There could probably be a lengthy discussion regarding data (and why there isn’t great data) but ultimately, your conclusion is probably the best advice.
Find the best surgeon you can…which includes them having a lot of experience and ongoing frequency performing a particular repair and being sufficiently knowledgeable (and forthcoming) about other repair options to explain why that one is suitable/best for you.
Part of the problem is deciding on the type of repair though…but until there is sufficiently nuanced data that factors in the many potentially relevant patient, hernia, and surgeon characteristics that might influence complication, recurrence, and chronic pain rates, we don’t get as much direction at the individual decision-making level as we would like.