Conditions & surgery
Groin hernia, umbilical and abdominal wall hernia, gallstones, appendicitis and sudden abdominal pain, each explained in plain language.

Groin (inguinal) hernia
A bulge in the groin that grows when you stand or cough and shrinks when you lie down. What a hernia is, when surgery is needed, how open and laparoscopic repair differ, and what the mesh does.
Read moreUmbilical, abdominal wall and incisional hernia
A bulge around the navel, on the midline of the abdomen or over an old scar. Why it happens and what the repair options are.
Read moreGallstones and gallbladder removal
Stones found on an ultrasound, or upper abdominal pain after meals. Which stones need surgery and what life is like without a gallbladder.
Read moreAppendicitis
Pain that starts around the navel and moves to the lower right of the abdomen. The signs, the tests, and why you should not wait.
Read moreSudden abdominal pain and abdominal injury
Severe sudden pain or a hard blow to the abdomen is not a reason to book a visit. This page says when to go to the emergency department.
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Full patient guide
What you need for the first visit, what to do before surgery, what to expect after laparoscopy, and when to act at once.