Skip to main contentEight plain questions to ask before you pick a gastro specialist for yourself or a family member. No rankings, no names, just what to look for.
Dr Harsh Shah
MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Gastro Surgeon · Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar · Gota OPD, Ahmedabad · 18 years of experience
Last updated: 4 October 2026
IN SHORT
Many digestive problems last for months or years. Acidity, fatty liver, colitis and gallstones all need a doctor you can return to and trust. The right specialist saves you repeated tests, wrong medicines and, sometimes, an operation you did not need.
This checklist does not tell you which doctor to choose. It gives you the questions to ask, so you can decide for yourself.
Both types of specialist treat many of the same problems with medicines and diet. The difference is that a surgical gastroenterologist can also offer an operation when it is needed. Read the full comparison: medical vs surgical gastroenterologist.
Degrees are usually printed on the doctor’s prescription pad and website. Use this table to read them:
| Degree | What it means |
|---|---|
| MBBS | Basic medical degree; every doctor has it |
| MD (Medicine) | Specialist in general medicine; first step for a medical gastroenterologist |
| DM or DrNB (Gastroenterology) | Super-specialist in medical gastroenterology |
| MS (General Surgery) | Specialist general surgeon; first step for a surgical gastroenterologist |
| MCh or DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology) | Super-specialist in operations on the food pipe, stomach, intestine, liver, gallbladder and pancreas |
To check registration, open the Indian Medical Register on the National Medical Commission website and search by name and state. A registered doctor will be listed with a registration number.
Swasth Parivar: twice a month, practical advice on recovery, diet and warning signs. No advertising. Stop any time.
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Write these down and take them with you. It is your right to ask:
If you have any of these, go to the nearest emergency department the same day, and choose your long-term doctor later:
Dr Harsh Shah is a surgical gastroenterologist with 18 years of experience (MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)). He sees patients at his Gota OPD on S G Highway and operates at Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar when surgery is needed. The OPD consultation fee is Rs 1,500. Second opinions are welcome. Read what to expect at your first visit, or see the surgical gastroenterologist in Ahmedabad page.
Every doctor in India must be registered with a state medical council or the National Medical Commission. You can search the Indian Medical Register on the NMC website by the doctor's name.
They help a little. Read what patients say about how clearly the doctor explained things and how they were treated. Do not choose on star ratings alone.
For long-term problems, yes, it helps. You may need several visits. For an operation, the doctor's training and the hospital matter more than distance.
Yes. A second opinion is normal, especially before an operation. A good doctor will not mind, and will share your reports with you.
For most problems, either can see you first. If a scan has found gallstones, a blockage, a hernia or a growth, a surgical gastroenterologist is the natural first stop.
OPD · Consultation
Shah’s Gastro, Cancer & Robotic Surgery Centre
SF-203, 2nd floor, Olive Greens, Gota, S G Highway, Ahmedabad 382481
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Hospital · Surgery
Apollo Hospital International Limited
Plot No. 1 A, GIDC Bhat Industrial Estate, Bhat, Gandhinagar
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Dr Harsh Shah, MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology). Call +91 63555 64601 · Ask on WhatsApp
Looking for a gastro specialist in Ahmedabad? Call the Gota OPD to book a consultation.
Swasth Parivar: twice a month, practical advice on recovery, diet and warning signs. No advertising. Stop any time.
Your number is used for these updates and for the clinic to reach you. It is never sold or passed on. To stop, reply STOP on WhatsApp.
