General Surgery in Delhi

General surgery is a surgical specialty that deals with a wide range of common ailments on almost any part of the body but typically focuses on treating diseases and injuries of the abdomen, including the esophagus, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, liver, appendix, gallbladder, and bile ducts. It also deals with diseases that involve the breasts, skin, soft tissue, digestive system, and endocrine system glands. 

Despite the term “general,” general surgeons are highly skilled surgeons. They can be found practicing many types of surgery, but they may also specialize in a type of surgery, such as treating cancer, which requires the skill to perform procedures on multiple areas of the body. 

Some common surgeries that are performed by general surgeons are as follows:

• Appendectomy.
• Breast surgery for cancerous and non-cancerous tumors, including breast biopsy, lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery or partial mastectomy), and mastectomy. 
• Colon and rectal surgery, including colectomy, colostomy, and hemorrhoidectomy.
• Esophageal surgery, including esophagectomy, acid reflux surgery, and excision of an esophageal lesion.
• Gastroenterology procedures, such as gastric bypass surgery, upper GI endoscopy, and liver biopsy.
• Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy).
• Hernia repair.
• Varicose vein removal.
• Thyroid removal.
• Transplant, such as kidney and liver transplantations.
• Spleen removal.
• Wound repair.

How Long Should I Stay in Delhi?

Your length of stay depends on the type of surgery you underwent. In general, you should wait for at least seven to ten days before you travel home, sometimes extending to 14 days. During your stay, you will need to rest as much as possible and let your body recover. In some cases, your surgeon may schedule a follow-up visit to evaluate your healing and, if needed, remove any stitches.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time can be different from one person to another, depending on the type of surgery you have and your general health. Anytime you have some sort of incision, you will have to wait until that incision has healed completely until you can go back to your full normal routine. Your surgeon will give you an idea of how long your recovery time can take. It can take a few weeks until you are allowed to return to work, and you may need to gradually increase your activity level until you can resume all of your normal activity.

What Aftercare is Required?

To speed your recovery time and avoid complications, it is important to follow the instructions you are given. Even a simple instruction, such as no baths after your surgery, may not seem meaningful, but your surgeon would not instruct it without good reason. You will need to have regular checkups after your surgery, but you can typically choose to have the checkups with your local doctor at home if you cannot make multiple travels to Delhi. 

What's the Success Rate?

With new techniques, advanced technology, and extensive experience of general surgeons, the success and safety rate for general surgery continues to increase. For example, general surgeons can now use laparoscopic techniques or perform robot-assisted surgery to minimize the risk and increase the success rate of surgery. These new techniques are possible thanks to continuous research and advancement in general surgery. Still, no surgical procedure is risk-free. All types of surgery generally carry the risk of bleeding, infection, and damage to other organs. 

Are there Alternatives?

There is typically no alternative to general surgery. However, if your doctor suspects that you need a specific specialist for your disease or injury, they will refer you to the relevant specialist. 

General Surgery in and around Delhi

Introduction

Delhi is officially known as the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). It is home to the capital of India, New Delhi. With a population of over 18 million, it is the second most populous city in the country. The city is brimming with vibrant modern life but also still steeped in history. People come to the city for its cultural richness and gastronomic scene.

Recently, Delhi has emerged as a medical tourists’ favorite destination. It’s the perfect place for those who seek low cost high-quality, world-class healthcare. India continues to expand its medical tourism sector with Delhi as one of the top hubs for medical facilities. Among the leading hospitals in Delhi are Max Super Specialty Hospital, Apollo Hospital Indraprastha, and BLK Super Specialty Hospital. Breast Augmentation and heart surgery procedures are two of the most popular procedures in the city. Patients come to Delhi for the following reason:

• State of the art medical facilities with international and local accreditation
• Skilled doctors, many of which trained in the UK
• English speaking doctors and staff
• Wide range, cost-effective procedures
• Traditional healthcare therapies and practices such as Ayurveda and yoga

Popular Areas in Delhi

Delhi is overflowing with enchanting history and colorful modern life. The city is made of layers of history, temples, monuments, markets, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many tourists come to witness its charm and discover its hidden treasures. Go to Old Delhi and visit the Red Fort where a load of people fell in love with its beautiful structure influenced by Islamic, Persian, Hindu, and Timurid traditions. Learn Islamic history in one of the largest mosque in India, Jama Masjid. Shop in Chandni Chowk Market, the largest shopping hub in Delhi. Pay your respect in Raj Ghat, a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.

There is also New Delhi, India’s capital, where you can stroll around India Gate, a war memorial that was inspired by the Arc de Triomphe. Humayun’s Tomb, the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun, is also worth a visit for anyone who loves history. Don’t forget to go to the Gandhi Museum (Gandhi Smirti) to learn more about the leader of Indian independence’s life. Tourists can also visit an enthralling historical site known as Purana Qila. In your spare time, you can shop in Janpath Market and Sarojini Market.

South Delhi has many sites to enjoy such as the unique Lotus Temple, the soaring tower of victory Qutab Minar, and the thriving nightlife of Hauz Khas Village. This district also has a famous shopping paradise including Dilli Haat, Shahpur Jat, GK 1 N-block market, and Dastkar Nature Bazaar.

Weather and Climate in Delhi

Delhi has a high variation of temperature between summer and winter. Summer in Delhi can get really hot with an average temperature of around 32°C. The season starts in April to June and the temperature can reach as high as 46°C. It is advisable to avoid this season if you’re planning to do a lot of outdoor activities. The monsoon starts in late June to mid-September. The temperature usually falls to an average of 29°C, but it’s rainy and humid.

The temperature plummets during winter, ranging between 6°C to 7°C. This season starts in November and lasts until March. October to March is the best time to visit Delhi because the weather is neither too hot or too cold.

Getting Around in Delhi

Indira Gandhi International Airport, located 16 km from New Delhi city center, is the busiest airport in India. This airport serves domestic and international flights that connect the city with almost every country across the globe. Terminal 1 is used by budget airlines such as IndiGo and SpiceJet, while Terminal 3 is mainly used for international operations and several domestic flights.

The city center can be reached by bus, airport taxi, and metro. The bus is the most affordable option although it can be very crowded. Taxi is a good way to travel but always use licensed taxis such as WTi Cabs, Meru, and Mega Cabs. App-based taxis like Ola and Uber is another choice of travel. The fastest way to travel to Delhi’s city center is by The Delhi Metro. The travel time is less than 25 minutes and should cost around 10 INR to 60 INR.

There are several transportation modes to get around Delhi. The Delhi Metro is the best option to travel around because it offers comfort and fast travel. Taxis are widely available in the city. The easiest way to call a taxi is by the Ola app. It’s usually cheaper to use Ola than a local taxi stands.

For shortstops, opt for auto rickshaws. They’re affordable and easy to find. Make sure to negotiate the fare before getting in because most drivers will refuse using the meter. The drivers are also known to overcharge foreign visitors. Driving around Delhi is not recommended since the traffic can be time-consuming and there is a lot of bad driving. You can always hire a local driver if you want to get around by car.

Tourist Visas in Delhi

Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan can enter India without a visa. Citizens of Japan and South Korea can apply for a visa on arrival. Citizens of 150 countries can apply for e-Visa which is valid for 60 days. There are medical and medical attendant e-visas for tourists who come for healthcare. Other nationalities are required to apply and obtain a visa before entering the country.

All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 180 days after their entry to India and should have at least two blank pages.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: the official currency is the Indian rupee (INR). 1 USD converts to 70 INR.
2. Money & Payments: Major currencies such as US dollars, euros, and pounds sterling are easy to change throughout the city. The easiest way to exchange money is by using ATMs. Some shops, restaurants, and hotels will accept credit cards. It is advisable to always carry cash since a lot of places still accept cash only. Restaurants sometimes add a 10% service fee to the bills.
3. Local Language: Hindi is the official language of Delhi. Urdu and Punjabi are widely spoken. Most people will be familiar with English. Many young people shop keepers, and tour guides can speak English very well.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The major religion is Hinduism, followed by Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Judaism.
5. Public Holidays: The city celebrates major religions (Hindus, Muslims, and Christians) holidays. The city hosts many festivals all year round such as The Grub Fest, The Palate Fest, and Holi Festival.