Kevin of California Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Bose 2013
Kevin of California Hip Resurfacing with Dr. Bose 2013
Surgery Date: April 11, 2013
Age: 51 years old
Physician: Dr. Bose
Hospital: Apollo Hospital, Chennai, India
RECOMMENDATION – Words cannot adequately express what a life changing experience my hip resurface has been . I am now 8 months post surgery and enjoying all the sports and physical activities that I’ve always loved , with absolutely no limitations . A year ago I was at the complete opposite end of the spectrum. I had literally ground to a halt with severe bone-on-bone cartilage deterioration and a lack of viable options had me backed into a corner. Any solution involving the US medical system w as going to be time consuming , extremely costly, and there was a good chance I would not even be partially covered if our insurance company categorized my condition as ‘pre-existing.’
Fortunately, there was a much better remedy available. The more research I did, the more positive feedback I found regarding the BHR Birmingham Hip Resurface in general , and regarding Dr. Bose, specifically. I contacted Dr. Bose through Healthbase Online, and a month later I was already back home and well on my way to recovery . Dr. Bose helped to develop the BHR prosthesis at Oxford University in the mid 90 ‘s and has performed more than 25 00 successful hip resurface surgeries. However, the procedure has only been FDA approved in the US since 2006. The total cost of my trip to India to have surgery with Dr. Bose, one of the top three physicians in the world at performing this unique hip repair procedure, was only a fraction of what I would have spent in the US to be operated on by a less experienced surgeon, even with medical insurance coverage!
Every single person I met along my medical journey; from the Apollo Hospital staff to the Healthbase booking agents, from the nurses (especially the nurses) to Mr. Mohan the hospital coordinator, from the Ma who ran the kitchen to the young man who cleaned my room each day. Every single person did their job to the highest standard with genuine caring and concern for my well being. If I rang my call button at 3:00 am, I could only count to ‘three Mississippi ‘ before a nurse popped her head in the door to see what I needed . The suite they put me in was very large, with a spare bed for a companion, marble floors and countertops , refrigerator, television, and Wi-Fi access. Dr. Bose , or his distinguished protégé Dr. Prajit, would visit every day to assess my progress. Whenever I had a question, they were readily accessible and I would always receive a timely answer.
After 5 days post surgery I moved across the street to the brand new and reasonably priced Rain Tree Hotel. It is a beautiful hotel with great food and a relaxing spa . I spent the remainder of my stay there until I was cleared to fly back to the US . While at the hospital, I befriended another hip resurface patient. We hired a car from the hotel for several excursions to purchase gifts for our wives and visit historic churches and temples . It was like being on vacation only better, because my trip to Chennai held the promise of a full return to health and mobility. It turned out to be the best medical decision I have ever made.
ADDED BENEFITS – Prior to my hip resurface, I had suffered from chronic low back pain. A neurosurgeon here in the US attempted to treat the symptom by performing a discectomy on my lumbar spine, which failed within a year. I now believe the cause of my back problem stemmed from a laterally tilted pelvis due to my collapsed hip. Since my resurface surgery, my hips are now level and the lumbar spine seems to have regained it s natural, symmetrical alignment. Not only is my back pain completely gone , but also the severe pain I had radiating down my shin to my outer ankle. I t appears my hip had been the source of all these related ailments and I am now completely pain free for the first time in a decade!
NOTES FOR FUTURE TRAVELERS – To speed healing and ease the path for those who follow
The physical therapy specialists at Apollo are terrific. They will instruct you in a series of rehab exercises. Follow the PT exercises religiously . As soon as you ‘re cleared to get in the water, work out in a pool as much as you can for the first couple of months. The water allows you to be weightless while strengthening and regaining range of motion.
The pain post surgery was not bad at all. Gentle self-massage around the areas of soreness reduced swelling and really sped up the healing process. Of course you should avoid rubbing directly on the incision site until it is fully closed up.
Initially, I had some muscle cramping that w as easily cleared up with a calcium/magnesium powdered supplement available in most health food stores. The supplement also helped me to sleep deeply, further promoting healing.
Apollo Hospitals form a network of wellness centers around the world staffed with qualified physicians of various disciplines. While I was waiting to be cleared for my flight home, I saw a couple of other specialists to address medical issues that I ‘d been putting off in the US due to the exorbitant cost of treatment. It was effortless, inexpensive, and I found the other doctors all to be very good at what they do.
Before making the trip, set up Face time or Skype with your loved ones back home. It will seem as if they are right there with you.
Cathay Pacific is a great airline with service to Chennai. I recommend business class for the return flight, because you can lie flat and sleep the entire way home. If business class exceeds your budget, preferred economy has more room than economy and the seats will recline to the ¾ position . Several of the seats in each cabin also have a raiseable footrest. You can request one of the seats with a footrest when making your reservation.
PARTING THOUGHT – While conducting my initial research I contacted a hospital in Los Angeles that specializes in joint replacement. I was told the first date I could be seen by a doctor for a consultation appointment would be 6 weeks later and the cost would be $500. I was already back from India , post surgery and feeling great, when the LA hospital called to confirm my appointment and ask for my credit card!