Hernia surgery at Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital

At Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital, we take pride in providing a high standard of private hospital care for over 20 years.

We have a team of expert consultants who have wide experience in performing hernia repair surgery. With a consultant of your choice, you can expect fast access to diagnostic tests and scans, consultations and treatment.

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.

ONSTEP technique

An open surgery technique where the surgeon repairs your hernia from outside the lining covering your abdominal organs and repairs the weakness with mesh. This will be carried out under local anaesthetic (where you’ll be awake but won’t be able to feel pain in the area being operated on) or general anaesthetic (where you’ll be asleep).

Getting here

We're located in Kent, six miles from the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells and the nearest station is Tunbridge Wells. We have free on-site parking for you and your visitors.

Your consultation

You’ll meet your chosen consultant in one of our 11 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'll 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 room to relax until you’re ready to go home. This will normally be around two 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 private en-suite rooms. All of our rooms have:

• En-suite shower/bath
• Satellite television
• Free WiFi
• Telephone
• Nurse call system

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

The hernia repair surgery will usually take no more than an hour.

After surgery

It’s normal to feel some pain or discomfort after hernia surgery, so to make your recovery easier, our nurses will give you medication to help you manage pain.

Going home

Your consultant will be able to advise you on your expected recovery time, based on the surgery you had and your overall health. For most people, you should be back to your usual activities in around six weeks. You’ll return for a check-up appointment with your consultant around two to three weeks after your operation.

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