Best General Surgeons for Umbilical Hernia in Chennai, India
This page lists 3 umbilical hernia doctors in Chennai, India. Review each doctor's experience, specialty and hospital, then contact our care team for help with the next step.
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This page lists 3 umbilical hernia doctors in Chennai, India. Review each doctor's experience, specialty and hospital, then contact our care team for help with the next step.
About Umbilical Hernia doctors in Chennai, India
This directory is based on doctors currently listed in GAF Healthcare's registry. Clinical suitability varies by patient; a doctor should review your history and investigations before any treatment decision.
About the Condition
What is Umbilical Hernia?
An umbilical hernia occurs when part of the abdominal contents — most commonly fatty tissue or a loop of intestine — pushes through a weakness in the abdominal wall at or near the navel, creating a visible or palpable bulge. While small hernias in infants often resolve on their own, in adults they tend to persist and can gradually enlarge over time, particularly in the presence of risk factors such as obesity, multiple pregnancies, chronic coughing, ascites, or heavy lifting. Left unaddressed, a hernia can become complicated by incarceration — where the protruding tissue becomes trapped — or strangulation, where its blood supply is compromised, both of which are surgical emergencies. A thorough assessment of medical history, physical examination findings, and, where indicated, imaging results is required to understand the full picture for any individual patient.
Individual assessmentEvery case is different
Complete evaluationUnderstand the condition first
Specialist reviewChoose the right approach
Medical assessment helps clarify severity and identify appropriate options.
Treatment options for Umbilical Hernia
Care may include lifestyle changes, medical treatment, specialist review or a procedure, depending on the diagnosis, associated conditions and individual goals. The options below are associated with this condition in the GAF Healthcare directory.
Umbilical hernia repair is a surgical procedure to correct a bulge near the navel caused by tissue or intestine pushing through a weakness in the abdominal wall muscles.
Why it may be consideredIt is performed to relieve discomfort, prevent complications such as strangulation of the bowel, and restore normal abdominal wall integrity. The surgery can be done through an open or minimally invasive (laparoscopic) approach depending on hernia size and patient factors.
MS – Master of Surgery, FMAS – Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, DMAS – Diploma in Minimal Access Surgery, FICRS – Fellowship, International College of Robotic Surgeons
Consultant – Laparoscopic & Robotic Hernia Surgeon, General Surgery · Specialty: Laparoscopic & Robotic Hernia Surgeon
Rela Hospital Chennai, India15+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
15+ years of experience in Laparoscopic & Robotic Hernia Surgeon
Currently serving as Consultant – Laparoscopic & Robotic Hernia Surgeon at Rela Hospital, Chennai, across Surgical Gastroenterology, General Surgery, and Evening Clinic departments.
Received advanced robotic surgery training under Prof. Dr. Mohamed Rela, a globally renowned pioneer in HPB and robotic surgery.
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DAIS (Diploma, Association of Surgeons), FICS (Fellow, International College of Surgeons), FIMSA (Fellow, Indian Medical Society), FMAS (Fellow, Minimal Access Surgery), FIAGES (Fellow, Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endosurgeons)
Consultant, General Surgery · Specialty: General Surgeon
Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road Chennai, India30+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
30+ years of experience in General Surgeon
Currently practising as Consultant General Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai.
Has spent the majority of a 30+ year surgical career managing complex abdominal, hernia, and anorectal cases in tertiary care settings.
NABH — National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers accreditationNABL — National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories accreditation
General SurgeryCardiac SurgeryCardiologyMedical Oncology
Many international patients consider India for umbilical hernia treatment for several reasons, including:
More affordable estimates
Competitive indicative costs compared with many other countries, for similar clinical standards.
Internationally accredited hospitals
Hospitals experienced in treating international patients.
Experienced specialists
Doctors who regularly manage similar cases.
Care coordination support
A team to help with planning, medical translation and follow-up.
How this directory is built
Doctors are matched using the specialty, location, condition (Umbilical Hernia) recorded in their profiles. Inclusion is not an endorsement and does not guarantee a treatment outcome.
Need help with the next step?
Share your needs with our care coordination team for information about doctors and hospitals.
Common questions
FAQs about Umbilical Hernia in Chennai, India
What is Umbilical Hernia?
An umbilical hernia is a condition in which abdominal tissue or bowel protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles at the belly button, forming a bulge that may be more noticeable when standing, coughing, or straining.
What are the symptoms and health risks of Umbilical Hernia?
Common signs include a soft bulge or swelling at the navel that may reduce when lying flat, along with localised discomfort, pressure, or aching — particularly after prolonged standing or physical exertion. In more serious cases, the bulge may become firm, tender, or impossible to push back, which can indicate incarceration or strangulation and requires urgent medical attention. The presence or absence of these signs is not sufficient on its own to establish a diagnosis or determine the appropriate course of management.
How is Umbilical Hernia diagnosed?
Diagnosis is primarily clinical, based on a doctor's physical examination of the hernia's location, size, reducibility, and any signs of complication. To further characterise the defect — particularly in cases of obesity, recurrent hernia, or where complications are suspected — abdominal ultrasound or CT imaging may be used to assess the size of the fascial defect, hernia contents, and surrounding anatomy. There is no formal staging system for umbilical hernias equivalent to cancer grading, but surgeons commonly classify them by defect size (small: under 1 cm; medium: 1–4 cm; large: over 4 cm) and complexity, which helps guide treatment decisions.
How is Umbilical Hernia treated?
The appropriate approach depends on factors including the patient's age, overall health, hernia size, symptom burden, and risk of complications. Small, asymptomatic hernias — particularly in infants and in adults who are not surgical candidates — may be monitored conservatively, though this requires regular clinical review. Symptomatic, enlarging, or complicated hernias in adults are generally managed with surgical repair (umbilical hernia repair), which may be performed as an open procedure or laparoscopically, with or without mesh, depending on defect size and surgeon assessment.
Can Umbilical Hernia be treated without surgery?
In carefully selected patients — such as those with mild symptoms, significant surgical risk, or who are awaiting optimisation of conditions like obesity or poorly controlled diabetes — a period of watchful waiting or medical management of contributing factors may be appropriate before any intervention. However, it is important to understand that conservative management does not repair the hernia itself, and the risk of complications such as incarceration generally increases as hernias enlarge; an abdominal support garment may offer temporary symptom relief but does not address the underlying defect. The decision to defer surgery should always be made in discussion with a qualified clinician.
When is Umbilical Hernia Repair considered for Umbilical Hernia?
Umbilical Hernia Repair may be considered when conservative or medical options have not achieved enough improvement, or when the severity of the condition warrants it. The decision depends on clinical assessment, expected benefits and individual risks.
Which doctor treats Umbilical Hernia?
Umbilical hernias are evaluated and surgically managed by a general surgeon, and in cases involving complex or recurrent hernias, by a specialist in abdominal wall surgery. Initial assessment may also be performed by a primary care physician or gastroenterologist, who can coordinate referral for surgical opinion.
How do I choose a doctor for Umbilical Hernia?
When selecting a surgeon, it is worth comparing their experience with both open and laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair — including mesh techniques for larger defects — as well as their hospital's facilities for managing potential complications and their approach to post-operative follow-up and hernia recurrence.
What documents do international patients need to share for a medical evaluation?
Share a medical summary, investigation and imaging or biopsy reports where relevant, a current medication list, previous diagnoses and related treatment records. Provide clear copies with translation where needed.
How does GAF Healthcare help international patients plan treatment in India?
Our care coordination team helps review initial medical information, connect you with suitable doctors and hospitals, explain next steps and indicative estimates, and organise a treatment plan before travel.
