Personal Finance and Healthcare Expert
A hernia can be painful and disabling, affecting your ability to work and enjoy life. If you need surgery, you might be wondering whether it's worth going private. We explain what hernia surgery involves and examine the advantages of going private for your hernia repair.
A hernia develops when internal organs push through the surrounding tissue or muscle, causing a swelling. It can often be pushed back or disappear when lying down. Hernias sometimes appear if you cough or strain, for example when lifting something heavy. If you have a hiatus hernia, you may get heartburn, acid reflux, feel bloated, or have difficulty swallowing.
There are several types of hernia, including:
Inguinal hernias are the most common type of hernia, usually affecting men. They're often caused by repeated strain on the stomach and become more common with age.
If you think you have a hernia, seek advice from your GP, who'll consider whether to refer you for hernia repair surgery. However, if you experience sudden, severe pain, vomit or can't push the hernia back in, go to A&E or call 999. These symptoms can indicate a strangulated hernia or obstructed, which can cause organ damage.
Your GP will assess you and may refer you for an ultrasound scan to decide whether you need hernia surgery. Hernia repair surgery is relatively rare if you have a hiatus hernia, as these often resolve on their own with suitable treatment. Your doctors will decide whether you need surgery by considering various factors, including the type of hernia you have, the risk of further damage and how your hernia impacts your daily life. They'll also consider your general health, as surgery can be risky if you're in poor health or have serious underlying health issues.
Hernia repair can involve open hernia repair surgery or keyhole surgery. Your surgeon will assess which type of hernia repair surgery to use based on your health, the type of hernia and their experience. Hernias can be single-sided or bilateral (two-sided). The British Hernia Society recommends open surgery on single-sided hernias and keyhole surgery on hiatus hernias, bilateral hernias or those that have returned after surgery.Your consultant's expertise is also relevant. Open hernia repair surgery is a more common procedure than keyhole surgery, so your surgeon must only perform it if they have the proper experience and training. Each type of surgery uses mesh to reinforce the weak spot where the hernia broke through.
The average cost of hernia repair surgery in the UK is £3,870 (October 2024).
The cost of hernia repair surgery varies across the country and between private healthcare providers. A hospital's location will significantly influence the price as it affects rent and staffing costs. Hospitals vary in how much they spend on medical equipment, medication and utilities. If your chosen surgeon is highly experienced, you'll also pay more for their fees, with the trade-off that you may get better results.
This article explains more about the factors influencing private treatment costs.
Location is the most significant factor influencing the cost of private hernia repair surgery, as it can impact almost every aspect of a hospital's costs. Here are the average costs of hernia repair surgery in regions across the UK.
Your chosen hospital's location is one of the most significant factors impacting private surgery costs, as it affects rent and staffing costs. When choosing a private hospital, it's worth comparing quotes from several hospitals around your preferred location to get the best deal.
The table below details the average cost of a private hernia repair surgery in the twelve regions of the UK.
It's a good idea to get quotes from more than one provider, as costs can vary within the same city or area.
Our research looked at hernia surgery prices at private hospitals in each region of the UK, but many are part of a larger group of hospitals, namely Circle Health, Nuffield Health, Practice Plus Group, Ramsay Health and Spire Healthcare, alongside a handful of independent private hospitals.
The graphic below shows the average cost of private hernia surgery by private hospital group, with the independents grouped. Please bear in mind that most of these hospital groups charge different amounts at different hospitals, so, for example, if you approached the Spire hospital close to you, you may find that the price of your treatment is less or more than what's shown below.
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Now that you have an idea of the amount you'll need to pay for your private hernia surgery, you may be wondering how to fund your treatment. Here are the three most common ways to fund private treatment.
Hernia surgery is usually done in a day unit, meaning you can have your hernia operation and go home on the same day. In some cases, you may need a hospital stay if you have existing health issues or need monitoring after your surgery. While all hernia surgery is broadly similar, the exact procedure varies depending on your type of hernia. Your consultant will offer advice tailored to your circumstances.
Here, we explain what will happen before your hernia surgery, the operation itself and what you can expect from the recovery process.
The preparation for hernia surgery is generally the same, no matter what type of hernia surgery you need and your hernia type.
You'll usually need to fast before surgery to minimise the risks associated with the anaesthetic. The hospital will explain when you must stop eating solid food. You may be able to drink clear liquids, such as water or tea and coffee without milk, during your fasting period. However, your doctor will confirm what's allowed.
As we've mentioned, a hernia operation can be either open surgery or keyhole surgery, depending on the type of hernia and your surgeon's expertise. Surgery for femoral hernias and inguinal hernia repair usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes, while umbilical hernia surgery typically takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Inguinal hernia repair usually involves a local anaesthetic for open surgery and a general anaesthetic for keyhole surgery.
If you have open surgery, your surgeon will make an incision over the hernia, place the protruding tissue back where it belongs and use a mesh to strengthen the weak spot where the hernia occurred. For an inguinal hernia, the surgeon will place the mesh in the abdominal wall. For femoral hernias, it'll be in the femoral canal, which contains the main blood vessels and nerves leading to the thigh. If you have keyhole surgery, your surgeon will make three small incisions and use a camera to see inside.
If you have a strangulated hernia, your surgeon may need to remove part of the bowel in an inguinal hernia repair.
At the end of the operation, your wound will be closed with stitches, which should dissolve within a few days.
After hernia surgery, you'll likely feel sore and have discomfort in your groin and stomach. The hospital will give you pain relief to manage this while you're there and may provide some painkillers for you to take home. Otherwise, you can manage your pain with over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
You can normally go home on the same day as your operation as long as there aren't any complications. However, you won't be able to drive and should ask someone to take you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery, particularly if you've had a general anaesthetic.
You usually won't need a follow-up appointment after your hernia surgery. Your surgeon will let you know if you need any post-operative checks. Children who've had an operation for an umbilical hernia will sometimes need a check-up afterwards. The hospital will advise you on how to look after your wound. If your surgeon used glue to close the incision, you can shower or bathe immediately. If you have a dressing, you must keep it dry.
Smoking can slow the healing process, so it's a good idea to avoid smoking for at least two weeks.
It's normal to feel some pain after surgery, and you can expect to need painkillers for the first few days after your hernia operation. You might get some bruising and swelling, which is entirely normal. As you heal and a scar forms, you might feel itching, tingling or numbness. New scars can often feel hard and lumpy initially. If your wound bleeds, apply pressure with a clean cloth and contact the hospital if it doesn't stop after about ten minutes.
Constipation is a common side effect after surgery, but straining can cause pain, so eating plenty of fruit, vegetables and high-fibre foods can help.
Any operation carries some risks, including a reaction to the anaesthetic, infection and bleeding. Call the hospital for advice if you have persistent bleeding or signs of infection, such as a high temperature, pain and swelling, vomiting, shortness of breath, or redness around the wound.
There is a small risk of damage to the surrounding tissue, nerves or organs or a bowel obstruction, which can cause pain and vomiting.
The risk factors often depend on your age, overall health and the type of hernia repair you need. Inguinal hernia repair frequently carries a slightly higher risk of complications. You can reduce your risk by following your surgeon's instructions.
Most patients can return to work within about two weeks after their hernia surgery. However, if you have a manual job that involves heavy lifting, you may need longer, particularly if you've had a femoral or inguinal hernia. You can see your GP for a fit note if necessary.
Children who have had an umbilical hernia repair typically need a week off school to recover.
Your surgeon will advise you on when you can start driving again. Hernia surgery can affect your ability to make an emergency stop, and you must be able to do it safely before you can drive again. This usually happens within a week or two. You'll likely need to check with your insurance company, as many have policies on driving after an operation, and it may affect your insurance coverage if you don't let them know.
A general anaesthetic can impact your reasoning and coordination for around 48 hours, so you should avoid alcohol, driving, operating machinery or signing any important documents during that time.
Otherwise, you can return to your normal activities as soon as you feel ready and as long as they don't cause you pain. You must avoid heavy lifting and intense exercise for about 4 to 6 weeks but can do light activities such as walking. It's a good idea to build up gradually as you get stronger.
As mentioned, you can't drive until you can safely perform an emergency stop. If you plan to travel abroad by plane, check with your surgeon to ensure it's safe for you to fly. Most airlines have guidelines on when passengers can fly after surgery, so check their terms and conditions before you book. The Civil Aviation Authority recommends that patients shouldn't fly within 48 hours of keyhole surgery or ten days after open surgery.
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Disclaimer: This information is general and what is best for you will depend on your personal circumstances. Please speak with a financial adviser or do your own research before making a decision.
Kirsty is a personal finance and healthcare expert who enjoys demystifying legal and insurance topics for a wider audience. She’s a former solicitor with a personal injury and insurance background.
