I went to India to Apollo Hospital and Dr. Vijay Bose was my surgeon.
It turned out my bones were very strong and could take hip resurfacing
instead of the hip anthroplasty he had previously suggested.
I am on Day 10 post op and things are going fine. I'm still in India-
spending time at Fisherman's Cove Resort before flying back to the States. The
surgery was successful. I saw an x-ray and it looks good. The doctors also
thought so. I was given some exercises by a team of physiotherapists to
strengthen my muscles and relearn walking correctly. I had severe bone on bone
osteoarthritis and walked with a serious limp and was pretty much in constant
pain.
I am a performer (theatre, teaching artist and storyteller - whatever) so
that was starting to take its toll on me. I'm not a big meds person so I took no
painkillers. I just did stretches (yoga, pilates and balance ball mostly)
everyday to keep going. I'm into exercise. Anyway they started me with a walker
the day after surgery and about 2 days later I was learning to walk with two
elbow crutches. I've started walking with one crutch plus all of the exercises
given me by the physiotherapists at the hospital. The doctor said each person's
recovery is different.
The entire experience was very good. Apollo Hospital has a new Platinum Ward
especially for international patients. We were treated extremely well. My mother
came with me and another bed is provided in the room for a companion. They have
to pay for their own food and water however. It was also just interesting to be
in India. In Chennai the traffic was serious and lots of horn beeping. You do
hear the traffic from the room. I live in New York City so it didn't bother me
but the nurses said it did bother other patients. You have a choice of food from
different parts of India as well as continental cuisine. I love Indian food but
overdid it the first week. The hospital kept close watch on that as well. I
would occasionally have visits from the dietician who was most helpful.
You're not supposed to fly for at least 11 days after surgery so I went to
Fisherman's Cove Resort. The resort is absolutely beautiful - on the Bay of
Bengal which empties into the Indian Ocean. The people here are used to dealing
with international clients and are most attentive and friendly. Plus at the
resort there are opportunities for facials and massages and several different
kinds of cuisine as well as walks by the pool and on the grounds. I even
ventured up to the Watch Tower which overlooks the beach. It's quite lovely.
I have no insurance but I do understand there are ways insurance can pay for
the procedure. The entire trip including the surgery costs less than just the
surgery alone would cost in the States. I feel healthy, relaxed and confident my
recovery will continue quite smoothly. After 6 weeks the doctor suggested
swimming/water therapy and cycling on a stationary bike - both of which I'm
looking into. I will probably look into some gentle yoga classes as well but
we'll see.
Joy
