Top 20 most commonly asked questions
How many hernia repairs has the Consultant Hernia Surgeon Greg Sadler undertaken?
Consultant Surgeon Greg Sadler has completed approximately 6,000 hernias in his surgical career; through both the NHS and Oxford Hernia Clinic, which was
set up in 2008.
How soon can you fix my hernia?
Oxford Hernia Clinic can usually offer you a date for surgery within a week to ten days of you contacting the clinic.
Do I need a GP referral?
You do not need a General Practitioner/Doctor to refer you to Oxford Hernia Clinic, however if you are insured it is a requirement of your health insurer.
What sort of mesh does Oxford Hernia Clinic use?
Oxford Hernia Clinic uses Pro-Grip™ mesh, a self-fixing mesh which does not require staples or stitches to keep it in place.
Click here for more information on Pro-grip™
Will I be able to travel home on the same day?
All of our patients travel home from their surgery on the same day. Thanks to the long-lasting effect of local anaesthesia, patients remain completely pain free for as long as 12 hours afterwards before needing any oral pain relief. You can travel home comfortably, whether this is locally, somewhere in Britain or even flying back home.
Will I be pain free after the operation?
All our patients are pain-free after the surgery due to the long lasting effect of the local anaesthesia. Usually after about 12 hours patients may find they need pain relief. Oxford Hernia Clinic provides you with painkillers when you leave the hospital.
How long will my surgery take?
Your stay at Oxford Hernia Clinic is usually no more than 3 hours. Your surgery may take up to about 45 minutes.
When can I return to work after my inguinal hernia repair?
You can plan to return to work after about one week of your surgery if there is no lifting or physical activity involved. Some patients with an inguinal hernia do experience ongoing pain and some discomfort for longer than one week.
Are there any long-term side effects?
There is a small risk of developing chronic pain after surgery for an inguinal repair. Consultant Surgeon Greg Sadler will discuss the risks with you.
Do hernias always require surgery?
A hernia will never repair itself; surgery is the only option for repair. If you have a hernia that causes no discomfort you may decide to watch and wait. There is a strong likelihood that at some time the hernia will get bigger and give discomfort.
What is the MRSA rate of infection?
There is a 0% rate of infection for MRSA at Oxford Hernia Clinic to date.
How soon can I drive after my hernia repair?
You can usually start driving again when you feel able to safely carry out an emergency stop. Some car insurers may have specific requirements, so check if you are unsure.
Do I need to shave before I come to hospital?
You do not need to shave before coming into Oxford Hernia Clinic.
Will there be any parking?
There is free parking available for patients and their drivers on site for Oxford Hernia Clinic at The Manor Hospital.
Will I see any of the operation if I have a local anaesthetic?
A surgical drape is in place during your surgery preventing you from observing any of the repair.
Can I have keyhole surgery?
Consultant Surgeon Greg Sadler will discuss your choices with you, but note that keyhole surgery requires a general anaesthetic.
How likely is it that my hernia will come back?
Obviously hernia recurrence will depend on many factors, the initial size of your hernia, whether it's been repaired in the past, etc. The national recurrence
rate for hernias is between 1% - 5%.
Can a hernia affect my sex life?
Having a hernia does not normally affect your sex drive, however some patients may feel self-conscious about a hernia ‘bulge’, which may have an indirect effect.
Am I too old to have hernia surgery?
Oxford Hernia Clinic’s eldest patient to date was 104 years old. We do not let age prevent you from accessing surgery.