Last updated 2026-11-08 · Medically reviewed by Dr Raman Garg · Punjab, India
20+ years | 10,000+ laparoscopic surgeries | 1,000+ hernia repairs | Cashless insurance | OPD Mon to Sat 10 AM to 5 PM
What is a hiatal hernia?
Your food pipe passes from the chest to the stomach through a small opening in the diaphragm, the thin muscle that separates chest from belly. This opening is called the hiatus. In a hiatal hernia (hiatus hernia), the opening becomes loose and part of the stomach slides up into the chest.
Body diagram in words: the diaphragm is the floor of the chest, and the food pipe goes through a small hole in it like a straw through a lid. If the hole stretches, the top of the stomach pushes up through it, like a balloon neck poking through a ring. The valve at the lower end of the food pipe also loses its grip, so stomach acid flows back up. That is why many people with this hernia feel acidity and burning in the chest.
Unlike groin or navel hernias, you cannot see or feel a lump. The hernia is inside the body, so it is found by tests.
Types of hiatal hernia
| Type | What happens | How common | Usual plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type I (sliding) | The junction of food pipe and stomach slides up and down through the hiatus | Most common | Often treated with medicines and lifestyle. Surgery if reflux continues |
| Type II (paraesophageal) | The top of the stomach rolls up beside the food pipe | Less common | Surgery is usually advised because of trapping risk |
| Type III (mixed) | Both of the above | Less common | Surgery advised |
| Type IV (complex) | Stomach plus other organs such as bowel move into the chest | Rare | Surgery by an experienced team |
A hiatal hernia can also come with a short food pipe, a large gap, or scarring from long-standing reflux. These are the cases where experience matters most. Dr Raman Garg has treated complex hiatus hernias for years. See complex hernia surgery.
Who gets it and what causes it?
- People over 50, as the diaphragm opening loosens with age
- People who are overweight
- Pregnant women and people with a persistent cough
- People who strain from constipation or lift heavy loads
- Smokers and people with long-term acidity
Late, heavy meals, tea and spicy food do not create a hiatal hernia, but they can make the reflux worse. Read acid reflux and hiatal hernia.
Symptoms and when to worry
- Heartburn: a burning feeling in the chest, worse after meals or when lying down
- Sour water or food coming up into the mouth (regurgitation)
- Difficulty swallowing, or food sticking in the chest
- Belching, bloating and a feeling of fullness after small meals
- Chest pain, which must always be checked for heart disease first
- Breathlessness after meals, a night cough or hoarse voice
- Tiredness from anaemia caused by slow bleeding in the stomach
Many people take antacids for years without knowing the cause. If you need acidity tablets most days, get the cause checked.
Go to hospital the same day if: you get sudden severe chest or upper belly pain, you cannot swallow even water, you vomit again and again, you vomit blood, or you pass black stools. A large hiatal hernia can twist or get trapped. Call +91 82641-60001 at any hour. See emergency hernia surgery.
How Dr Raman Garg diagnoses it
Dr Raman Garg listens to your history first, since reflux tells a story. Then he orders the tests that matter:
- Upper GI endoscopy: a thin camera passes through the mouth to look at the food pipe and stomach. It shows the hernia, inflammation and any damage. BGCI has an advanced endoscopy suite.
- Barium swallow: you swallow a safe liquid and X-rays show the shape of the stomach and the size of the gap.
- CT scan: for large or complex hernias, to see which organs have moved.
- Other tests such as pH monitoring or manometry are used in selected patients to confirm reflux or check swallowing muscle strength before surgery.
- Blood tests, ECG and chest X-ray to check you are fit for anaesthesia.
| Test | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPD consultation | 500 | 700 | 1,000 |
| Upper GI endoscopy | 2,000 | 3,200 | 5,000 |
| Barium swallow | 1,200 | 2,000 | 3,500 |
| CT scan abdomen (when needed) | 3,500 | 6,000 | 9,000 |
| Pre-operative blood tests, ECG and chest X-ray | 1,500 | 2,500 | 4,000 |
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on the hernia type, size, number of sides, mesh used and your health.
See hernia diagnosis tests. Out of town? WhatsApp your old endoscopy and barium reports to +91 82641-60001.
Treatment options: medicines, lifestyle or surgery
Not every hiatal hernia needs an operation. This is how Dr Raman Garg decides.
Medicines and habits first (small sliding hernias). Acid-reducing tablets, smaller dinners at least 3 hours before bed, a raised head end of the bed, weight loss, and quitting smoking can control symptoms in many people.
Surgery is advised when:
- reflux continues despite tablets, or tablets are needed for life and you do not want that
- the hernia is large or paraesophageal
- you have difficulty swallowing, bleeding, anaemia or breathing trouble
- the food pipe is inflamed or damaged
- you cannot tolerate long-term tablets
Home remedies, hernia ka desi ilaj and belts do not repair this hernia. A hernia belt for the groin or belly does nothing for a hiatal hernia.
The operation step by step
Laparoscopic repair is done under general anaesthesia through about five small cuts in the upper belly.
- Gas and camera. The belly is gently inflated and the camera shows the diaphragm opening.
- Pulling the stomach down. The stomach and any other contents are brought back into the belly. The sac is freed and the food pipe is made long enough to sit without tension.
- Closing the gap. The two sides of the diaphragm opening are stitched together, snug but not too tight.
- Mesh, where needed. In larger gaps, a mesh may reinforce the closure. Dr Raman Garg decides during surgery. See mesh hernia repair.
- Fundoplication. The upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower food pipe, like a collar. This rebuilds the valve against reflux. A full wrap is called Nissen, a partial wrap Toupet. Dr Raman Garg picks the one that suits your swallowing and reflux.
- Closure. Cuts are sealed with stitchless skin glue.
Operation time is about 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Read about the wider laparoscopic hernia surgery method.
Before surgery checklist
- Bring your endoscopy, barium and CT reports
- Tell us about blood thinners, sugar and BP tablets
- Stop smoking 2 weeks before if you can
- No food or drink 6 to 8 hours before, as advised
Day of surgery timeline
- Morning: you reach BGCI, reports are checked, and the cashless desk completes paperwork.
- Operation: about 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
- Recovery: you wake within an hour, sit up the same day, and most patients walk within hours.
- Discharge: most patients go home within 24 to 48 hours, as Dr Raman Garg advises.
Call +91 82641-60001 | WhatsApp your report | Book appointment
Call +91 82641-60001 WhatsApp your report Book appointmentRecovery timeline and diet
| Time | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Day 1 to 7 | Liquids, then soft food (dal, khichdi, curd, soups). Mild shoulder and swallowing discomfort is common |
| Week 2 to 4 | Soft diet widening to normal food in small portions. Chew well |
| Week 1 to 2 | Desk work and short walks |
| Week 4 to 6 | Heavy lifting begins slowly |
| Week 8 to 12 | Farm and labour work |
Food feels tight at first because the wrap is new. This eases over weeks. Avoid fizzy drinks, large bites and tight belts at first. Follow-up is by phone or video. See hernia surgery recovery.
Risks and how they are handled
Possible problems include trouble swallowing for some weeks, bloating, difficulty belching, infection, injury to nearby organs, a leak, and, in some patients, the hernia or reflux returning. Large hernias carry a higher chance of return. Anaesthesia risk depends on age and health.
We keep risks low with careful testing, tension-free repair, correct wrap size, a modern laparoscopic theatre, and one surgeon from consultation to follow-up. Call Dr Raman Garg directly if swallowing worsens, fever develops, or pain increases.
Cost of hiatal hernia surgery in Punjab
Hiatal hernia operation kitne ka hota hai? It costs more than groin or navel repair because the operation is longer and more skilled.
| Procedure | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiatal hernia repair with fundoplication | 90,000 | 1,30,000 | 2,00,000 |
| Large or complex abdominal wall hernia | 1,00,000 | 1,50,000 | 2,50,000 |
| Emergency (obstructed or strangulated) hernia surgery | 70,000 | 1,10,000 | 1,80,000 |
| Standard mesh (polypropylene), add-on | 3,000 | 8,000 | 15,000 |
| Composite, 3D or IPOM mesh, add-on | 15,000 | 25,000 | 40,000 |
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on the hernia type, size, number of sides, mesh used and your health.
See the full hernia surgery cost in Punjab page.
Insurance and cashless treatment
BGCI is empanelled with almost all major insurers and TPAs for cashless treatment: Aditya Birla Health Insurance, Niva Bupa, Digit Insurance, Care Health Insurance, Vidal Health TPA, ICICI Lombard, Raksha TPA, Future Generali, SBI General Insurance, Oriental Insurance, Liberty General Insurance, IFFCO Tokio, Cholamandalam MS, Medi Assist TPA, and almost all other major insurers and TPAs.
- Send your policy card and reports on WhatsApp.
- The insurance desk checks cover and arranges pre-authorisation.
- You are admitted and treated; the desk files the claim.
- At discharge the approved amount is settled directly.
Ayushman Bharat: call us with your card details and our insurance desk will tell you the same day how your card can be used. See hernia surgery insurance.
Facilities at BGCI
A good hospital for hiatal hernia needs endoscopy, a laparoscopic theatre, a lab and emergency support under one roof. BGCI offers:
- Modern laparoscopic operation theatre
- Advanced endoscopy and colonoscopy suite
- Fully equipped in-house diagnostic laboratory
- Comfortable patient rooms
- 24/7 emergency care support on +91 82641-60001
- Cashless insurance desk
- Stitchless laparoscopic technique with skin glue
- Same-day walking and discharge within 24 hours for most keyhole repairs
- One surgeon from consultation to follow-up
- Online pre-arrival consultation for NRI and out-of-town patients, with follow-up by phone or video
See the hernia hospital in Punjab page.
Why patients choose Dr Raman Garg
Dr Raman Garg is a Surgical Gastroenterologist and Laparoscopic Hernia Surgeon, one of the leading hernia surgeons in Punjab, with 20+ years of experience, 10,000+ laparoscopic surgeries and 1,000+ laparoscopic hernia repairs. He was among the first surgeons in Bathinda to perform complex hiatus hernia surgery, and is the first surgical gastroenterologist in the Malwa belt of Punjab. His gastro training matters here: he reads your endoscopy, understands your reflux, and operates himself.
MBBS (Government Medical College, Patiala); MS General Surgery (Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana); DNB Surgical Gastroenterology (Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai); Fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery; advanced laparoscopy training in Seoul, South Korea. Registered with the Dubai Health Authority as Physician Specialist, Gastrointestinal Surgery. Member, IAGES and AMASI.
Patients come from all Punjab districts, Haryana, Rajasthan and abroad. Meet him on the Dr Raman Garg page or see hernia surgery in Bathinda.
Patients we see from your area
About road distance from BGCI: Mansa 50 km, 1 hour | Sirsa 95 km, 2 hours | Patiala 125 km, 2 hours 30 minutes. All towns: areas we serve.
How to book
- Call or WhatsApp +91 82641-60001 (or +91 99885-03800) and send your reports.
- Visit OPD Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Sunday is emergency only.
- Dr Raman Garg examines you and gives your plan and cost range.
- Pick your date; cashless paperwork is handled for you.
Address: Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Power House Road, Near Street No. 10, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India. Email: bgcibathinda@gmail.com. Emergency care support 24/7. Reach us by road, by bus from the main bus stand, or by train to Bathinda Junction. Book appointment.
Call +91 82641-60001 | WhatsApp your report | Book appointment
Call +91 82641-60001 WhatsApp your report Book appointmentRelated pages
Laparoscopic hernia surgery | Complex hernia surgery | Inguinal hernia surgery | Hernia surgery in Punjab
Medically reviewed by Dr Raman Garg. Last updated: 8 November 2026. This page is general information; your plan is set after Dr Raman Garg examines you.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hiatal hernia?
It is a condition where part of the stomach slides up into the chest through the opening in the diaphragm. It often causes acidity, burning and regurgitation. You cannot see a lump, so it is found by endoscopy or barium swallow.
Hiatus hernia ka ilaj kya hai?
Chhote hiatus hernia ka ilaj dawai aur parhez se hota hai. Bada hernia ya dawai se na rukne wala reflux ho to dekhbhal ke saath keyhole operation (fundoplication) hota hai. Dr Raman Garg endoscopy aur barium dekh kar tay karte hain ki aapko operation chahiye ya nahi.
Does hiatal hernia need surgery?
Not always. Small sliding hernias often settle with tablets and habit changes. Surgery is advised for large or paraesophageal hernias, reflux that tablets do not control, swallowing trouble, bleeding or anaemia. Dr Raman Garg tests you and gives an honest recommendation.
How much does hiatal hernia surgery cost in Punjab?
Hiatal hernia repair with fundoplication typically costs Rs 90,000 to 2,00,000, with an average near Rs 1,30,000. Gap size, mesh and your health change the final figure. Dr Raman Garg gives you a clear range after examination, and cashless insurance may help.
What are the symptoms of a hiatal hernia?
Heartburn, sour water in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, belching, bloating, chest pain and breathlessness after meals are common. Have chest pain checked for the heart first. Sudden severe pain, repeated vomiting or black stools need hospital care the same day.
Hiatal hernia da operation kithe hunda hai Punjab vich?
Hiatal hernia da keyhole operation Bathinda vich Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute te Dr Raman Garg karde ne. Endoscopy te barium report WhatsApp te bhejo, fer OPD Monday ton Saturday, 10 vaje ton 5 vaje takk. Acidity di jad pata kar ke ilaj ditta janda hai.
What is fundoplication?
It is a step in the operation where the top of the stomach is wrapped around the lower food pipe to rebuild the valve that stops reflux. It is done by keyhole. Dr Raman Garg chooses a full or partial wrap based on your swallowing and reflux.
What can I eat after hiatal hernia surgery?
Start with liquids, then soft foods such as dal, khichdi, curd and soups for 2 to 4 weeks. Return to normal food in small portions, chew well, and avoid fizzy drinks at first. Dr Raman Garg gives you a written food plan before you go home.
Is hiatal hernia surgery safe?
Yes, in experienced hands it is a well-established keyhole operation. Risks include swallowing difficulty for some weeks, bloating and, in some patients, return of the hernia. Careful testing and an experienced surgeon lower these. Dr Raman Garg explains your personal risks beforehand.
Does insurance cover hiatal hernia surgery?
Many policies cover it cashless at BGCI, including Niva Bupa, Care Health and ICICI Lombard. The insurance desk arranges pre-authorisation. For Ayushman Bharat, call us with your card details and our insurance desk will tell you the same day how your card can be used.