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 laparoscopic hernia surgery?
A hernia is a weak spot or hole in the muscle wall of your belly. Fat or a loop of bowel pushes through it and you see a lump. The lump may come and go and usually grows slowly. It never heals on its own, because a muscle hole does not close by itself.
Laparoscopic surgery, also called keyhole surgery, fixes this hole from the inside. Dr Raman Garg makes three small cuts, each about 5 to 12 mm. Through one he passes a thin camera. Through the other two he passes fine instruments. Gentle gas lifts the belly wall so he sees clearly on a high-definition screen. He returns the hernia contents to their place, then covers the weak area with a mesh patch, like a patch on a tyre. Read more about mesh hernia repair.
The three main keyhole methods:
- TAPP: the surgeon enters the belly cavity, places mesh under a thin lining and closes the lining over it. Common for groin hernias, including both sides together.
- TEP: the surgeon works in the space between muscle and lining, without entering the main belly cavity. See TAPP vs TEP hernia repair.
- IPOM: a coated mesh is placed on the inner belly wall. Used for umbilical, epigastric, ventral and incisional hernias.
Dr Raman Garg picks the method after examination, so you do not have to choose. The technical page is TAPP and TEP hernia repair in Punjab.
Which hernias can be fixed by keyhole surgery?
Almost every belly-wall hernia can be repaired by laparoscopy when your health allows it.
| Hernia type | Where it shows | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Inguinal (groin), one or both sides | Groin, sometimes the scrotum | Inguinal hernia surgery |
| Femoral | Upper thigh crease, common in women | Femoral hernia surgery |
| Umbilical or paraumbilical (naabhi ka hernia) | Navel or beside it | Umbilical hernia surgery |
| Epigastric and ventral | Middle or upper belly | Ventral hernia surgery |
| Incisional (hernia after C-section) | Along an old scar | Incisional hernia surgery |
| Recurrent | Same site as before | Recurrent hernia surgery |
| Hiatal (hiatus hernia) | Food pipe and stomach junction | Hiatal hernia surgery |
Very large, complex or stuck hernias may need a larger cut. Dr Raman Garg tells you honestly. See complex hernia surgery and open hernia surgery.
Who needs it, and what causes a hernia?
You are more likely to get a hernia if you lift heavy loads (grain sacks, cement), strain with constipation, cough for long, strain to pass urine, are overweight, have had a C-section or other belly operation, or are older.
Keyhole surgery suits most of these patients. It helps especially if you have hernias on both sides, if a hernia came back after open repair, if you need to return to work fast, or if you are a woman who wants tiny cuts. It may not suit someone who cannot take general anaesthesia safely, so Dr Raman Garg checks your heart, sugar, BP and lungs first.
Symptoms and when to worry
- A soft lump in the groin, navel or old scar that pops out when you stand, cough or lift
- A dragging or burning ache, worse by evening
- Heaviness in the groin, or swelling that goes down into the scrotum
- Acidity and food sticking in the chest (hiatal hernia)
More on the hernia symptoms page.
Same-day hospital care is needed if: pain becomes sudden and severe, the lump turns hard and will not go back, you vomit, you get fever, the skin over it turns red or dark, or you pass no gas or stool. These can mean trapped bowel. Call +91 82641-60001 at any hour. See emergency hernia surgery.
How Dr Raman Garg diagnoses your hernia
Most hernias are found by examination alone. Dr Raman Garg checks you standing and lying down and asks you to cough. A scan is added only when the diagnosis is unclear, the hernia is large, or you have had earlier surgery.
| Step | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPD consultation | 500 | 700 | 1,000 |
| Ultrasound abdomen or groin | 600 | 1,000 | 1,800 |
| 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.
If you live far away, send reports on WhatsApp to +91 82641-60001 before travelling. See hernia diagnosis tests.
Treatment options: without surgery and with surgery
Hernia ko jad se khatam karne ka ek hi tarika hai: operation. Exercise, yoga, desi ilaj and oil massage do not close the hole. A hernia belt gives only temporary support and costs Rs 400 (starting), Rs 900 (average), Rs 2,500 (maximum). 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.
Watchful waiting is reasonable for some small, painless hernias, especially in older patients with other illnesses. But most hernias grow, and a trapped hernia becomes an emergency operation, which is riskier than a planned one. Read can hernia heal without surgery.
- Open repair: one 6 to 8 cm cut, 1 to 2 days in hospital, desk work in 2 to 3 weeks. Tested and cheaper.
- Laparoscopic repair: three small cuts, less pain, earlier return to work, and both sides fixed through the same cuts.
The keyhole operation step by step
- Anaesthesia. General anaesthesia, so you sleep and feel nothing. An anaesthetist stays with you.
- Three small cuts. One near the navel for the camera, two on the sides for instruments.
- Hernia returned. Fat or bowel is gently pulled back and the sac is separated.
- Mesh placed. A lightweight mesh covers the whole weak zone with a wide margin and is fixed with tiny tacks or glue where needed.
- Closure. The lining is closed over the mesh and the gas is released.
- Skin glue. Cuts are sealed with stitchless skin glue. No stitch-removal visit.
Operation time is about 45 to 90 minutes for most groin and umbilical repairs. See stitchless hernia surgery.
Before surgery checklist
- Bring old scans, reports and your medicine list
- Tell us about blood thinners, sugar tablets, insulin and BP medicines
- Stop smoking 2 weeks before if you can
- No food or drink for 6 to 8 hours, as the anaesthetist advises
- Bring one family member and loose clothes
Day of surgery timeline
- Morning: you reach BGCI, the nurse checks reports and the insurance desk completes paperwork.
- Operation theatre: about 45 to 90 minutes.
- Recovery: you wake within an hour. Most patients walk within hours.
- Discharge: home within 24 hours for most keyhole repairs.
Call +91 82641-60001 | WhatsApp your report | Book appointment
Call +91 82641-60001 WhatsApp your report Book appointmentRecovery timeline
| Time | What most patients can do |
|---|---|
| Same day | Walk, sit, drink, light meals |
| Day 2 to 3 | Move around home, mild pain controlled with tablets |
| Week 1 | Desk work |
| Week 1 to 2 | Driving |
| Week 4 to 6 | Heavy lifting begins slowly |
| Week 8 to 12 | Farm and labour work |
Follow-up is by phone or video. See hernia surgery recovery and return to heavy work after hernia surgery.
Risks and how they are handled
Possible problems include bruising, a small fluid collection near the repair, short-term urine difficulty, infection, injury to a nearby structure, and rarely the hernia coming back. Anaesthesia risk depends on your age and health.
We keep risk low with careful patient selection, a modern laparoscopic theatre, clean technique, correctly sized mesh and one surgeon from consultation to follow-up. If something looks wrong at home, you call Dr Raman Garg directly. See is hernia mesh safe.
Cost of laparoscopic hernia surgery in Punjab
Hernia operation kitne ka hota hai? Laparoscopic repair costs more than open because of equipment and mesh, but you return to work 1 to 2 weeks earlier. Mohali and Chandigarh hospitals publish open inguinal mesh repair at about Rs 25,000 to 60,000 and laparoscopic repair at about Rs 45,000 to 1,20,000. Big-city metro hospitals often charge more.
| Procedure | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open inguinal hernia repair with mesh, one side | 30,000 | 45,000 | 65,000 |
| Laparoscopic inguinal repair (TAPP or TEP), one side | 50,000 | 75,000 | 1,10,000 |
| Laparoscopic inguinal repair, both sides | 70,000 | 1,05,000 | 1,60,000 |
| Umbilical or paraumbilical, laparoscopic (IPOM) | 55,000 | 80,000 | 1,20,000 |
| Epigastric or ventral hernia repair | 50,000 | 78,000 | 1,15,000 |
| 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.
Full table: hernia surgery cost in Punjab.
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 handles the claim file.
- 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 hernia hospital needs a modern laparoscopic theatre, a lab, emergency support and an insurance desk. BGCI offers:
- Modern laparoscopic operation theatre with high-definition imaging
- 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, and 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 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.
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 | Faridkot 65 km, 1 hour 20 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
Inguinal hernia surgery | Umbilical hernia surgery | Hiatal 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 laparoscopic hernia surgery?
It is keyhole surgery that repairs a hernia through three small cuts using a camera and mesh. Dr Raman Garg returns the bulging tissue and covers the weak spot from inside. It usually means less pain, tiny scars and a faster return to work. Most patients go home within 24 hours.
Hernia ka operation kaise hota hai?
Hernia ka operation general anaesthesia mein hota hai. Dr Raman Garg teen chhote cut lagata hai, camera se hernia dekhta hai, andar ka hissa wapas karta hai aur mesh laga deta hai. Cut skin glue se band hote hain, isliye tanke nahi khulwane padte. Operation lagbhag 45 se 90 minute lagta hai.
How much does laparoscopic hernia surgery cost in Punjab?
One-sided laparoscopic groin repair typically costs Rs 50,000 to 1,10,000, averaging Rs 75,000. Both sides cost Rs 70,000 to 1,60,000. Mesh type, hernia size and your health change the final figure. Dr Raman Garg gives you a range after examination, and cashless insurance may cover much of it.
Is laparoscopic hernia surgery better than open surgery?
For many patients, yes. Keyhole repair means smaller cuts, less pain, a return to work about 1 to 2 weeks earlier, and both groin sides fixed together. Open repair remains a good, cheaper option for some. Dr Raman Garg recommends the method that suits your hernia and health.
Is hernia 100% curable?
Surgery is the cure, but no honest surgeon promises a result with no chance of return. Mesh repair by an experienced surgeon gives durable results for most patients. Without surgery the hole stays and usually grows. Careful lifting, weight and cough control lower the chance of recurrence.
Hernia da operation kithe hunda hai Punjab vich?
Hernia da laparoscopic operation Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Bathinda vich Dr Raman Garg kardey ne. Punjab de har district, Haryana te Rajasthan ton patient aunde ne. Pehla step WhatsApp te report bhejna hai, fer OPD Monday ton Saturday, 10 vaje ton 5 vaje takk.
Which hospital is best for hernia surgery in Punjab?
Choose by what a hospital offers, not by advertising. Look for a modern laparoscopic theatre, a surgeon with many hernia repairs, an in-house lab, emergency support and a cashless desk. BGCI Bathinda has all of these, and Dr Raman Garg has done 1,000+ laparoscopic hernia repairs.
Can a hernia be cured without an operation?
No. Belts, exercise and home remedies ease discomfort but cannot close the muscle gap. Only surgery repairs it. A small painless hernia can be watched on a doctor's advice, but if it grows, hurts or gets stuck, operation is the safe step.
Can I use my insurance or Ayushman card?
Many private policies work cashless at BGCI, from Niva Bupa and Care Health to ICICI Lombard and Medi Assist TPA. 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.
What are the warning signs to go to hospital today?
Go the same day if you have sudden severe pain, a hard lump that will not go back, vomiting, fever, red or dark skin over the lump, or no gas or stool. These can mean trapped bowel. Call +91 82641-60001 or go to the nearest emergency room.