Hernia surgery at Spire South Bank Hospital

Located in the city of Worcester, we provide comprehensive private hospital care for our patients across the West Midlands.

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.

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.

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.

Finding us

Spire South Bank Hospital is convenient for both the city of Worcester and junction 7 of the M5 which is just 2 miles away, as are Worcester Shrub Hill station and Worcester Foregate Street station. We have free parking for you and your visitors.

Your consultation

Your initial consultation will be in one of our 12 private consultation rooms. During your appointment, your consultant will discuss:

• Your symptoms and check your abdomen and suspected hernia
• Your health and medical history
• What you’d like to achieve through treatment
• Which surgical method is best for you and what it involves
• The anaesthetic you’ll need – either a general anaesthetic (where you’ll be asleep) or spinal anaesthetic (where you’ll be awake but unable to feel pain in the area being operated on)

Your consultant will also explain if you need to have further tests and scans to diagnose your hernia and decide which surgical technique they recommend for you. Before proceeding, you may also need to have a pre-operative assessment. This is to make sure the surgery is right for you, particularly if you’re having a general anaesthetic.

They will then outline a treatment and recovery plan that’s tailored to you.

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 15 private, en-suite rooms, all of which have:

• Freeview TV
• En-suite
• Window
• Armchair
• WiFi

For day case procedures, you’ll be able to relax in a private room or five-bed ward until you’re ready to go home. This will usually be at least four hours after returning to your room or ward 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 spinal anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be awake but unable to feel pain where you’re being operated on.

Procedure duration

Inguinal hernia repair surgery generally takes under one 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 six weeks after your operation. As a guide, here’s a typical recovery timeline for hernia repair: