Quick answer
A general surgeon handles abdominal and soft-tissue surgery — hernias, gallbladder, appendix and similar. Physiotherapy after general surgery focuses on breathing exercises to prevent chest complications, getting mobile safely, and returning to lifting and activity without straining a repair.
General surgery covers the abdomen and soft tissue: hernias, the gallbladder, the appendix, lumps and swellings. The rehabilitation alongside it is quieter than orthopaedic rehabilitation but it matters, particularly for older patients and anyone who was unwell before the operation.
When to see one
- A hernia — a lump in the groin or abdomen, particularly if it is growing
- Gallstones, or repeated pain after fatty meals
- Sudden severe abdominal pain (this is usually an emergency)
- A lump or swelling that needs assessing
- Referred by a physician for a surgical opinion
How physiotherapy fits
Breathing. After abdominal surgery people breathe shallowly because deep breaths hurt, and shallow breathing is how chest infections start. Simple breathing exercises taught before or immediately after the operation substantially reduce that risk, and they matter most for older patients and smokers.
Getting moving. Early, safe mobilisation reduces the chance of clots and speeds recovery. Doing it with someone who knows how to move you without straining the repair is the difference between confident and frightened.
Getting back. Returning to lifting after a hernia repair needs a graded plan. Guessing is how repairs fail.
Where to see one
Our physiotherapy units run inside multi-speciality hospitals and nursing homes across West and South West Delhi — in Vikaspuri, Janakpuri, Uttam Nagar, Najafgarh and Dwarka — most of which run consultant clinics in this speciality. If you are already under our care, ask your therapist and we will tell you who holds a clinic at the centre you attend and how to get an appointment.
We are a physiotherapy and rehabilitation practice. We do not employ these consultants and we take no fee for pointing you at one; we work alongside them because most of our patients need both.
Need the physiotherapy side?
Book an assessment and we will tell you what rehabilitation can do, and whether you need a doctor first.
Book an assessment