Hernia surgery at Spire Bristol Hospital

Spire Bristol Hospital is a well-established private hospital in the region providing excellent care and treatments.

Our consultants have wide experience in performing hernia repair surgery. They’ll offer you a treatment and recovery plan that’s tailored to you. With fast access to tests, scans and treatments, we can help relieve your symptoms and get you back to your everyday activities.

We offer a variety of techniques for inguinal hernia surgery. The treatments available to you will depend on the type, size and location of your hernia and your general health. Your consultant will discuss which option is best for 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 Bristol Hospital can be easily accessed by either the M4 or M5 motorways, or by Temple Meads or Parkway train stations. We have free on-site parking for you and your visitors.

Your consultation

You’ll meet your chosen consultant in one of our 26 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.

Your stay

For most inguinal hernia repair surgery, you can leave on the same day, so you won’t need to stay overnight. However, if you do need to stay with us (for example if you have other medical conditions or live alone), you’ll have one of our 25 private en-suite rooms, all of which have:

• TV
• En-suite bathroom
• Window
• Armchair
• Wardrobe

For day case procedures, you’ll be able to relax in a private, en-suite room until you’re ready to go home. This will usually be around six hours after your procedure.

Anaesthetic

For keyhole (laparoscopic) procedures, you’ll need a general anaesthetic, where you’ll be completely asleep. For open surgery, you can usually have a local or spinal anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be awake but unable to feel pain where you’re being operated on.

Procedure duration

Inguinal hernia repair surgery usually takes under one hour.

Pain after hernia surgery

You’re likely to feel some soreness and discomfort once your anaesthetic wears off. Everyone experiences pain differently, and our nurses will be able to give you painkillers to help you manage it.

Recovery time

You should be back to your normal activities in around six weeks. You’ll have a follow-up appointment with your consultant around six weeks after your surgery.

Your consultant will be able to advise you on your expected recovery time, but as a guide, here’s a typical recovery timeline: