Hernia surgery at Spire St Anthony's Hospital

Spire St Anthony’s Hospital is a large private hospital providing an extensive range of treatments and services for our patients in Sutton and the surrounding Surrey and south London area.

We offer fast access to treatment for inguinal hernias if they’re causing you pain or complications. You have a choice of expert consultants who can perform the procedure and offer you a treatment and recovery plan that’s personalised to your needs.

Your consultant will recommend a treatment based on the location, size and type of hernia you have and your general health. We have a range of treatments available. All have their own potential benefits and risks which your consultant will discuss with you.

Trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal laparoscopy (TAPP)

A keyhole procedure where your surgeon inserts the surgical instruments through your abdomen and the lining covering your abdominal organs. The weakened area of your abdomen is strengthened using a mesh insert which is glued or stapled in place. This procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep.

Totally extra-peritoneal laparoscopy (TEP)

A newer keyhole procedure where your surgeon repairs your hernia without needing to cut into the lining covering your abdominal organs. Mesh is used to repair the weakness in your abdominal wall. This procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep.

Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair

An open surgery technique typically performed with either local or spinal anaesthetic which means you’ll be awake but unable to feel pain in the area being operated on. Your abdominal wall is repaired using mesh.

Getting here

Spire St Anthony's Hospital is close to Sutton and Epsom. Sutton and Cheam stations are both on the Victoria and London Bridge line. Worcester Park station is on the Waterloo to Epsom line. We have free on-site parking for you and your visitors.

Your consultation

You’ll meet your chosen consultant in one of our 19 private consultation rooms. They’ll discuss:

• Your symptoms and medical history
• How inguinal hernia surgery works
• The specific procedure they recommend for your needs
• The type of anaesthetic you’ll require – either a general anaesthetic (where you’ll be asleep) or a local or spinal anaesthetic (where you’ll be awake but unable to feel anything in the area being operated on)
• The potential benefits and risks of the procedure

Your consultant may need you to have additional tests or scans before they can recommend the next steps. Sometimes, particularly if you need a general anaesthetic, you may need to have a pre-operative assessment to check your fitness and overall health before the procedure.

In hospital

With hernia surgery, you can usually leave hospital on the same day. After your procedure you’ll be taken to a private, en-suite room to relax until you’re ready to go home. This will normally be around four to six hours after surgery.

If you need to stay overnight, for example if you have other medical conditions or live alone, you'll stay in one of our 92 private, en-suite rooms. All of our rooms have:

• TV
• En-suite
• Window
• Armchair
• Telephone

Anaesthetic

Hernia surgery is often carried out under local or spinal anaesthetic, meaning you won’t be able to feel anything in the area being operated on but you will be awake. Sometimes, a general anaesthetic may be required, meaning you’ll be asleep throughout the procedure.

Your operation

Hernia repair surgery will usually take no more than an hour.

Pain management

After your operation, you’ll probably feel some pain or discomfort – this is normal after surgery. Our nursing team will give you painkillers to help you with this.

Your recovery

Your consultant will provide you with your expected recovery timeline. You should be back to most activities within six weeks of your operation, though it may be sooner depending on the type of hernia repair you had. You’ll return for a check-up appointment with your consultant around two to four weeks after your operation.

Although everyone’s different and your consultant will be able to give you advice specific to you, as a guide here’s a typical recovery timeline: