The fibrous tissue (linea alba) can be stretched open (rectus diastasis or diverication) in chubby babies, in pregnant women, in men with large bellies, and through wear and tear. This causes the belly button “o” ring to become stretched open, allowing formation of a hernia sac. The hernia sac usually only contains fat, but if large can contain bowel. Belly button hernias do not always need to be fixed. Reasons for repair include tenderness, pain, bowel containing hernia and cosmetic embarrassment (you don’t like the look of it). Repair is performed either through a tiny incision in the belly button with a mesh plug placed behind the abdominal wall or keyhole for larger or recurrent hernias. At keyhole operation 5 mm cuts are made and the mesh is placed through these and fixed to the abdominal wall from the inside. Recovery is just a few days.