Concierge hernia surgery · London
Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in London, TEP or TAPP, by a consultant.
Keyhole repair for the cases where it is genuinely the right choice — bilateral, recurrent after open, female, or a young, active professional who needs to be back at their week within days.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant hernia surgeon, in theatre
A named laparoscopic surgeon who does TEP and TAPP week in, week out — not an occasional case for the general on-call list.
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TEP or TAPP — chosen for your case
Bilateral, recurrent, female, sportsman — each has a preferred approach. We say which, and why, before you commit.
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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 laparoscopic 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
A unilateral TEP or TAPP in our network: £3,500–£6,000, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic TEP repair — unilateral | £3,500–£6,000 | 60–90 min | Same-day discharge |
| Laparoscopic TAPP repair — unilateral | £3,500–£6,000 | 60–90 min | Same-day discharge |
| Laparoscopic bilateral repair (TEP or TAPP) | £4,500–£7,500 | 90–120 min | Same-day discharge |
| Laparoscopic recurrent hernia repair | £4,500–£8,000 | 90–120 min | Same-day discharge |
| Premium mesh (self-gripping / lightweight) | £4,500–£8,000 | As above | Same-day discharge |
| Robotic-assisted TAPP | £5,000–£8,000 | 90–120 min | Same-day discharge |
| Consultation only | £200–£400 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which surgeon does the case, by the mesh and fixation chosen, and by whether the repair is unilateral or bilateral. The NHS funds this on referral, but waits for asymptomatic hernias are long — the private figures above buy speed and choice.
The problem
The right approach for the right hernia — and the right surgeon.
Laparoscopic and open repairs both have a place. What matters is that the choice is made on your anatomy, your life and the surgeon’s honest track record — not on what the clinic happens to offer that week.
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Bilateral or recurrent?
A laparoscopic approach is almost always the right answer. Both sides through one anaesthetic; behind the scar tissue after a previous open repair.
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Back to work in days?
Office work in 3–7 days, sport in 4–6 weeks. Considerably faster than open Lichtenstein — worth the difference when your week does not have room for a slow recovery.
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Female patient?
On examination a femoral component is hard to exclude. Laparoscopy inspects both openings and repairs whichever is present, in one operation.
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. Side, whether it is bilateral, any previous groin or lower abdominal surgery, what you do for work and sport.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: TEP or TAPP, the mesh and fixation planned, whether laparoscopic is right for you at all, an indicative price.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Usually within one to two weeks. Anticoagulants and antiplatelets are 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. GA is standard for laparoscopic repair; the bladder is emptied before you go through.
- 05
On the day
The procedure itself
60 to 90 minutes for one side, 90 to 120 for both. Three small port incisions (5–10 mm), pre-peritoneal mesh, fascia closed at the larger port.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
Day-case standard. Shoulder-tip discomfort from the gas settles in 24–48 hours. You will need someone to collect you.
- 07
After
Recovery and review
Office work in 3–7 days, driving in 1–2 weeks, light gym at 2 weeks, heavy lifting and full sport at 4–6 weeks. A review is arranged if needed.
Typical end-to-end: 2–3 weeks from enquiry to procedure. Full healing: 4–6 weeks.
When it helps
When laparoscopic repair is the right step.
The situations UK and European guidelines put laparoscopic first — plus the one red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.
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Bilateral inguinal hernia
Both sides repaired under one anaesthetic through the same three ports — very cost-effective and only one recovery.
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Recurrence after previous open repair
A laparoscopic approach comes in behind the scar tissue, through virgin tissue planes — safer and easier than re-opening the same field.
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Female patient
On examination it is hard to reliably exclude a femoral component; laparoscopy inspects both defects and repairs whichever is present.
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Young, active, professional
Faster return to office and sport — 2–3 weeks versus 4–6 for open — matters when your week does not have room for a slow recovery.
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Sportsman’s hernia / posterior wall weakness
A pre-peritoneal mesh reinforces the whole myopectineal orifice — the right shape of repair for groin pain from posterior wall weakness.
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Cosmesis and BMI 25–30
Three small port scars rather than a groin scar. The laparoscopic view is minimally affected by an overweight body habitus — often easier than open.
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Patient preference
Some patients simply want the minimally invasive option — quicker recovery, smaller scars, and equivalent long-term outcomes when done well.
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Red flag: incarcerated or strangulated
A tender, irreducible groin lump with vomiting or bowel-obstruction symptoms is a surgical emergency — same-day A&E, not a clinic booking.
Procedure options
TEP, TAPP, robotic — and the mesh that fits.
What each option on the table actually involves — and which fits which problem.
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TEP (totally extraperitoneal)
A pre-peritoneal balloon dissects the space; the peritoneum is never opened. Slightly steeper learning curve; theoretical benefit on intra-abdominal adhesions.
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TAPP (transabdominal preperitoneal)
Enters the abdomen, opens the peritoneum, places mesh in the pre-peritoneal space, then closes the peritoneum. Easier to learn; excellent view of both sides.
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Bilateral simultaneous repair
Both defects fixed through the same three ports under one GA — the strongest indication for a laparoscopic approach.
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Recurrent hernia after open repair
Laparoscopy avoids the scarred anterior field. Anatomy is cleaner, dissection safer, and recurrence rates are lower than repeat open repair.
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Self-gripping mesh (Progrip)
A mesh that grips the tissue by itself — no tacks or glue. Associated with less post-operative and chronic pain than tack fixation.
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Tack or glue fixation
Absorbable spiral tacks (Absorbatack, ProTack) or fibrin/cyanoacrylate glue (Tisseel) — glue and self-gripping mesh reduce nerve entrapment risk.
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Robotic-assisted TAPP
A robotic platform for TAPP — offered in a small number of London units. Outcomes equivalent to standard laparoscopic; higher cost.
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Consultation only
An honest discussion of whether laparoscopic is right for you at all — sometimes the answer is open Lichtenstein, and we say so.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of hernia surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant hernia surgeons across central, north, west and south London — high-volume laparoscopic operators. 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 hernia surgeons doing high-volume TEP and TAPP
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GA delivered by consultant anaesthetists in a licensed day-case theatre
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EHS/BHS guideline-concordant technique and mesh choice
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Open Lichtenstein offered where laparoscopic is not the right answer
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Laparoscopic hernia repair is a common, safe day-case procedure in the right hands. The things worth planning are the anaesthetic, the first-week recovery, and knowing which risks are specific to a keyhole approach.
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GA is standard for TEP and TAPP
Both approaches need pneumoperitoneum, which needs a general anaesthetic. Regional is occasionally used; local alone is rarely feasible.
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Shoulder-tip pain for 24–48 hours
Residual CO₂ from pneumoperitoneum irritates the diaphragm and refers pain to the shoulder. It settles within two days and is not a complication.
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Mild-to-moderate discomfort 3–7 days
Port sites and the pre-peritoneal dissection are sore for the first week. Regular paracetamol and ibuprofen usually cover it; codeine is rarely needed after 72 hours.
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Return to work and sport
Office work in 3–7 days, driving in 1–2 weeks (once emergency braking is comfortable), sex in 2–3 weeks, light gym at 2 weeks, heavy lifting and full sport at 6.
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Urinary retention in the first 24 hours
Five to ten percent — commoner with bilateral repair and in older men. The bladder is emptied pre-operatively and monitored on the ward.
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Chronic groin pain — 5–10%
Lower than the 10–15% quoted after open Lichtenstein. Nerve-preserving pre-peritoneal placement and non-tack fixation both help.
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Recurrence risk 1–3% at 5–10 years
Equivalent to open Lichtenstein in the long term when a properly sized mesh is placed by an experienced surgeon.
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Conversion to open — 1–3%
Dense adhesions, unexpected bleeding or unclear anatomy occasionally means finishing the case as an open Lichtenstein. It is a safety decision, not a failure.
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Red flags after surgery
Fever, spreading redness, a tender swelling that will not settle, black stools or persistent abdominal pain are reasons to call the clinic or A&E the same day.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whether the case was 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
Side, defect and approach
Which side, whether both, the size and type of defect (indirect, direct, femoral) and whether TEP or TAPP was used.
- 02 Technique
Mesh, fixation and closure
The mesh (Prolene, 3D Max, ULTRAPRO, Progrip), how it was fixed (tacks, glue, self-gripping) and how the peritoneum and ports were closed.
- 03 Findings
Contralateral inspection and anatomy
Any contralateral defect found on inspection, the state of the cord structures, and any incidental findings such as a lipoma of the cord.
- 04 Impression
Recovery, return-to-work, follow-up
Read this first: when you can drive, lift, exercise and go back to sport, and whether a routine review is needed.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Symptomatic inguinal hernia repair is almost always covered by UK private medical insurance — laparoscopic and open alike. We confirm cover, excess and any co-payment before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about laparoscopic hernia repair.
Quick answers on TEP versus TAPP, cost, recovery and when open Lichtenstein is the better choice.
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TEP or TAPP — which is better?
Long-term outcomes are equivalent, so it comes down to surgeon preference and your specific case. TEP is preferred by many for straightforward unilateral repair. TAPP is often chosen for bilateral or recurrent hernias, or where a good view of both sides matters. The right surgeon uses both and picks the one that fits.
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Why would I have a laparoscopic repair rather than open Lichtenstein?
The clearest reasons are bilateral hernia (one anaesthetic, both sides done), recurrence after previous open repair, female patients (to inspect for a femoral component), and young, active people who need to be back at work and sport quickly. For a straightforward unilateral primary hernia in an older patient, open is a perfectly good option.
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How much does private laparoscopic hernia repair cost in London?
Roughly £3,500–£6,000 for a standard unilateral TEP or TAPP, £4,500–£7,500 for bilateral, £4,500–£8,000 with a premium self-gripping or lightweight mesh, and £5,000–£8,000 for robotic-assisted TAPP. We come back with a firm figure within one working day.
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Is it a day-case procedure?
Yes — day-case is the standard for both TEP and TAPP. You arrive in the morning, go through in the late morning or early afternoon and go home the same day. An overnight stay is only occasionally needed for medical reasons.
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How much time off work will I need?
Three to seven days for office work, one to two weeks for a job with light lifting or a lot of driving, and four to six weeks before you go back to heavy manual work or full-contact sport. Recovery is markedly quicker than after open Lichtenstein.
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When can I drive again?
Usually one to two weeks — the test is whether you can do an emergency stop without hesitating or flinching. If it hurts, wait another few days. Insurers expect you to be fit to control the vehicle.
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What are the risks specific to the laparoscopic approach?
Bowel or bladder injury during trocar entry (each under 0.5%), vascular injury to the inferior epigastric or iliac vessels (rare, an anatomy question), port-site hernia at the larger 10 mm ports (1–2%), pneumoperitoneum-related shoulder pain for 24–48 hours, short-term urinary retention (5–10%) and conversion to open in 1–3% of cases. Mesh-related risks — chronic pain, infection, seroma — are broadly the same as for any inguinal repair, and pre-peritoneal placement lowers the adhesion risk versus intraperitoneal mesh.
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When is laparoscopic not the right choice?
Previous lower midline abdominal or pelvic surgery makes TEP harder (TAPP is often still possible). Cirrhosis with ascites, a very large scrotal hernia, an elderly frail patient who would not tolerate pneumoperitoneum, and a hernia that is already incarcerated and needs urgent surgery — in all of those we usually recommend an open Lichtenstein repair instead.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Inguinal hernia repair — adult (overview)
The umbrella page — open Lichtenstein and laparoscopic side by side.
Learn more -
Hernia surgery — all types
Inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional and hiatus.
Learn more -
Femoral hernia repair
Higher strangulation risk — usually a laparoscopic repair.
Learn more -
All tests and procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more