Hernia surgery

Hernia surgery can repair the weakness in the muscle wall, prevent strangulation, relieve pain and place the hernia contents back in their correct position.

A hernia is a lump or swelling caused by an organ, bowel or other material poking through a weakness in your body’s muscle or tissue wall. They can be present due to a birth weakness or can develop because of wear and tear from injury, pregnancy or increasing age.

• An All-Inclusive Package for inguinal hernia repair treatment is available from £3,210.
• An All-Inclusive Package for  umbilical hernia repair treatment is available from £3,120.

Hernia surgery can repair the weakness in the muscle wall, relieve pain and place the hernia contents back in their correct position.

Hernia treatment options

Your surgeon will assess your hernia in The London Clinic’s comfortable and discreet consulting rooms. Your consultant will consider the size and position of your hernia, the problems it is causing and your general health before making an individual treatment plan.

Most hernias are found in the abdomen and groin, the most commonly seen hernias include:

• Inguinal hernias: These cause a lump in your groin. They are more common in men, in whom the lump may extend into the scrotum.
• Umbilical hernias: These cause a lump near the tummy button, where this a natural weakness in the muscle of the abdominal wall.

The London Clinic’s consultant surgeons will also have expertise and experience in treating other hernias including femoral hernias, epigastric hernias and incisional hernias which can appear at the site of previous surgery.

Procedures we offer

At The London Clinic, hernia operations are usually carried out as a day case procedure under general anaesthetic, or using a regional block so that the area is numb. The operations are performed in our state-of-the-art theatres, with the care and support of our expert multidisciplinary team.

Depending on the site and size of your hernia, the operation can be carried out as a keyhole or open operation. Your surgeon will discuss this with you at your initial consultation.

• Open surgery
  The surgeon will make a small incision of between 6 and 8 cm in the skin near the hernia. They will then gently push the hernia contents back into the abdomen and strengthen the weakness in the abdominal wall by either stitching it closed or using a mesh to reinforce the area. The cut will be stitched, and a dressing applied.
• Laparoscopic surgery
  Your hernia may be repaired using a less invasive, keyhole procedure. It offers smaller scars and a quicker recovery. Your surgeon will insert a small digital camera and specially designed surgical instruments through several small incisions. The camera sends images to a computer screen, so the surgeon can clearly see the area and can stitch mesh in place to strengthen the abdominal wall. The small cuts will be stitched and dressed.

Recovery time

Following your surgery, someone will need to collect you and escort you home because you will be unable to drive. It takes two to three weeks to recover from the surgery. However, you will gradually be able to increase your activity- most people will be able to return to work and normal activities within a week.

It’s important not to strain, as this could affect the healing repair. You should avoid heavy lifting for at least six weeks, and you should also prevent constipation because straining to open bowels can put pressure on the wound. Your surgeon and nursing staff at The London Clinic will give you specific information and guidance about your recovery and will advise about pain relief and stool softeners if necessary.