painful lump near naval

sounds like a umbilical hernia. this is when there is a weakness or a tear in the muscle structures in the abdomin. these tears appear as a small lump at first, but later become larger. soon the intestins will pertrude causeing a larger and more serious injury. if ignored, the intestine can stranulate and may cause the intestine to become inflamed, irritated, infected and in more seriouse cases, start to die. there are less invasive sugeries using 3 to 4 extremly small inscisions to repair the damaged area. the doctor will use a mesh type fiber to close the damaged area, and your body will form a pertective barrier around the mesh reinforcing the damaged area...kind of like a patch, but the herniated area is first drawn togeather with suchers first. the mesh is for reinforcment , as the body will form a fiberous scare tissue and bind the area, further strengthing the effected area. the earlier you take care of the problem, the less invasive the surgery and less chance for permant damage to the intestines. SEE YOUR DOC!!