A Leap of Faith: Why We Traveled to Heal
We traveled to India for affordable lung surgery at CMC Vellore. Discover our medical tourism story—expert care, cost breakdown, and recovery tips:
Have you ever faced a situation where a doctor repeatedly said “nothing is wrong,” but later it turned out that surgery was the only option?
In 2023, we found ourselves living in this exact situation.
My wife had been suffering from persistent chest pain for years. Despite consulting multiple doctors in our country, no one could accurately diagnose the issue. Medications would bring only temporary relief for 2–3 months, and her condition gradually deteriorated.
Finally, we decided to try something we had never considered before — medical tourism.
At first, the idea felt strange. Traveling to another country for surgery? Who does that?
Surprisingly, it’s something thousands of people do — and we ended up being one of them.
This is our story—of leaving home, flying to India, and trusting its healthcare system.
If you’re curious about medical tourism in India, this post will give you a real, first-hand experience.
What is Medical Tourism — And Why India?
Medical tourism means traveling abroad to receive medical treatment. People do it to:
- Save money
- Avoid long waiting times
- Access higher-quality care
Here’s why medical tourism in India is flourishing:
🌍 World-Class Hospitals with international accreditations
(e.g., Medanta, CMC Vellore, AIIMS, Fortis, Apollo, Max, Manipal, BLK, Narayana, PGIMER, Artemis)
👨⚕️ Highly Skilled Doctors, many trained in the US, UK, or Europe
💰 Affordable Healthcare — up to 70–80% cheaper than in Western countries
🗣️ English-Speaking & Bangla-Speaking Staff for smooth communication
⚡ Fast Scheduling — avoid months-long waiting lists
🧳 International Patient Services — airport pickup, translators, lodging support
🌟 Reputation & Trust — backed by thousands of patient success stories
🕌 Tourism Bonus — rich culture, friendly people, and delicious food
Why We Chose India Over Other Countries
We considered China, Thailand, and Singapore, but ultimately chose India due to:
- Lower cost
- Higher treatment quality
- Familiar culture and language
- Strong recommendations from friends and colleagues
- Positive patient reviews
Example:
Surgery in Singapore would have cost $25,000+
At CMC Vellore, India, the total cost was only ~$4,500
Planning Our Medical Journey
📝 Step 1: Research
I searched online:
- “Best pulmonologist in India”
- “Top respiratory medicine doctors in Chennai”
- “Is medical tourism in India safe?”
- “International patient reviews in CMC and Apollo”
Then I consulted with friends, colleagues, and relatives. A senior colleague, Mr. Md. Monirul Islam Milan Sir, gave valuable advice:
- CMC Vellore: More affordable, but takes more time
- Apollo Chennai: Faster, but more expensive
Finally, we agreed to attend Christian Medical College Hospital (CMCH), Vellore, Tamil Nadu.
📞 Step 2: Contacting the Hospital
I booked my wife’s appointment with Dr. Christopher DJ, Head of Respiratory Medicine at CMC, from a local computer center.
- Got the serial within 1.5 months
- Also booked:
- A senior dermatologist
- A general medicine doctor (for me)
- A senior dental doctor
I also contacted Vaidam, a medical tourism agency. I sent medical records via email. They coordinated with doctors and provided treatment guidance.
🛫 Step 3: Medical Visa & Travel
- Medical visa approved within 7 days
- Initially approved for 15 days of leave, which was later extended to 25 days.
- Got a dual currency credit card
- Endorsed USD from my bank
- Booked flight tickets
💡 Tip: Enable the international feature on your credit/debit card before travel. Don’t carry more cash than what is officially endorsed.
First Impressions in India
We traveled:
- By train to Kolkata
- By flight (IndiGo) to Chennai
- By taxi (~3 hours) to Vellore
Lodging:
Stayed at Ashwini Guest House, ~1 km from CMC
- Address: Near CMC, Nainiappan Naicken Street, Bazaar-632004
- Phone: +91 75501 84360
- Clean, peaceful environment
- View of hills and natural breeze from the window
- Cost: ₹15 by auto to the hospital
We stayed here for 31 days.
Meeting Our Doctor
The appointment was at the Ranipet Campus of CMC.
- Reported to MRO at 7:30 AM
- Got a token and room number
- Security guards were friendly and helpful
After waiting for hours, we saw Dr. Christopher. We:
- Shared my wife’s full medical history
- Showed all previous reports and prescriptions
The doctor recommended several tests. After reviewing the results, he confirmed that surgery was necessary — medicine alone wouldn’t work.
To be sure, we consulted another specialist at Apollo Hospital in Chennai for a second opinion. The doctor there said the same thing. Considering the cost difference, we chose CMC for surgery.
The Surgery & Hospital Stay
Diagnosis:
Half of my wife’s left lung was damaged—the damaged portion needed to be removed.
Surgery Details:
- Surgery under general anesthesia (about 4 hours)
- Excellent care at Ranipet Campus:
- Fully air-conditioned
- Clean facilities
- Cooperative nurses and staff
- The female attendant allowed overnight
- Clean toilets (frequently cleaned)
Recovery:
- Walking with support within 4–5 days
- Significant improvement within 7–10 days
The Costs — A Complete Breakdown
| Item | Cost (USD) |
| Doctor Consultations | $50 |
| Tests | $400 |
| Surgery + 20 Days Stay | $3,000 |
| Food | $200 |
| Hotel (31 days) | $200 |
| Flights & Visa | $600 |
| Total | $4,500 |
💡 Compared to over $25,000 in the US, this was life-saving and affordable.
Recovery & Light Tourism
During the waiting period and recovery, we visited:
🏖️ Marina Beach, Chennai – for sea breeze and peace
🛕 Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai – spiritual peace
🏰 Vellore Fort – a historical landmark
🌟 Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple – Vellore City – stunning beauty
India truly is a place where healing meets heart.
Challenges We Faced (And Overcame)
Not everything was perfect. Here are a few small issues:
- Long waiting times at the hospital
- Some delays in appointments
- A few shopkeepers were a bit rude
✅ But with patience and preparation, these were manageable.
FAQs You Might Be Wondering
Is medical tourism in India safe?
✔️ Yes — if you choose NABH or JCI-accredited hospitals.
Do Indian doctors speak English?
✔️ Yes, especially in private hospitals with international patients.
Can I take a companion with me?
✔️ Absolutely. Most hospitals offer attendant accommodations.
Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?
Without a doubt — YES.
Medical tourism in India gave us:
✅ Trusted and affordable treatment
✅ A higher chance of recovery
✅ Excellent hospital experience
✅ The opportunity to explore a beautiful country
If treatment in your country is too slow, expensive, or unavailable, look beyond your borders. Healing may be just a flight away.
Call to Action
Are you considering medical treatment abroad?
🔍 Start researching hospitals today
📨 Contact hospitals or medical tourism agencies directly
💬 Leave a comment below if you’d like my recommendations or advice
🙏 If this story helped you, please share it with others who might need it.