Concierge general surgery · London
Private femoral hernia repair in London, by a consultant hernia surgeon.
A day-case repair by a named general surgeon with a hernia interest — open low approach or laparoscopic TAPP/TEP, spinal or GA, and a plain explanation of why repair is recommended whenever a femoral hernia is diagnosed.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant hernia surgeon, in theatre
A named general surgeon with a hernia interest, a proper day-case theatre, and the anaesthetic that suits you — not a training list.
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Repair recommended when diagnosed
Femoral hernias have a high strangulation risk. UK and European guidelines say repair whenever fit — we tell you why, plainly.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation — open or laparoscopic, mesh or no mesh — is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private femoral hernia repair costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Open repair in our network: £2,800–£4,500, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Femoral hernia repair — open, LA/spinal | £2,800–£4,500 | 30–60 min | Same day |
| Femoral hernia repair — open, GA | £3,500–£5,500 | Half-day | Same day |
| Femoral hernia repair — laparoscopic TAPP/TEP | £4,500–£7,500 | 45–75 min | Same day |
| Bilateral repair (same visit) | £5,500–£8,500 | 60–90 min | Same day |
| Emergency repair (incarcerated/strangulated) | Insurance/NHS | 60–120 min | 3–7 nights |
| Consultation only | £200–£400 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which surgeon does the case, by the anaesthetic chosen, and by whether both sides are repaired at the same visit. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The wrong hernia to watch and wait on.
Femoral hernias are often mistaken for inguinal hernias and offered the same watch-and-wait plan. The narrow neck through the femoral canal makes strangulation far more likely — around 30% of femoral hernias present as emergencies. Both UK and European guidelines recommend elective repair whenever the diagnosis is made.
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Not sure it is femoral?
A groin ultrasound or CT distinguishes a femoral hernia from an inguinal one, saphena varix, lymph node or lipoma. We arrange the scan first.
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Worried about strangulation?
That worry is why elective repair is recommended. Booked properly, it is a day case; left, it becomes a middle-of-the-night emergency.
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Want it done properly?
A named consultant hernia surgeon, a proper day-case theatre, and a genuine choice of open or laparoscopic technique.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to review — including the recovery window.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
A few hours at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. The lump, how long, whether it is painful, and any episodes of getting stuck.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right technique, the right anaesthetic, an indicative price. If it needs an urgent scan or A&E, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Usually within one to two weeks for elective repair. Any blood-thinning medication is reviewed with the team and you are told exactly how to prepare.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the clinic
Arrival, consent and a chat with the surgeon and anaesthetist. Spinal or GA — whichever was chosen.
- 05
On the day
The procedure itself
30 to 60 minutes in a proper theatre. Open low approach with mesh, or laparoscopic TAPP or TEP — the mesh sits behind the defect.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A short recovery, written aftercare, and home within a few hours. You will need someone to collect you.
- 07
After
Recovery and review
Back to office work in one to two weeks, driving in one to two weeks, no heavy lifting for four to six weeks. A review is arranged if needed.
Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks from enquiry to procedure. Full healing: 4–6 weeks.
When it helps
When femoral hernia repair is the right step.
The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.
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Small lump below the groin crease
A lump in the upper thigh or groin, below the inguinal ligament, more prominent standing or coughing and often painful.
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Lump that reduces on lying down
A hernia that pops out during the day and settles when you lie flat — a classic story, and still worth repairing.
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Dragging groin pain
A dull ache in the groin or upper thigh, worse late in the day or after standing, that a scan has traced to a femoral hernia.
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More common in women
Roughly three women for every man. Often in women over 60, sometimes after pregnancy — the anatomy is simply more prone.
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Recurrent hernia after previous repair
A femoral hernia sometimes appears after an inguinal repair — a laparoscopic approach usually gives the cleanest re-do.
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Diagnosed on a scan for something else
Picked up incidentally on a groin ultrasound or CT — European guidelines still recommend repair whenever you are fit.
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Uncertain diagnosis in the groin
Ultrasound or CT can tell a femoral hernia apart from a saphena varix, femoral artery aneurysm, lymph node, lipoma or psoas abscess.
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Red flag: painful, tender, non-reducing
A hernia that will not push back, is tender, or comes with vomiting, distension or fever is an emergency — A&E today, not a clinic booking.
Procedure options
Open or laparoscopic — both work well.
What each option on the table actually involves — and which fits your anatomy, your health, and your life.
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Open low approach (Lockwood)
A small cut below the groin crease. The sac is dealt with, a mesh plug or small piece of mesh reinforces the femoral canal, and the ring is closed with sutures.
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Open high approach (McEvedy)
A pararectal cut above the groin, going pre-peritoneally. The approach of choice for emergency, obstructed or strangulated hernias — bowel can be inspected and resected if needed.
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Open trans-inguinal (Lotheissen)
Through the inguinal canal, useful when an inguinal hernia is present as well and both can be repaired through one incision.
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Laparoscopic TAPP
Trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal repair. Three small ports, mesh placed behind the defect from inside — excellent for bilateral, recurrent or occult contralateral hernias.
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Laparoscopic TEP
Totally extra-peritoneal repair. Similar to TAPP but the abdominal cavity is not entered — a favoured elective option in the UK for low chronic pain and quick recovery.
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Robotic TAPP
A robotic-assisted version of TAPP, emerging in specialist centres. Similar principles, with an articulated instrument set.
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Mesh vs suture repair
Mesh is standard — recurrence is meaningfully lower. Suture-only repair is reserved for contaminated cases or a strong patient preference.
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Consultation only
An honest discussion of whether repair is needed now, and which technique fits your anatomy and life — no obligation.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of hernia surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant general surgeons with a declared hernia interest 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 hernia surgeon in our network.
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Consultant general surgeons with a declared hernia interest, not general lists
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Laparoscopic TAPP and TEP available, not just open repair
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Emergency pathway for incarcerated or strangulated hernias
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Anaesthetic choice — spinal or GA — discussed before the day
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Femoral hernia repair is a common, safe day-case procedure in the elective setting. The things worth planning are your anaesthetic choice, the lifting window, and knowing what is normal after.
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Spinal or GA, both offered
Open low approach can be done under spinal or GA; laparoscopic repair needs GA. The anaesthetist explains which suits your health.
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Recurrence is uncommon with mesh
Long-term recurrence sits around 2–5% with a mesh repair, higher with suture-only. A properly placed mesh is why the operation lasts.
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Chronic groin pain in a minority
Five to ten patients in a hundred report lingering groin, thigh or scrotal discomfort. Nerve-aware technique lowers, but does not remove, the risk.
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Femoral vein sits right next door
The femoral vein is millimetres from the hernia neck. Injury is rare in experienced hands and repaired straight away if it happens.
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No heavy lifting for four to six weeks
Walking is fine from day one. Anything above roughly 10 kg, and the gym, wait four to six weeks so the mesh integrates.
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Driving in one to two weeks
You can drive again once you can perform an emergency stop without hesitation — usually a week after open repair, sometimes sooner after laparoscopic.
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Seroma and bruising are common
A soft swelling where the hernia used to be is fluid, not recurrence. It settles over weeks; only rarely does it need draining.
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Emergency repair is a different beast
If the hernia strangulates, urgent surgery within 6–24 hours is needed, sometimes with bowel resection. Mortality in elderly emergency cases sits at 5–10%.
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Red flags
A tender lump that will not push back, vomiting, abdominal distension, fever or severe pain are emergencies — A&E, not the clinic.
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
Indication and technique chosen
Why the procedure was done — symptomatic femoral hernia, incidental finding, or emergency — and which technique was agreed with you.
- 02 Technique
Anaesthetic and surgical technique
Whether it was open (Lockwood, McEvedy, Lotheissen) or laparoscopic (TAPP, TEP), the anaesthetic used, and where the mesh sits.
- 03 Findings
Sac contents, bowel, other defects
What was inside the sac, whether the bowel was healthy, whether an inguinal or contralateral defect was found and repaired at the same time.
- 04 Impression
Recovery, lifting limits, review
Read this first: expected recovery, when it is safe to lift and drive, and whether a follow-up is planned.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for femoral hernia repair is standard across UK private medical insurers when medically indicated. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about femoral hernia repair.
Quick answers on urgency, technique choice, cost, recovery, and what an emergency looks like.
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Why do femoral hernias need repairing when small inguinal ones can be watched?
The femoral canal has a narrow, unforgiving neck bounded by ligaments and the femoral vein. Around 30% of femoral hernias present as emergencies with obstruction or strangulation, compared with roughly 5% of inguinal hernias. Both the British Hernia Society and the European Hernia Society recommend repair whenever a patient is fit, even without symptoms.
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Are femoral hernias really more common in women?
Yes — roughly three to one. The female pelvis has a wider femoral ring and the pressures of pregnancy contribute. They are most often diagnosed in women over 60, and unfortunately often present first as an emergency.
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Open or laparoscopic — which is better?
Both work well for elective repair. Open low (Lockwood) is quick, done under spinal or GA, and ideal for a single small hernia. Laparoscopic TAPP or TEP needs GA but allows repair of both sides at once, catches an occult contralateral hernia, and tends to give lower chronic pain and faster return to sport. For obstructed or strangulated cases, an open high (McEvedy) approach is usual because bowel can be inspected.
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How much does a private femoral hernia repair cost in London?
Roughly £2,800–£4,500 for open repair under LA or spinal, £3,500–£5,500 open under GA, and £4,500–£7,500 for laparoscopic TAPP or TEP. Bilateral repair at the same visit is £5,500–£8,500. We confirm a firm figure across two or three clinics within one working day.
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How soon can I go back to work and driving?
Office work in one to two weeks, driving in one to two weeks once you can perform an emergency stop comfortably, no heavy lifting for four to six weeks. Laparoscopic recovery is generally a touch faster than open.
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What is the risk of chronic groin pain after the operation?
Around five to ten patients in a hundred describe lingering discomfort at six months. The femoral, ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves all live in the neighbourhood. Modern nerve-aware technique, and choosing laparoscopic in the right patient, reduces the risk.
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What happens if my hernia gets stuck (strangulated)?
It becomes an emergency. Go to A&E — do not wait for a clinic appointment. Surgery within 6–24 hours is standard, usually via an open high (McEvedy) approach, and roughly 15% of emergency cases need a short piece of bowel removed. Mortality in elderly emergency presentations sits at 5–10%, which is exactly why elective repair is recommended.
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