Concierge surgery · London
Comprehensive hernia and abdominal wall surgery, from day-case to full reconstruction.
A single service for the whole spectrum — inguinal, femoral, umbilical, ventral, incisional, hiatus, parastomal, and complex abdominal wall reconstruction — by consultant general, upper GI and hernia specialist surgeons.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Consultant general, upper GI and hernia specialists
A named consultant surgeon with a hernia or abdominal-wall specialist interest — not a generalist working through a list.
- 02
Access to complex abdominal wall reconstruction
From day-case inguinal repair to component separation and Rives-Stoppa retromuscular reconstruction — the full ladder, in one network.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private hernia and abdominal wall surgery costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Straightforward inguinal repair: £2,800–£4,500, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open inguinal hernia repair (Lichtenstein, day-case) | £2,800–£4,500 | 45–60 min | Same day |
| Laparoscopic inguinal repair (TAPP / TEP) | £3,800–£6,500 | 60–90 min | Same day |
| Umbilical or epigastric repair | £2,600–£4,800 | 45–75 min | Same day |
| Incisional / ventral repair (laparoscopic IPOM) | £5,500–£9,500 | 90–150 min | 1–2 nights |
| Robotic eTEP or retromuscular Rives-Stoppa | £8,500–£15,000 | 2–4 hours | 2–4 nights |
| Hiatus / paraoesophageal repair (± fundoplication) | £8,000–£14,000 | 2–3 hours | 1–3 nights |
| Complex abdominal wall reconstruction (TAR / component separation) | From £14,000 | 3–6 hours | 3–7 nights |
| Consultation only | £200–£400 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which surgeon does the case, by open vs laparoscopic vs robotic approach, mesh choice, and length of stay. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right surgeon, the right approach, the right mesh.
Hernia repair looks routine — until it isn’t. Recurrence, chronic groin pain and mesh complications track back to technique choice. We match you to a surgeon whose specialist interest fits your hernia.
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Simple groin lump?
A day-case Lichtenstein or TEP repair, home the same afternoon — provided the surgeon does enough of them.
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Big incisional hernia?
Retromuscular Rives-Stoppa or component separation — the durable answer, not a repeat of the first repair that failed.
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Reflux and hiatus hernia?
Repair with the right fundoplication for your oesophageal motility — Nissen, Toupet or Dor — chosen after proper work-up.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery — imaging, optimisation, surgery, review.
One clinician from first message to long-term follow-up — including the pre-op optimisation that actually reduces recurrence.
Phase 1 · Before your surgery
Imaging, optimisation, planning
Phase 2 · On the day
Theatre and immediate recovery
Phase 3 · After
Recovery and long-term review
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Where the hernia is, how long it has been there, what it stops you doing, and any previous abdominal surgery.
- 02
Before
Imaging and assessment
Clinical examination, and where useful an ultrasound or CT abdomen — essential for ventral, incisional and complex cases where defect size guides technique.
- 03
Before
Pre-operative optimisation
Weight loss where BMI is high, smoking cessation for at least four weeks, diabetes and HbA1c control — all of it reduces recurrence and mesh infection.
- 04
On the day
Surgery
Open, laparoscopic or robotic — matched to the hernia type and your anatomy. Enhanced recovery, regional blocks, and day-case where safe for straightforward inguinal repair.
- 05
On the day
Recovery in theatre and ward
Regional or general anaesthetic, careful haemostasis, and a mesh choice discussed with you beforehand — synthetic, biologic or absorbable, per case.
- 06
After
Home and early recovery
Day-case discharge for simple inguinal; overnight or a short stay for ventral, hiatus and reconstruction. Written aftercare and a direct line back to the team.
- 07
After
Review and long-term follow-up
Wound and mesh review at two to six weeks, and a longer review for reconstruction cases. Recurrence is monitored — honestly — for years, not weeks.
Typical end-to-end: 2–6 weeks from enquiry to surgery. Full return to heavy lifting: 6–12 weeks.
Hernia types
Every hernia the service covers.
From the common groin lump to complex incisional and hiatus hernias — plus the red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.
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Inguinal hernia
A groin lump that appears on standing or straining — the most common hernia in adults, and usually straightforward to repair.
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Femoral hernia
A groin hernia below the inguinal ligament, more common in women and with a higher risk of strangulation — repair is usually recommended.
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Umbilical or epigastric hernia
A bulge at or above the belly button, often noticed after pregnancy, weight change or heavy lifting.
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Incisional or ventral hernia
A hernia through a previous surgical scar — repair is technique-sensitive and often benefits from robotic or retromuscular approaches.
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Parastomal hernia
A hernia around a colostomy or ileostomy site — specialist repair, sometimes with mesh reinforcement or stoma resiting.
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Hiatus and paraoesophageal hernia
Reflux, regurgitation, chest discomfort or swallowing trouble from stomach herniating into the chest — repair with Nissen, Toupet or Dor fundoplication.
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Diastasis recti
Separation of the rectus muscles after pregnancy or weight change — assessed alongside any midline hernia for combined repair.
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Red flag: incarcerated hernia
A hernia that becomes painful, hard, non-reducible or is associated with vomiting is a surgical emergency — same-day A&E, not a clinic booking.
Repair options
Open, laparoscopic, robotic — matched to the hernia.
Every major hernia approach on the ladder — from day-case Lichtenstein to component separation for complex abdominal wall reconstruction.
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Open Lichtenstein inguinal repair
The classic open mesh repair under local, regional or general anaesthetic. Reliable, well-studied, and often a day-case.
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Laparoscopic TAPP / TEP repair
Keyhole inguinal repair through the abdomen (TAPP) or the pre-peritoneal space (TEP). Less pain, faster return to work, particularly good for bilateral or recurrent hernias.
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Robotic inguinal or ventral repair
Robotic-assisted keyhole surgery — precise mesh placement and easier suture repair in complex or recurrent cases.
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Laparoscopic IPOM (ventral / incisional)
Intraperitoneal onlay mesh placed by keyhole for ventral and incisional hernias. Suited to selected small-to-mid defects.
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Retromuscular Rives-Stoppa repair
Open or robotic mesh placement behind the muscle and in front of the posterior sheath — the durable gold standard for many midline hernias.
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Component separation (TAR, anterior)
Transversus abdominis release (posterior) or anterior component separation to close very large defects without tension — the workhorse of abdominal wall reconstruction.
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Hiatus repair with fundoplication
Repair of the diaphragmatic defect with Nissen (360°), Toupet (270°) or Dor (180°) fundoplication, with mesh reinforcement in selected large paraoesophageal hernias.
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Parastomal and diastasis repair
Specialist repair around a stoma, or combined diastasis and midline hernia repair after pregnancy or weight change.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of hernia and abdominal wall surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant general, upper GI and dedicated hernia specialists 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 in our network.
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Consultant general, upper GI or dedicated hernia surgeons — not trainees
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Access to open, laparoscopic and robotic approaches under one team
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Complex abdominal wall reconstruction, including component separation
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Enhanced recovery pathways and day-case inguinal where clinically appropriate
Safety and recovery
The complications, the recurrence rate, and the red flags — honestly.
Modern hernia repair is safe, but not risk-free. These are the numbers and warning signs worth knowing before you agree to surgery.
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Recurrence — the honest number
Modern mesh repairs give a recurrence rate of roughly 1–5% for inguinal and 5–15% for incisional hernias, higher in smokers, high BMI and complex cases.
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Seroma and haematoma
A collection of fluid or blood under the wound is common after ventral and incisional repair. Most settle; persistent seroma beyond six weeks needs review.
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Chronic groin pain
Roughly one in ten patients report some chronic groin discomfort after inguinal repair. Usually mild; occasionally needs specialist pain input.
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Mesh infection and migration
Rare but important — fever, wound discharge, or delayed pain over the mesh is not normal and needs surgical review the same day.
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Bowel injury and adhesive obstruction
Uncommon risks of intra-abdominal repair. Vomiting, distension or absolute constipation after surgery needs urgent assessment.
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Mesh choice matters
Synthetic polypropylene for most cases, biologic or absorbable mesh in contaminated fields or specific reconstructive scenarios — discussed with you before consent.
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Optimisation reduces complications
Weight loss, smoking cessation for at least four weeks, and HbA1c under 8% measurably reduce recurrence and mesh infection.
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Enhanced recovery and day-case pathway
Regional blocks, opioid-sparing analgesia and early mobilisation get most inguinal repairs home the same day and reconstruction patients out of hospital sooner.
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Red flags after surgery
Fever, spreading redness, uncontrolled pain, persistent vomiting or a swollen tender wound are not normal — contact the team or A&E the same day.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique was used, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Hernia type, defect size and side
What was repaired — inguinal, ventral, hiatus, parastomal — the measured defect, and any recurrence status.
- 02 Technique
Approach, mesh and fixation
Open, laparoscopic or robotic; mesh type and size; and how it was fixed — sutures, tacks, glue or self-gripping.
- 03 Findings
Anatomy, contents and any additional work
What was inside the hernia sac, the state of the abdominal wall, and any additional repair such as diastasis or a second occult defect.
- 04 Impression
Recovery, lifting limits and follow-up
Read this first: expected recovery time, when it is safe to return to work, driving and lifting, and when your review is scheduled.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for hernia and abdominal wall surgery varies by insurer and procedure. Most repairs are covered when medically indicated. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything patients ask about hernia surgery.
Quick answers on approach, mesh, recurrence, recovery time and when a hernia becomes an emergency.
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Which hernia operation is best for me?
It depends on hernia type, size, whether it is a first or repeat repair, your BMI, and previous abdominal surgery. Small unilateral inguinal hernias are often best served by open Lichtenstein or TEP; bilateral or recurrent by laparoscopic or robotic; large ventral or incisional by retromuscular Rives-Stoppa or TAR. A consultant reviews the imaging and tells you honestly.
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Do all hernias need surgery?
No. Small, asymptomatic inguinal hernias in older adults can be watched — the risk of strangulation is low and the risk of surgery may be higher. Femoral, symptomatic, or enlarging hernias should generally be repaired.
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What is the recurrence rate after hernia repair?
Roughly 1–5% at ten years for modern mesh inguinal repair, and 5–15% for incisional hernia depending on defect size, mesh choice and patient factors. Smoking, obesity and poorly controlled diabetes increase recurrence measurably.
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How much does private hernia surgery cost in London?
Roughly £2,800–£4,500 for open inguinal, £3,800–£6,500 for laparoscopic, £5,500–£9,500 for laparoscopic ventral, £8,500–£15,000 for robotic Rives-Stoppa, and from £14,000 for complex abdominal wall reconstruction. We confirm a firm quote within one working day.
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What is component separation?
A reconstructive technique for large midline hernias where the muscle layers of the abdominal wall are released — anteriorly (external oblique) or posteriorly (transversus abdominis release, TAR) — so the midline can be closed over a mesh without tension. It is the workhorse of complex abdominal wall reconstruction.
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Synthetic mesh, biologic mesh or no mesh?
Synthetic polypropylene mesh is the default for most clean repairs — durable and well-studied. Biologic or absorbable mesh is reserved for contaminated fields, selected paraoesophageal cases, or where a permanent implant is unwanted. Suture-only repair has a much higher recurrence rate and is only used for very small defects.
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How long is recovery?
Straightforward inguinal repair: back to desk work in one week, driving in one to two weeks, heavy lifting after six weeks. Ventral and incisional repair: two to four weeks off work. Abdominal wall reconstruction: six to twelve weeks of gradual return.
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Will I need weight loss or smoking cessation before surgery?
For complex and incisional hernias, yes. A BMI under 30–35 and at least four weeks smoke-free significantly reduce mesh infection and recurrence. For urgent or straightforward cases these are recommended but not always essential.
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Can hiatus hernia be repaired without a fundoplication?
Rarely. Repairing the hiatus without a wrap tends to leave reflux worse. Nissen (360°), Toupet (270°) or Dor (180°) fundoplication is chosen based on oesophageal motility and symptom profile.
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When should I go to A&E?
A hernia that becomes painful, hard, cannot be pushed back in, or is associated with vomiting or absolute constipation is a surgical emergency — same-day A&E. After surgery, fever, spreading redness, heavy bleeding or uncontrolled pain also warrant urgent review.
Related treatments
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Colectomy
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Cholecystectomy
Keyhole gallbladder removal for stones and biliary colic.
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All tests and procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
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Acid Reflux
Related condition guide.
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Crohns Disease
Related condition guide.
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Gastroscopy
Related diagnostic test.
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Colonoscopy
Related diagnostic test.
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In practice, in London
Getting comprehensive abdominal health and hernia service sorted in London, without the guesswork
For comprehensive abdominal health and hernia service, the private London route is mostly about consultant fit and hospital choice rather than raw waiting time. The wait for comprehensive abdominal health and hernia service on the NHS depends heavily on where you live and how urgently the referral is graded. Central and West London private clinics can normally book within a week, with imaging or a procedure slot to follow shortly after. It’s worth being honest about the reason for going private: usually it’s time, not a fundamentally different test.
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 comprehensive abdominal health and hernia service in particular, we bias towards consultants who do this every week rather than every month.
We’re careful about what a private pathway for comprehensive abdominal health and hernia service can and can’t promise. It can compress a wait, put you in front of a subspecialist quickly, and get a proper report in your hands within a week. It can’t rewrite what the imaging or the bloods say. Setting that expectation up front tends to make the whole experience less stressful.
Nearby in the library