General Surgery in Pune

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 Pune?

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 Pune. 

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 Pune

About Pune

Pune is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. With an estimated population of 3.13 million, it is the ninth most populous city in the country. Like many other cities in India, this city is a perfect blend of ancient and modern. It’s a thriving metropolis that still retains a few of its old buildings and residential areas. The city is famous for the Osho International Meditation Resort, an ashram founded by the late guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. There is a lot to see and do in this city that cannot be packed into a short weekend trip. Recently, many tourists visit the city for its medical treatments.

Pune’s is in sync with India’s fast-growing medical tourism. Domestic and foreign patients prefer the city to get the best healthcare. Medical cost is relatively cheaper here than in any other medical tourism country. The government is expanding this sector rapidly to drive a strong growth rate. With high-quality hospitals, infrastructure, and well-trained medical professionals, the city has a lot of contribution in helping India to be the number one medical destination in the world.

A wide range of medical treatments is available in Pune, from Breast Augmentation, Tummy Tuck, to Otoplasty. Columbia Asia Hospital Pune, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Center, and Apollo Jehangir Hospital are some of the best hospitals with the highest ratings.

Popular Areas in Pune

Pune has a lively nightlife and vibrant atmosphere due to its large student population. It’s sometimes called “Oxford of the East” because there are numerous colleges and institutes here. It is also well known for its hill forts that offer panoramic views, fantastic restaurants, and good museums. The city has a magnificent history of nearly 1600 years.

• Shaniwar Wada is a historical fortification situated at the very heart of Pune. Built in 1732, it was originally a seven-storied capital building of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire. It’s an amazing place for history buffs. Tourists can enjoy some live shows in the evening.
• Mahadji Shinde Chhatri has an extremely beautiful architecture that reflects the style used in Rajasthan. It is a memorial dedicated to the great soldier, Mahadji Shinde who served as the commander-in-chief of the Maratha army under the Peshwas for twenty years. The memorial consists of a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Pataleshwar Caves is a religious shrine that dates back to 700 – 800 AD. Located on Jungli Maharaj Road, the shrine has grand statues of Nandi, Sita, Ram, Lakshman, Lakshmi, Ganesh, and a big Shivalingam.
• Parvati Hill is the highest point in Pune. It offers a beautiful panoramic view of the city and is especially breathtaking during sunrise and sunset. The hill is home to four temples.
• Osho International Meditation Resort draws thousands of sannyasins since 1990. It is the perfect place to get some peace of mind. With various meditation techniques, the resort is suitable for those who want to indulge in some luxurious meditation. The resort has a swimming pool, sauna, spa, and guesthouse.

Weather and Climate in Pune

March to June is summer and the temperature can get really high during this season, with the highest temperature ever recorded is 43.3 °C (109.9 °F). The end of May usually experiences dusty winds. Humidity is also very high.

Monsoon or rainy season starts in June and last until October. There are moderate rainfall and the average temperature ranging from 22 °C to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F). July is the wettest month of the year with occasional Hailstorms.

Winter has the most pleasant weather. It starts from December to February. The average daytime temperature is around 26 °C (79 °F) and night temperature can drop to 5 °C to 6 °C (41 to 43 °F). Due to the pollution, the city’s winter temperature has warmed up by 6 degrees.

Getting Around in Pune

Pune International Airport is still the main airport in the city until the completion of the proposed Chattrapati Sambhaji International Airport. This airport has one terminal that serves both domestic and international flights. Major airlines such as Air India and budget airlines such as AirAsia India, GoAir, and IndiGo operate flights from this airport. The international flights connect the city with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Frankfurt.

To get to the city center from Pune International Airport, taxis, buses, auto-rickshaws, and car rentals are available. There are four bus lines that reach the city center: 24B, 102, 158 and 158A. A bus ride usually takes 45 minutes. Taxis are relatively affordable, there are pre-paid and metered taxis out on the arrivals area.

Tourists can use the PMPL City bus to get around Pune. Almost all parts of the city can be reached by the buses, but be aware that it can be very crowded and smoke-belching. The fare ranges from 5 INR to 22 INR. Auto-rickshaws are widely available within the city; there are metered and pre-paid auto-rickshaws. If you choose the metered one, always make sure that the drivers use the meter before getting in. Taxis are another nice option; the prices range between 7 INR/km to 20 INR/km. online hailing apps are also available. There are many car rentals and tourists can drive around the city, but there is a lot of traffic and bad driving in Pune.

Tourist Visas in Pune

All visitors, except citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, need to obtain and apply for a visa to enter India. Citizens of South Korea and Japan can apply for a visa on arrival. E-Visa is available for 150 nationalities. Tourists coming for medical treatment can apply for the medical attendant e-visa.

Passport must be valid for at least 180 days after your entry to India and should have at least two blank pages.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Indian rupee (INR) is the local currency. 1 USD converts to 70 INR.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widely available in Pune. Tourists can find many exchange services around the city. Credit and debit cards are accepted at several restaurants, hotels, and shops. It is advisable to always carry cash. Tipping is not mandatory; you can always tip 10 to 15 percent of the billed amount in restaurants.
3. Local Language: Marathi is the official language of Pune. Most people also speak Hindi. English is widely spoken especially in tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Most of the population follows Hinduism. Other religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism have significant presences in the city.
5. Public Holidays: Pune celebrates major religious holidays. The city also celebrates several annual festivals such as Pune Festival, The Eateries Food Fest, and Pune International Film Festival.