India Surgery

Among the medical procedures that tourists seek in India, elective surgeries are the most popular. India has renowned specialists in every field with access to state-of-the-art facilities, so international patients can rest assured that they are in good hands.

For inpatient procedures, many Indian hospitals offer luxurious recovery rooms where patients can recuperate, while outpatient procedures present the perfect opportunity to follow up with a sightseeing tour.

Generally, surgical procedures in India average 20 percent the cost of the same operations in the US, so the greatest monetary savings are available for high-end procedures. The hospitals that provide these medical services cater specifically for international patients, with facilities that conform to international health and safety guidelines.

Indians value education, with many doctors studying at prominent universities in Europe or the US. Given India’s size and population, there is plenty of room in the medical field for specialization. For this reason, India boasts highly specialized surgeons in virtually every field, and potential medical tourists have no problem connecting with a well-qualified facility equipped to address their specific surgical needs.

Many prospective patients are surprised to learn that Indian hospitals even score above their Western counterparts in certain arenas. For example, Birmingham hip resurfacing, a highly-acclaimed technique that is widely unavailable in the US, is commonplace in India. Further, surgical theatres in some Indian hospitals incorporate ultra-modern infrastructure (such as a Laminar Air Flow System), competing with the best the US has to offer.

Patients come to India for a broad range of surgical operations, with an impetus on major surgeries such as heart operations, orthopedic procedures and the removal of cancerous tumors. Dental and cosmetic surgeries are also widely available in India, usually with even greater savings. The city of Chennai is considered India’s medical hub, handling almost half of every medical tourism case in the country.

Following is an example of the savings possible in India on common surgical procedures:

Open-heart surgery – normally costs US$30,000 in the US but can be done for US$8,700 in India.

Liver transplant – costs US$300,000 in the US but can be performed in India for less than US$70,000.

Hip replacement surgery – usually costs US$24,000 in the US but can be done for US$6,300 in India.

Hip resurfacing – typically costs US$48,000 in the US and can be accomplished for as little as US$7,000 in India.

Heart valve replacement surgery – costs as much as US$200,000 in the US but can be performed for US$10,000 in India.

Breast augmentation surgery - costs US$24,000 in the US but can be performed for US$6,300 in India.