, especially with nausea or vomiting.
What to expect
Your surgeon examines the hernia and recommends a repair based on its size.
Small hernias may be closed with stitches through a small incision near the navel; larger ones are usually reinforced with mesh, using an open or laparoscopic approach.
Most planned repairs are outpatient.
Recovery
You can walk right away and usually return to light activity within days. Your surgeon will tell you how long to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise and how to care for the incision.
Who performs this at Charlotte Harbor Surgical
John Guarino M.D., F.A.C.S., Matthew Tufts M.D., F.A.C.S., Vincent Brown M.D., and Charles Campbell D.O. perform this procedure. Consultations and follow-up visits take place at our Port Charlotte office.
Frequently asked questions
What causes an umbilical hernia in adults?
An umbilical hernia forms at a weak spot at or near the belly button. Anything that increases pressure inside the abdomen, such as pregnancy, excess weight, heavy lifting, straining or a long-lasting cough, can contribute.
Is an umbilical hernia dangerous?
Many cause only a bulge and mild discomfort, but tissue can become trapped. Go to the emergency room if the bulge becomes firm, very painful or discolored, or cannot be pushed back in, especially with nausea or vomiting.
Is mesh always used?
Not always. Very small hernias may be closed with stitches alone, while larger ones are usually reinforced with mesh. Your surgeon will recommend the repair that fits the size of your hernia.
How long is recovery?
Most planned umbilical hernia repairs are outpatient. You can walk right away, and your surgeon will tell you how long to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity.
Related services
Schedule a consultation
Call our Port Charlotte office at 4245 Kings Hwy, Unit A, Port Charlotte, FL 33980, or request an appointment online.
Port Charlotte Location: 4245 Kings Hwy, Unit A, Port Charlotte, FL 33980
Call (941) 391-5102 · Mon–Thu 7:30 am–4:00 pm, Fri 7:30 am–12:00 pm. If you need urgent care and you have decided to go to an emergency room please use AdventHealth Port Charlotte.