General Surgery in Mumbai

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 Mumbai?

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 Mumbai. 

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 Mumbai

About Mumbai

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is a big cosmopolitan city. It’s the wealthiest city in India with the highest number of millionaires and billionaires. It’s the perfect place for anyone who wants to immerse in tradition and modernity, as the city is a grand mixture of old and new. The city is also home to Bollywood, India’s film industry. Tourists flock to the city for its historical sites, amazing food, unique bazaar, and recently, for its medical tourism.

In line with India’s growing medical tourism, Mumbai has gained a lot of attention as a medical destination. In 2017, 27 percent of medical tourism activities in India took place in the state of Maharashtra. Armed with advanced medical technology, world-class doctors, hospitals with the highest-quality, affordable cost, and a wide range of healthcare, Mumbai is the leading city in the state with 80 percent of patients choose to have a medical procedure there.

Most hospitals are accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI) or National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH). Hospitals like Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Global Hospitals Mumbai, and Wockhardt Hospital South Mumbai are patients’ favorite. Among the most popular procedures are cosmetic and plastic surgery as well as eye surgery.

Popular Areas in Mumbai

Tourists are drawn to the city for various reasons. Some want to indulge in its energetic vibe, others want to be fascinated by its history.

• Gateway of India was built in 1924 and is the most valued structure in India. It’s located at the tip of Apollo Bunder, overlooking the Mumbai harbor. The structure is designed in Indo-Saracenic style with traces of Muslim architectural style. It was built to welcome King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai. Tourists can take a stroll and learn the history of this unique landmark.
• Siddhivinayak Temple will leave anyone in awe. Built-in 1801 by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil, it is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shri Ganesh. The temple evolved from a small place of worship to a grand temple. Politicians and Bollywood film stars frequently visit this temple. Tourists can find many interesting facts and cultural insight here.
• Elephanta Caves are a collection of cave temples mostly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. People visit to see its fine specimens of the ancient Hindu culture and tradition as well as for their rock-cut sculptures. The statue of Trimurti Sadasiva form of Lord Shiva is the most famous sculpture in this cave. The caves were named Elefante (morphed to Elephanta) by the colonial Portuguese because they found elephant statues on it.
• Marine Drives is an important destination for tourists visiting Mumbai. It’s a 3km long road in southern Mumbai which forms a natural bay. Its fantastic sunset view is very popular among locals and international tourists. People also come for its perfectly lined palm trees that offer scenic beauty.
• Film City is where most iconic scenes from India’s film were shot. It’s located near Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Goregaon East. With all the essential equipment and world-class facilities, it’s one of the largest indoor shooting facilities in India. This attraction offers tourists a world of wonder.

Weather and Climate in Mumbai

Mumbai has a tropical, wet, and dry climate. Summer starts approaching the city in late March and ends in May. It might not be the best time to visit since the temperature can get as high as 40 °C and the humidity can also be very high. If you can bear hot temperatures and high humidity, there are many festivals worth visiting during these months.

June to October is the monsoon season which sees continuous rain showers, making traveling more difficult. The temperature is not as high as the Summer.

Winter has the most pleasant weather. It starts in November and lasts until February. The temperature is not too hot or too cold and the humidity is very low, so tourists can enjoy many outdoor activities and sightseeing. The coolest month in Mumbai in January, with the temperature ranging between 13 °C to 30 °C.

Getting Around in Mumbai

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the main international airport in Mumbai. It’s the second busiest airport in India. The airport serves domestic and international flights to major cities in Asia and Europe. Budget airlines such as GoAir, flydubai, and AirAsia India.

Taxis, auto-rickshaws, and car rentals are available to travel from the airport to Mumbai’s city center. Taxis will take tourists around 25 minutes (depending on the traffic) to the city center. There are two taxi options; metered taxis and pre-paid taxis. Auto-rickshaws are metered and available from Terminal 1, they are cheaper than taxis. Car rentals are the best option if you want to have more flexibility and independence, you can rent directly at the airport.

There are various transportation modes to get around Mumbai. The local Train has 120 stops so you can get off on your nearest destination easily, trains start at 4.00am and stop at 2.00am. While the second class ticket is very cheap, it’s usually very crowded and uncomfortable. Tourists can buy a tourist ticket for 275 INR which allows them to travel in first class for the whole day.

The Mumbai Metro is a cheaper option, with the fares ranging from 10 to 40 INR. The train leaves every 4 minutes during busy hours and 8 minutes on non-busy hours. Buses in Mumbai are known as Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), they run from 5.00am to midnight.

Taxis are cheap and easy to find. The minimum fare is 21 INR for the first 1.5 km and then 1 INR for every 100 meters. Make sure to check the meter yourself before paying because some drivers are known to cheat. Auto-rickshaws are widely available, the base fare should be 18 INR and 1 INR to 2 INR for every 100 meters.

Tourist Visas in Mumbai

Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan are granted visa-free entry. Visa on arrival is available for citizens of Japan and South Korea. India provides e-Visa for 150 countries, the visa is valid for 60 days. If you come for medical treatment, you can apply for the medical attendant e-visa. Citizens of other countries are required to apply and obtain a visa to enter the country.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The local currency is the Indian rupee (INR). 1 USD is equivalent to 70 INR.
2. Money & Payments: tourists can find ATMs everywhere. Credit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants but it is advisable to always bring cash. Tipping is optional.
3. Local Language: Marathi is the state and city official language. Hindi is widely spoken. English is widely used in most places and many locals speak broken English.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Due to the growth of various communities and migrants, there are many religions in the city. Most people are Hindus, Muslims, Zoroastrians, Christians, Jains, and Buddhist.
5. Public Holidays: Mumbai celebrates almost all major religious holidays. The city hosts several annual festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi and Holi Festival.