An umbilical hernia occurs when tissue or intestine pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall near the belly button. While common in adults, it will not go away on its own and often enlarges over time, leading to discomfort and possible complications.
At Excel Clinic, Cardiff, we specialise in private umbilical hernia repair using advanced sedation. This avoids the risks and recovery time of general anaesthetic (GA), keeps you pain-free, and allows you to walk out the same day.
Consultations within 1 week, surgery within 3 weeks, and transparent pricing — giving you a faster, more affordable, and more personalised experience than other providers.
| Feature | Excel Clinic | Typical Private Hospital |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation Fee | £150 | £150–£250 |
| Time to Consultation | Within 1 week | 2–6 weeks |
| Time to Surgery | Within 3 weeks | 6–12+ weeks |
| Anaesthetic Method | Advanced sedation (no GA) – pain-free; typical recovery ~15 mins | General anaesthetic – longer recovery, more side-effects |
| Access to Consultant | Direct, easy access before & after surgery | Multiple admin layers before reaching consultant |
| Aftercare | Included, with your surgeon | Often nurse-led; consultant follow-up extra |
| Patient Reviews | ★★★★★ Highly rated | Varies by site; mixed ratings |
An umbilical hernia is a bulge that appears near the belly button (umbilicus) when abdominal contents push through a weak area in the muscles.
Common symptoms include:
Lump or swelling around the navel
Discomfort or pain when coughing, bending, or lifting
Increasing size of the bulge over time
While some umbilical hernias in children close naturally, adult umbilical hernias require surgery to prevent complications.
Surgery is recommended if:
The hernia causes pain or discomfort
It’s increasing in size
It interferes with daily activities
There are signs of incarceration (stuck hernia) or strangulation (blood supply cut off) — these are emergencies
Delaying surgery can lead to higher risk and more complex operations.
At Excel Clinic, we perform umbilical hernia repairs using advanced sedation — a modern, patient-friendly alternative to general anaesthetic (GA). This approach keeps you fully comfortable and pain-free throughout your procedure, while avoiding the grogginess, sickness, and extended recovery time often linked with GA.
No general anaesthetic – reduced risks and a gentler experience
Pain-free throughout – complete comfort from start to finish
Rapid recovery – typically back on your feet within 15 minutes
Minimal side effects – less nausea, dizziness, and sore throat
Same-day discharge – walk out of the clinic shortly after your operation
A sedative is gently administered through a small drip in your arm. This places you in a calm, drowsy state, yet you remain able to respond if needed. At the same time, a local anaesthetic is used to numb the surgical area, ensuring complete pain control.
Because advanced sedation wears off quickly, most patients feel clear-headed and ready to go home within minutes of their procedure — without the prolonged recovery or overnight stay often required with GA.
Our patient share their experiences of undergoing hernia surgery at Excel Clinic in Cardiff, from their experience on the day of treatment through to recovery.
Visit our Cardiff clinic for a full examination and personalised surgical plan if required.
Ensure you are fit for the surgery. Usually on day of surgery unless specified differently by surgeon.
Walk-in, walk-out procedure under local anaesthetic – 1.5 hours appointment.
Average 15 minutes recovery prior to discharge thanks to our advance sedation technique.
6 week Follow up with your surgeon to ensure progress and healing.
Rest, Gentle Walking. Keep bandage dry and intact. Use prescribed pain relief if needed.
Increase light activity as comfortable. Most swelling/bruising begins to settle.
Tip: short walks help circulation and recovery.
Gradually resume heavier lifting and exercise if comfortable.
Mr Abu Feroz is a highly experienced Consultant General Surgeon with over 30 years of expertise in hernia repair surgeries. Currently serving at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, he has performed thousands of hernia repairs throughout his distinguished career.
Renowned across South Wales for his skill in performing umbilical hernia repairs under local anaesthetic and sedation, Mr Feroz offers patients a safer and more comfortable alternative that avoids the side effects of general anaesthesia.
At Excel Clinic, he leads our hernia surgery services, combining clinical excellence with a patient-centred approach to ensure rapid recovery, minimal downtime, and outstanding outcomes.
We aim to make the cost of private hernia surgery clear from the outset. Our fees include the key elements of your treatment, including your surgeon, anaesthetic and sedation care where appropriate, theatre and clinical team costs, surgical materials and planned follow-up.
Pre-operative consultation and assessment with surgeon
Follow up consultation
If requested by your Surgeon or Anaesthetist
We are conveniently located in Cardiff Gate International Business Park, just off Junction M4 Junction 30
We proudly serve patients from not only Cardiff, but also neighbouring Newport, Swansea, Bristol, Somerset and Gloucestershire.
At Excel clinic, we make the process of umbilical hernia repair surgery as smooth and comfortable as possible. Simply submit a booking form (on the bottom of this page), and we will take care of the rest! Our Hernia Surgery booking team will be in contact with you shortly after to arrange your consultation with the surgeon.
If you have pain, discomfort, or the hernia is enlarging, surgery is recommended to prevent complications.
With our advanced sedation and local anaesthetic, the procedure is pain-free. Some mild discomfort may occur during recovery.
Most patients return to light activities within 1–2 weeks, avoiding heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks.
Mesh reinforcement will depend on the size of the hernia. For larger hernias, mesh will be used. for smaller hernias, a special suture will be used to close the defect.
Yes — we specialise in avoiding GA using advanced sedation, giving you a safer and faster recovery.
The time you need off work depends on the nature of your job:
You can return to driving when:
As we are a private (non NHS) clinic, we are not bound by the patient’s location. We receive patients from a large area, including Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Bristol, Weston Supermare, Bath and Gloucestershire!
Please complete and submit the booking form below, and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly to answer any queries and schedule your consultation!
