Dr. Prashanth Rao

Dr. Prashanth Rao is a Director and Senior Consultant in Surgical Gastroenterology with over 34 years of clinical experience. He is widely recognised as a pioneer in Advanced Minimal Access Surgery, bringing together expertise in upper gastrointestinal, colorectal, bariatric, hepato-biliary, and thoracic procedures. His qualifications include MS from Mumbai University (1st Rank), FRCS from Edinburgh, DNB, MNAMS, and fellowships in Minimal Access Surgery (FMAS) and Advanced Laparoscopy (FALS), complemented by specialist training in laparoscopic surgery from France.

Dr. Rao has mastered single-port and advanced laparoscopic techniques, performing complex cases including Whipple procedures, pancreatectomy, liver tumor surgery, and anti-reflux interventions. He has delivered over 200 presentations at national and international conferences and authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications alongside 3+ book chapters on laparoscopic surgery. His technical innovations and educational contributions have earned him the Best Laparoscopic Surgeon (Maharashtra) award at the International Health Summit in 2017, as well as recognition for best laparoscopic videos at prestigious conferences including MASICON and ELSA/IAGES Asia Pacific.

Based at Gleneagles Hospital in Parel, Mumbai, Dr. Rao regularly treats international patients from the Gulf countries, Africa, and South Asia who seek his expertise in bariatric and minimal-invasive gastrointestinal surgery. He maintains a calm, patient-centred approach, taking time to explain complex surgical options and recovery timelines. Many overseas patients choose his care for weight loss surgery, hepato-biliary cancer interventions, and complex reflux or colorectal conditions.

Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai is a multi-specialty acute care centre with state-of-the-art laparoscopic operating suites, dedicated hepato-biliary units, and ICU facilities equipped to manage post-operative care. The hospital attracts international patients with its NABH accreditation, English-speaking medical staff, and established international patient coordination team. Dr. Rao is a Founder Member of the Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India and the Indian Chapter of the International Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Association, reflecting his standing in the surgical community.

International patients should know that Dr. Rao offers pre-operative video consultations to discuss surgical strategy, cost estimates, and travel logistics. Post-operative follow-up is coordinated through Gaf Healthcare's telehealth platform, allowing seamless monitoring from home. Treatment timelines range from same-day discharge for simple laparoscopic cholecystectomy to 5–7 days for major hepato-biliary or bariatric cases.