Hernia surgery at Spire Leicester Hospital

Spire Leicester Hospital is a long-established private hospital providing comprehensive treatments and care to our patients across the East Midlands and beyond.

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

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.

Laparoscopic hernia repair

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

Open repair

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

Coming into hospital

We're located 7 miles from junction 21 of the M1 and easily accessible from the A47 and A6. We’re a 15 minute cab ride from Leicester railway station. There’s free parking available for you and your visitors.

Meeting your consultant

Your appointment will take place in one of our 21 ground floor consultation rooms. Your consultant will discuss:

• Your symptoms and examine your abdomen and suspected hernia
• Your general health and medical history
• Any tests or scans they think you might need to help plan your treatment
• Your treatment options and how long it will take to recover
• What inguinal hernia surgery involves and the potential benefits and risks
• The anaesthetic you’ll require – either a general anaesthetic (where you’ll be asleep) or a local anaesthetic (where you’ll be awake but unable to feel pain in the area being operated on)

You may also need a pre-operative assessment before coming in for surgery. This will be to ensure the procedure is suitable for you (especially if you need a general anaesthetic) and that you're fit to proceed.

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 recover 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 private, en-suite rooms.

All of our rooms have:

• Nurse call system
• TV/Radio
• Telephone and WiFi
• En-suite bathroom
• Wardrobe space and a small locker
• Armchair

Anaesthetic

Hernia surgery is often carried out under local 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 six 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: