My experience of kidney stone removal surgery in India

I am writing my experience because I want to thank INDIANHEALTHGURU Consultants for my kidney stone removal surgery in India. I am David from Hong Kong. I had pain in the lower back just below the ribs spreading around to the front of the abdomen and often extended into the groin area. The pain also came in waves as the stone tried to move through the tube between the kidney and the bladder. Sometimes there was blood in the urine. Often there was nausea, fever and chills, and vomiting. The abdomen or lower back was painful to touch. I was very much worried about my condition.  Then I went to my family doctor and after hearing all my symptoms he told me that I am suffering from kidney stones. I was totally blank when my surgeon told this. I didn’t know what to do!  I was very shocked when all this happened to me!!!! The medical terminology for kidney stones is Nephrolithiasis or Renal Calculi. A kidney stone is a solid lump made up of crystals that separate from urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney. Almost 95% of the kidney stone cases do not undergo surgery and will pass only though pill prescriptions and with a dedicated kidney stone diet. Majority of the sizes of these offending pebbles are 5mm in measurement. These sizes can go without remedial surgery. When you don’t know that you have a kidney stone, life is fine. Some kidney stones often referred to as silent stones will have no symptoms whatsoever and will usually go away by themselves without causing any pain or discomfort. However, those that are larger in size or in places where they cannot be passed easily enough, the symptoms of kidney stone can be very pronounced and incredibly painful. Men are more prone than women, and around half of all people who have previously had a kidney stone will develop another one within five years.

 

My doctor recommended me kidney stone removal surgery as soon as possible. But when he told me the price, I was surprised. Ohhhh!!!! It was very costly. As the medical infrastructure was very high there (in my own country, Hong Kong) due to best medical facilities, I was very much worried about how I will manage the surgery, because I can’t wait due to increasing pain and symptoms. As I was uninsured, the surgery costs were sky touching for me!  I wanted surgery as soon as possible. So my doctor suggested me an alternative of kidney stone removal surgery in India. He showed me the website of Indianhealthguru consultants so that I can view the cases handled successfully by that health care group. I watched all the cases thoroughly; they all had many positive things to say about Indianhealthguru consultants. I was very impressed after seeing that site. The cost, they were offering for kidney stone removal surgery in India was also very comparative as compared to other western countries. Their has been a considerable differences in cost between the countries like USA, UK, Canada & South Africa as compared to India when it comes to medical treatment. India is not only cheaper than other countries but also the waiting time is almost nil. The patients get surgery dates very easily. They didn’t have to wait longer for it. This is due to the flare-up of the private sector which consists of super specialty hospitals and clinics with the latest technology and expert doctors. Also the services available here are quality services. So, patients get quality services at affordable prices.

 

I gave my consent to Dr. Dheeraj Bojwani for my kidney stone removal surgery in India. Everything was arranged by Indianhealthguru consultants. They arranged visa for me and also booked hospital and surgeon for the surgery. The surgeon was well trained from US. I mailed him about when I want to come for my surgery. He replied my all mails as soon as possible. He explained me everything very nicely. He told me about the procedure for coming to India as climate is different in different countries. He also guided me about what to bring during my kidney stone removal surgery in India. I was so nervous, but he encouraged me to proceed further. The whole staff was very fantastic. Before the Lithotripsy procedure, the doctor took a complete physical examination and tests of mine for determining the number, location, and size of the stone. A test called an Intravenous Pyelogram was used to locate the stone. An IVP is a procedure in which a radio-opaque dye is injected into a vein in the arm. This dye will show up on x-ray as it travels through the bloodstream and will be excreted by the kidneys. The dye then flowed down the ureter and into the urinary bladder. The radio-opaque dye surrounded the stones and appeared on the x rays as dark shadows or filling defects. The doctor suggested me to stop smoking and do not take aspirin to prevent bleeding problems to occur. Also the doctors make sure that you are not pregnant or have heart disease before having Lithotripsy performed. Some patients may have a stent placed prior to the Lithotripsy procedure. A stent is a plastic tube placed in the ureter, which allows the passage of gravel and urine after the Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ECSWL) procedure is completed.

 

I was instructed not to eat or drink anything at least 12 hours before the Lithotripsy procedure. I was instructed to wear comfortable clothing so that I can change easily into a surgical gown for the surgery. The entire Lithotripsy procedure took approximately one hour. I had received local anesthesia with sedation to minimize pain and discomfort.  However, at the same time I was required to stay during the Lithotripsy procedure. The patient might experience a mild tapping sensation during the procedure. There might be mild discomfort or pain during the procedure. There are two techniques available that are equally effective and widely used at most medical facilities. One method was that I was laid on a soft cushion through which the shock waves passed. About 2 – 8 thousand shock waves were needed to crush and fragment the stone in a single Lithotripsy procedure. The second method is you will be asked to lay in a special tub filled with warm water, stones will be located and visualized by x-ray or ultrasound and shock waves will be directed from the Lithotripsy machine called Lithotripter. These shock waves will pass through your skin and are completely harmless. During my surgery, an endoscope or Cystoscope was used to get close to the stone inside the urinary tract and laser waves were applied to fragment the stone into small particles. The sand like particles of the stone are either fished out in a basket attached to the cystoscope and extracted out or they are passed out naturally during urination. Sometimes a stent is inserted in the ureter to keep it patent and facilitate the passage of stone fragments and debris with the urine, over the next few days. I spent the next couple of hours in the recovery room under observation for bleeding or any other immediate complications. I was allowed to go home after one or two days following the Lithotripsy procedure.

 

After my kidney stone removal surgery in India I went to “Agra”.  I heard so many things about Agra; I found everything there marvelous than it was said. It was very beautiful and attracting. I also heard the stories related to it. I liked it very much. I was very much impressed by the story behind it. I also told that story to all my friends. They all were very much impressed by it. The tour to Agra made me felt fresh. I was feeling very well after the tour. India is rapidly gaining ground in the international scenario as a popular destination for foreign travelers, international students, and even for some others who opt to migrate to this mystical land for health and medical tourism. International patients are getting world class quality services here in India and at the cost which is very much friendly to their pocket. The country, which had been reeling under the onslaught of British colonial rule, managed to fight all odds and has successfully created a niche for itself. It has metamorphosed into one of the most sought after destinations for travel, much due to the presence of several renowned world heritage sites, and an inherent spiritualistic force, which pulls enthusiastic travelers towards it. I was provided with the best treatment there. The hospital there was having all the necessary arrangements and was having necessary setups. I got world class treatment there.  I am very grateful to Dr. Dheeraj Bojwani for my kidney stone removal surgery in India.