Concierge surgical care · London
Laparoscopy, day-case keyhole abdominal and pelvic surgery — diagnostic and therapeutic.
Laparoscopy is a keyhole day-case procedure that uses a small camera and instruments through 2–4 skin incisions to inspect and treat the abdomen and pelvis. Modern indications range from diagnostic exploration through to appendicectomy, cholecystectomy, hernia repair, endometriosis surgery and cancer staging.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right hands
We route you to a consultant surgeon with high-volume laparoscopic experience — the operator who scans you and reads it decides the answer.
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Day-case, home the same day
Most laparoscopies are day-case — in for surgery in the morning, discharged the same afternoon or within 24 hours.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private laparoscopy costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A diagnostic laparoscopy in our network: £3,500–£5,500, with same-day discharge.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Discharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic laparoscopy | £3,500–£5,500 | 45–60 min | Same-day discharge |
| Laparoscopic appendicectomy | £4,500–£6,500 | 45 min | 24-hour discharge |
| Laparoscopic cholecystectomy | £6,000–£8,500 | 60–90 min | Same-day / 24 hours |
| Laparoscopic hernia repair | £4,500–£7,000 | 60 min | Same-day discharge |
| Laparoscopic endometriosis excision | £7,000–£12,000 | 90–180 min | 24-hour discharge |
| Laparoscopic hysterectomy | £8,500–£14,000 | 120 min | 1–2 day stay |
Prices vary by clinic, operative complexity, and whether an overnight stay is required. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
A laparoscopy is only as good as the surgeon who performs it.
The findings and the operative decisions are the answer — and the consultant surgeon in theatre decides how those findings translate into diagnosis, resection and next steps. We route you to a high-volume laparoscopic operator, not a generalist.
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Acute abdominal pain?
We arrange an urgent surgical review and, if indicated, laparoscopy with same-day theatre access.
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Suspected endometriosis?
A consultant gynaecologist with laparoscopic excision experience — not just diathermy.
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Gallstones or hernia?
Day-case cholecystectomy or hernia repair with a proper enhanced-recovery pathway.
The journey
From consultation to discharge — what happens, in order.
One consultant from first message to operative report — often within days.
Phase 1 · Before your surgery
Consultation and pre-op
Phase 2 · On the day
In theatre and recovery
Phase 3 · After
Discharge and follow-up
- 01
Before
Surgical consultation
A structured consultant review of your symptoms, imaging and prior surgery — with a clear plan and consent conversation.
- 02
Before
Pre-op assessment
Bloods, ECG if indicated, anaesthetic review, and any medication adjustments (blood thinners, diabetic meds).
- 03
Before
Fast 6 hours pre-op
Nil by mouth for six hours before surgery — clear fluids permitted up to two hours before, per anaesthetic protocol.
- 04
On the day
General anaesthetic in theatre
A consultant anaesthetist puts you to sleep — you feel nothing during the procedure.
- 05
On the day
CO₂ insufflation and laparoscopy
The abdomen is gently inflated with CO₂, and a camera through a small umbilical incision inspects the abdomen and pelvis.
- 06
On the day
Structured biopsy or resection
Depending on findings, targeted biopsies, adhesiolysis, appendicectomy, cholecystectomy or hernia repair are performed.
- 07
After
Discharge same day or 24 hours
Most patients are home the same afternoon; more extensive resections require an overnight stay.
Typical end-to-end: 1–3 weeks. Urgent cases: same week.
What it shows
When a laparoscopy is the right procedure.
Laparoscopy answers a specific question — what is happening inside the abdomen and pelvis, and what should be done about it. These are the presentations we see most.
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Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix — the commonest emergency indication for laparoscopy.
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Cholecystitis
Gallbladder inflammation, usually from gallstones — treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
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Hernia
Inguinal, femoral, umbilical or incisional — repaired with mesh via keyhole technique.
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Endometriosis
Ectopic endometrial tissue causing pain and infertility — diagnosed and excised laparoscopically.
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Ovarian pathology
Cysts, dermoids and torsion — assessed and treated with ovary-sparing surgery where possible.
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Adhesions
Post-surgical scar tissue causing pain or obstruction — released by adhesiolysis.
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Cancer staging (with washings)
Peritoneal inspection and cytology washings for gynaecological and GI cancers.
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Red flag: intra-op bowel or vascular injury — urgent surgical repair
Rare, but the operating team is equipped to convert to open surgery immediately if needed.
Procedures and next steps
Not all laparoscopies are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
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Laparoscopic appendicectomy
Keyhole removal of an inflamed appendix — the standard of care over open surgery.
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Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Keyhole removal of the gallbladder for symptomatic gallstones or cholecystitis.
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Laparoscopic hernia repair
Mesh repair of inguinal, femoral or ventral hernias via three small incisions.
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Endometriosis excision
Precise laparoscopic excision of endometriotic deposits, with fertility preservation in mind.
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Laparoscopic hysterectomy
Keyhole removal of the uterus — total or subtotal, with faster recovery than open surgery.
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Diagnostic laparoscopy with staging
Inspection, targeted biopsy and peritoneal washings for suspected malignancy.
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Structured post-op recovery
Enhanced-recovery pathway — early mobilisation, oral intake and analgesia optimisation.
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Multi-disciplinary team review
Findings taken to the relevant MDT for onward oncology, gynaecology or colorectal decision-making.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every surgeon and clinic in our network.
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Consultant surgeons with high-volume laparoscopic caseload
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CQC-registered day-case surgical facilities with recovery
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Consultant anaesthetist-led enhanced-recovery pathway
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Onward MDT and oncology pathway if malignancy is found
Safety and red flags
One of the safest ways to perform abdominal surgery.
Laparoscopy is well-tolerated — the practical points are anaesthetic fasting, when to worry about post-op symptoms, and where the procedure’s limits are. Red flags: post-op bleeding, bile leak, bowel injury, post-op infection, anastomotic leak, DVT, port-site hernia, chronic post-op pain and missed intra-abdominal pathology.
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General anaesthetic
A consultant anaesthetist reviews you before theatre — you are asleep throughout and feel nothing.
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Small incisions, less pain
Two to four keyhole incisions of 5–12 mm replace a single large open wound — less pain, less scarring, faster recovery.
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Shoulder-tip pain is normal
Residual CO₂ can irritate the diaphragm — a dull shoulder ache for 24–48 hours is common and self-limiting.
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Fasting matters
Six hours nil by mouth for solids, two hours for clear fluids — non-negotiable for anaesthetic safety.
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Bowel or vascular injury is rare
Occurs in under 0.5% of cases — the team is equipped to convert to open surgery and repair immediately.
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DVT prophylaxis is standard
Compression stockings and low-molecular-weight heparin reduce the small post-op clot risk.
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Driving after surgery
No driving for 24–48 hours after a general anaesthetic — and longer if you cannot perform an emergency stop.
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Return to work
Desk work in 5–7 days for most day-case procedures; physical work 2–4 weeks depending on the operation.
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Bring prior imaging and letters
Comparison against previous scans and the referral letter materially sharpens the operative plan.
Reading your operative report
A laparoscopy report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the finding, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and prior history
Your details, the reason for surgery, and the imaging and prior operations that shape the operative approach.
- 02 Technique
Port sites and instruments
Which incisions were made, what instruments were used, and the operative steps performed.
- 03 Findings
Intra-operative findings and specimens
Structured description of the abdomen and pelvis, any pathology identified, and specimens sent to histology.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
The diagnosis, the procedure performed, and the concrete next step — read this first.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about laparoscopy.
Quick answers on cost, day-case discharge, risks, recovery and when open surgery is needed instead.
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What is a laparoscopy?
A laparoscopy is a keyhole surgical procedure that uses a small camera and instruments through 2–4 skin incisions to inspect and treat the abdomen and pelvis. It is performed under general anaesthetic, usually as a day case, and covers indications from diagnostic exploration to appendicectomy, cholecystectomy, hernia repair, endometriosis surgery and cancer staging.
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Is a laparoscopy a day-case procedure?
Most laparoscopies are day cases — you arrive in the morning, have surgery, and are discharged the same afternoon. More extensive resections (hysterectomy, extensive endometriosis, cancer staging) usually require an overnight or two-day stay.
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How much does a private laparoscopy cost in London?
A diagnostic laparoscopy is typically £3,500–£5,500 in our network; therapeutic procedures range from £4,500 for appendicectomy up to £14,000 for laparoscopic hysterectomy. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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What are the risks?
Serious complications are rare but include bleeding, bile leak (after cholecystectomy), bowel or vascular injury, post-op infection, deep vein thrombosis, port-site hernia and chronic post-op pain. The operating team is equipped to convert to open surgery if needed.
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How long is the recovery?
Most day-case procedures allow return to desk work in 5–7 days and normal activity in 2–4 weeks. Endometriosis excision and hysterectomy require 4–6 weeks. Shoulder-tip pain from residual CO₂ is common for 24–48 hours and settles on its own.
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When would open surgery be needed instead?
When laparoscopic access is unsafe — dense adhesions from prior surgery, unexpected findings, uncontrolled bleeding or bowel injury — the consultant surgeon converts to open surgery to complete the operation safely.
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In practice, in London
The honest picture around laparoscopy in London
With laparoscopy, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. Public provision for laparoscopy is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.
The mechanics are straightforward: a consultant appointment, any tests done at a nearby CQC-registered site, and a written report back within a few days. London’s density of private diagnostics — Marylebone, the City, Chelsea, Canary Wharf — means most patients can find something that fits around work without a cross-town trek. For laparoscopy specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
There are a lot of consultants in London who can technically handle laparoscopy. Fewer who do it week in, week out for the exact question you’re bringing. We spend most of our time working out which is which — and being straight when a different test or a different specialist would serve you better. Everything runs to CQC, GMC and Royal College standards; the choice is about fit, not floor.
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