10 March 2026 · 5 min read
What to expect from a laparoscopic hernia repair
Three small ports, a mesh, and most patients home the next morning. A walk-through of the day, written for the family that's nervous.
A hernia is a weakness in the abdominal wall. Surgery places a soft mesh behind the weakness, so the gut stays where it belongs.
Done laparoscopically (TEP or TAPP), we make three small incisions of 5–10 mm, none of which leave a meaningful scar. The mesh is positioned from inside, the body's own pressure holds it flat, and within months your tissues grow into it.
The day looks like this: admission early morning, surgery 30–60 minutes under general anaesthesia, two hours of recovery, you're walking by evening. Discharge the next morning. Stitches are absorbable; nothing to remove.
Light office work in 4–5 days. Driving in a week. Heavy lifting at 4 weeks. The recurrence rate is under 2%.