"Had it not been for The Taj Medical Group, we would not have
taken this leap of faith in coming to India, Excellent service,
thank you."
"We were referred to the Apollo Hospital by The Taj Medical
Group and our treatment both from them and everyone at the hospital
has been excellent. Dr Gulati was even here to see us when we
arrived at 2am! Everyone at the hospital are very friendly and
welcoming as well as dedicated and professional. Whatever you
require they are all very eager to please and even went to get
Elliot a McDonalds. The whole experience has been very good and
memorable."
I thought I would let you know how Elliot is doing. He has just
been for his 6 month check up at our local hospital where the
consultant said he was doing brilliantly well. He has now gone back
to swimming which he is building up gradually. He had an x-ray 3
months after and everything was fine and he is going to have an
other one in 6 months time. He has had no pain at all since leaving
the hospital which is amazing. We have also just had his school
report which was excellent.
So all in all we could not be more pleased with how everything has
turned out and can not thank you enough for the brilliant operation
and care we received as Elliot would not have been able to go back
to school and get on with his life so quickly if we had not come to
you for the operation.
Thank you again for all your help.
Mrs. Karen and her son, Elliot Knott, UK
Spondylolisthesis (spinal surgery)
August 2005
Ms.
Susan Sargent
"Have immensely enjoyed my stay; the surgery was performed
with instant success & all kindness and care shown by the staff &
nursing team. From initial contact with The Taj Medical Group to the
day of my surgery was 19 days. Incredible when you realize I was
told to wait 13-16 weeks to even see a consultant in UK & then
expected 18 months wait for surgery. For me to be pain free from the
moment I woke after surgery makes Dr. Yash Gulati a miracle worker
in my mind. Many thanks to all & you will be well recommended by
me back in the UK."
Mrs. Susan Sargent, UK
Spinal surgery to eleviate a trapped nerve
August 2005
Mrs.
Averill Dollery
Averill, who lives in Worcestershire, also can't get an operation
to fix her back. The National Health Service considers that her
weight problem would make the spinal surgery she requires too
dangerous.
Salvation is now here in the shape of the Taj Medical Group. Agents
who connect British patients with medical services in India.
India saved Averill's life. Thank you is not enough - I mean what
can you say? You can't say anything except you saved our life.
Roger Dollery
Letter of thanks to surgeon
Dear Dr Vaishya,
Averill and I would like to thank you and everybody else involved
in her recent operations and aftercare for the efforts you made on
her behalf.
"Thank You" is so inadequate an expression for our
gratitude but alas we can think of no other. Averill's progress
since our return has been remarkable; again thanks to the work by
the Physiotherapists on providing such a good grounding on returning
her muscles to work.
Our GP arranged for Physiotherapy as soon as we returned and the
first visit was about a week after our return. At that point they
said Averill's recovery was what they would have expected at that
time after a knee replacement in England. However at their visit
yesterday they considered her knee movement, muscle strength etc was
much further forward than other similar patients.
She is able to walk about 10 times further than she could before
the operations and is only limited by tiredness not by any pain. She
has not had any of the pain that she used to have because of her
back, she can feel her legs and feet and has much better bladder
control because she now knows when her bladder is getting full.
Again, we can't thank you enough for all that you have done for
Averill and I will keep you up to date with progress at the next
milestone.
Roger and Averill Dollery
Letter of Progress to Surgeon
Dear Dr Vaishya
The Physiotherapist visited Averill yesterday and said her progress
was so good that there was no need for them to come again. They
suggested that she continue using two sticks for about one more week
and then only use the left stick as this will help her walk upright
more so than using the right stick.
As she is now more mobile she is losing weight (about 3 inches from
her waist). The Physiotherapist suggested contacting her GP because
the support belt is getting too big and he may be able to arrange
for a better fitting belt to take her through to February which is
the time you suggested she should be supported to.
The other bit of information I am more than pleased to be able to
pass on to you is the Physiotherapists comments on her operation
sites. She asked to check the sites and after seeing them pursed her
lips, shook her head slowly and said that you were a very skilful
surgeon. We knew that, but it was nice to have it confirmed by
another professional.
Again, very many thanks for all you have done for Averill.
Roger Dollery
Health and Safety Manager
West Mercia Constabulary
Mrs. Averill Dollery, UK
Spinal surgery to alleviate a trapped nerve
October 2005
Mrs.
Heidi Rogers
Dear Dipa,
Thank you for your Christmas message.
As you know, Heidi spent a week in Delhi diagnosing her problems.
She was very pleased with the arrangements and the attention she
received at the Apollo. They have diagnosed two problems, a slipped
disc and a frozen shoulder. The cost of the tests, scans and
consultations was minimal compared to the equivalent cost in the UK,
and all were conducted within the space of a few days.
Unfortunately, despite being armed with the comprehensive results,
she has met the same wall of total indifference and inactivity from
the British medical system. She continues to suffer severe pain and
is quite desperate to find a resolution. We are perservering to get
effective treatment here, but I fear that this will probably be to
no avail. If this is the case then Heidi may well consider
returning to India again for treatment, probably early in the New
Year. We will be in touch again when we have decided what to do.
Our best regards for the season to you and your colleagues in
Delhi.
Peter Rogers
Hello
Dipa & Rebecca
“Thanks for your e-mail. Please find feedback form and note
comments included. Heidi is doing really well and recovering
remarkably considering that it is still less than two weeks since
she underwent a major 5 hour spinal operation. Her original back and
leg pains have disappeared but she has difficult sitting or standing
still. However each day brings improvement and we are confident that
these problems will recede with time.
We can only commend Dr Yash Gulati for his skill, courtesy and
professionalism. The procedure he carried out, we believe is
generally not available in the UK. On our return, we have discovered
an American website
http://www.spineuniversity.com/public/spinesub.asp?id=103
This shows the procedure which we believe was similar if not
identical to that received by Heidi, although we think that the
recovery times quoted are optimistic to say the least. Please feel
free to ring us at home if we can elaborate further”.
Regards
Peter & Heidi
Mrs Heidi Rogers, UK
Spinal Disc Replacement surgery
January 2006
Ms. Parry said she had been given a new lease of life by surgeons
5,000 miles away in Bangalore. The 59-year-old woman, who has three
sons and four grandchildren, flew to India after being told by a
clinic at Ysbyty Gwynedd that there was nothing they could do for
her.
Ms. Parry, who runs a garage with her husband in Glan Conwy, was
back home in North Wales on Monday night following a successful
operation in Bangalore where she was given VIP treatment.
She said, "It is absolutely fantastic. I just can't get used
to not being in pain anymore."
Her back troubles began two-and-a half-years ago. "I hadn't
any problems before and I went along to see my GP,'' she said. "
I was referred to the pain clinic at Ysbyty Gwynedd but was told
nothing could be done,'' she added.
The Parrys got in touch with The Taj Medical Group in Warwickshire.
"We sent them a copy of the scan and they referred my case to
surgeons at the Ramaiah Memorial Hospital in Bangalore, which was
set up as a trust. I was in e-mail contact with neuro-surgeon Ravi
Varma at the hospital,'' she said.
"The operation was carried out by Dr. Varma, and his father,
who is a renowned surgeon in India, on November 6, five days after
we arrived,'' she added.
We got in touch with Taj Medical and got to know about Apollo
Hospitals. No further searches were needed as Ms. Deepa Jethwa and
Ms. Rebecca Holt immediately provided initial information on the
hospital. Researching Dr. Gulati and Apollo showed a level of
professionalism we required to travel 10,000 Kms to have surgery
outside Canada. Numerous entries on Dr. Gulati on the web gave us
the confidence to have serious back surgeries far from home. The
Hospital's JCI Accreditation supplemented by Dr. Gulati e-mail
responses to over 15 enquiries showed that India could give the same
level of services (medical and other) that Canada could. The
difference was the speed in which the operation took place after our
very first contact with Taj around 6th November 2005. We arrive in
India on 12th December with surgery on the 15th a complication
delayed our departure. The standard of medical attention surpasses
Canada's. Staff are friendly courteous and efficient. Canada does
not pay for out of country pre-existing condition surgery but we
have no regrets. The costs to us are significantly less than if we
went to the USA and the wait time in Canada is 8 months to 2 years
to just to see a specialist. Then you wait another 3 - 12 months for
surgery. We anticipate significant improvement as all pre-operation
pain is gone and Marlene is starting to walk again. We come to India
for one reason - to stop Marlene's pain so she could lead a normal
life again. It appears we met that goal successfully and met true
professionals along the way. Thank you Ms. Dimple Bali for
smoothing the few rough spots, Dr. Gulati and associates for
restoring Marlene's health and Apollo staff for a healthy clean
environment.
Marlene Smith, Onterio, Canada
Spinal Surgery
December 2005
Master
Mohsin Ali
Dear Dipa,
Aploogies for the delay in responding but I have only just
returned to the UK and a computer which works!
The following is what I wrote in the Apollo Comments Book when we
left and please feel free to use any of it on your web page.
"Mohsin is an 8 year old Pakistani orphan from the SOS
Village in Karachi. He needed urgent spinal fusion surgery to give
him the chance of a normal life. The operation was not possible in
Pakistan but we heard about the Apollo Hospital and Dr Yash Gulati
through The Taj Medical Group. The care Mohsin has received from
Dr Gulati and his team has been exceptional. The individual
attention he has received has surpassed anything I have
experienced in the UK Health Service in the past 5 years, whether
it be National Health or Private.
The operation appears to have been a success and the
post-operative care given to Mohsin has been meticulous but above
all warm and friendly. In spite of the discomfort Mohsin was able
to smile because he felt loved. Dr Gulati made a point of visiting
Mohsin at least once a day and Mohsin respected him and trusted
him absolutely. All the nurses made such a big fuss of Mohsin
that we love them all, particularly S/N Sherin who saw Mohsin
through the first difficult post - operative nights and gave him
the most wonderful soothing bed baths. The housekeeping services
were excellent. I wish the UK NHS was half as efficient and clean
and everything done with a smile!
The food was very good and Mohsin's dietician, Shadan, so
thoughtful, following up on everything he said. I also loved the
food though I can appreciate that those with a Western palate
might find the choice limited. Ravi, in Physiotherapy, won
Mohsin's confidence and eventually had him walking unaided before
discharge. The gentlemen who transported Mohsin to Physio every
day were just that - gentle men who took great care of Mohsin.
As Mohsin's guardian, I was initially very apprehensive as to
whether I had made the right decision in bringing Mohsin to Delhi
but our experience proved that the decision to bring Mohsin to the
Apollo was correct. Our thanks go to Dipa and The Taj Medical
Group for introducing us to the Apollo Hospital and Dr Gulati and
our deepest gratitude to Dr Gulati and his team for helping
Mohsin to "walk tall". At the Apollo you are treated as
a VIP and not just another number in the system. I will have no
hesitation in recommending the Apollo and Dr Gulati to everyone I
know in the UK and Pakistan." Mohsin's 5 hour operation took
place on 18th July and he was discharged on 29th July. We then
stayed at the Hotel Savoia until 2nd August when we flew back to
Karachi. The hotel was clean, comfortable and very friendly.
Mohsin has to wear a spinal brace for 4 months, to be removed only
for showering, and then he will have an x-ray. I will send this to
Dr Gulati to see how things are progressing. I have arranged for
Mohsin to receive physiotherapy daily to strengthen his leg
muscles. As part of this exercise regime he has received a new
bike which he must ride every day!
Mohsin with Nurse Sherin, with whom he got on so well, S/N
Sherin saw Mohsin through the first difficult post - operative
nights and gave him the most wonderful soothing bed baths.
The care Mohsin has received from Dr Gulati and his team has
been exceptional. The individual attention he has received has
surpassed anything I have experienced in the UK Health Service in
the past 5 years, whether it be National Health or Private.
Dipa, if there is anything else you need to know please let me
know. I will be away from the 5th- 20th September. Thanks for
everything. I will send a couple more photos separately. Kay
Kay Lanes, UK (Mohsin's Guardian)
Spinal Surgery
July 2006
Mary
Crumley
Dear Dipa,
Mary and Noe are back in their home, and I in mine as of
yesterday. All is well, Mary is healing very well. We would like
to know of rehabilitation excercises that she can do which won't
do any harm. Mary is eager to get strong and fit and lose some
weight. Is that something Dr. Gulati could advise her on?
Thank you for all your gracious assistance; we are so glad that
Mary got her surgery done by Dr. Gulati. He and his team were
impressive and we are grateful to them all. Sincerely, Janet
McGahan for Mary Crumley
Hello Dipa,
I received your request for a testimonial from Mary; she does not
have email, so I will forward this to Maggie and she can work with
Mary there in Port Townsend.
These two photos I thought might be useful for the testimonial--The
one of Mary in blue (sitting on bed) was taken one week after
surgery. The other was taken two weeks after surgery when we visited
the Taj Mahal. (I, sister Janet, in orange next to Mary.)
Thank you, Dipa. (I loved hearing your voice on the phone while we
were at Apollo.) Please give Dr. Gulati our regards.
Mary is doing fine and getting back into her working and exercising
mildly.
Janet McGahan (Mary's Sister)
Mary Crumley, USA
2-level cervical disc replacement surgery (Keneflex disc)
July 2006
Mr.
Stephen Mobley
Stephen Mobley, 44 had been suffering with chronic back pain for
the last two years. He could not walk (more than 200m), stand or
sleep very well and was prescribed high doses of morphine for pain
relief.
Shortly after contacting The Taj Medical Group, Stephen
underwent spinal surgery at their Specialist Clinic in Cologne,
Germany. The operation comprised placing a flexible Dorsal Spacer
Implant. Stephen, (left) is pictured here with his parants.
Below is a short note from his father, David soon after the
operation.
Dear Dipa,
I thought that it is time I wrote to express our sincere thanks
for your kind assistance in arranging surgery for our son Steve
aged 44.
If I have worked it out correctly we first contacted you around
20th November 2006 and Steve actually had his surgery in Cologne
on Tuesday 23 January 2007.
From our first contact with you we were provided with detailed
information about hospitals and surgeons around the world and at
one time we thought that we might go to India for the surgery,
after you had kindly arranged for us to speak to the surgeon in
India, but we felt that the long flight would probably prove very
painful for Steve with his Lumbar Disc problem.
We were therefore, very pleased when you mentioned that there was
an excellent Dutch Surgeon at the MediaPark Klinik in Cologne who
could carry out the operation which Steve needed, known as a
Dorsal Spacer Implant, at a much lower cost than the UK, had it
been available in the UK, which it is not.
We also want to thank you for helping us to find a suitable hotel
in Cologne for my wife and myself.
As you know, we flew to Cologne on Sunday evening with Easyjet
from East Midlands, and on the Monday morning a taxi picked us up
at the hotel and took us through Cologne to the Medserena Clinic
where Steve had an upright MRI scan, which was then sent over to
the MediaPark Klinik and we were taken over there, again by taxi,
where Steve was checked over and everything arranged for his
operation on the following day, Tuesday.
The Klinik was a very large and splendid place with every modern
facility and very clean and pleasant. The operation was carried
out early on Tuesday morning with no problems at all and the
treatment was first class in every respect.
On Wednesday we sat down with Doctor Simmons and he explained and
demonstrated with the aid of a model of the spine just how and
where the implant was fitted. It is very flexible and light and
moves with the spine, as opposed to the UK version which we also
saw, which was very rigid and tied to the spine with tapes.
On Thursday evening we returned home and Steve has been feeling
much less pain from the Lumbar Region and the small incision (just
over one inch) has healed nicely.
To anyone who is thinking of using Taj Medical we would say "Don`t
hesitate, you will receive a first class service, at no cost to
yourself, and there is even a freephone number to use when calling
Dipa at Taj Medical in Coventry".
Please feel free to use this letter as yet another in a long list
of testimonials and if anyone wishes to ask us about any aspect of
your service we will be happy to speak to them.
David
David Mobley, (Father of Stephen, 44)
Staffordshire, UK
Spinal Surgery, Dorsal Spacer Implant
January 2007
Mr.
Ted Grenier
Hey Sabina,
Here is a photo of a recent trip that I took to the Gulf of
Mexico.
I could not have taken this trip before my operation as I would
have been too concerned with being able to deal with extreme pain
and discomfort. I am extremely grateful to Taj Medical and of
course Dr. Rajakumar and his entire staff at the Wockhardt
hospital in Bangalore.
Hope to talk to you soon.
Ted Grenier.
Hello Sabina,
Thanks for the greeting. I am sorry it has taken me so long to
respond to your e-Mail. Since the day that I returned to the U.S.
I have felt a compelling need to relate my experience to the
people in my country as well as the rest of the world.
There are many who feel the sense of hopelessness that I
experienced, who also believe they have no options and that their
life will lead to a never ending struggle with chronic and
debilitating pain. Nothing could be further from the truth !!! The
level of care that I received in Bangalore was extremely
professional and compassionate. As I reflect back upon my
experience several things have become clear to me.
First of all I realize how truly lucky and blessed I am for
having come upon your website at Taj Medical. This was the all
important first step in my search for viable options to address my
significant medical condition. After contacting Taj Medical
through Dipa I was able to find answers to my questions and
concerns very quickly.
The cost for my particular spinal operation was clearly and
accurately communicated to me in a mater of a few days. As a
matter of fact it turned out to be completely accurate. This made
it possible for me to arrange the finances to make it happen. Upon
arriving at the Wockhardt hospital in Bangalore, I was afforded
the highest possible level of medical care. The nurses were
extremely attentive and the facilities were better than I had ever
imagined. The medical staff in my opinion was world class. I was
greeted by the assistants of my surgeon the morning after my
initial arrival. They made me feel comfortable and explained the
schedule of medical tests that would be performed before the
operation. These tests were carried out quickly and efficiently.
After the tests were completed I was paid a visit by my Surgeon.
He is none other than Dr. Rajakumar who happens to be one of the
most accomplished neurosurgeons in the world. Dr. Raj as I will
call him explained to me exactly what he would be doing in the
operating room.
The MRI and CT scans were shown to me and he illustrated which
disc would be replaced and how it would be done. I was initially
told that I may need to have two discs replaced based upon the
review of prior medical reports and tests in the U.S. However
after reviewing the tests and images done in Bangalore, Dr. Raj
determined that I would need to have only one disc in my neck
replaced. This was significant as I was given a refund of over
$4,000 dollars from the original quoted price of the operation. I
actually ended staying in the hospital four days longer than was
planned !!!
My spacious private room was equipped with a complete computer
setup. I did not need a laptop as all equipment was in the room as
well as a TV. The Internet connection was very important and ended
up being my umbilical cord to the people in my life. I chose to go
to Bangalore by myself as I did not want to effect my family any
more than I needed to. I can truly and honestly say that it was
the absolute right decision. I never once felt isolated or alone
while I was there.
After my operation Dr. Rajakumar and his devoted assistants came
to my room to check on my condition every other day until I was
released. (four times) During these visits Dr. Rajakumar
encouraged me and was instrumental in my mental recovery. He would
arrive on these visits dressed in his operating greens as he was
obviously performing his amazing craft each and every day. His
cell phone would ring several times as he was in my room. Dr. Raj
is on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This man is no ordinary
human being. Just so you know Dr. Rajakumar is a neurosurgeon who
performs both brain and spinal surgeries. He has removed hundreds
of cancerous tumors in and around the brain and performed numerous
complicated spinal procedures. He is I believe one of the first
surgeons in the entire world to successfully remove a tumor from
the brain without penetrating the skull by entering through the
nasal cavity. I relate these details to anyone who is reading this
because I believe you should know what type of professional
doctors are on staff in Bangalore.
I cannot say enough about the dedication and professionalism
exhibited by the entire staff including the nurses, lab
technicians, physical rehab director, his staff and all the
employees at the Wockfordt Hospital in Bangalore. I was attended
to each and every day during my time in the hospital.
My refrigerator was stocked daily with fresh juice and water.
Three meals per day were delivered to my room. I was allowed to
choose each meal from a menu. Fresh coffee and several newspapers
were delivered each and every morning. The room, shower and
bathroom was extremely spacious and clean. The hallways outside my
room were always clear of equipment and debris.The nurse stations
were fully staffed and professionally run. The hospital was very
modern and well equipped. The lobby floor which houses the
pharmacy, check-in and billing area was very comfortable and
efficient.
As I reflect upon my experience I can say that if you choose to
come to the Wockfordt Hospital in Bangalore you should expect to
be treated as an important human being by people who are extremely
caring, professional, accomplished and dedicated to their
patients.
If there are any who would like to contact my with their
questions I would be more than happy to furnish them with whatever
information I can regarding my experience before during and after
my operation in Bangalore.
Ted Grenier.
Ted Grenier (45)
Austin Texas, USA
Artificial Disc Replacement
November 2007
News Coverage of Ted Grenier's Surgery - Special
Health Feature on CBS 42 Medical Watch Texas, USA
Copyright
© The Taj Medical Group, All Rights Reserved
Master
Elliot Knott
Ms.
Susan Sargent
Mrs.
Averill Dollery
Mrs.
Heidi Rogers
Hello
Dipa & Rebecca
Mrs.
Ellen Parry
Mr.
Paul & Mrs. Marlene Smith
Master
Mohsin Ali
Mary
Crumley 
Mr.
Stephen Mobley 
Mr.
Ted Grenier
