Concierge general surgery · London
Adult umbilical and paraumbilical hernia repair, by a consultant hernia surgeon.
A proper day-case repair by a consultant with a hernia subspecialty — open, laparoscopic IPOM+ or eTEP, mesh matched to your defect, and an honest word on whether you need surgery at all.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant hernia surgeon, in theatre
Not a rotating list and not a training case. A named general surgeon with a hernia interest, a proper theatre, and the technique that suits your defect.
- 02
Sublay mesh, laparoscopic and eTEP options
Small primary suture repairs still have a place. So do open Rives–Stoppa, laparoscopic IPOM+ and eTEP. We match the approach to the defect, not the surgeon’s habit.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private umbilical 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
Standard open mesh repair in our network: £3,200–£5,500, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small umbilical repair — primary suture (LA/GA) | £2,500–£3,800 | 30–45 min | Same day |
| Standard open mesh repair (sublay/onlay) | £3,200–£5,500 | 45–75 min | Same day |
| Laparoscopic IPOM+ repair | £4,500–£7,500 | 60–90 min | Same day / 1 night |
| eTEP or open Rives–Stoppa (larger/paraumbilical) | £5,500–£9,000 | 90–120 min | 1 night |
| Robotic TAPP / rTAR (very large or recurrent) | £6,500–£10,000 | 2–3 hrs | 1–2 nights |
| Consultation and imaging review only | £200–£450 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by the surgeon, by defect size and by the mesh chosen. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right technique for the defect you actually have.
Umbilical hernia repair is a routine operation done well or badly. Suture-only when a mesh was needed, IPOM in an obese patient without defect closure, or a repair pushed through without weight or diabetes optimisation — these are the mistakes we head off before you commit.
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Not sure it needs repair?
A small, asymptomatic defect can often be watched. We will tell you honestly whether waiting is safe.
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Worried about recurrence?
Mesh, technique and optimisation together drop recurrence from 20–30% to 2–5%. The choice matters.
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Want it done properly?
A consultant with a hernia subspecialty, a proper theatre, and the technique matched to your defect — not the surgeon’s default.
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. The lump, how long, whether it is painful, reducible, or getting bigger — and your BMI and medical background.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right technique for your defect size, the right anaesthetic, and an indicative price. If watchful waiting is safer, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange assessment and repair
A consultation and, where needed, ultrasound or CT to size the defect and rule out multiple hernias. Optimisation of weight, diabetes and smoking is discussed honestly.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the clinic
Arrival, consent and a chat with the surgeon and anaesthetist. Almost always general anaesthetic, with local infiltration for post-op comfort.
- 05
On the day
The repair itself
30–90 minutes in a proper theatre. Suture only for the smallest defects; mesh for anything larger — sublay, onlay or intraperitoneal, depending on the approach.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
Most patients go home the same day. Larger or complex repairs may stay one night. Written aftercare, a light dressing and a follow-up plan.
- 07
After
Recovery and review
Discomfort settles over 5–10 days. No heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks. A review at 2–6 weeks, sooner for any concern.
Typical end-to-end: 2–3 weeks from enquiry to procedure. Full healing: 4–6 weeks.
When it helps
When adult umbilical 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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Visible umbilical lump
A soft bulge at or just next to the belly button that appears on standing, coughing or straining.
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Discomfort or dragging pain
An ache after a long day, lifting or exercise — usually the first symptom that pushes patients to seek repair.
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Paraumbilical variant
A defect just above or below the umbilicus, often larger than a true umbilical and more likely to need mesh.
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Post-pregnancy or post-weight-loss
Multiple pregnancies or significant weight change often unmask a defect that was previously silent.
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Recurrent or previously repaired
A hernia that has come back after suture-only repair usually needs a sublay or laparoscopic mesh approach.
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Cosmetic concern with the belly button
Skin thinning, stretched appearance or a persistent bulge that bothers you — repair and umbilicoplasty can be planned together.
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Small and asymptomatic
A defect under 1–2 cm with no symptoms can often be watched — we will tell you honestly whether waiting is safe.
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Red flag: incarceration
A hernia that becomes hard, painful, red or won’t push back in — with vomiting or fever — is an emergency. A&E, not a clinic.
Procedure options
One default technique is not enough.
What each option on the table actually involves — and which fits which defect.
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Primary suture repair (Mayo)
For the smallest defects (under 1–2 cm) in thin patients. Simple and quick, but recurrence is higher — we only recommend it when it genuinely fits.
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Open onlay mesh
Mesh placed on top of the fascia. Straightforward, day-case, and reliable for standard 1–4 cm defects.
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Open sublay (Rives–Stoppa small)
Mesh placed behind the muscle. Better cosmesis and lower recurrence than onlay — preferred for many mid-size defects.
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Laparoscopic IPOM+ repair
Keyhole approach: the defect is closed and a composite mesh placed inside the abdomen. Well suited to obese patients and paraumbilical defects.
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eTEP (extraperitoneal)
Endoscopic totally extraperitoneal — mesh sits between muscle layers, avoiding intraperitoneal contact. Useful for larger or paraumbilical hernias.
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Robotic TAPP / rTAR
For very large or recurrent defects, sometimes combined with transversus abdominis release to give the mesh a strong, tension-free platform.
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Umbilicoplasty at the same visit
Where skin has stretched or the belly button no longer looks right, reconstructing the umbilicus can be planned at the time of repair.
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Consultation and imaging review
An honest discussion of whether you need repair now, later, or at all — no obligation.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of hernia surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant general surgeons with a hernia subspecialty across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every hernia surgeon in our network.
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Consultant general surgeons with a declared hernia subspecialty
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High personal volume of open, laparoscopic and eTEP repairs
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Weight, diabetes and smoking optimisation discussed before surgery
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HPB input available for patients with ascites or cirrhosis
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Umbilical hernia repair is a common, safe day-case operation. The things worth planning are your technique choice, weight and diabetes optimisation, and the lifting window.
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Recurrence is real, and depends on technique
Suture-only repair recurs in 10–30% of cases; mesh reduces this to around 2–5%. Obesity, smoking and diabetes push the risk up regardless.
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Seroma and bruising are common
A soft, fluid swelling under the wound is normal in the first few weeks, especially after larger or laparoscopic IPOM repairs. It usually settles on its own.
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Wound infection 2–5%
Higher with intraperitoneal mesh and in patients with diabetes or smoking. Antibiotics at induction and careful skin closure keep the risk low.
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Chronic pain in 5–10%
Occasional patients get lingering discomfort at the mesh site. Most improve within 6–12 months; a small number need further input.
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Mesh complications are rare
Infection needing explant, migration, or bowel adhesion with intraperitoneal mesh happen in well under 1% — but the honest number is not zero.
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Umbilical skin needs care
If the skin overlying the hernia is thin or discoloured, we plan the incision and closure to protect the blood supply — very occasionally the umbilicus itself needs to be excised.
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No heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks
Walking is fine from day one. Driving 24–72 hours. Office work 1–2 weeks. Gym: light 2 weeks, full loading 6 weeks.
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Obesity and ascites change the plan
BMI over 35 raises recurrence — weight loss or bariatric input first is often the right answer. Ascites needs a paracentesis and HPB involvement before any repair.
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Red flags
A hard, painful, non-reducible lump with vomiting, fever or spreading redness after surgery is not normal — same-day A&E.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique 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
Defect size, type and technique chosen
Whether the defect was true umbilical or paraumbilical, its measured size, and which technique was used to close it.
- 02 Technique
Anaesthetic, mesh and closure
General or local anaesthetic, the mesh type and position (onlay, sublay, IPOM, extraperitoneal), and how the fascia and skin were closed.
- 03 Findings
Contents, adhesions and other hernias
What was inside the sac (fat, omentum, bowel), any adhesions, and whether a second hernia (epigastric, Spigelian) was found and repaired.
- 04 Impression
Recovery, lifting limits, review timing
Read this first: expected recovery, when it is safe to lift, drive and return to the gym, and when your follow-up is booked.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for umbilical and paraumbilical hernia repair is standard with most UK insurers when the hernia is symptomatic. We confirm cover in writing before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about adult umbilical hernia repair.
Quick answers on watchful waiting, mesh, laparoscopic vs open, and how much time off work you actually need.
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What is the difference between an umbilical and a paraumbilical hernia?
A true umbilical hernia comes through the umbilical ring itself. A paraumbilical hernia is just above or below the belly button — the same clinical problem, often a little larger, and repaired the same way.
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Do I have to have my umbilical hernia repaired?
Not always. A small (under 1–2 cm), asymptomatic defect in a healthy adult can be watched — the crossover-to-surgery rate is real but not urgent. Symptoms, growth, thinning skin, or planning future pregnancies all shift the balance towards repair.
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Do I need mesh, or is suture enough?
For defects under 1–2 cm in thin patients, suture-only (Mayo) repair is reasonable. Above that, mesh reduces recurrence from roughly 10–30% to 2–5%. British and European guidance now favours mesh for almost all adult repairs.
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How much does a private umbilical hernia repair cost in London?
Roughly £2,500–£3,800 for a small primary suture repair, £3,200–£5,500 for standard open mesh, £4,500–£7,500 for laparoscopic IPOM+, and £5,500–£10,000 for eTEP, Rives–Stoppa or robotic repairs of larger defects. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Open or laparoscopic — which is better?
For small defects, open is straightforward and quick. For obese patients, paraumbilical or larger defects, and for anyone with multiple abdominal wall hernias, laparoscopic IPOM+ or eTEP has real advantages. The surgeon chooses based on your anatomy, not on habit.
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How long does recovery take?
Discomfort settles over 5–10 days. Office work 1–2 weeks. Driving 24–72 hours once you can perform an emergency stop. No heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks. Gym: light at 2 weeks, full loading at 6 weeks.
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I am overweight — should I lose weight first?
If your BMI is over 35, weight loss (sometimes bariatric surgery first) genuinely reduces recurrence and complications. We will discuss it honestly rather than book you straight in.
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When should I see a GP or A&E urgently?
A hernia lump that becomes hard, painful, red or won’t push back in — especially with vomiting or fever — is an emergency. So is heavy bleeding, spreading redness or fever after surgery.
Related tests
Looking for something else?
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Hernia surgery overview
All hernia repair options across the body wall and groin.
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Epigastric hernia repair
Midline defects above the umbilicus.
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Adult inguinal hernia repair
Groin hernia repair, open and laparoscopic.
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Umbilical hernia (child)
Paediatric umbilical hernia — the separate pathway.
Learn more