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Open and laparoscopic hernia surgery, by a consultant hernia surgeon.

Every abdominal wall hernia - inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional, ventral, epigastric - repaired by a surgeon whose week is hernias. Open, laparoscopic or robotic, chosen for your hernia and your life.

See indicative pricing
A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What private hernia surgery costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£2,500–£4,500, home the same day.

Procedure Indicative range
Open inguinal repair (Lichtenstein mesh) £2,500–£4,500
Laparoscopic inguinal repair (TAPP/TEP) £4,000–£6,000
Open umbilical / paraumbilical repair £3,500–£5,000
Open incisional repair with mesh £6,000–£12,000
Laparoscopic / robotic ventral repair £8,000–£15,000
Consultation only £200–£400

Prices vary by clinic, by which surgeon does the case, by the type of mesh and by whether robotic assistance or component separation is needed.

The problem

The right surgeon, the right approach, the right mesh.

Hernia repair is a technique-dependent operation. The surgeon who only offers open, the one-mesh-fits-all approach, and the recurrent hernia treated the same way as the first - those are the outcomes we work to avoid.

  • A groin lump that comes and goes?

    Inguinal, femoral or something else - we examine standing and lying, and image when the diagnosis is not obvious.

  • A previous scar that has given way?

    Incisional hernias vary from small and simple to complex reconstructions. The right plan depends on size, shape and your body.

  • A recurrent hernia?

    Recurrent repairs are best in the hands of a surgeon who does them regularly - often through a different plane from the first operation.

Hernia types

Every abdominal wall hernia we repair.

The hernias we see most often, plus the one red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.

  • Inguinal hernia

    The commonest hernia - a groin lump that comes on with lifting, coughing or standing. Open or laparoscopic repair, depending on side and history.

  • Femoral hernia

    Lower and more medial than an inguinal - commoner in women, and higher risk of strangulation. Usually repaired without delay.

  • Umbilical / paraumbilical hernia

    A lump at or near the belly button. Small ones sutured; larger ones repaired with mesh, open or laparoscopically.

  • Incisional or ventral hernia

    A hernia through an old surgical scar. Can be small and simple, or large and complex enough to need component separation.

  • Recurrent hernia

    A repair that has given way. Often best redone through a different plane - laparoscopic after previous open, or robotic for complex.

  • Epigastric or spigelian hernia

    Less common midline or lateral abdominal wall hernias. Usually repaired with mesh once diagnosed.

  • Hiatus hernia

    A different problem - the stomach through the diaphragm. See our dedicated hiatus hernia repair page.

  • Red flag: painful, tender lump

    A hernia that becomes suddenly painful, tender, hard, or comes with vomiting is an emergency - same-day A&E, not a clinic booking.

Approach options

Open, laparoscopic or robotic - chosen for the hernia, not the surgeon.

What each approach actually involves - and which fits which hernia, which body and which job.

  • Open Lichtenstein (inguinal)

    The workhorse open inguinal repair - tension-free mesh through a small groin cut. Can be done under LA for the unfit or elderly.

  • Laparoscopic TAPP / TEP

    Keyhole inguinal repair through three small ports. First choice for bilateral, recurrent after open, and quicker return to physical work.

  • Open umbilical mesh repair

    A small incision at the belly button, with a mesh patch. Day-case for most, LA or GA depending on size and preference.

  • Open incisional repair + mesh

    A larger open operation for hernias through old scars. Component separation or TAR release for wide-necked or large defects.

  • Laparoscopic IPOM ventral

    Keyhole ventral or incisional repair with intraperitoneal mesh - good for the right size and shape of defect, with careful mesh selection.

  • eTEP / robotic-assisted repair

    Newer minimally invasive planes for complex ventral and recurrent hernias. Mesh sits outside the peritoneum, avoiding bowel contact.

  • Femoral repair (open or lap)

    Open McEvedy or low approach, or laparoscopic - usually done sooner rather than later given strangulation risk.

  • Consultation only

    An honest discussion of whether repair is needed now, later or at all - and which approach fits your hernia and your life.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

Hernia repair is one of the most common operations in the UK, and safe in expert hands. The things worth planning are your lifting window, your return to sport, and knowing what is normal after.

  • Recurrence is low, but not zero

    With modern mesh repair, recurrence sits at one to five per cent over the years. Higher for very large or repeatedly recurrent hernias.

  • Chronic groin pain (inguinal)

    Five to fifteen per cent of inguinal repairs leave some persistent groin discomfort. Careful nerve preservation and lightweight mesh reduce it.

  • Mesh infection is uncommon

    Mesh infection is rare but serious - if it happens the mesh usually has to come out. Careful theatre technique and antibiotics matter.

  • Bruising, seroma and swelling

    Some bruising and a fluid collection (seroma) at the wound is normal for a week or two after ventral or incisional repair.

  • No heavy lifting for four to six weeks

    Longer for complex ventral - up to eight to twelve weeks. Walking is fine from day one; office work in one to four weeks.

  • Bowel and vessel injury are rare

    Laparoscopic bowel injury sits well under one per cent. Femoral vessel injury is rare. Both are on the consent form for good reason.

  • Urinary retention after inguinal

    Occasional after inguinal repair, especially under spinal or GA - usually settles within a day.

  • Sexual or nerve complications

    Rare - injury to the vas or spermatic cord in inguinal repair, or to the ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric or genitofemoral nerves. Careful technique minimises them.

  • Red flags

    Fever, spreading redness, worsening pain, vomiting, or a lump that will not go back are all reasons to seek same-day medical help.

Reading your operation note

Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever hernia was repaired and whichever approach was used, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant hernia surgeon reviewing a patient’s operation notes

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.

  1. 01 Header

    Hernia type and approach used

    What was found - inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional, recurrent - and whether the repair was open, laparoscopic or robotic.

  2. 02 Technique

    Mesh, plane and closure

    Which mesh was used, in which plane (preperitoneal, intraperitoneal, retromuscular), and how the defect was closed.

  3. 03 Findings

    Defect size, contents, other findings

    The size of the defect, what was inside the sac, and any second hernia or unexpected finding on the day.

  4. 04 Impression

    Recovery, lifting limits, review timing

    Read this first: expected recovery, when heavy lifting and sport are safe, and whether a follow-up is needed.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Hernia repair is one of the most commonly funded operations by UK insurers when symptomatic.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about hernia surgery.

Quick answers on approach, mesh, cost, recovery and when to have it done.

  • Open or keyhole hernia repair - which is better?

    Neither is universally better. Open Lichtenstein is excellent for a first, unilateral inguinal hernia and can be done under local anaesthetic. Laparoscopic is often preferred for bilateral, recurrent after open, or when a quick return to physical work matters. For ventral and incisional hernias, size and shape of the defect decide.

  • Do I need mesh?

    For adult hernias larger than a fingertip, mesh repair has substantially lower recurrence than a sutured repair - that is why AUGIS and the British Hernia Society support its use. Very small umbilical hernias may still be sutured. We explain your options honestly.

  • How long is recovery from a hernia repair?

    Office work in one to four weeks depending on the repair. No heavy lifting for four to six weeks after most repairs, and up to eight to twelve weeks after complex ventral or incisional repair. Gentle walking is encouraged from day one.

  • How much does private hernia surgery cost in the UK?

    Roughly £2,500–£4,500 for an open inguinal repair, £4,000–£6,000 for laparoscopic inguinal, £3,500–£5,000 for umbilical, £6,000–£12,000 for an open incisional repair with mesh, and £8,000–£15,000 for a laparoscopic or robotic ventral repair.

  • When should a hernia be repaired?

    Inguinal hernias that are symptomatic - painful, growing, or interfering with work or sport - should be repaired. Femoral hernias should usually be repaired without delay because of strangulation risk. Small, asymptomatic hernias in older or unfit patients can sometimes be watched.

  • Will I get chronic pain after an inguinal hernia repair?

    Around five to fifteen per cent of people have some persistent groin discomfort after inguinal repair. Careful nerve identification, lightweight mesh, and laparoscopic approach in the right patient all reduce the risk. It is worth discussing before you consent.

  • Can a recurrent hernia be repaired?

    Yes, and it is often best done through a different plane from the first operation - laparoscopic or robotic after a previous open repair, for example. Recurrent hernias deserve a surgeon who does them regularly.

  • When should I see a GP or A&E urgently?

    A hernia that suddenly becomes painful, tender or hard, will not go back, or comes with vomiting is potentially strangulated and needs same-day emergency assessment. Do not wait for a private appointment.

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