Hernia Repair Surgery

At least one in ten people will develop a hernia at some point during their lifetime and hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide.

What is a hernia?

A hernia occurs when an internal organ or body part protrudes through the muscle due to weakness. This then often causes a lump under the skin. Hernias can affect anyone of any age and often need surgery as treatment.

Getting hernia repair surgery on the NHS may come with long wait times and difficult assessment stages which means lots of hernias are being left untreated.

How to treat a hernia?

Hernia Surgery, also known as a herniorrhaphy or a hernioplasty is the best treatment for hernia repair. 

There are two types of hernia repair surgery techniques, open surgery and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. Doctors offers patients Open Mesh Repair surgery also known as a Hernioplasty. This involves using a surgical mesh to repair the hernia opening. Instead of solely stitching the mesh into place, we allow the body to heal naturally around it which can help to prevent a recurrence.

Open surgery for hernia repair is the NICE recommended treatment for hernia.

Benefits of Hernia Repair with Mesh

  • Can be performed under local anaesthetic
  • Short procedure
  • Reliable repair with a high success rate
  • Day-case surgery
  • No issues for older patients

At our Hernia Clinic, we treat a wide variety of hernia types including:

  • Inguinal Hernias
  • Adult Umbilical Hernias
  • Femoral Hernias
  • Epigastric Hernias
  • Spigelian Hernias
  • Sports Hernia

Where can I get Hernia repair in London?

Private Hernia Repair Surgery Consultations for self-pay patients are available at our hernia clinic in London Harley Street.

Why choose Private Hernia Repair?

  • Fast track your hernia repair surgery and avoid long waits.
  • Consultations with experienced consultant hernia repair surgeons.
  • Private hospital with state-of-the-art facilities
  • High standard of care with dedicated staff.
  • Dedicated helpline and aftercare with our nursing team.
  • Day case procedures, no need for an overnight stay.
Hernia Repair Surgery at a glance

  • Procedure Time: 2 hours

  • Anaesthetic Type: General Anaesthetic

  • Hospital Stay: Daycase or Overnight (Case specific)

  • Washing:1 week

  • Driving : 1 week

  • Up & Mobile: 1 day

  • Sexual Activity: 4 – 6 weeks

  • Back to work: 1-2 weeks

  • Exercise: 6 weeks

  • Travel: 6 weeks

  • Full Recovery Time: 6 weeks

  • Final Results: 6 – 12 months

  • Support Garments: Surgical Bra to be worn for 6 weeks

  • Sleeping: Sleeping on back for 2 weeks

What causes a hernia?

Whilst there are lots of different types of hernias, they are all caused by the same thing which is an opening or weakness of muscle or fascia which allows organ or tissue to be pushed through.

Anything that causes pressure in the abdomen can cause a hernia which includes:

  • Lifting heavy objects
  • Persistent coughing or sneezing
  • Recurrent constipation or diarrhoea

Things such as smoking, poor nutrition, pregnancy, and obesity can also put you more at risk of developing a hernia..

What are the symptoms of a hernia?

The most common symptom of a hernia is a bulge or lump that appears usually in the abdomen or groin area. The lump can often be pushed back in and may disappear when laid down. Other symptoms include:

  • Pain or dull ache at the site of the hernia
  • Discomfort when lifting or bending over
  • Hernia Bulge increasing in size over time
  • Heavy or full feeling in the abdomen
  • Weakness or pressure in your groin
  • Heartburn

What type of Hernia do I have?

This is the most common type of hernia which occurs when fatty tissue or part of the intestine or bowel pokes through. This type of hernia will be noticeable around the groin area. It is generally caused by repeated strain on the abdomen but can also be associated with old age. We offer Inguinal Hernia Treatment at The Private Clinic

An umbilical hernia, commonly referred to as belly button hernia usually occurs at birth. It is when the opening that the umbilical cord passes through, does not seal properly following birth. This creates a weakness for fatty tissue or the bowl to proceed through. It causes a lump to appear on the abdomen near the belly button. Whilst more common in babies, it can also affect adults, particularly after repeated straining on the tummy. We are able to treat Adult Umbilical Hernias at The Private Clinic.

A femoral hernia is very similar to an Inguinal Hernia, but they are actually a lot less common and more frequent in women rather than men. They occur when the bowel or fatty tissue protrudes causing a lump in the upper thigh area. They usually appear lower than an Inguinal Hernia but have a higher risk of strangulation to the bowel and often require urgent attention. We are able to treat Femoral Hernias at The Private Clinic.

This occurs when the abdominal wall did not close completely during development. They often have minimal symptoms and often go unnoticed but, in some cases, they can cause a lump to appear below the sternum, or breastbone, and above the belly button. We are able to treat Epigastric Hernias at The Private Clinic.

A spigelian hernia is not very common but can be visible when there is a weakness in the spigelian fascia which is a layer of tissue that separates the two muscles groups that are at the front of the abdomen. A lump or bulge may appear to the side of the abdomen, below the belly button which is usually fatty tissue pushing through. We are able to treat Spigelian Hernias at The Private Clinic.

A sports hernia is a soft tissue injury that occurs in the groin area. It is most commonly caused by exercise or sports where there are intense twisting movements. This movement can cause a strain or tear of the soft tissue such as muscle, tendon or ligament in the groin or lower abdomen. It is also referred to as ‘athletic pubalgia’. Sport hernia’s are not often visible but it can cause severe pain in the groin area which can get better with rest, but often comes back when you return to sport. We are able to treat Sports Hernia at The Private Clinic.