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 stitchless hernia surgery means
A hernia is a weak spot in the belly wall where fat or a loop of bowel pushes out. Think of the belly wall as a layered cloth sheet with one thin patch. In stitchless surgery, Dr Raman Garg makes three small cuts, each about 5 to 10 mm, and passes a camera and fine instruments through them. A mesh is laid over the weak spot from the inside. At the end, the skin edges are joined and sealed with medical skin glue. The glue forms a clear, waterproof film within minutes.
The word "stitchless" describes the skin. There is no thread on the surface, no knots to pull out and no visit on day 10 for stitch removal. Deeper layers are secured in the safest way for your body, which may include fine dissolving material or small fixation tacks. We explain this before you sign consent, so nothing surprises you.
Who gets it and what causes these hernias
Most adults with a groin hernia (inguinal), navel or belly button hernia, femoral hernia, or a hernia in the upper belly wall can have the keyhole stitchless method. It suits the farmer with a lump after lifting wheat bags, the shopkeeper who stands all day, the driver with a groin bulge, and the woman with a bulge near the C-section scar.
Causes are simple. Muscle weakness from age, a strain from heavy lifting, long-standing cough, constipation and straining, an enlarged prostate, obesity, pregnancy, or an earlier operation can all open a gap. Many patients never find one single reason, and that is normal.
Symptoms and when to worry
The usual signs are a soft lump that grows on standing or coughing, a dragging ache in the groin, heaviness by evening, or a bulge near the navel. Some men notice swelling that goes down into the scrotum. The lump often goes back when you lie down.
Go to a hospital the same day if the lump turns hard and will not go back, the pain becomes sudden and severe, you vomit, you have fever, the skin over the lump is red, or you pass no gas or stool. These signs can mean trapped bowel, which is an emergency. Read more on hernia symptoms.
How Dr Raman Garg checks if you qualify
The first step is a hands-on examination, standing and lying down. Dr Raman Garg checks the lump, the opposite side, and your general health. An ultrasound confirms the size and contents. A CT scan is added only when the picture is unclear, for example in a large or recurring hernia. Before surgery you need routine blood tests, an ECG and a chest X-ray.
| Item | 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.
For the full test guide see hernia diagnosis tests in Punjab.
Treatment options: belt, open repair or stitchless keyhole
Be honest with yourself about one fact: a hernia does not heal on its own, and no tablet, oil or exercise closes the gap. A hernia belt only holds the lump back for a while. It is a temporary support, not a cure. If you have no symptoms and a small hernia, Dr Raman Garg may let you watch it with regular checks. For most people, surgery is the real treatment.
Open repair uses one cut of 6 to 8 cm and is closed with stitches. The stitchless keyhole method uses three small cuts and skin glue. Both use mesh in most adults. Learn the differences on our open hernia surgery and laparoscopic hernia surgery pages.
The operation step by step
- Anaesthesia: usually general anaesthesia, so you sleep through it. Your anaesthetist explains the choice the day before.
- Three small cuts: one near the navel for the camera and two small ones for instruments. Gas gently lifts the belly wall to give a clear view.
- Finding the defect: Dr Raman Garg identifies the gap on the screen and gently returns the fat or bowel to its place.
- Mesh: a soft mesh is placed over the weak area and secured. Read about mesh hernia repair. Groin repairs follow the TAPP and TEP techniques.
- Closing: the gas is released and the skin edges are joined and sealed with skin glue.
The operation takes about 45 to 90 minutes for groin and navel repairs. Both sides of a groin hernia can be fixed through the same cuts.
Benefits of the stitchless technique
- No stitch removal visit. This matters if you live 100 or 200 km away.
- A waterproof seal, so you can shower carefully from the next day as advised.
- Small, neat cuts that fade over months.
- Less skin tightness and tugging than stitches.
- Walking within hours and home within 24 hours for most patients.
- Desk work in about 1 week, driving in 1 to 2 weeks.
We do not call any surgery painless. You will feel soreness at the cuts and sometimes shoulder ache from the gas, and simple medicines handle this well.
Limits: what skin glue cannot do
Glue is a skin closure, not a repair. The strength of the repair comes from the mesh and the surgeon's technique. Glue is not suitable if you are allergic to it, if the skin is infected, or if a wide open wound needs to be left for drainage. Very large or complex hernias, emergency surgery with trapped bowel, and some repeat operations may need a different plan, and Dr Raman Garg tells you that at the first visit. Fixing the hernia correctly matters more than the type of skin closure.
Before surgery checklist
- Bring all old reports, ultrasound films and medicine strips.
- Tell us about sugar, BP, heart disease, thyroid and blood thinners.
- Stop smoking and tobacco now. It slows healing.
- Follow the fasting time given by the anaesthetist, usually 6 to 8 hours.
- Shower and keep the area clean. Trim body hair only as advised.
- Bring one family member and your insurance card and ID.
Day of surgery timeline
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| Morning | Check-in, final check, consent, fasting confirmed |
| Operation | About 45 to 90 minutes under anaesthesia |
| 2 to 4 hours later | You sit up and walk with help |
| Evening | Light food, medicines, review by Dr Raman Garg |
| Next morning | Dressing check, advice, discharge for most patients |
Recovery timeline
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Walk at home, light food, rest |
| Days 2 to 3 | Soreness eases, shower as advised, glue stays on |
| Days 7 to 10 | Desk work in about 1 week, glue starts to peel |
| 1 to 2 weeks | Driving, glue falls off by itself |
| 4 to 6 weeks | Heavy lifting allowed |
| 8 to 12 weeks | Farm and labour work |
Do not pick or scrub the glue. It falls off on its own. More on hernia surgery recovery and pain after hernia surgery.
Risks and how they are handled
Every operation carries some risk. Possible issues include soreness, bruising, a fluid collection, a skin reaction to glue, infection, urine trouble after anaesthesia, or the hernia returning. Dr Raman Garg reduces these with careful technique, proper mesh placement, clean operation theatre practice and clear aftercare. If you notice redness, fever, pus, or a swelling that grows, call us the same day. We are reachable by phone or video throughout your recovery.
Call +91 82641-60001 | WhatsApp your report | Book appointment
Call +91 82641-60001 WhatsApp your report Book appointmentStitchless hernia surgery cost in Punjab
The skin glue is part of the keyhole operation and is not billed as a separate item. What sets your price is the type and size of the hernia, one or both sides, and the mesh.
| Item | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (TAPP or TEP), one side | 50,000 | 75,000 | 1,10,000 |
| Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, both sides | 70,000 | 1,05,000 | 1,60,000 |
| Umbilical or paraumbilical hernia, laparoscopic (IPOM) | 55,000 | 80,000 | 1,20,000 |
| Standard mesh (polypropylene), add-on | 3,000 | 8,000 | 15,000 |
| Composite, 3D or IPOM mesh, add-on | 15,000 | 25,000 | 40,000 |
| Open inguinal hernia repair with mesh, one side (for comparison) | 30,000 | 45,000 | 65,000 |
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.
Published ranges from Mohali and Chandigarh hospitals put laparoscopic repair at about Rs 45,000 to 1,20,000. Laparoscopic costs more than open because of equipment and mesh, yet patients return to work 1 to 2 weeks earlier. See the full hernia surgery cost in Punjab guide.
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.
- Send your policy card and reports on WhatsApp.
- The insurance desk checks cover and arranges pre-authorisation.
- You get approval before admission.
- After discharge, the desk completes the claim paperwork.
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. See hernia surgery insurance.
Facilities at BGCI
- Modern laparoscopic operation theatre with high-definition camera systems.
- Advanced endoscopy and colonoscopy suite for related stomach and bowel checks.
- Fully equipped in-house diagnostic laboratory, so reports come fast.
- Comfortable patient rooms for rest after surgery.
- 24/7 emergency care support on +91 82641-60001.
- Cashless insurance desk with pre-authorisation.
- Stitchless laparoscopic technique with skin glue and no stitch removal visit.
- 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 for a checklist of what a good hernia hospital should have.
Why patients choose Dr Raman Garg
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 holds an MBBS from Government Medical College, Patiala, MS General Surgery from Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, and DNB Surgical Gastroenterology from Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, with a Fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery and advanced training in Seoul, South Korea. He is registered with the Dubai Health Authority and is a member of IAGES and AMASI. He was among the first in Bathinda to perform laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery. Patients come from all Punjab districts, Haryana, Rajasthan and abroad. Read about Dr Raman Garg.
Patients we see from your area
Bathinda, Punjab, India is the base, and our patients travel by road, by bus from the main bus stand, or by train to Bathinda Junction.
- Hernia surgery in Mansa, about 50 km, 1 hr
- Hernia surgery in Talwandi Sabo, about 30 km, 45 min
- Hernia surgery in Sirsa, about 95 km, 2 hr
- Hernia surgery in Patiala, about 125 km, 2 hr 30 min
- Hernia surgery in Faridkot, about 65 km, 1 hr 20 min
- Hernia surgery in Muktsar, about 55 km, 1 hr 10 min
See all areas we serve.
How to book
- Call or WhatsApp +91 82641-60001 (or +91 99885-03800).
- Send your ultrasound report and a photo of the lump.
- Dr Raman Garg reviews it and tells you if the stitchless method suits you.
- Visit OPD Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM, at Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Power House Road, Near Street No. 10, Bathinda, Punjab 151001. Sunday is emergency only.
- Emergency care support is available 24/7 on +91 82641-60001.
Email: bgcibathinda@gmail.com. Or use book an appointment.
Related pages
Day care hernia surgery | Inguinal hernia surgery | Hernia surgery in Bathinda | Hernia surgery in Punjab | Hernia FAQs
Call +91 82641-60001 | WhatsApp your report | Book appointment
Call +91 82641-60001 WhatsApp your report Book appointmentMedically 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 stitchless hernia surgery?
It is a keyhole hernia repair where the skin is closed with medical glue instead of stitches. Three small cuts are used, a mesh strengthens the weak spot, and the glue seals the skin. You have no skin stitches to remove, and most patients walk within hours and go home within 24 hours.
Is stitchless hernia surgery safe?
Yes, when done by an experienced surgeon in a proper operation theatre. The repair strength comes from the mesh and technique, not from the skin closure. Skin glue is widely used for small cuts. Dr Raman Garg has done 1,000+ laparoscopic hernia repairs and checks every patient for glue allergy and skin condition first.
Hernia ka operation bina tanke ke ho sakta hai?
Haan, ho sakta hai. Keyhole method mein skin par tanke nahi lagte, cuts ko medical glue se band kiya jata hai. Isliye tanke nikalwane ke liye dobara aana nahi padta. Andar ki layers mein surgeon zaroorat ke hisaab se dissolving material ya tacks use kar sakta hai.
Does skin glue come off in water?
The glue is water-resistant, so a quick shower is usually fine after the first day or two as advised. Do not soak in a tub or pond, and do not scrub or pick it. It peels off by itself in about 1 to 2 weeks. Pat the area dry gently with a clean towel.
Who cannot have the stitchless method?
People with glue allergy, skin infection near the cuts, very large or complex hernias, or emergency surgery with trapped bowel may need a different closure or an open repair. Dr Raman Garg decides after examination. The aim is always the safest repair, whichever skin closure is used.
How much does stitchless hernia surgery cost in Punjab?
For one-sided laparoscopic groin repair, typical Punjab cost runs from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,10,000, with an average near Rs 75,000. Mesh and hernia type change the final bill. The glue is not charged separately. 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.
Hernia da operation kithe hunda hai, tanke ton bina?
Bathinda de Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute vich Dr Raman Garg keyhole hernia da operation skin glue naal karde ne. Tanke kadhan layi dobara aun di lod nahi. Mansa, Sirsa, Muktsar, Faridkot te hor shehran ton mareez WhatsApp te report bhej ke pehlan salah le sakde ne.
Is the stitchless method less painful?
Many patients say the skin feels less tight than with stitches, but no surgery is free of soreness. You may feel ache at the cuts and sometimes in the shoulder from the gas. Simple medicines control it, and most patients walk the same day.
Can both sides be done together?
Yes. Both groin hernias can be repaired through the same three cuts in one sitting, and the skin is sealed with glue. This avoids a second operation and a second recovery. Dr Raman Garg confirms after examination and ultrasound.
Will the hernia come back?
A hernia can return after any repair, whether open or keyhole. The risk depends on hernia size, mesh placement, smoking, obesity, heavy lifting too early and technique. Dr Raman Garg uses proper mesh and clear aftercare advice to reduce this, and you follow-up by phone or video.
Is stitchless surgery covered by insurance?
Yes, in most cases, as it is the same hernia operation. BGCI is empanelled with almost all major insurers and TPAs, and the insurance desk arranges pre-authorisation. Send your card and reports on WhatsApp before you travel, so cover is known in advance.
When can I drive and go back to work?
Most patients return to desk work in about 1 week and drive in 1 to 2 weeks, once they can brake without pain. Avoid heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks. Farm and labour work usually needs 8 to 12 weeks. Dr Raman Garg gives a plan for your job.