Radical nephrectomy at Mumbai in India restored my smile

My journey for radical nephrectomy at Mumbai in India was just amazing!!!! Three years before, I went there for my surgical removal of kidney. Nephrectomy is surgical removal of kidney, along with its collecting system i.e. renal pelvis and ureter. It is a surgical procedure for the removal of a kidney or section of a kidney. It is performed on patients with severe kidney damage from disease, injury, or congenital conditions. These include cancer of the kidney; polycystic kidney disease; and serious kidney infections. It is also used to remove a healthy kidney from a donor for the purposes of kidney transplantation. It may involve removing a small portion of the kidney or the entire organ and surrounding tissues. In partial nephrectomy, only the diseased or infected portion of the kidney is removed. Radical nephrectomy involves removing the entire kidney, a section of the tube leading to the bladder, the gland that sits atop the kidney, and the fatty tissue surrounding the kidney. A simple nephrectomy performed for living donor transplant purposes requires removal of the kidney and a section of the attached ureter.

 

My doctor told me that I will be heavily charged for this surgery in UAE as the medical infrastructure is so costly. He suggested me to go India for radical nephrectomy as the medical healthcare groups over there are providing surgeries at a very affordable cost. Having heard much of India, both as a great vacation destination and a place where excellent dental and other medical services are extensively available at a reasonable cost, India became my choice. I researched several websites based in India. Two healthcare groups in India caught my attention, I was particularly drawn to Forerunners Healthcare Consultants, a medical healthcare group because the website answered most of my questions and I liked the fact that my point of contact was with an English person.  Furthermore, there was information about flights from the UK; pick up’s from the airport and hotel accommodation reservations.  These things, along with some of the comments of former clients, gave me the confidence to proceed. And found their site to be the most sophisticated and informative. Why, because their website visually was presented in a very analytical, (the way scientists think), typo free, easy to navigate, informative way. I e-mailed Dr. Dheeraj Bojwani. I reported the extent of my problems and also that I only had about a week to get the work completed. Was it possible? My answer came back the next day as a very friendly and helpful reply from Dr Dheeraj Bojwani. Not only was it possible, he suggested who to contact for accommodations and assured me concerning other issues. Radical nephrectomy at Mumbai in India is becoming very popular among international patients just because of cost consideration.  

 

I arrived in India and was scheduled to be picked up at my hotel. The wonderful representative of that medical healthcare group was there promptly with a brand new mini van to whisk me away and he quickly dispersed any nervousness I had with his cheerful personality. On the drive from the airport I noticed that parts of the city were covered in graffiti. I was worried about cleanliness and hygiene. I told myself that if I wasn’t happy with the situation when I reached the surgeon’s I would not have any treatment. My fears on arriving at the clinic were quickly alleviated. It was so clean, professional and empathetic. From the time of my arrival to my departure, the time elapsed was 9 days. During that period I was picked up at my hotel every day. This company seemed to provide the most suitable and professional package, which included a lovely hotel in the middle of City; taking less than 2 hours to get there. The clinic was located near the hotel and has the latest technical equipment and the most professional staff.  I was scheduled for treatment. On arrival at the clinic, the work started almost immediately. My first observation on day one was the harmony between doctor and his staff of doctors and assistants. In a very short time I felt that harmony extended to me; I felt more like a family member than a patient.

 

During my post operative operations, it was extremely crucial for mysurgeon to assess my kidney function before radical nephrectomy. A thorough physical examination, ECG, chest x-ray, complete blood profile, complete kidney profile, pulmonary function tests, blood gas analysis, blood typing and cross matching was done in case transfusion was required. Specialized tests like intravenous pyelography, Cystoscopy / Ureteroscopy, retrograde pyelography, cystourethrography, CT scan, ultrasonography, MRI, renal angiography and renal venography was performed for complete anatomic assessment. I was hospitalized at least one day before the surgery. I informed my surgeon about my other health conditions and medications. I refrained from taking aspirin or Ibuprofen at least 2 weeks before the surgery. I do not ate or drink any thing for at least 10 – 12 hours before the surgery.

 

My surgery was performed under general anesthesia. Abdominal approach was anterior subcostal, thoracoabdominal, or flank approach. The kidney was dissected free of its attachments. The renal artery and vein were dissected and cut, ureter was cut and the adrenal gland was freed and removed along with the kidney. A drain was left in and the wound was closed. It was a minimally invasive procedure in which the kidney was removed by making four small incisions. Surgical instruments were used to free the kidney from its surrounding structures and the kidney was removed through an incision in the front of the abdominal wall below the navel. The renal artery, renal vein and the ureter are then tied off and the incision was sutured. It took up to three hours.

 

Following radical nephrectomy, I spend the next few hours in the recovery room to monitor my heart and lung function and also to check for any immediate post operative complications like excessive bleeding. I was hospitalized for about 5 – 7 days and those days were quite painful and uncomfortable. I was prescribed pain medication to cope with the pain. As with all other major surgeries, I was encouraged to do deep breathing and coughing exercises following the surgery. I avoided strenuous activities, heavy lifting and playing sports for 2 – 3 weeks after radical nephrectomy. I was able to return to my daily activities in 4 – 6 weeks. My renal function was monitored closely to make sure that one kidney can take over and compensate for the loss of the removed kidney.

 

Everyone involved in my treatment exhibited a high degree of professionalism, which demonstrated the pride and joy they have in their chosen professions. The end result was very much above my expectations. They changed my life, gave me my smile back, and the experience of a life time with their warm hearted generosity and care. I consider them friends for life. They organized a tour which included Agra and Goa.   Even if I could have afforded to have the treatment in the UAE I wouldn’t have been as happy as I am with the whole service and experience that I had in India at Mumbai for my radical nephrectomy. High quality and affordable surgery were my priority and these were provided to me complete satisfaction by Forerunners Healthcare. Although I live in UAE, I preferred to have the treatment in India because it costed me much less compare to UAE prices. I’m admired by surgeon’s work, Indian work environment and professional staff. Good weather, costs and love of Indian food were the deciding factors to get my radical nephrectomy at Mumbai in India.

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