We provide a private specialist hernia repair surgery service for all types of hernias most often in the groin and abdomen. This included inguinal and femoral hernias, umbilical hernias, incisional hernias following a previous surgery and epigastric hernias. Your consultant may recommend surgery if your hernia is causing discomfort or is a risk to your general health.
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Hernia surgery
Also known as: Herniorrhaphy, hernioplasty
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What is it for?
Groin and abdominal hernias
Hernia surgery consultation at The London Clinic
As a centre of excellence, we offer hernia repair surgery for these types of hernias:
- Inguinal and femoral hernias in the groin area
- Umbilical hernias in the abdomen
- Incisional hernias as a result of previous surgery
- Epigastric hernias between the belly and breastbone
Your consultant may recommend surgery if your hernia is causing discomfort or is a risk to your general health.
Contact us today to start your treatment journey and get back to living the life you love.
FAQs
Hernia repair surgery is a routine operation with relatively few risks.Â
In a small number of cases side effects can develop or the surgery may not work.
Inguinal or femoral hernia surgery to the groin or scrotum carries a slight risk of:Â
- Swelling or bruising of the testicles or base of the penisÂ
- Numbness in the groinÂ
- Temporary weakness in the leg
- Difficulty passing urineÂ
- Damage to the vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm to the testicles).
- Injury to the femoral vein Side effects that can develop as a result of epigastric or umbilical hernia surgery include:
- Infection and bleeding
- Rupture of the wound
- Belly button may look different
- Hernia may return
Most people make a full recovery from hernia repair surgery within 6 weeks and return to normal activities such as work and driving within 2 weeks.Â
Your consultant and care team will be on hand to advise you if you have any questions.
Hernia surgery repairs weak spots or holes in the muscle wall where a hernia has formed. A hernia is a lump of tissue from another part of the body, such as fat or intestine, which has started to poke through the hole or weak spot.Â
A hernia can be present from birth or develops because of wear-and-tear due to activities like heavy lifting, straining or bouts of coughing.Â
Conditions such as constipation and lung disorders can make you more susceptible to hernias, as can pregnancy, obesity and general aging.Â
Hernia repair surgery puts tissue back into the correct position and strengthens the muscle wall to relieve pain and discomfort.
At The London Clinic our surgeons perform hernia operations using keyhole surgery (laparoscopic), or open surgery under general or local anaesthetic.
Keyhole surgery involves making tiny incisions in the muscle wall so that miniaturised surgical equipment can be inserted into the body.Â
A thin light tube and a camera (laparoscope) is placed through one of these incisions so the surgeon can see inside your abdomen or groin.Â
The miniaturised instruments are placed through the other incisions so the surgeon can repair the hernia.
The weak spot or hole is then closed using dissolvable stitches and a prosthetic mesh applied, which helps the hernia repair more quickly.Â
An incision larger than 2 cm is normal for open surgery. It allows your surgeon to push the protruding tissue back into your abdomen or groin.
A mesh to strengthen any weakness in the muscle wall may be applied. The hole will usually be stitched using dissolvable stitches and a pressure dressing applied.
You’ll stay with us for a few hours after surgery to make sure you’re OK, then you’ll be free to go home. But if you have other medical conditions you may need to stay overnight.
Hernia repair surgery puts tissue back into the correct position and strengthens the muscle wall to relieve pain and discomfort.Â
Some hernias may not require immediate surgery and others like a strangulated hernia can be life threatening.
At The London Clinic, we offer the totally extraperitoneal (TEP) technique, which is a new less invasive method of keyhole surgery for inguinal hernias.Â
Keyhole surgery including TEP usually provides a faster recovery with fewer complications and minimal scarring.
Open surgery is normally used to treat umbilical hernias but can also be used for repairing inguinal, femoral and epigastric hernias.
Your surgeon will have an open conversation with you about the most beneficial hernia surgery technique to suit you and your health needs.
How long it takes to recover from hernia surgery depends on how fit and healthy you are before surgery.
Most people are able to return to work and do normal day-to-day activities after a week or two, but it usually takes four to six weeks for your body to properly recover from the operation.
You should avoid heavy lifting for up to six weeks and avoid driving for about two weeks.
If you have constipation after surgery your care team will provide you with laxatives or may suggest dietary changes before your surgery, as straining to open your bowels can slow down your recovery. Â
One of our highly trained physiotherapists will give you a number of specific exercises to help you heal and recover more quickly.
Your care team will be on hand to help and if there’s anything you’re worried about you can contact them at any time.
Consultants
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Timeline
At The London Clinic, you’ll get fast access to any tests, scans and treatment you need without delay for your hernia surgery.
Book an appointment
Our dedicated appointments team will arrange for you to meet with one of our renowned consultants.
Consultation and diagnosis
We offer a same day MRI and ultrasound service, so your consultant can assess you more quickly and you can begin your journey to recovery sooner.
Enhanced pre-assessment
You’ll have an enhanced pre-assessment appointment to review your general health and fitness for surgery to help your care team plan your treatment for success.
The day of your operation
You’ll meet your care team who will prepare you for surgery and let you know exactly what to expect throughout the day.
After your operation, your consultant will come to see you and check how you’re doing and discuss how to start your recovery.
Aftercare
You’ll be able to go home soon after your surgery and there’s normally no need to stay overnight.
Once home, you’ll have a video check-up with a nurse to discuss your progress including any medications, such as pain relief.
Follow-up
Around two weeks after your surgery, you’ll come back to The London Clinic to have your follow-up appointment with your consultant.
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
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We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.