Concierge surgery · London
Laparoscopy — the modern default for abdominal and pelvic surgery.
Smaller scars, less pain, less blood loss and a faster return to normal life. We arrange laparoscopic (keyhole) and robotic-assisted surgery with London consultants who default to it wherever the evidence supports it — and who tell you plainly when open is the safer call.
Why patients choose us
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Laparoscopy-first surgeons, when it fits
Consultants who default to keyhole where the evidence supports it — and who tell you plainly when open surgery is the safer choice.
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Robotic-assisted where it helps
Da Vinci Xi, Hugo and Versius platforms are on the table for complex pelvic and upper-GI work — not as a marketing badge, as a tool.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation — laparoscopic, robotic or open — is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private laparoscopic surgery costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Costs vary widely by procedure — a keyhole gallbladder is a fraction of a laparoscopic colectomy. Send the details and we quote firm figures.
In short
Day-case keyhole procedures from around £4,500. Major laparoscopic resections £15,000–£25,000.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Hospital stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder) | £5,500–£9,500 | 60–90 min | Day case / 1 night |
| Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (TEP/TAPP) | £4,500–£8,500 | 45–90 min | Day case |
| Laparoscopic appendicectomy | £5,000–£8,500 | 45–75 min | 1 night |
| Laparoscopic anti-reflux / hiatus hernia | £9,500–£15,000 | 90–150 min | 1–2 nights |
| Laparoscopic colectomy / hemicolectomy | £15,000–£25,000 | 2–4 hours | 3–5 nights |
| Laparoscopic hysterectomy | £8,500–£14,000 | 90–180 min | 1–2 nights |
| Laparoscopic myomectomy | £9,500–£16,000 | 2–3 hours | 1–2 nights |
| Laparoscopic nephrectomy | £12,000–£22,000 | 2–4 hours | 2–4 nights |
| Robotic surcharge (where used) | +£2,000–£5,000 | +30–60 min | As above |
| Consultation only | £200–£400 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by hospital, by consultant, by whether a robotic platform is used, and by the complexity of your case. NHS-funded care is available for the same procedures — we help you weigh both. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right approach, chosen for the right reasons.
Laparoscopy is the standard-of-care approach for most modern abdominal and pelvic surgery in the UK — but not all of it. Some surgeons still default to open; others promise robotic when it changes nothing. We help you sort signal from noise.
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Offered open when keyhole would do?
For most planned abdominal surgery in 2026, laparoscopy is the default. We help you find a surgeon who does it as standard.
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Sold robotic without a clear benefit?
Robotic-assisted surgery shines in complex pelvic and reconstructive work. For a simple case it adds cost and OR time.
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Told your prior surgery rules out keyhole?
Adhesions make it harder, not impossible. An experienced laparoscopic surgeon uses open (Hasson) entry away from prior scars.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to review — including the recovery window and any histology follow-up.
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
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Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Condition, prior surgery, imaging you already have, and what you have been advised so far.
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Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right procedure, the right approach (laparoscopic, robotic or open), a named consultant, and an indicative price.
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Before
We arrange the appointment
Usually within one to two weeks. Blood thinners, diabetes medication and fasting are all coordinated with the anaesthetic team.
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On the day
Arrival at the hospital
Admission, consent, TAP block or epidural where appropriate, VTE prophylaxis, and a chat with the surgeon and anaesthetist.
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On the day
The procedure itself
CO₂ pneumoperitoneum, 5–12 mm ports for a HD/4K camera and instruments. Energy devices and, where used, a robotic console.
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On the day
Recovery and discharge
Day-case for many indications; one to three nights for major resections. Early mobilisation, ERAS pathway, oral intake as tolerated.
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After
Follow-up and return to normal
Wound checks, histology where relevant, and a plan for return to work, exercise and sport — usually faster than open surgery.
Typical end-to-end: 2–3 weeks from enquiry to procedure. Return to normal: 1–6 weeks, depending on procedure.
When it helps
The specialties where laparoscopy is now standard.
The commonest reasons to arrange keyhole surgery — from gallbladder to bariatric — plus the one red flag that means an emergency instead.
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Gallbladder disease
Symptomatic gallstones, biliary colic and cholecystitis — laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard of care.
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Reflux and hiatus hernia
GORD not controlled on PPIs, or a large hiatus hernia — laparoscopic fundoplication or hernia repair.
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Colorectal resection
Diverticular disease, benign polyps and selected colorectal cancers — laparoscopic colectomy where oncologically safe.
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Gynaecological disease
Fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis and many hysterectomies — laparoscopy is now first-line for most benign gynaecology.
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Urological disease
Kidney tumours, pelviureteric junction obstruction and donor nephrectomy — laparoscopic or robotic.
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Bariatric surgery
Sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y bypass and duodenal switch are laparoscopic or robotic as standard.
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Hernia repair
Inguinal, femoral, incisional and ventral hernias — laparoscopic TEP/TAPP or IPOM for the right patient.
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Red flag: acute abdomen
Sudden severe abdominal pain, peritonism, sepsis or GI bleeding is an emergency — A&E now, not a private booking.
Approaches
Not all keyhole surgery is the same.
Conventional, robotic, single-incision, hand-assisted, or a planned conversion to open — the labels matter less than picking the right one for your case.
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Conventional multi-port laparoscopy
The standard: three to five 5–12 mm ports, a HD/4K camera and instruments. The workhorse for most abdominal and pelvic surgery.
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Robotic-assisted laparoscopy
Da Vinci Xi, Hugo or Versius. Better dexterity, 3D vision, tremor filtering and articulated instruments — at the cost of longer OR time and higher price.
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Reduced-port / single-incision (SILS)
Fewer or a single umbilical incision for cosmesis. Technically demanding, limited UK availability, not always suitable.
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Hand-assisted laparoscopy (HALS)
A small incision lets the surgeon place a hand inside — used for selected colorectal and renal resections to speed complex steps.
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Laparoscopic-open (converted)
Started keyhole, finished open. Not a failure — a safety net used in 2–10% of major cases when anatomy, bleeding or adhesions demand it.
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NOTES (natural-orifice)
Instruments passed through mouth, vagina or rectum — investigational in the UK, offered in very few centres.
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Diagnostic laparoscopy
A short look inside the abdomen or pelvis to confirm diagnosis — endometriosis, staging, unexplained pain — without a formal resection.
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Consultation only
An honest discussion of whether laparoscopy fits your case, or whether open or non-surgical management is safer. No obligation.
Specialty applications
Where laparoscopy is used, procedure by procedure.
A shortcut to every laparoscopic procedure we arrange, grouped by specialty. Each links through to a full page — indication, technique, recovery and price.
General surgery
Upper GI
Gynaecology
Our vetted London network
A small panel of surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant general, upper-GI, colorectal, gynaecological, urological and bariatric surgeons across central, north, west and south London — with robotic access where the case demands it.
Selection criteria
How we choose every surgeon in our network.
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Consultant surgeons who default to laparoscopy or robotic where the evidence supports it
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Robotic platforms (da Vinci Xi, Hugo, Versius) available where the case genuinely benefits
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Full ERAS pathways with anaesthetic teams experienced in TAP blocks and thoracic epidurals
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Honest counsel about conversion to open — planned as a safety net, not treated as a failure
Safety and recovery
What to expect — and what to watch for.
Laparoscopy is safer than open surgery in most planned settings, but it has its own set of risks — trocar entry, CO₂ pneumoperitoneum, port-site hernia and a small conversion rate. Worth knowing before the day.
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Trocar entry — the first few minutes matter
Bowel injury (0.05–0.1%) and vascular injury are rare but serious. Open (Hasson) or optical-entry techniques reduce risk versus blind Veress needle.
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CO₂ pneumoperitoneum
The abdomen is inflated with CO₂ to about 12–15 mmHg. Transient shoulder-tip pain, mild hypertension and CO₂ retention are normal and settle.
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Conversion to open (2–10%)
A planned safety net for dense adhesions, bleeding or unclear anatomy. Not a complication in itself — the opposite: it prevents complications.
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Port-site hernia (1–2%)
Higher with 10–12 mm ports. Fascia closure at these ports drops the rate close to zero. Ask your surgeon how they close.
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VTE prophylaxis
TED stockings, calf compression and low-molecular-weight heparin during and after surgery reduce DVT and PE risk to well under 1%.
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Post-op pain — usually less than open
Most patients need paracetamol and short-course NSAIDs. TAP blocks and local anaesthetic to port sites reduce opioid need.
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Ileus, wound infection, urinary retention
The usual post-abdominal surgery risks — all lower than after open surgery, but not zero. ERAS pathways cut them further.
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Red flags after discharge
Fever, spreading redness, worsening abdominal pain, breathlessness or a calf swelling — call the ward or A&E the same day.
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When open is safer
Very large tumours, ruptured aneurysm, extensive adhesions or unstable physiology are all reasons a good surgeon will open — and say so upfront.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever procedure or approach 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, approach and consent
Why the procedure was done, whether it was laparoscopic, robotic or converted to open, and what was consented on the day.
- 02 Technique
Ports, energy devices and specimen
Number and size of ports, the energy devices used (harmonic, LigaSure, monopolar/bipolar), and how any specimen was removed.
- 03 Findings
Anatomy, pathology and any incidentals
What was seen — the organ, any tumour or inflammation, adhesions, and any incidental findings that need follow-up.
- 04 Impression
Recovery plan and return to activity
Read this first: expected recovery, when you can drive, work, exercise and lift, and when to worry about symptoms.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Most laparoscopic procedures are covered by major UK insurers when medically indicated. Robotic surcharges and bariatric surgery are variable — we confirm cover with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about laparoscopy.
Quick answers on safety, robotic surgery, recovery, conversion to open, and whether prior surgery rules keyhole out.
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What is laparoscopy, in plain English?
Keyhole surgery. The abdomen is inflated with CO₂, a HD or 4K camera goes in through a small 5–12 mm port near the navel, and instruments go in through two to four more small ports. The surgeon operates watching a screen. Most modern abdominal and pelvic surgery in the UK is done this way.
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Is laparoscopy actually safer than open surgery?
For most planned abdominal and pelvic operations — yes. Smaller wounds mean less pain, less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, fewer wound infections and hernias, and a faster return to normal. Open surgery is safer for specific problems: very large tumours, ruptured aneurysms, extensive adhesions from prior surgery, or an unstable patient.
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What is robotic-assisted laparoscopy? Is it better?
A platform — da Vinci Xi, Hugo or Versius — where the surgeon operates instruments from a console. It gives 3D vision, articulated wrists and tremor filtering, which helps in tight pelvic spaces and complex reconstructions. For simple cases it adds cost and OR time without clear benefit. Ask specifically whether the robot changes the plan for your operation.
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Why might my surgeon convert to open?
Because it is safer that day. Dense adhesions from prior surgery, unexpected bleeding, unclear anatomy or a tumour that turns out bigger than the scan showed are all reasons to convert. It happens in 2–10% of major laparoscopic cases. A converted operation is not a failed operation — the opposite.
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What is a port-site hernia?
A hernia through one of the small keyhole incisions, usually the 10–12 mm ones. Rates are 1–2% overall, and much lower if the surgeon closes the fascia at every port over 10 mm. Ask your surgeon how they close port sites.
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How long is recovery after keyhole surgery?
Very procedure-dependent. Day-case cholecystectomy or hernia repair — back to desk work in 5–7 days. Laparoscopic colectomy or hysterectomy — 2–4 weeks off work, 6 weeks before heavy lifting. Bariatric surgery — 2–4 weeks before returning to a normal routine. Full details are on each procedure page.
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Will laparoscopy leave visible scars?
Small ones. Typically three to five scars of 5–12 mm — most fade to fine white lines over 6–12 months. Single-incision laparoscopy (SILS) leaves only a hidden umbilical scar, but is not suitable for every case.
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Is laparoscopy suitable if I have had previous abdominal surgery?
Often yes, but with more planning. Prior surgery causes adhesions that can make port entry riskier and lengthen the operation. An experienced laparoscopic surgeon uses open (Hasson) entry away from prior scars and is ready to convert to open if adhesions are dense.
Related procedures
Looking for something else?
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Laparoscopic colectomy
Keyhole bowel resection for diverticular, polyp or cancer disease.
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Laparoscopic myomectomy
Keyhole fibroid removal preserving the uterus.
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Laparoscopic nephrectomy
Keyhole kidney removal for tumour or non-functioning kidney.
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Gastric sleeve
Keyhole bariatric surgery for durable weight loss.
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All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more