At the time of this writing, it has been 3 months since I put my life in the hands of Dr. Balasubramanian. It was extremely difficult to trust someone halfway around the world to perform a major and life-altering surgery. I am a 53 year-old male and my health and happiness was being eaten away by chronic hip pain. I couldn't stand for longer than 15 minutes and couldn't walk more than 100 yards without experiencing severe and debiliatating pain that would sometimes last for 3 days. Needless to say, I gained alot of weight due to my forced inactivity and had absolutely zero quality of life.

It was only 6 months prior to my meeting with Dr. Bala that I became aware of 'medical tourism' in general and of the specific procedure 'hip resurfacing' that Dr. Bala performs. I began doing research on the internet and also consulted with local doctors. I was absolutely flabbergasted that doctors in America were lagging behind in their understanding of hip treatment. They seemed married to the idea that the procedure invented over 50 years ago- 'total hip replacement' was the only treatment any patient would ever need. On the other hand, I simply could not understand why they wanted to chop my femur in half in order to repair the damage between the femur head and the hip socket.

Once I had decided that hip resurfacing abroad was the way to go, I researched specific doctors. While visiting numerous web sites devoted to hip patients, one doctor in Coimbatore, India stood out for the tenor of the glowing referrals he received. Everything written about Dr. Bala, his staff and the Sri Ramakrishna Hospital convinced me that they were people of integrity. I can now attest that this preliminary assessment was 100% correct.

I emailed Dr. Bala numerous times between October and the time I actually left for surgery in January of 2007. He was always prompt and courteous in answering my emails and in reassuring me that his team was ready and able to handle me. He arranged local transportation and lodgings, helped with the visa process and then on my arrival had someone meet me at the airport and take me to the hospital where I was checked into one of their "Deluxe" suites - a large sleeping room with attached sitting/TV room, private kitchen and bath. Even his nursing team was first-rate: caring young ladies with the most pleasant-sounding names and superb attitudes. All of them spoke a minimum of "school-girl" English, so we never did have a problem with communicating, although my brain did resist "Tamil" - the local language which they insisted on teaching me; I suspect for their amusement.

The surgery went off remarkably well. I wish I could give you an account of it, but all I remember is the anesthetist saying, "Edward, wake up", then Dr. Bala shaking my hand and saying, "The surgery was very successful." I spent the next few days in some discomfort, naturally, but the searing hip pain was gone. Over the next several days, I developed strength in my now-fixed hip and the confidence to walk longer distances and climb stairs. It was amazing. Within 1 week of the surgery I could walk 2 1/2 kilometers and most of that without the cane I'd been welded to for 3 years.

Now at the 3-month mark since my surgery, I am really beginning to blossom. My energy level has returned to that of my pre-disability days, I'm dropping weight and am just generally grateful to have my life back. Now I'm comfortable with climbing, squatting and bending and normal movement is just a breeze. I am very glad I had this surgery and just wish I had done it sooner. I would highly recommend Dr. Bala and his team to anyone who needs hip surgery. He literally is a life-saver.
Oh and by the way, what you may have heard about prices for overseas medical treatment is absolutely true as well. I had to pay out of pocket for my procedure but everything, the surgery, lodging, meals, airfare, ancillary costs (meds, visa, passport, consults, etc.) came to less than $8,500. Best money I've spent this year.

Edward J. O'Brien
RASR by Dr. Balasubramanian 1/11/07