Concierge general surgery · London
Private adult inguinal hernia repair in London, by a consultant hernia surgeon.
A proper adult inguinal hernia repair by a consultant general surgeon — with the approach that fits your anatomy (open Lichtenstein, laparoscopic TEP or TAPP, or robotic), and a theatre environment either way.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant general surgeon, in theatre
A named upper-GI or hernia-specialist consultant, a proper theatre, and the approach — open, laparoscopic or robotic — that actually fits your hernia.
- 02
Approach chosen by anatomy, not habit
European Hernia Society guidance says lap for recurrent-after-open and bilateral; open Lichtenstein for recurrent-after-lap. We hold the surgeon to it.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private adult inguinal hernia repair costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options — open, laparoscopic and, where relevant, robotic.
In short
A laparoscopic unilateral repair in our network: £3,500–£6,000, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Discharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Lichtenstein (mesh, unilateral) | £2,500–£4,500 | 45–60 min | Same day |
| Laparoscopic TEP or TAPP (unilateral) | £3,500–£6,000 | 45–75 min | Same day |
| Laparoscopic repair (bilateral) | £4,500–£7,500 | 60–90 min | Same day |
| Robotic TAPP | £4,000–£7,000 | 60–90 min | Same day |
| Recurrent hernia repair | £3,500–£7,000 | 60–90 min | Same day |
| Consultation only | £200–£400 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which surgeon does the case, by whether the repair is open, laparoscopic or robotic, and by whether you have cover. NHS repair is fully funded, though waits are long for asymptomatic hernias. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right surgeon, the right approach, the right mesh.
Inguinal hernia repair is the commonest general-surgery operation on the planet — and yet whether it is done open or laparoscopically, and by whom, often hinges on habit rather than evidence. We fix that before you commit.
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Not sure it needs surgery?
Small, minimally symptomatic hernias can be watched — but femoral hernias should always be repaired. We call it honestly.
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Confused by open vs lap?
EHS guidance is clear: primary bilateral or recurrent-after-open goes laparoscopic; recurrent-after-lap goes open. We match approach to anatomy.
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Worried about chronic pain?
Lightweight mesh, careful nerve handling and a high-volume surgeon are the three things that actually reduce inguinodynia risk.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to review — including the six-week lifting 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. Which side, how long, whether it bulges with lifting, and any previous repair.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: open Lichtenstein, laparoscopic TEP or TAPP, or robotic TAPP — with reasons, and an indicative price.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Usually within one to two weeks. Anticoagulants are reviewed with the team and you are told exactly how to prepare and fast.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the clinic
Consent and a chat with the surgeon and anaesthetist. GA for laparoscopic and robotic; LA plus sedation or spinal an option for open Lichtenstein.
- 05
On the day
The procedure itself
30 to 90 minutes in a proper theatre. A tension-free mesh — open or through the peritoneum — sutured, tacked or glued in place.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
Day-case for most. Laparoscopic patients occasionally stay one night if on an evening list. Someone must collect you.
- 07
After
Recovery and review
Back to office work in 3–7 days, no heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks, driving once you can emergency-brake without flinching. A review is arranged.
Typical end-to-end: 2–3 weeks from enquiry to procedure. Full healing: 4–6 weeks.
When it helps
When inguinal 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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Symptomatic groin lump
A bulge in the groin that appears with coughing, lifting or standing — usually with a dragging ache by the end of the day.
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Discomfort or heaviness
A pulling or heavy sensation in the groin, worse with exercise or a long day on your feet, better lying down.
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Recurrent or enlarging hernia
A previously repaired hernia that has come back, or a small hernia that is quietly getting larger over months.
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Bilateral hernias
A hernia on each side — laparoscopic repair fixes both through the same three small ports in one anaesthetic.
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Sportsman’s groin / occult hernia
Chronic groin pain in an athlete with no obvious lump — a focused examination and imaging sort out whether a hidden hernia is to blame.
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Asymptomatic — watchful waiting
A small, painless hernia can be watched, but roughly 70% of men need surgery within 10 years as symptoms or incarceration risk creep in.
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Femoral hernia — always repair
Femoral hernias sit below the inguinal ligament and are far more likely to strangulate. Repair is recommended, not optional.
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Red flag: incarcerated or tender
A hernia that has become hard, exquisitely tender, red or is causing vomiting is a surgical emergency — A&E the same hour, not a clinic booking.
Procedure options
Open, laparoscopic or robotic — how we choose.
What each option on the table actually involves — and which European Hernia Society guidance recommends for which patient.
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Open Lichtenstein (tension-free mesh)
The UK workhorse. A 6–8 cm groin incision, polypropylene mesh sutured over the defect. Excellent for large scrotal hernias, previous pelvic surgery, or LA under sedation.
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Laparoscopic TEP
Totally extraperitoneal: three small ports, mesh placed behind the muscle without entering the abdominal cavity. Fast recovery, low chronic-pain rate.
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Laparoscopic TAPP
Transabdominal preperitoneal: the peritoneum is opened, mesh placed, then peritoneum closed. Equivalent to TEP; often preferred for larger or incarcerated hernias.
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Robotic TAPP
A robotic platform (usually da Vinci) driving the same TAPP repair. Ergonomic for the surgeon, comparable outcomes to laparoscopic — mainly a cost question.
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Shouldice tissue repair
A mesh-free four-layer tissue repair — the Toronto legacy technique. Reserved for patients who decline mesh; slightly higher recurrence but no mesh-related pain risk.
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McVay repair
A tissue repair anchoring to Cooper’s ligament — used when a femoral component sits alongside the inguinal defect.
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Repair with contralateral exploration
At laparoscopic repair the opposite side can be inspected — small occult hernias found and fixed in the same sitting.
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Consultation only
An honest discussion of whether watchful waiting is safe, and which approach fits — no obligation.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of hernia surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant general surgeons across central, north, west and south London — each with a real specialist interest in groin hernia. Not listed publicly; introductions are private, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every surgeon in our hernia network.
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Consultant general surgeons with a specialist hernia interest
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High-volume laparoscopic TEP/TAPP practice (not occasional)
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Open Lichtenstein under LA + sedation available for older or anticoagulated patients
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Lightweight partially-absorbable mesh offered as first choice
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Inguinal hernia repair is a common, safe day-case operation. The things worth planning are your lifting window, the chronic-pain risk conversation, and knowing what is normal after.
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Day-case, home the same afternoon
Almost every inguinal hernia repair — open or laparoscopic — is a day-case. A single overnight stay is occasionally sensible if the list ran late.
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Mild discomfort for 3–7 days
Bruising, groin ache and shoulder-tip pain (after lap, from the gas) are all normal for the first few days and settle with simple painkillers.
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No heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks
Walking is fine from day one. Light gym work at two weeks, full lifting and contact sport at six. Return to sex when you are comfortable, usually 2–3 weeks.
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Driving once you can emergency-brake
Usually 24–72 hours after open repair, and about the same after lap. The test is whether you can slam the pedal without flinching.
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Chronic groin pain in 5–15%
The honest number. Inguinodynia — usually nerve-related — is the main long-term concern, more common in young active men. Lightweight mesh and careful nerve handling reduce the risk.
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Recurrence 1–3% at 5 years
A tension-free mesh repair by a high-volume surgeon has a low recurrence rate. Emergency, giant or Shouldice tissue repairs sit at the higher end.
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Bleeding, haematoma and infection
Superficial bruising in about 1 in 20; spermatic cord haematoma or infection under 2%. Higher in smokers, diabetics and those on anticoagulants.
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Rare but serious
Testicular atrophy, mesh infection needing removal, femoral vessel or bowel injury with lap in inexperienced hands, and port-site hernia — each well under 1%.
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Red flags
Fever, spreading redness, uncontrolled pain, a hard tender bulge or vomiting after surgery are not normal — call the clinic 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 — Lichtenstein, TEP, TAPP or robotic — 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 and side
Which side, and the intra-operative classification — direct, indirect, pantaloon, sliding, or femoral — because it changes the follow-up conversation.
- 02 Technique
Approach, mesh and fixation
Open Lichtenstein, TEP, TAPP or robotic; which mesh (standard or lightweight); and how it was fixed — sutures, tacks or glue.
- 03 Findings
Nerves, cord structures and anything else
Notes on the ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric and genital nerves, the state of the spermatic cord, and any incidental findings (contralateral hernia, lipoma of the cord).
- 04 Impression
Recovery, lifting window, review timing
Read this first: return-to-work, when to drive, when to lift heavy, and whether a follow-up is needed.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Inguinal hernia repair is almost always covered when medically indicated. We confirm cover, excess and CCSD codes with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about inguinal hernia repair.
Quick answers on open vs laparoscopic, mesh, chronic pain, and how much time off you actually need.
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Do I actually need surgery for an inguinal hernia?
Not always. Small, minimally symptomatic hernias can be watched safely under European Hernia Society guidance — but roughly 70% of men cross over to surgery within 10 years because symptoms grow or incarceration risk feels too high. A femoral hernia, by contrast, should always be repaired because of the higher strangulation risk.
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Open, laparoscopic or robotic — which is best?
It depends on the hernia. For a primary one-sided hernia in a fit patient we usually recommend laparoscopic TEP or TAPP — faster recovery and less chronic pain. For bilateral hernias or recurrence after an open repair, laparoscopic wins clearly. For recurrence after a previous laparoscopic repair, an open Lichtenstein avoids the scarred field. Very large scrotal hernias and older or anticoagulated patients often do better with open under local anaesthetic and sedation.
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How much does a private inguinal hernia repair cost in London?
Roughly £2,500–£4,500 for open Lichtenstein, £3,500–£6,000 for laparoscopic (unilateral), and £4,000–£7,000 for robotic. Bilateral repairs run £4,500–£7,500. We come back with a firm quote across two or three options within one working day.
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What mesh will be used, and is it safe?
A tension-free mesh is the standard of care — usually a lightweight partially-absorbable polypropylene mesh (for example ULTRAPRO or Timesh), which reduces the chronic-pain risk compared with older heavyweight meshes. Self-gripping meshes (Progrip) and mesh-free tissue repairs (Shouldice) are options for the right patient. Mesh complications are rare but real, and we discuss them honestly.
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How much time off work do I need?
Most people are back to office work in 3–7 days. Manual jobs and anyone lifting heavy loads need 4–6 weeks. Cyclists, runners and gym-goers can start light work at two weeks and return to full training at six.
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When can I drive again?
Usually between 24 and 72 hours, once you can perform an emergency stop without hesitating. Your insurer expects you to be in full control of the car — if in doubt, wait another day.
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What is chronic groin pain after hernia repair?
A persistent pain in the groin lasting beyond three months, usually caused by irritation or entrapment of the ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric or genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve. It affects roughly 5–15% of patients, more often young active men. Most cases settle; a small number need injections or, rarely, a specialist neurectomy revision.
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When should I go to A&E rather than book a clinic?
If the hernia becomes hard, exquisitely tender, red, does not push back in, or is accompanied by vomiting — that is possible incarceration or strangulation, and it needs same-hour hospital assessment.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Hernia surgery — overview
Every hernia type, every approach, one hub.
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Femoral hernia repair
Below the inguinal ligament — always repair.
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Adult umbilical hernia repair
Belly-button hernia in adults — open or lap.
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Child inguinal hernia repair
Paediatric groin hernia — mesh-free, herniotomy.
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All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more