In June 2005, I had my left hip resurfaced by Dr. Pispati at the Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai. My experience was very positive and I am happy to recommend Dr. Pispati to anyone considering resurfacing. Jaslok Hospital’s medical facilities on the 16th floor, where foreign patients go, are excellent.

I was scheduled for a total left hip replacement in California, where I live, on June 14, 2005. I planned to have this done despite being made aware by friends who had had the operation that the recovery from this operation is quite lengthy and demanding. Also, because of my insurance plan the surgery would have been free. I was 73, so I move in circles where hip problems are not uncommon. However, before that I became aware of the alternative, hip resurfacing, This surgery has recently become available in the U.S. but, because it’s new, few surgeons are trained to do it and it’s very expensive if you don’t have insurance.

When I became aware that the surgery is more readily available in India and is done by surgeons with considerable experience in the operation I decided to investigate that avenue, being helped in my search by my experience as a former NASA research scientist. I contacted a number of surgeons who do the operation in India and carefully examined their qualifications and experience. It was easy to make a selection. Dr. Pispati learned the resurfacing procedure from the inventor in England, was a pioneer in Asia in performing the operation, has done hundreds of hip resurfacings, has lectured on the subject to numerous other doctors, including doctors from the U.S., and has many high academic qualifications from several countries. For example, he is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in England, a very high honor as I know, since I was born there. He was also very responsive to my questions in our initial e-mail exchanges.

I therefore traveled to Mumbai with my wife and had my hip resurfaced on June 8, 2005, flying home two weeks later. Everyone here, especially friends who have had the total hip replacement, has been amazed at my progress. My wife and I get much of our exercise from dancing and I began to take this up again after three weeks. I paced myself and was careful how I moved, but I could do it, gradually improving. I did the exercises given to me by the physical therapists at Jaslok. I was able to walk a couple of days after the surgery with a walker and later with a cane, but both of these I discarded after a little over a week, being able to walk unaided. I did use a cane on the flight home and also a wheelchair.

Coming back, I requested a wheelchair at the airports through my travel agent to avoid long lines and waiting. I could have managed without, but it is easier with a wheelchair and you bypass all the lines. Dr. Pispati will give you a letter when you leave that allows you to get a wheelchair, but you need to request one when you book your ticket. You can make arrangements to be picked up at the airport and returned there.