Planning surgery during your India visit? Sort it out before you fly.
Many NRIs put off a hernia, gallbladder, thyroid or weight-loss operation until a trip home. It works well when it is planned: a written opinion on your reports from abroad, a plan with dates, the right number of days in Hyderabad, and follow-up by video after you return. This page explains how, and how to do the same for a parent who lives here.
తెలుగులో మాట్లాడవచ్చు · हिन्दी में भी
- Written opinion on your reports before you book flights
- Consultation on day 1, surgery on day 2 or 3
- Itemised hospital estimate in INR with USD equivalent
- Video follow-up after you return
Why NRIs choose to have surgery during a visit home
Three reasons come up again and again: waiting times abroad, the cost of self-pay surgery, and wanting family around during recovery. The figures below are published averages, not promises about your case.
We do not publish surgery prices, because hospital charges depend on technique, room category and findings at surgery. What you get instead is an itemised written estimate from Apollo Hospitals for your case, with the USD or GBP equivalent, before you travel. The consultation fee is ₹1,000.
Before you fly, while you are here, after you return
Before you fly
Send your reports from abroad. Dr. Sujeeth sends a written opinion within 3 working days: whether the operation appears indicated, what technique he would propose, and how many days you need. If you want to go ahead, you receive a plan with proposed dates around your travel and an itemised estimate. Book the ₹1,000 consultation for your first day here.
While you are here
Day 1: consultation and examination at the clinic in Manikonda, pre-operative tests the same day. Surgery at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, usually on day 2 or 3. Home from hospital in 24 to 48 hours for most laparoscopic operations. Clinic reviews until Dr. Sujeeth clears you to fly. Family can attend every step.
After you return
You leave with the discharge summary, operation notes, and a letter for your physician abroad. Video reviews at 2 and 6 weeks, wound photos and any reports on WhatsApp. Histopathology is emailed when ready. Your local physician gets everything they need to continue care.
How many days to plan in Hyderabad
Counted from the first consultation to fly-home clearance, for an uncomplicated case. Add a buffer if your ticket is hard to change.
| Operation | Hospital stay | Days in Hyderabad | Back to desk work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic gallbladder removal | 1 night | 7–10 | About 1 week after surgery |
| Inguinal or umbilical hernia (laparoscopic) | Same day or 1 night | 7–10 | About 1 week |
| Incisional or complex hernia | 2–4 nights | 10–14 | 2–3 weeks |
| Anti-reflux surgery | 1–2 nights | 7–10 | 1–2 weeks |
| Bariatric surgery (sleeve, bypass) | 2–3 nights | 12–14 | 2 weeks |
| Thyroid surgery | 1–2 nights | 7–10 | 1 week |
| Piles, fissure, fistula, pilonidal sinus | Same day or 1 night | 7–10 | About 1 week |
Why the wait before flying matters: when it is safe to fly after surgery.
Managing a parent’s surgery in Hyderabad from the US, UK or Gulf
Often it is not the visitor who needs the operation but a parent who lives here, and the son or daughter abroad is the one reading the reports at midnight. We built the video tier for this.
- You get the written opinion. Your parent’s reports are reviewed and the written opinion is sent to you and to them.
- The video review is in your time zone. A 20-minute Google Meet with Dr. Sujeeth, you from abroad, your parent from Hyderabad, both on the same call.
- You are in the loop after surgery. The same WhatsApp updates, discharge summary and video follow-ups go to you as to the patient, with your parent’s consent.
- Paying from abroad. The opinion is charged in USD or GBP by card. Hospital charges are billed by Apollo Hospitals, which accepts international cards; you can pay on your parent’s behalf.
Visas, insurance, receipts
Visa
OCI card holders and NRIs with a valid Indian visa need nothing extra for surgery. Foreign passport holders without OCI apply online for an e-Medical visa with an invitation letter from Apollo Hospitals, which we arrange once dates are set. Spouses and children on other visa types can accompany you normally.
Insurance from abroad
US and UK health insurance rarely covers planned surgery in India, so most NRIs pay the hospital directly. Some Gulf and international plans do reimburse: ask your insurer for their overseas-treatment form before you travel and we will complete the medical sections.
Health Savings Accounts and receipts
Surgery that is a qualified medical expense is generally eligible for US HSA and FSA reimbursement even when performed abroad. Keep the itemised hospital invoice, our consultation and opinion receipts, and a note of the exchange rate on the payment date. We provide all of these as PDFs. Confirm the rules with your plan administrator; we cannot give tax advice.
Records for your doctor abroad
You leave with the operation notes, discharge summary, implant details where a mesh or stapler was used, and a letter addressed to your home physician. Histopathology follows by email.
ఇండియా వచ్చినప్పుడు ఆపరేషన్ చేయించుకోవాలనుకుంటున్నారా?
అమెరికా, యూకే, గల్ఫ్, కెనడా, ఆస్ట్రేలియా నుంచి హైదరాబాద్ వచ్చే చాలా మంది హెర్నియా, పిత్తాశయ రాళ్లు, థైరాయిడ్ లేదా బరువు తగ్గించే ఆపరేషన్ను ఇండియా ట్రిప్లో చేయించుకుంటారు. ముందుగా ప్లాన్ చేస్తే ఇది సులభం.
- రావడానికి ముందు: మీ రిపోర్టులను వాట్సాప్ లేదా ఈమెయిల్లో పంపండి. డా. సుజీత్ 3 పని దినాల్లో వ్రాతపూర్వక అభిప్రాయం (PDF) పంపుతారు. ఆపరేషన్ అవసరమా, ఏ పద్ధతి, హైదరాబాద్లో ఎన్ని రోజులు ఉండాలి అనేది అందులో ఉంటుంది.
- ఇక్కడ ఉన్నప్పుడు: మొదటి రోజు మణికొండ క్లినిక్లో కన్సల్టేషన్ (₹1,000) మరియు పరీక్షలు. రెండో లేదా మూడో రోజు అపోలో హాస్పిటల్స్, జూబ్లీహిల్స్లో ఆపరేషన్. చాలా లాపరోస్కోపిక్ ఆపరేషన్లకు 24–48 గంటల్లో డిశ్చార్జ్.
- తిరిగి వెళ్లాక: వీడియో ద్వారా ఫాలో-అప్, వాట్సాప్లో గాయం ఫోటోలు, రిపోర్టులు. మీ దేశంలోని డాక్టర్కు లేఖ.
- హైదరాబాద్లో మీ తల్లిదండ్రులకు ఆపరేషన్ అవసరమైతే: USD 99 వీడియో ఆప్షన్తో మీరు విదేశం నుంచి, వారు హైదరాబాద్ నుంచి ఒకే కాల్లో డాక్టర్తో మాట్లాడవచ్చు.
గమనిక: విదేశాల్లో ఉన్నవారికి ఇచ్చే వ్రాతపూర్వక అభిప్రాయం మీ రిపోర్టుల ఆధారంగా ఇచ్చే సమాచారం మాత్రమే. చికిత్స హైదరాబాద్లో, ప్రత్యక్ష పరీక్ష తర్వాతే జరుగుతుంది. విదేశాలకు ప్రిస్క్రిప్షన్ ఇవ్వబడదు.
వాట్సాప్లో మాట్లాడండిFrequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Hyderabad for hernia or gallbladder surgery?
Plan for 7 to 10 days from the first consultation to fly-home clearance for an uncomplicated laparoscopic gallbladder or hernia operation, and 10 to 14 days for complex hernia or bariatric surgery. The written plan you receive before you travel gives the number for your case.
Can everything be arranged before I land?
Yes. Send your reports from abroad for the written opinion, then receive a plan with proposed dates and an itemised hospital estimate. Consultation and pre-operative tests are on your first day here; surgery is usually on day 2 or 3.
Can I use my US Health Savings Account?
Surgery that is a qualified medical expense is generally HSA or FSA eligible even when performed abroad. Keep the itemised hospital invoice, our receipts and the exchange rate on the payment date. Confirm with your plan administrator; we cannot give tax advice.
Do NRIs need a medical visa?
OCI card holders and NRIs with a valid visa do not. Foreign passport holders without OCI apply for an e-Medical visa with an invitation letter from Apollo Hospitals, which we arrange.
My parent in Hyderabad has been advised surgery. How can I be involved from abroad?
Book the written opinion with video review (USD 99). Your parent’s reports are reviewed, you receive the written opinion, and the video review is scheduled in your time zone with your parent joining from Hyderabad. After surgery you receive the same WhatsApp updates and video follow-ups as the patient.
What if I already have an appointment booked with another surgeon here?
The written opinion is yours to keep and to show to any doctor. Many people use it to decide between options; there is no obligation to have surgery with us.