Answer box: A second opinion means asking another specialist whether you really need the operation you were advised, and whether there is a better way. Dr Raman Garg, surgical gastroenterologist at Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute in Bathinda, Punjab, India, reviews your reports, examines you and gives a plain answer: surgery, medicines, or watchful waiting. You can start on WhatsApp from home.
Why a second opinion before surgery is a sensible step
Surgery is a big decision. It costs money, takes you away from work or the field, and cannot be undone. Asking a second doctor is not disrespect to the first one. It is what careful families do before any major step, the same way you would check a second dealer before a tractor.
A second opinion can end in three ways. First, the surgeon agrees, and you go ahead with more confidence. Second, a different, less invasive route is possible, for example keyhole instead of open surgery. Third, surgery can wait or is not needed at all. All three results are useful.
Dr Raman Garg is a surgical gastroenterologist, meaning a stomach, gut, liver, gallbladder and pancreas specialist who also operates. He can weigh medicines, scope tests and surgery together, because he does all of them.
When you should get a second opinion
- You were told to operate soon, and you feel rushed
- The diagnosis is unclear, or two doctors said different things
- You were advised open surgery and want to know if keyhole is possible
- The operation is major: cancer surgery, bowel surgery, hiatal hernia repair or pancreas surgery
- The surgery is for a problem with no symptoms, such as stones found by chance on ultrasound
- Medicines or earlier treatment failed and you were told the only choice is surgery
- You live far away and want clarity before travelling, paying or taking leave
- The cost quoted feels too high or unclear
Example: a 52 year old shopkeeper from Muktsar had a gallbladder stone found on an ultrasound done for a routine check, with no pain. He was told to operate within the week. A second opinion looked at his symptoms, his reports and his diabetes, and gave him a clear plan, not a rushed one.
Red flag, do not wait for an opinion: severe belly pain with fever, vomiting blood, black stool, a hard swollen belly, or yellow eyes with fever are emergencies. Go to a hospital the same day and call +91 82641-60001. See gastro emergency in Bathinda.
Common surgeries people ask us about
| Advised surgery | What we look at | Possible outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Gallbladder removal | Symptoms, stone size and number, attacks, ultrasound | Surgery now, planned surgery, or watch if no symptoms |
| Hernia repair | Size, pain, type, risk of trapping | Repair, or watch for small painless hernias |
| Piles or fissure surgery | Grade, bleeding, diet and medicine response | Medicines and diet first, or procedure |
| Fistula surgery | Course of the tract on scan | Planned surgery, with the exact type explained |
| Appendix removal | Pain pattern, fever, scan | Surgery or antibiotics with follow-up, as the case allows |
| Hiatal hernia or reflux surgery | Endoscopy, pH study, response to medicines | Surgery only if medicines fail or damage is clear |
| Colon or stomach cancer surgery | Biopsy, scan, stage | Confirm the plan, or suggest changes in approach |
| Bowel blockage surgery | Scan, response to drip | Watch with drip, or operate |
Read more: gallbladder removal surgery, hernia surgery with laparoscopic hernia surgery in Punjab, piles treatment, colon cancer surgery, GI cancer surgery and intestinal obstruction surgery.
How the second opinion works, step by step
- Send your papers on WhatsApp. Photos or PDFs to +91 82641-60001 or +91 99885-03800: the first doctor's notes, ultrasound, CT or MRCP reports, endoscopy and colonoscopy reports, biopsy report, blood tests and the list of medicines.
- Short review. Dr Raman Garg's team checks that nothing is missing and tells you what else, if anything, is needed. We do not ask for repeat tests that you already have.
- Consultation. Visit OPD, Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Out-of-town and NRI patients can have an online pre-arrival consultation first.
- Examination. Dr Raman Garg examines you himself. A report alone never tells the whole story.
- Clear answer. He tells you in plain words what is wrong, whether surgery is needed, the options, the risks, the likely recovery and the cost.
- You decide. There is no pressure. You may go ahead with us, go back to your first doctor, or wait. Follow-up is by phone or video if you are away.
What to bring
- All reports and films (ultrasound, CT, MRCP, endoscopy, colonoscopy, biopsy)
- The first doctor's prescription or surgery advice letter
- Blood reports and a list of current medicines, including sugar, blood pressure and blood thinners
- Past surgery or discharge papers
- Insurance card and Aadhaar
- One family member, if possible
How Dr Raman Garg reviews your case
He starts with your story: pain pattern, food triggers, weight loss, bleeding, earlier treatment and other illnesses. He examines the belly. Then he reads the reports himself, not just the conclusion line. Where needed, a few tests are added. Imaging tests like CT, MRCP and HIDA are arranged with trusted imaging partners in Bathinda, and Dr Raman Garg reviews the report the same day. Blood tests, stool tests and biopsy reports are handled by our in-house laboratory and partners.
| Item | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPD consultation (also second opinion) | 500 | 700 | 1,000 |
| Ultrasound abdomen | 600 | 1,000 | 1,800 |
| Upper GI endoscopy (gastroscopy) | 2,000 | 3,200 | 5,000 |
| Colonoscopy, diagnostic | 4,500 | 7,000 | 12,000 |
| CT scan abdomen | 3,500 | 6,000 | 9,000 |
| MRCP (bile duct and pancreas scan) | 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.
You only pay for tests that add something new. If your reports are recent and complete, the second opinion may need nothing beyond the consultation.
When surgery is not needed
Honest answer: many people do not need the operation they were told about, or do not need it yet. Gallstones that cause no symptoms are usually watched. A small hernia with no pain can be watched with advice. Early piles often respond to diet, fibre and medicines. Reflux is treated with medicines and lifestyle first. A partial gut blockage may settle with a drip. And when surgery is needed, we say so clearly and explain why. See our acid reflux and GERD and stomach pain pages for medicine-first care.
If surgery is the right answer: what it costs here
If Dr Raman Garg agrees that you need surgery, you can compare the cost with what you were quoted. These are typical Punjab ranges.
| Surgery | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic gallbladder removal, planned | 40,000 | 65,000 | 1,00,000 |
| Laparoscopic gallbladder removal, difficult or after an attack | 60,000 | 90,000 | 1,40,000 |
| Laparoscopic appendix removal | 40,000 | 65,000 | 1,00,000 |
| Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, one side | 50,000 | 75,000 | 1,10,000 |
| Piles surgery | 35,000 | 55,000 | 85,000 |
| Anal fissure surgery | 28,000 | 40,000 | 65,000 |
| Fistula surgery | 35,000 | 55,000 | 85,000 |
| Hiatal hernia repair with fundoplication | 90,000 | 1,30,000 | 2,00,000 |
| Colon cancer surgery | 1,00,000 | 1,80,000 | 3,00,000 |
| Stomach cancer surgery (gastrectomy) | 1,50,000 | 2,50,000 | 4,00,000 |
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on the type of procedure chosen, whether there was an infection or attack, stage of disease, anaesthesia type and your age and health.
Published ranges from Mohali and Chandigarh hospitals put gallbladder keyhole surgery at about Rs 40,000 to 90,000, appendix keyhole surgery at about Rs 30,000 to 1,00,000 and piles surgery at about Rs 35,000 to 85,000. Metro hospitals often charge more. Keyhole costs more than open surgery because of equipment, but patients go home sooner and return to work earlier. Cancer drug treatment is not part of the surgery figures. Full list: gastro treatment cost in Bathinda.
Insurance and cashless
BGCI is empanelled with almost all major insurers 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 on WhatsApp along with your reports.
- The insurance desk checks your cover.
- If surgery is advised, the desk arranges pre-authorisation.
- After treatment, the claim is settled with the insurer as per 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. See cashless insurance for gastro treatment.
Facilities at BGCI
- Modern laparoscopic operation theatre
- Advanced endoscopy and colonoscopy suite
- Fully equipped in-house diagnostic laboratory
- CT, MRCP and other scans arranged with trusted imaging partners in Bathinda, reports reviewed by Dr Raman Garg the same day
- 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 surgeries
- One surgeon from consultation to follow-up
- Online pre-arrival consultation for out-of-town and NRI patients; follow-up by phone or video
Why patients choose Dr Raman Garg for a second opinion
- 20+ years of experience; 10,000+ laparoscopic surgeries, including 1,000+ laparoscopic hernia repairs
- 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 of IAGES and AMASI
- First surgical gastroenterologist in the Malwa belt of Punjab
- He judges the case, not the commission: you get one honest plan, from the doctor who would operate
Know more about Dr Raman Garg and the surgical gastroenterologist in Bathinda role.
Patients we see from your area
Many second opinions begin on WhatsApp from home and end with a single visit. Patients write from Rampura Phul (30 km, 40 min), Mansa (50 km, 1 hr), Muktsar (55 km, 1 hr 10 min) and Barnala (70 km, 1 hr 30 min), and also from Sirsa, Fazilka and the Ludhiana side. See all areas we serve.
How to book
- WhatsApp your reports to +91 82641-60001 or +91 99885-03800.
- Choose a day: OPD Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Sunday is emergency only.
- Address: Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Power House Road, Near Street No. 10, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India.
- Email: bgcibathinda@gmail.com. Emergency care support is available 24/7 on +91 82641-60001.
- OPD consultation Rs 500 to 1,000.
This page is general information; your plan is set after Dr Raman Garg examines you.
Related pages
Gastro treatment hub | Gastro doctor in Bathinda | Gastro hospital | Laparoscopic surgery | Book appointment
Read next: Gastroenterologist vs gastro surgeon and Laparoscopic surgery benefits and recovery.
Medically reviewed by Dr Raman Garg. Last updated: 8 November 2026