Direct answer: In Punjab in 2026, laparoscopic (keyhole) gallbladder removal typically costs Rs 40,000 to 1,00,000 when planned, with an average of about Rs 65,000. If it is done after an attack or is technically difficult, it runs Rs 60,000 to 1,40,000. Dr Raman Garg at Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Bathinda, Punjab, India, explains what decides your number.
The price table
| Item | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy), planned | 40,000 | 65,000 | 1,00,000 |
| Laparoscopic gallbladder removal, difficult or after an attack | 60,000 | 90,000 | 1,40,000 |
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on gallstone size and number, whether there was an infection or attack, and your health.
The word "typical" matters. Two patients with the same "pathri ka operation" can have different bills, and the sections below show why. If you want the full price list for other gastro problems, see gastro treatment cost in Bathinda.
What goes into the surgery cost
When you hear a figure for a gallbladder operation, it usually bundles several things:
- The surgeon's fee for the keyhole operation.
- The operation theatre, laparoscopic equipment and disposable instruments.
- Anaesthesia, given by a separate anaesthetist.
- Medicines and injections during and after surgery.
- The biopsy report on the removed gallbladder, which is sent to the lab as a routine safety step.
Before surgery you also need tests, which are separate rows on the bill:
| Test | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPD consultation | 500 | 700 | 1,000 |
| Ultrasound abdomen | 600 | 1,000 | 1,800 |
| Pre-operative blood tests, ECG and chest X-ray | 1,500 | 2,500 | 4,000 |
| Liver function test (LFT) | 400 | 600 | 1,200 |
| MRCP (bile duct and pancreas scan), only if needed | 4,000 | 7,000 | 12,000 |
| Biopsy report (histopathology), per sample | 800 | 1,500 | 3,000 |
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on the number of tests needed and your health.
Blood tests, LFT and biopsy are handled through our in-house laboratory. Scans like MRCP are arranged with trusted imaging partners in Bathinda, and Dr Raman Garg reviews the report the same day.
Why one patient pays Rs 45,000 and another Rs 95,000
Five things move the figure up or down.
- Stone size and number. One small stone is simple. A gallbladder packed with many stones, or one that is thick-walled and stuck to nearby tissue, takes longer and needs more skill.
- Planned versus after an attack. If you wait until a gallbladder attack with fever or infection, the organ is swollen and the surgery is harder. That is why the second row in the table is higher. Planning the surgery in a calm period is cheaper and safer.
- A stone in the bile duct. If a stone has slipped into the main bile duct, extra scans and extra steps may be needed.
- Age and other illnesses. A 65 year old with diabetes, blood pressure or a heart condition needs more checks before and after surgery than a healthy 35 year old.
- Type of anaesthesia and technique. These are decided for your safety, not for a bigger bill.
Take a woman from Giddarbaha who finds one stone on a routine scan and has no pain. Her planned surgery sits near the starting figure. Compare a man from Dabwali who ignored pain for a year and reaches the hospital with fever and swelling. His surgery falls in the difficult row. Same gallstone, different timing, different cost.
How Punjab prices compare with Mohali and Chandigarh
Published ranges from Mohali and Chandigarh hospitals put keyhole gallbladder surgery at about Rs 40,000 to 90,000, and higher for emergency cases. Metro hospitals often charge more. So the Punjab figures above sit in the same band, and patients from Bathinda and the Malwa belt save the travel to Chandigarh and the cost of staying away from home for a week of follow-up visits.
Keyhole surgery costs more than the old open operation because of the equipment. In return, most patients walk the same day, go home within 24 hours, and return to work earlier. For a daily wage worker or a farmer in season, those saved days matter as much as the rupee figure.
Pit ki thaili ke operation me kitna kharcha aata hai?
Seedha jawab: Punjab me planned laparoscopic operation ka kharcha lagbhag Rs 40,000 se 1,00,000 hota hai, aur average Rs 65,000 ke aas paas. Attack ke baad ya mushkil case me Rs 60,000 se 1,40,000. Is me jaanch ka kharcha alag hota hai. Pehle ultrasound aur Dr Raman Garg se milna sabse zaroori kadam hai.
Using cashless insurance for gallbladder surgery
Most patients with a health policy pay little or nothing at the counter. Our insurance desk is empanelled with Aditya Birla Health Insurance, Niva Bupa, Digit Insurance, Care Health Insurance, ICICI Lombard, Medi Assist TPA and almost all other major insurers and TPAs. The process has four steps:
- Share your policy card and reports on WhatsApp +91 82641-60001.
- Our desk checks cover and sends pre-authorisation to your insurer.
- Surgery is done once approval comes, usually without you chasing anyone.
- After discharge, the desk completes the final 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. More detail is on our cashless insurance page.
How to avoid paying more than you need to
- Get an ultrasound early if you have pain after fatty meals. Do not wait for an attack.
- Bring all earlier reports to the first visit, so tests are not repeated.
- Ask for a written list of tests and the surgery plan before you decide.
- Use your insurance. A policy bought even a few years ago may cover this surgery once the waiting period is over.
- If your report is from another city, send it on WhatsApp for an online opinion before travelling. Dr Raman Garg gives pre-arrival consultations to out-of-town and NRI patients.
When to see a doctor (red flags)
Book an OPD visit if you have repeated pain in the upper right belly after meals, bloating with fatty food, or a gallstone on a scan.
Same-day hospital care is needed for pain lasting more than 4 to 6 hours, fever with chills, yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, or repeated vomiting. These point to infection or a blocked bile duct. Call +91 82641-60001, which is answered 24/7 for emergencies.
This page is general information; your plan is set after Dr Raman Garg examines you.
Medically reviewed by Dr Raman Garg | Last updated: 8 November 2026