Testimonials

I experienced chest pains and shortness of breath four or five times in the four months prior to my surgery. On the last occasion I decided to have it checked out – until then I had put it down to anxiety or stress as I was diagnosed with cancer last year. My cancer treatment is ongoing and I’d already had major surgery on my abdomen in London in following consultations with Harley Street doctors to remove some tumours. But I have around 14 metastases on my liver which cannot be removed and I am on monthly chemo in the form of an injection to control the liver tumours. But there had never been any indication whatsoever that I had any heart issues as my blood pressure was always stable, cholesterol levels always low and stable and I had been on statins for decades. When the results of my checkup indicated that I needed urgent heart surgery, I found it very stressful. I was in India already when it was found that I had the severe heart blockages. I had booked flights to return to London immediately with my wife and made an appointment to see one of the best cardiologists in London within 24 hours of my return to London. However, I took the blessings of my Guru – Mahant Swami Maharaj who said without a moments hesitation that I should not return to London – I should remain in India and Dr Tejas Patel and his team would look after me. I took this on board – cancelled my tickets and sought his assistance immediately. My family – my daughters and their family – all live in London and we needed support during the operation for my wife, who is in poor and delicate health, as well as post operatively to settle into daily life. In addition, as we have spent over 40 years in the UK, we are accustomed to UK healthcare and with private medical insurance – we are able to take advantage of treatment in top London hospitals with top consultants. We had sought treatment of a cardiologist at the Wellington hospital which has extremely good facilities in every manner. It was the blessings of my Guru and also the outstanding reputation that Dr Tejas Patel has, in addition to the level of comfort and assurances that Dr Tejas Patel gave me, that made me re-consider going to London for treatment. The care from Dr Tejas Patel was one that I have never experienced before and which confirmed to me that I should only have treatment for the heart blockages under his care. I have heard of the great work he has done for so many years – I had never had to seek treatment from him ever before nor has my family, but with the reputation he holds – there is no other doctor anyone would turn to when it comes to cardiac matters. It simply took one phone call to set up all pre-operative checkups and thereafter the surgery was booked in within a week. I didn’t even have time to make my UK care team aware of my situation as surgery was required immediately, however now that I have returned to the UK 3 months post-surgery – all the doctors who have reviewed my reports from Apex hospital and also seen me in person have confirmed Dr Tejas Patel and his team have done a great job with no disturbances to my cancer whatsoever; a great relief. They were very surprised that surgery was undertaken only one week after my first consultation with Dr Tejas Patel I have experienced care in the UK – for myself and my wife in recent years – for treatment of my cancer and for my wife – treatment of neurological issues privately and liver issues on the NHS. The NHS has incredibly long waiting times; an urgent MRI would take around a week to schedule and doctors can been seen (if you’re lucky) within 4 weeks. Privately you would see consultants within around a week and it would take 2-3 days to schedule tests and a similar timeline thereafter to receive results. In India it is all instant. You can have all tests and results done within less than 24 hours and see the relevant consultants in this time frame too. In my case – Dr Tejas Patel was travelling back to India from America when I was referred to him yet he reviewed my reports during his travels and spoke to me immediately upon his return to India! Who does that!? As mentioned above – there was exactly one week between my first consultation with him and the actual operation which was unbelievably efficient There were concerns raised by my UK consultant who is looking after my cancer as the cancer I have can cause weakening of the heart and other complications. Dr Tejas Patel looked into this immediately to put our minds to rest in this regard. In addition – during surgery, it was necessary for a drug to be administered for a couple of days in connection with my cancer so as to avoid ‘disturbing’ it – and although it is not readily available, Dr Tejas Patel made all the necessary arrangements without causing any delays to my surgery. I received round the clock care during my treatment in India – and whilst this is similar to the UK, it was the empathy given by the doctors in India which really made a difference. As mentioned previously, my wife has a delicate medical state and any stress can cause her to deteriorate; every nurse, doctor, even floor staff were caring in every manner to both mine and my family’s needs The treatment was a great success. I feel stronger and stronger every day. In May 2018 I had major surgery to my abdomen and I experienced a lot of pain and discomfort which lasted for months and months and this made me very anxious about heart surgery which I could only imagine as being worse by so many degrees. Whilst I had some pain for a few days post the heart surgery, I feel so much stronger with no discomfort. I am taking it easy but nobody can believe I had heart surgery only 3 months ago. One of my greatest fears was the removal of sutures and staples – again – in London – this took over an hour and had been horribly painful with a lot of bleeding. The removal in India – took less than 5 minutes with no pain at all – in fact I couldn’t even believe anything had been removed and the wound was completely clean After-care was very good – I had some moments when I was unstable post surgery but the doctors took care of it all. I was left so confident in everything they did – I never had to ask questions or make sure they were aware of my other medical issues – regardless of whether a new nurse was on shift or a different doctor came to see me. I had physiotherapists helping me multiple times a day. Whilst I had this care in London too – there were times when I would be told I would have a physio session but it would be cancelled at the last minute or I wouldn’t even be told it was cancelled. However, in India – I probably got more assistance and after care than I was ever told I would get and a lot more than I ever expected. Apex has comfort and care at the heart of their treatment – hygiene which is one thing I always worried about in Indian hospitals was top level and it made me think twice before ever questioning care in my home country ever again The fact that veins didn’t need to be harvested from my legs for the CABG was incredible and I have never heard of it before. Everything just feels so much simpler at Apex. Any tests that need doing, whether they are x-rays etc, are all carried out bedside instantaneously with results arriving without delay so that treatment could also proceed without delay. In London, even in the top hospitals, you are ferried around the hospital for various tests and have to wait a set amount of time for various test results – which would always be dependant upon availability of doctors / equipment / shift staff. This was totally not the case at Apex. For cardiac matters I would, without hesitation, tell anyone to seek treatment at Apex hospital. I ensured both my daughters – when they came to visit me during and after surgery, had heart checks with Dr Tejas Patel and I will ensure they continue doing so as the heart condition seems to be a genetic one. I feel like a new person! Hopefully we will be able to keep the cancer under control but otherwise – I feel fitter than ever!