At Practice Plus Group, the average waiting time for private inguinal hernia surgery is 4–6 weeks.
In comparison, NHS waiting times for routine hernia repair can vary significantly depending on region, hospital capacity and clinical priority. Although the NHS aims to see patients within 18 weeks, lots of patients are often left waiting longer. The My Planned Care site features the latest NHS waiting times and is updated on a weekly basis.
(Practice Plus Group is not responsible for and does not control the content displayed on external websites.)
The following are factors that contribute to the long waiting times for NHS hernia treatment:
high demand for general surgery
clinical prioritisation of urgent or cancer cases
workforce and theatre capacity pressures
backlogs from COVID pandemic disruption.
What is an inguinal hernia?
An inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia. It happens when fatty tissue or part of the bowel pushes through a weak point in the lower abdominal wall. This can create a lump in the groin that may become more noticeable when you cough, strain, or stand. It is more common in men, and may:
reduce or disappear when lying down
cause discomfort, heaviness, or pain.
Private inguinal hernia surgery (inguinal hernia repair) involves repositioning the tissue and reinforcing the weakened area to reduce symptoms and lower the risk of complications. Surgery may be recommended if your hernia is painful, getting bigger, affecting daily life, or at risk of becoming trapped and strangulated.
Anatomy overview
The inguinal canal is a natural passage in the lower abdominal wall. Weakness in this area allows tissue to protrude through.
There are two main types:
Indirect inguinal hernia – often congenital, passing through the inguinal canal
Direct inguinal hernia – due to weakening of the abdominal wall over time.
Who is it for?
Inguinal hernia surgery is usually recommended for people who:
have pain or discomfort that affects daily activities
notice the hernia increasing in size
experience recurring symptoms
are at risk of complications such as strangulation.
Age range
While the age range most at risk is 40-70, younger adults can experience an inguinal hernia. This is mainly caused by lifting heavy objects or playing sport, while older adults are more likely to develop a hernia due to weakness in the abdominal wall.
Risk factors
The main risk factors of inguinal hernia are:
repeated heavy lifting
chronic cough
constipation and straining
higher body weight
smoking
previous abdominal surgery.
Signs and symptoms: when to seek treatment
For most, inguinal hernias do not present with any symptoms other than the lump itself. If you suspect you have a hernia, your first port of call should be your GP who can assess you and refer you for a consultation (if needed).
Urgent red flags
If you experience any of the following, your hernia may have become strangulated and you should seek medical attention immediately:
sudden, severe pain
vomiting
constipation
inability to pass wind
tenderness over the hernia
inability to push the lump back in.
Signs and symptoms that may suggest surgery is needed
If you experience any of the following symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention:
severe pain (especially with fever or nausea)
swelling or discolouration (red or purple bulge, tenderness)
inability to push the bulge back in (may indicate trapping/strangulation)
changes to bowel movements or urination (constipation, difficulty passing urine).
Inguinal hernia surgery types and treatments offered
The following information provides more in-depth detail about the different types of surgical techniques available for inguinal hernia at Practice Plus Group.
Open inguinal hernia repair
Open repair involves making a single incision over the groin. The protruding tissue is repositioned (pushed back in) and the abdominal wall reinforced, usually with surgical mesh.
Who it’s for
Suitable for most primary inguinal hernias.
How it works
Mesh strengthens the weak area to reduce recurrence risk.
How long it takes
Around 30–60 minutes.
Anaesthesia
Usually general or local with sedation.
Hospital stay
Most commonly same-day discharge.
Recovery time
Most patients return to light activity within 1–2 weeks.
Laparoscopic (keyhole) inguinal hernia repair
Laparoscopic surgery uses small incisions and a camera to repair the hernia internally.
Who it’s for
Often recommended for bilateral (both sides) or recurrent hernias.
How it works
Mesh is placed behind the abdominal wall via keyhole access.
How long it takes
Up to 1 hour.
Anaesthesia
General anaesthetic.
Hospital stay
Usually same-day discharge.
Recovery snapshot
Many patients return to normal activity slightly faster than with the open repair technique.
Non-surgical alternatives
Not all inguinal hernias require immediate surgery. In some cases, monitoring, making lifestyle changes, and wearing supporting garments can help.
Benefits of inguinal hernia surgery
The main benefits of surgery include:
relief from groin pain and discomfort
reduced risk of strangulation
improved mobility and confidence
return to exercise and work.
Many patients also report improved comfort during everyday activities such as walking, lifting and sleeping.
Risks and complications of inguinal hernia surgery
As with any surgery, there are risks. These may include:
Following hernia surgery, you should seek medical attention immediately if you develop:
calf pain or swelling
sudden chest pain or breathlessness
fever or wound discharge
severe and increasing pain.
What to expect before, during, and after surgery
While surgery sounds like a daunting prospect, we’ve broken the process down to give you a detailed look at what to expect from assessment to recovery.
Preparing for inguinal hernia surgery (pre-operative assessment)
A pre-operative assessment is our opportunity to ensure that the procedure for which you have been referred is right for you. We’ll explain your hernia treatment to you and make sure you’re well enough to go ahead with it. This is also your opportunity to meet the team who will care for you and to ask any questions about potential side effects and recovery.
Alongside your assessment, you can also make some logistical and practical changes to help with preparation. Among these are:
arranging transport home and support for the first 24 hours
discussing current medications (including blood thinners)
following pre-surgery fasting instructions (if needed)
At Practice Plus Group, we specialise in keyhole (laparoscopic) and open surgery. Keyhole surgery uses several small cuts which allow the surgeon to use special instruments to repair the hernia.
Between two and four small incisions are made through the abdominal wall through which the surgeon passes a thin telescope with a light on the end (called a laparoscope) and the instruments needed to carry out the procedure. The hernia and/or hole are covered with mesh from within the abdomen and staples are used to fix the mesh to the muscle tissue.
For open repair hernia surgery, a single cut is made over the hernia. The hernia is then replaced (pushed back) within the abdomen and repaired with a mesh.
How long does inguinal hernia surgery take?
A routine groin (inguinal) hernia operation typically takes 30–45 minutes. This may vary depending on complexity.
How long will I be in hospital?
In most cases, you’ll be able to return home on the day of surgery. Our team will give you post-discharge advice and support to ensure that your repair heals properly. We usually do not need to see you after the operation but will give you a call just to make sure your recovery is going well.
Inguinal hernia surgery recovery timeline
So, we’ve looked at how you can prepare and what happens during the surgery itself. Now it’s time to explore what you can expect from the recovery process.
Week 1
Go home same-day
Mild swelling and bruising is common
Walking is encouraged
No heavy lifting
Weeks 2-4
Light physical work may resume
Gradual return to physical activity
Driving is usually possible once safe and pain-free
Weeks 4-6
Return to normal daily activity
Resume gym and sport gradually (avoid heavy strain early on)
Long-term
Mesh repair is durable
Recurrence risk is low when repaired appropriately
Your inguinal hernia surgery patient journey
Initial consultation – meet your surgeon, discuss symptoms, and ask questions
Diagnostic assessment – examination and imaging if required
Surgical planning – discuss open vs keyhole
Pre-assessment – anaesthetic review and tests
Day of surgery – admission, procedure, recovery
Discharge – same-day home with instructions
Follow-up – phone call and clinic review if needed
Private hernia repair in the UK typically ranges from £3,000 to £4,500 depending on provider and complexity.
At Practice Plus Group the cost is as follows:
Consultation
£145
Inguinal hernia repair surgery
£3,449
Total cost
£3,594
What’s included?
Pre-operative nurse review
Anaesthetic
Theatre and hospital stay
Mesh implant
Prescriptions and dressings
Post-operative follow-up
Named consultant throughout
If an overnight stay is required and a private room is important to you, please let us know when you book and we’ll do everything we can to accommodate your request.
Ways to pay
There are three ways to access inguinal hernia surgery at Practice Plus Group:
Self-pay private healthcare (via a one-off lump sum or a payment plan)
Private medical insurance
NHS referral
Find top inguinal hernia surgeons in the UK
At Practice Plus Group, if you’re a private patient, you can choose which consultant carries out your hernia treatment. This consultant will be with you every step of the way on your journey with us.
professional memberships to prestigious medical organisations.
Looking for these can help you make an informed decision while also providing quality assurance.
Why choose Practice Plus Group?
4–6 week wait for treatment
Consultant-led care
Fixed pricing
CQC-regulated hospitals
High cleanliness and infection control standards
Acknowledgements
Mr Dickson-Lowe is a highly experienced consultant general and colorectal surgeon and clinical lead for general and colorectal surgery, working both in the NHS and privately with Practice Plus Group. He is dedicated to providing safe, effective, and personalised care for every patient. Mr Dickson-Lowe offers minimally invasive procedures such as keyhole gall bladder surgery, hernia repair, treatment of lumps and bumps, pilonidal disease, and coloproctology procedures including haemorrhoids, fistula-in-ano, and anal fissures.
This article was co-written by Content Specialist, James Wood. Our Content Specialist, James, has been writing articles and blogs for Practice Plus Group since 2022. He has more than a decade of experience as a copywriter within a range of different backgrounds and works closely with medical professionals to deliver information that's easy-to-read and patient-focused. When he's not writing medical pieces, James is busy playing sports or pub quizzing.
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