Appendix pain usually starts as a dull ache around the belly button, then moves to the lower right side within 12 to 24 hours and becomes sharp. Fever, vomiting and loss of appetite often follow. Appendicitis needs a surgeon's opinion the same day. Dr Raman Garg treats it with keyhole surgery at Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Bathinda, Punjab, India.
What the appendix is and why it gets sick
The appendix is a small finger-shaped pouch attached to the start of the large bowel, on the lower right side of the belly. It has no job that you will miss. Trouble starts when its opening gets blocked by hard stool, a small stone of stool, or swollen glands after an infection. Germs then multiply inside, the pouch swells, and if nothing is done it can burst. That is why appendicitis is treated as an emergency and not as simple pet dard.
The pain pattern to watch
- Hours 0 to 12: vague pain or heaviness around the navel. Many people think it is gas and take an antacid.
- Hours 12 to 24: the pain shifts to the lower right belly and turns sharp. Walking, coughing or going over a speed breaker hurts.
- Along with the pain: loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, low fever, and sometimes constipation or loose motion.
- After 24 to 48 hours: high fever, a hard tender belly and sudden relief followed by worse pain can mean the appendix has burst.
Not everyone follows this script. Children, pregnant women and elderly people can have pain in unusual places, so do not wait for the textbook pattern.
Appendix pain or gas? A simple comparison
| Feature | Appendix pain | Gas or acidity pain |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Around the navel, then lower right | Upper belly or all over |
| Behaviour | Keeps rising, does not ease | Comes and goes, eases after passing gas |
| Movement | Worse on cough, walking, jumping | Little change with movement |
| Other signs | Fever, vomiting, no appetite | Burping, bloating, sour taste |
If you are not sure, treat it as appendix until a doctor says otherwise. Our page on pet dard ke karan aur ilaj lists other causes of belly pain.
How Dr Raman Garg confirms appendicitis
It starts with a careful hands-on examination of the belly. Then a blood count and an ultrasound of the abdomen are done. In unclear cases a CT scan is arranged with trusted imaging partners in Bathinda, and Dr Raman Garg reviews the report the same day. On ultrasound a normal appendix is usually 6 mm or less across. A reading above that, with tenderness and swelling around it, points towards appendicitis. Size alone does not decide, which is why the examination matters.
Treatment: surgery is the usual answer
The standard treatment is laparoscopic appendix removal (appendectomy). The surgeon makes three small cuts, passes a camera and fine instruments, and takes out the appendix. The skin is closed with stitchless skin glue. Most patients walk the same day, go home within 24 hours and return to desk work in about a week. Read how keyhole surgery recovery usually goes.
Antibiotics alone are sometimes tried in mild early cases, but the pain can come back and the surgeon has to judge this case by case. If the appendix has already burst or collected pus, surgery becomes more urgent. See our overview of laparoscopic surgery.
Appendix operation cost in Punjab, 2026
| Item | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic appendix removal (appendectomy) | 40,000 | 65,000 | 1,00,000 |
| Ultrasound abdomen | 600 | 1,000 | 1,800 |
| CT scan abdomen (if needed) | 3,500 | 6,000 | 9,000 |
| Pre-operative blood tests, ECG and chest X-ray | 1,500 | 2,500 | 4,000 |
OPD consultation Rs 500 to 1,000. Published ranges from Mohali and Chandigarh hospitals put appendix keyhole surgery at about Rs 30,000 to 1,00,000, and metro hospitals often charge more.
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on whether the appendix has burst or become infected, the type of anaesthesia, the number of tests needed, and your age and health.
Cashless insurance
Appendix surgery is usually an emergency, and cashless cover helps because you cannot plan the date. BGCI is empanelled with almost all major insurers and TPAs, including Aditya Birla Health Insurance, Niva Bupa, Digit Insurance, Care Health Insurance and Medi Assist TPA. The insurance desk arranges pre-authorisation, so your family can focus on you and not on paperwork.
When to see a doctor
Go to a hospital the same day if you or your child has belly pain that moves to the lower right side, with fever or vomiting. Do not take painkillers and wait; they can hide the signs. Red flag: a rock-hard belly, high fever or fainting needs the nearest emergency room first, then call BGCI on +91 82641-60001, which is staffed 24/7. A truck driver from Maur Mandi or a farmer from Mansa should start the drive to Bathinda as soon as the diagnosis is likely. See also Dr Raman Garg and our gastro treatment hub.
This page is general information; your plan is set after Dr Raman Garg examines you.