Dr. Rajesh Khullar

Transforming Lives Through Surgical Innovation

When you meet Dr. Rajesh Khullar, you’re not just meeting a surgeon with nearly four decades of experience—you’re meeting a visionary who has helped reshape surgical care in India.

“Surgery isn’t just about technique—it’s about giving patients their lives back with minimal disruption,” Dr. Khullar often tells his students, a philosophy that has guided his remarkable 39-year journey.

As Senior Director at Max Institute of Laparoscopic, , and Bariatric Surgery in Saket, Dr. Khullar brings both warm bedside manner and technical brilliance to each patient interaction. Colleagues describe him as “meticulous yet compassionate”—a rare combination that explains why patients travel from across the country to seek his expertise.

The Pioneer’s Journey

Dr. Khullar’s story begins with humble roots. After completing his MBBS at the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College and MS in General Surgery at PGI Chandigarh, he joined Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in 1985 as a Junior Consultant—not knowing he would one day help transform Indian surgical practices.

“In those early days, laparoscopic surgery seemed almost futuristic,” he recalls with a smile. “We were learning something new every day.”

His mentorship under Dr. K.C. Mahajan from 1985-1995 shaped his surgical philosophy, followed by a 25-year collaboration with Dr. Pradeep Chowbey that cemented his reputation as a laparoscopic innovator.

Changing Lives, One Surgery at a Time

What truly sets Dr. Khullar apart is his gift for connecting complex surgical innovation with real human impact.

“I remember one patient—a school teacher who had struggled with obesity for 20 years,” he shares. “Six months after bariatric surgery, she brought me a photo of herself hiking with her students—something she never thought possible. That’s why we do this work.”

His special expertise includes:

• Transformative hernia repairs using groundbreaking extra-peritoneal techniques
• Life-changing bariatric procedures for patients battling obesity and diabetes
• Advanced gallbladder and hepatobiliary surgeries with minimal recovery time
• Nearly invisible single-incision laparoscopic procedures
• Specialized thoracoscopic and thyroid surgeries that leave patients asking, “Was there really a surgery?”

Leading From the Front

Today, Dr. Khullar shapes his field through leadership roles as:

• President of the Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society of India
• President of the Hernia Society of India
• Joint Secretary of the Asia Pacific Hernia Society
• Executive Member of the Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endosurgeons

“Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about raising the standard of care for all patients across India,” he emphasizes.

Passing the Torch

Perhaps most telling about Dr. Khullar’s character is his dedication to teaching. Between surgeries, you’ll find him mentoring young surgeons, contributing to medical literature, or developing educational resources.

His legacy includes co-authoring two editions of “Endo Hernia Repair,” producing 15 educational CD-ROMs on minimal access surgery (released by President K.R. Narayanan himself in 2002), and serving as faculty for prestigious institutions nationwide.

“The techniques I’ve helped develop mean little if they don’t outlive me,” Dr. Khullar reflects. “Teaching is how we ensure tomorrow’s patients receive even better care than today’s.”

Whether you’re a patient seeking life-changing surgical care, a medical student inspired by surgical innovation, or a hospital administrator looking for visionary leadership, Dr. Rajesh Khullar represents the perfect blend of technical excellence and genuine human connection that defines truly exceptional healthcare.