Small hernias repaired awake, in a day

The pre-op assessment is £75. Repair of a suitable small hernia starts at £1,500. That is a starting price, and the final all-inclusive fee depends on the type, size and site of the hernia and the complexity of the repair. It is confirmed at your assessment before any surgery is booked, and it includes your pre-operative and post-operative care and the 4 week review.

Because whether your hernia can be repaired here is a clinical decision, not something that can be judged from a phone call or a photograph. A hernia needs examining standing, lying down and while you cough. At the £75 assessment your surgeon works out whether a local anaesthetic repair is appropriate, discusses your health and medications, and gives you a firm price if it is.

Your surgeon will tell you plainly, explain why a general anaesthetic is needed, and make sure you understand what you are dealing with. You will have paid the £75 for the assessment and no surgery fee to us. Where the repair needs doing in a hospital setting, we can refer you on for it, so the assessment still moves things forward rather than leaving you where you started. Ask about the referral at your appointment and your surgeon will talk you through how it works and what it involves.

Broadly, small and straightforward ones. Larger hernias, hernias that have been present for many years, recurrent hernias where a previous repair has failed, and more complex repairs all need a general anaesthetic and a hospital setting. Your own health and medications also come into it. Only an examination can answer this for your hernia, which is what the assessment is for.

Yes. The repair is done under local anaesthetic, so the area is completely numb but you are conscious throughout. There is no general anaesthetic and no overnight stay. You go home the same day, though talk to your surgeon at the pre-op about arrangements for getting home and having someone around afterwards.

You will feel a sting as the local anaesthetic goes in, and after that the area is numb. You should feel pressure and movement rather than pain during the repair. Afterwards, expect soreness and bruising around the site for the first week or so. Your surgeon will advise on pain relief before you leave.

Longer than for a skin procedure, because a repair to the muscle wall needs time to settle. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise are out while it heals, and when you can drive or return to work depends heavily on what your job involves. A desk worker and a bricklayer get different answers. Your surgeon will give you instructions specific to you and your repair, and you are reviewed at 4 weeks.

No. A hernia is a gap in the muscle wall, and gaps do not close by themselves. Trusses, belts and support garments may make the bulge less obvious or more comfortable, but they do not repair anything and they are not a long-term solution. Hernias generally get gradually larger over time, which is one reason small ones are more straightforward to deal with.

Go to A&E or call 999 straight away if the hernia suddenly becomes firm and cannot be pushed back in, the bulge turns red or purple, the pain becomes severe or comes on suddenly, or you feel sick, start vomiting, or cannot open your bowels or pass wind. This means the tissue may be trapped and its blood supply compromised, which needs treating within hours, not days. It is uncommon, but it is not something to wait out or to book a clinic appointment for.

Any hernia repair carries some chance of recurrence, and no surgeon can promise otherwise. Following your aftercare instructions properly, particularly around lifting while the repair settles, gives it the best chance. Your surgeon will discuss the specific risks and benefits for your hernia at the assessment, and will see you at the 4 week review.

Yes. The repair is made through an incision, so there will be a scar, and its length depends on the hernia and the repair. Your surgeon closes carefully and will talk through what to expect at the assessment. Scars generally fade considerably over 6 to 12 months.

Yes, and unlike cosmetic removals, hernia repair is a procedure insurers commonly cover. We work with Bupa, AXA Health, WPA, Vitality, Aviva, Cigna, Healix, Saga and Allianz, and we will help with your pre-authorisation paperwork. Contact us with your insurer and policy details and we will advise before you book.

No. You can book the pre-op assessment yourself, online or by calling 029 2199 9300. If you would rather see a doctor first, a private GP appointment is another way in.

At our Penarth clinic, 13 Washington Buildings, Stanwell Road, CF64 2AD, about 10 minutes from Cardiff city centre with free street parking. It is a day case, so you go home afterwards rather than being admitted anywhere.