When would a person have to get an umbilical hernia repair surgery?

Size, Symptoms: The biggest risk of any hernia is the potential for bowel to get stuck (incarcerated) within the hernia, necessitating emergency surgery to prevent intestinal death. If an umbilical hernia has reached a size where this is a real risk, or if the pain from the hernia is interfering with one's daily activities, surgery should be strongly considered. Best bet: see a surgeon for their opinion.

Relief or prevention: In general, you should have it repaired if it is bothering you or enlarging. Typically it is not urgent, but let your symptoms dictate the urgency. Or if you want to prevent it from getting worse, see a general surgeon for a consult.

Usually pain: An umbilical hernia needs to be fixed immediately if intestines or other tissues are stuck in the hernia (incarceration), especially if their blood supply is cut off (strangulation). These are rare but serious. Usually hernias need to be fixed if the pain is getting too bad or if the hernia is bothersome to the patient.