Concierge hernia surgery · UK
Hernia surgery in the UK, by BHS-accredited specialists.
The full hernia spectrum — inguinal, femoral, umbilical, epigastric, hiatus, incisional, parastomal, sportsman’s, and complex abdominal wall reconstruction — matched to a surgeon who does that operation weekly, in a high-volume unit.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A BHS-accredited hernia surgeon, not a generalist
Named consultants who repair hernias week in, week out — British Hernia Society accredited or EHS-registered, working in high-volume units where outcomes are demonstrably better.
- 02
The right operation for your defect
Open Lichtenstein, laparoscopic TEP/TAPP, IPOM+, robotic eTEP or rTAR — matched to the anatomy of your hernia, not the surgeon’s only technique.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private hernia surgery costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our partner units. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A simple inguinal repair in our network: £2,500–£5,500, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inguinal hernia repair (open / lap, unilateral) | £2,500–£5,500 | 45–90 min | Day case |
| Femoral hernia repair | £3,000–£6,000 | 45–90 min | Day case |
| Umbilical / epigastric hernia repair | £2,500–£5,500 | 45–75 min | Day case |
| Hiatus hernia repair (para-oesophageal) | £8,000–£14,000 | 2–3 hours | 1–2 nights |
| Incisional / ventral hernia repair | £5,000–£12,000 | 1.5–3 hours | 1–3 nights |
| Complex AWR (eTEP / rTAR / component separation) | £10,000–£20,000+ | 3–5 hours | 2–5 nights |
| Consultation only | £200–£400 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by hernia type, surgeon, hospital, and whether the repair is open, laparoscopic or robotic. Complex or recurrent cases sit at the top of the range. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right hernia sub-type, the right surgeon, the right technique.
The single biggest determinant of a good hernia outcome is not the technique — it is the volume of the surgeon doing it. Volume, and matching the operation to your anatomy, is what we fix.
-
Not sure what sub-type it is?
Groin lump, umbilical bulge, incisional swelling — we get you assessed by a surgeon who repairs that specific sub-type weekly.
-
Worried about mesh?
A proper conversation about mesh vs primary, lightweight vs heavyweight, and the honest data on chronic pain — from a BHS-accredited specialist.
-
Complex or recurrent case?
Prior repair failed, large defect, loss of domain, stoma involved? We route to abdominal wall reconstruction units with eTEP / rTAR / component separation capability.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to review — including preoperative optimisation and the recovery window.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Day case or short stay
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us about the lump
A short, confidential form. Where the swelling is, how long, whether it reduces, pain, red flags.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right hernia sub-type, the right surgeon, imaging if needed, and an indicative price.
- 03
Before
Preoperative optimisation
Smoking cessation, weight, HbA1c, and prehab addressed before elective repair — this is where good outcomes are earned.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the hospital
Admission, consent and a chat with the surgeon and anaesthetist. Local, regional, sedation or GA — matched to the procedure.
- 05
On the day
The repair itself
30 minutes to three hours in a proper theatre, depending on hernia type and complexity. Mesh or primary suture, ERAS pathway throughout.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day or overnight
Most inguinal, femoral, umbilical and epigastric repairs are day case. Larger ventral / incisional / AWR cases stay one to three nights.
- 07
After
Recovery and review
Return to desk work in one to two weeks; heavy lifting in four to six. Complex AWR is a longer road. A review is arranged either way.
Typical end-to-end: 2–4 weeks from enquiry to procedure. Full healing: 4–12 weeks depending on hernia type.
When it helps
When hernia surgery is the right step.
The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.
-
Groin lump (inguinal / femoral)
A swelling in the groin that comes and goes with standing, coughing or lifting — usually inguinal, sometimes femoral.
-
Umbilical / paraumbilical swelling
A soft lump at or beside the belly button. Common in adults after pregnancy or with weight gain.
-
Midline lump above the umbilicus
A small epigastric hernia through the linea alba — often tender, sometimes multiple.
-
Reflux and para-oesophageal hernia
Heartburn, regurgitation or a large hiatus hernia (type II–IV) that warrants surgical assessment, not just PPIs.
-
Bulge through a previous scar
An incisional hernia through a laparotomy, laparoscopic port or stoma site — assessment for open, IPOM+ or eTEP repair.
-
Groin pain in an endurance athlete
Chronic groin pain in footballers, cyclists and runners — inguinal disruption (sportsman’s hernia) requires a specific surgical repair.
-
Recurrent hernia after previous repair
A hernia that has come back after previous open or laparoscopic surgery — different approach needed, often robotic.
-
Red flag: irreducible, painful, vomiting
A hernia that will not push back in, is tender, with vomiting or bowel obstruction, is an emergency — 999 or A&E, not a clinic booking.
Hernia types
The full hernia spectrum — every sub-type, one map.
A summary of every sub-type we cover. Each has its own dedicated page with the detail — techniques, mesh choice, recovery and pricing.
-
Inguinal (adult and child)
The commonest hernia. Adult repair by open Lichtenstein or laparoscopic TEP/TAPP; paediatric via herniotomy without mesh.
-
Femoral
Below the inguinal ligament, more common in women. Always repaired — high strangulation risk.
-
Umbilical & paraumbilical
Through or beside the belly button. Small defects primary suture; larger defects tension-free mesh.
-
Epigastric
Small midline defects in the linea alba above the umbilicus. Open or laparoscopic mesh depending on size.
-
Hiatus (para-oesophageal)
Type II–IV hiatus hernias where stomach herniates into the chest — laparoscopic reduction, crural repair, fundoplication.
-
Incisional / ventral
Post-surgical hernia through a prior wound. Open Rives-Stoppa retro-muscular, laparoscopic IPOM+, robotic eTEP or rTAR for large defects.
-
Parastomal, Spigelian, obturator
Rarer subtypes around a stoma, through the semilunar line, or through the obturator canal — specialist repair only.
-
Athletic / sportsman’s hernia
Inguinal disruption without a true hernia. Meyers repair, gilmore or laparoscopic mesh for endurance athletes.
Our vetted UK network
BHS-accredited hernia centres, we picked them.
Consultant hernia surgeons across London, the South East and major UK cities — including centres running a Comprehensive Abdominal Health and Hernia Service. Introductions are private, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every hernia surgeon in our network.
-
BHS-accredited hernia surgeons or EHS-registered specialists
-
High-volume units with published outcomes — not occasional operators
-
Open, laparoscopic and robotic techniques available under one roof
-
Complex abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) capability for large / recurrent cases
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Elective hernia repair is a safe, ubiquitous operation. The things worth planning are preoperative optimisation, mesh vs primary, and knowing what is normal after — and what is a red flag.
-
Hernias do not heal in adults
The defect in the fascia will not close on its own. Watchful waiting is reasonable for small, painless hernias — surgery is the only definitive fix.
-
Tension-free mesh vs primary suture
For most adult hernias mesh gives a lower recurrence rate. Very small defects and paediatric hernias can be repaired without.
-
Anatomy-driven approach
Open Lichtenstein, TEP, TAPP, IPOM+, eTEP and TAR each have their place. The right choice depends on defect size, location and previous surgery.
-
Preoperative optimisation matters
Smoking cessation ≥6 weeks, BMI ideally <35 for ventral repair, HbA1c <65 mmol/mol, nutrition and prehab all lower complication rates.
-
ERAS pathway ubiquitous
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery — early mobilisation, opioid-sparing analgesia, early feeding — is standard in every unit we use.
-
Return to work timeline
Desk work: 1–2 weeks after most simple repairs. Manual work / lifting: 4–6 weeks. Complex AWR: 6–12 weeks.
-
Recurrence risk is real
Even in expert hands recurrence runs 1–10% depending on hernia type, technique and patient factors. High-volume centres do better.
-
Mesh questions answered honestly
Modern lightweight polypropylene meshes have an excellent safety profile. Chronic pain and complications are rare but real — worth a proper conversation.
-
Red flags
An irreducible hernia, severe pain, vomiting or bowel obstruction is an emergency — 999 or A&E, same-day, not a clinic booking.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever hernia was repaired, and whichever technique, 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, side and defect size
Which hernia (inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional, hiatus), which side, and the size of the fascial defect in centimetres.
- 02 Technique
Approach, mesh and closure
Open or laparoscopic or robotic; Lichtenstein, TEP, TAPP, IPOM+, eTEP or TAR; mesh type and fixation method; closure of defect.
- 03 Findings
Contents, adhesions, incidental findings
What was in the sac (fat, bowel, bladder), any adhesions divided, and any incidental findings such as a second hernia on the other side.
- 04 Impression
Recovery, restrictions, follow-up
Read this first: pain control, when to lift, drive and return to sport or work, wound care, and follow-up plan.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Hernia repair is covered by most UK health insurers when the hernia is symptomatic. Cosmetic or asymptomatic cases are usually self-pay. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about hernia surgery.
Quick answers on mesh, cost, techniques, and how much time off work you actually need.
-
What is a hernia, exactly?
A hernia is a defect (opening) in the fascia through which a sac of peritoneum, and sometimes its contents (fat, bowel), protrudes. The three parts are the defect, the sac and the contents. Adult hernias do not close on their own.
-
Do all hernias need surgery?
No. Small, painless, easily reducible inguinal hernias in an adult can be watched. Femoral hernias should always be repaired because of strangulation risk, especially in women. Symptomatic, enlarging or complicated hernias need surgery.
-
Open, laparoscopic or robotic — which is best?
It depends on the hernia. Small primary inguinal repairs do well with open Lichtenstein under LA. Bilateral or recurrent inguinal hernias suit laparoscopic TEP/TAPP. Large ventral / incisional hernias increasingly go robotic eTEP or rTAR. A high-volume surgeon should offer more than one technique.
-
How much does private hernia surgery cost in the UK?
Roughly £2,500–£5,500 for a simple inguinal, umbilical or epigastric repair; £3,000–£6,000 for femoral; £8,000–£14,000 for a hiatus hernia repair; and £10,000–£20,000+ for complex abdominal wall reconstruction. We confirm firm figures within one working day.
-
Is mesh safe?
Modern lightweight polypropylene mesh has an excellent safety record and dramatically lowers recurrence in adult hernia repair. Chronic pain occurs in a small minority. Mesh questions are worth a proper conversation with a BHS-accredited surgeon.
-
How long is recovery?
Simple repairs: desk work in 1–2 weeks, driving in 1–2 weeks, heavy lifting in 4–6. Larger incisional or ventral repairs: 4–8 weeks off manual work. Complex AWR (component separation, rTAR) is a 3–6 month recovery.
-
Can hernia surgery be done under local anaesthetic?
Yes — most open inguinal, umbilical and epigastric repairs can be done under LA with or without sedation. Laparoscopic, robotic, hiatus and complex ventral repairs require GA.
-
What is the NHS wait for hernia surgery?
Elective, non-urgent hernia repair typically waits 6–18 months depending on your ICB. Complicated, symptomatic or strangulating hernias are prioritised. Private repair usually happens within 2–4 weeks of enquiry.
Related pages
Looking for something else?
-
Inguinal hernia (adult)
The commonest hernia — open Lichtenstein or laparoscopic TEP/TAPP.
Learn more -
Femoral hernia
Always repaired — high strangulation risk, especially in women.
Learn more -
Umbilical hernia (adult)
Belly-button hernia — primary suture or tension-free mesh.
Learn more -
Epigastric hernia
Small midline linea alba defects.
Learn more -
Hiatus hernia
Para-oesophageal type II–IV — laparoscopic repair with fundoplication.
Learn more -
Comprehensive Abdominal Health & Hernia Service
Multi-disciplinary complex AWR pathway.
Learn more -
All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more
Nearby in the library