Incisional Hernia Surgery in Punjab: Hernia After C-Section or Any Abdominal Operation

Last updated 2026-11-08 · Medically reviewed by Dr Raman Garg · Punjab, India

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An incisional hernia is a bulge that forms on the scar of an earlier operation, most often after a C-section, hysterectomy, gallbladder, appendix or bowel surgery. Dr Raman Garg, a laparoscopic hernia surgeon at Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Bathinda, Punjab, India, repairs it with mesh, mostly by keyhole.

20+ years | 10,000+ laparoscopic surgeries | 1,000+ hernia repairs | Cashless insurance | OPD Mon to Sat 10 AM to 5 PM

What is an incisional hernia? (pet ke operation ke nishan par hernia)

Your belly wall is a sheet of muscle and tough tissue. When a surgeon cuts it, the cut is stitched and heals into a scar. Sometimes that scar stays weaker than the muscle around it. Pressure from inside the belly then pushes a part of the intestine or the fatty layer through the weak spot. The result is a soft bulge under or beside your old scar. That bulge is an incisional hernia.

Picture a patched tyre. The patch holds for years, but if one edge lifts, air pushes out there first. Your scar is the patch. The bulge grows slowly, and it is usually more visible when you stand, cough or lift.

Body diagram description for the page image: a side view of the belly wall with a horizontal old scar. Layers are labelled skin, fat, muscle sheath and the gut inside. A gap in the muscle sheath under the scar shows a loop of intestine pushing outward.

This condition is also called a ventral hernia at a scar, or hernia after operation. Many people search for it as "hernia after C-section" or "pet ka hernia". If you also have a hernia that is not on a scar, see our page on ventral hernia surgery.

Who gets it and what causes it

An incisional hernia can appear 3 months after surgery or 10 years later. It can follow any cut on the belly. The most common stories we hear in Punjab are these:

• A woman had a C-section 5 to 15 years ago and now sees a bulge above or below the scar, often after a second or third pregnancy.
• A man had an operation for appendix, gallbladder or an intestinal blockage and the scar has slowly bulged.
• A farmer or labourer went back to heavy work too early after a belly operation.
• A patient had a wound infection after surgery, and the scar healed badly.

The main risk factors are:

• Wound infection or pus after the first operation.
• Obesity and a large belly that keeps pulling on the scar.
• Diabetes, which slows healing.
• Smoking and tobacco chewing.
• Chronic cough, constipation or an enlarged prostate that make you strain.
• Lifting heavy weight in the first 6 to 8 weeks after surgery.
• Repeated pregnancies and repeated belly operations through the same scar.
• Long-term steroid medicines and poor nutrition.

It is not your fault, and it is not caused by one wrong movement. It is a healing problem that shows up over time.

Symptoms and when to worry

Most people first notice a lump near the scar. Other signs are:

• A bulge that becomes bigger when you stand, cough or strain and shrinks when you lie down.
• A dragging or pulling feeling near the scar, worse by evening.
• Dull ache or burning at the scar after lifting or long work.
• Skin over the bulge that looks stretched or thin.
• Belly bloating and mild constipation in larger hernias.

When to worry. Go to a hospital the same day if the lump becomes hard and will not go back, pain becomes sudden and severe, you vomit, you have fever, the skin turns red or dark, or you pass no gas or stool. These are signs that the bowel is trapped. Call +91 82641-60001, our 24/7 emergency care support line. Read more on our emergency hernia surgery page.

How Dr Raman Garg diagnoses an incisional hernia

Dr Raman Garg first looks at you standing and lying down. He asks you to cough and gently presses on the scar. Most incisional hernias are clear on this examination alone. He also asks about your earlier operation, wound infection, diabetes, smoking and your work.

Then he decides which tests you need:

• Ultrasound shows the gap in the muscle layer and what lies inside the bulge.
• CT scan is advised for large, multiple or recurring defects, or when the bulge is not clear on examination. It tells us the exact size of the gap and the space available for the mesh.
• Blood tests, ECG and chest X-ray check that you are fit for anaesthesia.

You can send your old reports and scan pictures on WhatsApp at +91 82641-60001 before you travel. Dr Raman Garg reviews them and tells you if you need to bring anything else.

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.

Treatment options: without surgery and with surgery

Honest answer first: an incisional hernia does not heal by itself. No medicine, oil, massage, yoga or desi ilaj closes a gap in the muscle. If you search "hernia bina operation theek hota hai kya", the true answer is no, but there are things you can do while you wait.

Watchful waiting. A small, painless hernia in an older or very unwell patient may be watched for some time. You need regular checks, weight control, no smoking and no heavy lifting. The hernia can still grow, so this is a decision made together with Dr Raman Garg.

Hernia belt. An abdominal binder gives temporary comfort and support. It does not repair anything. You can read more in our blog does a hernia belt work.

Surgery. Repair with mesh is the standard treatment. Stitching the scar alone, without mesh, has a higher chance of the hernia returning, so mesh is advised for nearly every incisional hernia. We explain the types in our blog on no-mesh hernia repair and the safety of mesh in is hernia mesh safe.

There are three ways to do the operation:

Dr Raman Garg chooses the method after he sees the size of your defect, your earlier scars and your health. See our general page on laparoscopic hernia surgery and mesh hernia repair for the basics.

The operation step by step

Here is what happens in a typical keyhole repair. Most patients follow this path.

• Anaesthesia. You get general anaesthesia. An anaesthetist stays with you throughout.
• Three small cuts. Dr Raman Garg makes three cuts of about 5 to 10 mm on the side of the belly, away from the old scar. A camera and thin instruments go through them.
• Freeing the scar. Intestine or fat stuck to the old scar is freed gently. This step takes care and time, because earlier surgery causes sticking (adhesions).
• Measuring the gap. The defect is measured from inside. The mesh is chosen to overlap the gap on all sides, generally by 4 to 5 cm.
• Closing the gap where possible. When the gap can be brought together safely, it is closed with strong sutures first. This reduces the bulge and helps the mesh sit well.
• Mesh placement. A composite mesh, coated on one side so that it is safe against the gut, is laid over the defect and fixed in place.
• Skin closure. The small cuts are closed with skin glue. There are no stitches to remove, so you do not need a stitch-removal visit.

The operation usually takes about 60 to 120 minutes, depending on the size of the gap and the adhesions. A large or complex hernia takes longer. If a keyhole approach is not safe in your case, Dr Raman Garg will tell you before surgery that an open repair is the better choice. This is done for safety, not as a failure of the plan.

Before surgery checklist

• Bring all earlier operation notes, discharge papers and scan reports, especially of your C-section or earlier surgery.
• Stop smoking and tobacco at least 4 weeks before the date. It improves healing.
• If you have diabetes, bring your sugar readings. Good control lowers the chance of wound trouble.
• Tell us about blood thinners, aspirin, BP and thyroid medicines. Dr Raman Garg tells you which to continue.
• Lose a little weight if you can. Even 3 to 5 kg helps.
• Treat a cough, constipation or urine problem before surgery.
• Eat light the night before and follow the fasting time given by the anaesthetist.
• Arrange one family member to stay with you.
• Keep your insurance card, ID and policy papers ready.

Day of surgery timeline

Large defects may need 1 to 2 days in the hospital. Dr Raman Garg tells you this in advance.

Recovery timeline

Some swelling and a firm ridge near the mesh for a few weeks is normal. A binder may be advised for comfort. Follow-up is by phone or video, so you do not have to travel again for a routine check. For more, see hernia surgery recovery.

Risks and how they are handled

Every operation has risks. Incisional hernia repair is a bigger operation than a simple groin repair, because of adhesions and a wider defect. The main risks are:

• Fluid collection (seroma) under the skin. It is common, usually settles by itself, and is drained only if it is large or painful.
• Infection of the wound or mesh. We use clean technique, antibiotics at the right time and glue closure. Good sugar control and no smoking lower the risk.
• Bowel injury while freeing adhesions. This is rare. It is the reason this surgery should be done by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon in a hospital with proper backup.
• Pain at the tacker sites or the mesh edge for some weeks. Medicines and gentle activity help.
• Bleeding from the abdominal wall.
• Hernia coming back. No technique removes this risk fully. It is lower with mesh, good overlap, a healed body and slow return to heavy work.

Dr Raman Garg explains every risk that applies to you before you sign consent, in plain words. If you notice fever, redness, pus, a rising swelling or vomiting after you go home, call us the same day on +91 82641-60001.

Incisional hernia surgery cost in Punjab

The cost depends on the size of the gap, the surgery method, the mesh and your health. Here are typical Punjab figures for 2026.

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.

Most keyhole incisional repairs use a composite mesh, so plan with the mesh add-on row. Laparoscopic repair costs more than open repair because of the equipment and the special mesh, but you usually return to work 1 to 2 weeks earlier. Published ranges from Mohali and Chandigarh hospitals put hernia repair at higher levels for laparoscopic work, and big-city metro hospitals often charge more. For the full table, visit hernia surgery cost in Punjab.

Insurance and cashless treatment

BGCI is empanelled with almost all major insurance companies and TPAs for cashless treatment, including 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.

How cashless works:

• Send your insurance card and reports on WhatsApp, or bring them to OPD.
• Our insurance desk checks your policy and sends the pre-authorisation request.
• The insurer approves, usually before your admission date.
• After surgery, we settle the approved amount with the insurer. You handle only the items outside your policy.

Ayushman Bharat: call us with your card details and our insurance desk will tell you the same day how your card can be used. Full details are on our hernia surgery insurance page.

Facilities at BGCI

A good hospital for incisional hernia repair should have a modern laparoscopic theatre, an anaesthetist with abdominal surgery experience, a diagnostic lab and emergency backup if something unexpected happens. BGCI covers all of these:

• Modern laparoscopic operation theatre with high-definition cameras for safe work around adhesions.
• Advanced endoscopy and colonoscopy suite, useful when bowel symptoms need a check before surgery.
• Fully equipped in-house diagnostic laboratory, so blood tests are quick and reports come the same day.
• Comfortable patient rooms where your family can stay with you.
• 24/7 emergency care support on +91 82641-60001.
• Cashless insurance desk that arranges pre-authorisation.
• Stitchless laparoscopic technique with skin glue, so you skip the stitch-removal visit.
• Same-day walking and discharge within 24 hours for most keyhole repairs.
• One surgeon from consultation to follow-up. The doctor you meet in OPD is the surgeon who operates and checks you later.
• Online pre-arrival consultation for NRI and out-of-town patients. Share reports on WhatsApp, and follow-up is by phone or video.

More about the hospital is on our hernia hospital in Punjab page.

Why patients choose Dr Raman Garg

Incisional hernias are the hernias surgeons respect, because the wall is weakened, scars are in the way, and a poor first repair can lead to a harder second one. Experience matters here.

Dr Raman Garg is a Surgical Gastroenterologist and Laparoscopic Hernia Surgeon with 20+ years of experience, 10,000+ laparoscopic surgeries and 1,000+ laparoscopic hernia repairs. He is one of the leading hernia surgeons in Punjab, and patients come to him from all Punjab districts, Haryana, Rajasthan and abroad.

His training: MBBS from Government Medical College, Patiala; MS General Surgery from Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana; DNB Surgical Gastroenterology from Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai; Fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery; advanced laparoscopy training in Seoul, South Korea. He is registered with the Dubai Health Authority as Physician Specialist, Gastrointestinal Surgery, and is a member of IAGES and AMASI. He was among the first surgeons in Bathinda to perform laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery and complex hiatus hernia surgery, and is the first surgical gastroenterologist in the Malwa belt of Punjab.

His approach: he explains your options clearly, tells you honestly when surgery can wait, and does not push a bigger operation than you need. Read more on Dr Raman Garg's profile.

Patients we see from your area

Patients with hernia after C-section or other surgery come to BGCI, Bathinda, from across the region. The nearest towns include Mansa (about 50 km, 1 hr), Talwandi Sabo (about 30 km, 45 min), Giddarbaha (about 45 km, 1 hr), Muktsar (about 55 km, 1 hr 10 min), Malout (about 60 km, 1 hr 15 min), Faridkot (about 65 km, 1 hr 20 min), Barnala (about 70 km, 1 hr 30 min), Sirsa (about 95 km, 2 hr), Sangrur (about 95 km, 2 hr) and Patiala (about 125 km, 2 hr 30 min). We also see patients from Dabwali, Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar, Abohar, Fazilka, Firozpur, Amritsar and the Mohali-Zirakpur belt. Browse all towns on areas we serve.

If you live far away, you can send your reports on WhatsApp first. Dr Raman Garg tells you by video or phone whether the trip is needed and what to bring. You can reach Bathinda by road, by bus from the main bus stand, or by train to Bathinda Junction.

How to book

• Call or WhatsApp +91 82641-60001 (or +91 99885-03800).
• Send photos of the bulge and your old operation papers and scans.
• Choose a visit day. OPD is Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Sunday is emergency only.
• Meet Dr Raman Garg, get examined and plan tests and surgery dates.
• Our insurance desk handles pre-authorisation if you have cover.

Address: Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute (BGCI), Power House Road, Near Street No. 10, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India. Phone and WhatsApp: +91 82641-60001 | +91 99885-03800 Email: bgcibathinda@gmail.com Emergency: 24/7 emergency care support, call +91 82641-60001.

Book online on our book appointment page. Local patients can also see hernia surgery in Bathinda.

Related pages

• Ventral hernia surgery for epigastric, paraumbilical and other belly wall hernias
• Recurrent hernia surgery if your hernia came back after a repair
• Complex hernia surgery for very large or difficult defects
• Hernia surgery in Punjab, our main hub
• Blog: hernia after C-section

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.