General Surgeon in Bangalore – Dr. Srihari R. Shapur

Understanding General Surgical Care

A general surgeon evaluates and treats a wide range of conditions affecting the abdomen, digestive system, and soft tissues — including hernias, gallstones, appendicitis, and several skin or soft-tissue growths. Not every condition a general surgeon sees ends in an operation.

Part of the job is diagnosis: working out what's causing a symptom, how serious it is, and whether surgery is actually the right next step. Many patients who consult a general surgeon are advised on non-surgical management first, with surgery reserved for cases where it's clinically appropriate.

A consultation, in other words, isn't a commitment to surgery — it's an assessment.

Understanding Laparoscopic Surgery

Procedures commonly performed laparoscopically include gallbladder removal, hernia repair, and appendix removal. Laparoscopic surgery may offer advantages for appropriately selected patients, such as smaller scars and a potentially quicker return to normal activity — but it isn't automatically the right choice for everyone.

Some conditions or patient factors make an open approach more appropriate, and this is decided case by case.

A hernia happens when tissue or an organ pushes through a weak point in the abdominal wall, often appearing as a bulge that may become more noticeable when standing, coughing, or straining. Inguinal (groin), umbilical (near the navel), and incisional (at a previous surgical scar) hernias are among the most commonly seen types.

Not all hernias need immediate surgery, but a hernia that's growing, painful, or that can't be pushed back in should be evaluated promptly. Where surgery is appropriate, it can usually be performed either laparoscopically or through an open approach, depending on the hernia's size and location.

Piles: Know the Symptoms and Available Treatments. Piles, or haemorrhoids, involve swollen blood vessels in the rectal area and commonly cause bleeding, itching, or discomfort during bowel movements. Rectal bleeding isn't always from piles, though — it can also result from fissures, infections, or other conditions, which is why a proper examination matters rather than self-diagnosis.

Treatment ranges from dietary changes and topical medication for early-stage piles to procedural or surgical options, including laser treatment, for more persistent or advanced cases.

Appendicitis usually presents as pain that starts near the navel and shifts to the lower right abdomen, often with fever, nausea, or loss of appetite. Because appendicitis can progress quickly and lead to complications if untreated, prompt medical assessment matters more here than with most other general surgical conditions.

If appendicitis is confirmed, surgical removal of the appendix (appendicectomy) is typically required.

Gallstones Treatment: Diagnosis, Care and Prevention. Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder and can cause pain — typically in the upper right abdomen — particularly after fatty meals. Some gallstones cause no symptoms at all and don't require treatment.

When gallstones are symptomatic or causing recurrent attacks, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder) is a commonly recommended and well-established procedure.

An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anal canal, usually causing sharp pain and light bleeding during or after passing stool. Fissures are often linked to constipation or straining.

Many fissures respond to conservative measures such as dietary fibre, stool softeners, and topical treatment. Fissures that don't heal with these measures may need a surgical or procedural approach.

An anal fistula is an abnormal tunnel that forms between the anal canal and the skin near the anus, often following an earlier abscess. It typically causes recurrent swelling, discharge, or irritation in the same area.

Because fistulas rarely resolve on their own, medical assessment is important, and surgical treatment is usually needed to close the tract and prevent recurrence.

A pilonidal sinus is a small tract or cavity that develops near the tailbone, sometimes becoming infected and causing pain, swelling, or discharge. It's more common in younger adults and those who sit for long periods.

A surgical consultation is generally advisable once a pilonidal sinus becomes symptomatic or recurrent, since infected sinuses tend not to resolve with home care alone.

Depending on individual presentation, general surgeons also evaluate conditions such as lipomas, cysts, abscesses, hydrocele, and certain breast-related and diabetic-foot-related surgical concerns. Circumcision-related surgical care may also fall under this scope. The right approach for any of these depends on individual examination and diagnosis.

When Should You See a General Surgeon?

It's worth booking a consultation if you notice:

• • Persistent abdominal pain, particularly if it's getting worse
• • A new or painful swelling anywhere on the body
• • A suspected hernia or a bulge that doesn't go away
• • Recurrent gallstone-type symptoms after meals
• • Persistent rectal bleeding
• • Pain during bowel movements
• • Recurrent swelling or discharge near the anus
• • A painful or infected cyst
• • Ongoing varicose vein discomfort
• • A condition your doctor has already flagged as potentially needing surgery

Not every symptom requires surgery. A consultation helps determine the underlying cause and the most appropriate treatment — which may or may not involve an operation.

What Happens During a Surgical Consultation?

A first consultation is usually straightforward and follows a predictable sequence:

1. A discussion of your current symptoms and how long you've had them
2. A review of your general medical history
3. A physical examination relevant to your symptoms
4. A look at any previous test reports or scans you bring along
5. Additional investigations if needed, such as an ultrasound or blood test
6. An explanation of the diagnosis and the treatment options available
7. If surgery is being considered, a discussion of what it involves, along with risks and recovery
8. Time for you to ask questions before deciding on next steps

The goal is for you to leave with a clear understanding of what's going on and what your options are — not to be rushed into a decision.

Why Choose Dr. Srihari R. Shapur?

Dr. Srihari R. Shapur holds an MBBS and an MS in General Surgery, along with a Diploma in Minimal Access Surgery (Laparoscopy) and a Fellowship in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopy. He is also FIAGES-certified (Fellow of the Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo Surgeons), reflecting additional focused training in laparoscopic and gastrointestinal surgical technique.

His practice spans general surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and proctology-related care, with an emphasis on explaining a diagnosis clearly before discussing treatment. He currently consults at Arc Cancer Hospital (Wilson Garden), Medax Hospitals (Gottigere), and Medax Hospitals (RT Nagar).

General Surgery in Bangalore

Patients across Bangalore consult general surgeons for a wide range of reasons — a hernia that's become uncomfortable, gallstone pain after meals, ongoing piles symptoms, a fissure that hasn't healed, or a swelling that needs a proper look. Because Dr. Shapur practises at locations in South and North Bangalore, patients from different parts of the city can access a consultation without necessarily needing to travel to a single central location.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Whether surgery is needed depends on several factors working together: the diagnosis itself, how severe or persistent the symptoms are, whether there are complications, your overall health and medical history, and how you've responded to any non-surgical treatment tried so far. Your surgeon weighs all of this during the clinical assessment.

It's worth being cautious about deciding on surgery — or ruling it out — based on internet research alone. A proper examination and, where needed, targeted investigations give a much clearer picture than symptoms read online.

ARC Cancer Hospital —Wilson Garden, Central Bangalore

Located near Hosur Main Road and Wilson Garden, ARC Cancer Hospital provides specialized gastrointestinal, laparoscopic, and oncological surgical care with advanced diagnostic and surgical support for complex cases.

Medax Hospitals Gottigere —South Bangalore

Conveniently located for patients from JP Nagar, Bannerghatta Road, Jayanagar, Hulimavu, Arekere, and Koramangala. The Gottigere facility provides advanced minimally invasive surgery, laser treatments, and daycare surgical procedures.

Medax Hospitals RT Nagar —North Bangalore

A fully equipped surgical center serving patients from Hebbal, Yelahanka, Malleswaram, Sadashivanagar, and Mathikere. The RT Nagar facility offers laparoscopic surgery, laser proctology, hernia treatment, gallbladder surgery, and emergency surgical care.