Did you know our heart pumps 2000 gallons of blood each day? So far, our heart continues to function normally, we lead an active and energetic life, but when the arteries carrying blood to the heart muscles are injured, heart bypass surgery is recommended. The importance of this biological function cannot be underestimated. No organ in the body can work properly without enough blood and oxygen. The heart's muscles cannot work correctly if they do not get enough blood, which might have major health repercussions.
With India fast becoming a hub for high-end medical tourism services, patients from all over the world prefer choosing the country to avail of diverse treatments and surgical procedures.
Continue reading to learn about bypass surgery costs in India, available treatment options, and the recovery period.
- Cost of Bypass surgery
- Preoperative Planning for Bypass surgery
- Aftercare and follow-ups
- India’s medical tourism industry
- Medical tourists choose India for bypass surgery
- Variables that affect the cost of bypass surgery
What is Bypass Surgery?
Bypass surgery is a procedure where a healthy blood artery is removed from the leg or chest. The vessel is joined below the heart artery blockage. The new route enhances the flow of blood to the heart muscle improving the condition of damaged heart functioning.
What is the Bypass Surgery Cost in India and Other Countries?
The typical cost of bypass heart surgeries is high because they are critical operations. The price in India might vary from Rs. 150,000* to Rs. 550,000*, which is almost 80%–90% lower than the costs in the USA.
*Note - It varies from hospital to hospital.
What are the different types of bypass surgeries?
Cardiac surgery poses several challenges, so it becomes critical to understand all the types of bypass surgery to be aware of the flexibility, durability, recovery period, costs, safety and comfort related to the given treatment types.
- Off-pump bypass surgery – No machine or tech equipment is required to perform this surgery. The heart continues its regular work during the procedure. This is one type of minimally invasive surgery, and it costs somewhere between INR 2,00,000* and INR 3,00,000*.
- Keyhole bypass surgery – Surgery is frequently necessary for patients who acquire restricted cardiac arteries so that the arteries can be bypassed. This is often carried out through several small or large breastbone incisions. The breastbone cut takes three months to heal, which delays post-operative recuperation. Cost for the same ranges between INR 90,000* to INR 3,00,000*.
- Robotic bypass surgery – Done through multiple small cuts in the chest with the help of highly precise robot-controlled mechanical devices. Smaller cuts mean that one can resume one’s regular work more quickly. The surgery costs between INR 1,50,000* and INR 7,00,000*.
- Hybrid coronary revascularization – Required when you have multiple blockages and the doctor can not provide open-heart surgery. This approached as a hybrid technique to operate some blockages and bypass others. HCR costs range between INR 3,00,000* to INR 4,00,000*.
Note. The cost varies from hospital to hospital and on the treatment option selected.
How do you prepare for Bypass Surgery?
As the most vital organ in the human body, the heart operation calls for extensive planning. A cardiologist, a cardiac surgeon, assistant doctors, and nurses comprise the team of doctors involved in the preparation; they are all required to have advanced training. The patient will receive thorough information regarding the operation before deciding whether to proceed with the surgery. The patient will be informed of the prerequisites, the specifics of the operation, and the postoperative precautions.
Certain investigational tests are required before the majority of procedures.
- Blood Test. There has to be a blood group determination. If a transfusion is required owing to significant blood loss during surgery, blood types compatible with the patient's group are made accessible.
- ECG. To evaluate the heart's functioning, an ECG is performed. It is done to assess the chances of heart-related problems during surgery.
- Angiography. Angiography is used to examine your blood vessels' condition and the way that blood flows through them. It can aid in the investigation or diagnosis of a number of blood vessel-related issues..
- Chest X-Ray. To see the layout of the heart, a chest X-ray is taken. Chest X-rays can identify cancer, infections, or air buildup around lungs.
- Cardiac Catheterisation. Also performed is cardiac catheterisation. It allows the physician to see the coronary arteries and their branches up close.
The doctor should be informed if the patient is taking medication for other medical issues. To accurately assess and address any challenges or issues that may arise during the procedure, preparation for the operation must start well in advance.
What Are The Risks Associated With Bypass Surgery?
When opposed to elective surgery for the treatment of angina and other symptoms, the risk of major consequences is greater for emergency coronary bypass procedures, such as for patients who are experiencing a heart attack. Old patients may also be at a higher risk. The risk may also be increased for those with other severe illnesses such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, renal disease, or lung disease. Given below are the risks related to bypass surgery.
- Blood clots. Blood clots can result in heart attacks and pulmonary issues.
- Infection at the spot of the surgical incision where the chest was opened. Only 1% of coronary bypass surgery people experience this uncommon consequence.
- Renal or kidney failure. The functioning of a patient's kidneys may be harmed after coronary bypass surgery. However, this is often only transitory.
- Memory loss or mental confusion. Many people who have undergone coronary bypass surgery report having trouble thinking. This issue usually gets well after a year to six months. Studies on whether operations on a beating heart and without the heart-lung machine lessen this complication have come up empty.
- Effects of anaesthesia. Patients may have anaesthesia-related side effects, such as breathing difficulties, just as with any surgery carried out while they are "asleep."
- Death. In-hospital deaths following coronary bypass surgery are quite uncommon. Usually, a heart attack or stroke is the culprit.
What are the Aftercare and Follow-up?
Even if a heart bypass operation is successful, therapy is not over. The postoperative treatment must involve equal participation from the patient and the surgeon.
- After surgery: the patient is immediately sent to the intensive care unit (ICU). Vital signs are regularly monitored. The patient may have pain in the chest around the surgical incision after regaining consciousness. Once all the fluid has been drained, they are periodically checked and taken out. In 4-5 days, the patient would be released from the hospital after being kept under supervision.
- Swelling at the surgical spot: Swelling may be seen where the heart bypass surgery was performed. Within a week, this ought to stop. The patient should wear elastic stockings to reduce swelling if the transplant was obtained from a leg vein.
- Suture removal: The sutures' healing at the surgical incision site is checked daily. The patient is instructed to appear before the surgeon on the scheduled day to have the sutures removed.
- Physical Exercise: The patient's sternum is cut loose from the ribcage during heart surgery. Running, strenuous activity and heavy lifting should all be rigorously avoided for roughly a month following surgery. After speaking with the doctor, basic physical exercises may be begun later.
- Diet: The patient's doctor can recommend that they speak with a dietitian. Following surgery, a diet must be developed to maintain normal cholesterol levels. Avoid eating foods with a lot of fat in them. Maintaining a normal blood pressure range is also crucial. They might be told to avoid consuming cheese, butter, sweets, and fried meals.
- Lifestyle changes: The patient's recovery following cardiac surgery will take 6–8 weeks. The patient should adhere to the eating plan prescribed by their doctor throughout this time. They can begin taking walks outside the house after a few weeks. However, you shouldn't walk too quickly. During the period of rehabilitation, it is strictly forbidden to smoke cigarettes or consume alcohol.
If these guidelines are carefully followed, the patient heals quickly and smoothly while mitigating the risks associated with bypass surgery.
What is the cost of Bypass Surgery in India?
Depending on the patient's condition's severity, CABG surgery in India might cost anywhere from Rs 150,000* to Rs 650,000*. The prices also rely on several subjective criteria, including
- The surgeon's experience and expertise
- The medical facility the patient selects for the procedure
- The kind of metal utilised for breastbone reinforcement
For instance, bypass surgery costs may increase because titanium plates, wires, and screws are often more expensive than stainless steel ones.
What Factors Can Affect The Cost Of A Bypass Surgery In India?
The following factors impact the price of cardiac surgery in India:
- Technology. The type of technology or technique being utilised, the type of surgery, the skill and certification of the surgeon, and whether you are paying out-of-pocket or utilising your health insurance plan. The type of hospital—Government, Private, or Trust.
- Scope of Operation. The patient's diagnosis and the scope of the operation needed The patient's overall health and fitness
- On-Pump. During this procedure, the heart is momentarily halted by medicine. Therefore, a pump machine is used to pump blood throughout the body.
- Off-Pump. Using this technique, the CABG is carried done while the heart is still pumping blood, obviating the need for a heart-lung machine.
- Payment Method. The patient's choice of paying for the procedure out of pocket or through health insurance impacts the cost of the heart operation.
- Patient's Health. As previously indicated, the degree of the patient's condition and the type of operation required impact the heart surgery price.
- Accommodation. Room type and the medical institute's credibility.
What Are The Available Financing Options For Bypass Surgery in India?
CABG, or Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, is the most common open heart surgery performed. The recovery period varies from person to person. During this period, the patient needs the utmost care and attention. It impacts their ability to earn their livelihood for some time. There are a plethora of finance options for cardiac surgery available the most common of them are:
- Medical Loans: A medical loan is a specific kind of personal loan that provides financial protection against costs you might have to pay in the case of an unexpected medical bill. Medical debts, including hospital bills, prescription drug costs, surgery costs, bypass surgery costs, and other comparable procedures, can be covered by medical loans.
- Personal Savings And Finances: As there are several types of bypass surgery, one can pay through personal savings depending upon the treatment costs.
- Crowdfunding: Many platforms raise funding for patients who can’t afford to pay their medical bills. This mode of payment has become more popular post-COVID-19. This can be done through Virtual 5K, Donation Matching, and other modes.
- Health Insurance Policies. The insurer will provide financial assistance to your family in the event that you have a loss of income while receiving treatment. After a 30-day survival period, the lump sum payment is made in a single transaction at the initial diagnosis. This one-time payment can be used for care and treatment, recovery assistance, debt repayment, or to cover any lost income resulting from a declining capacity to work.
Key Takeaways
In conclusion, patient mobility is evolving qualitatively and quantitatively as people move for healthcare from country to country. This change is largely due to increased marketing and online consumer information about the accessibility of medical services, the relative affordability of treatments in less developed nations, the accessibility of cheap flights, and other factors.
Adotrip, one of the leading service providers in the medical tourism industry, is delighted to take care of all your healthcare arrangements. Get in touch with us and get a smooth bypass surgery done in India's best healthcare centres.
With us, nothing is far!
Frequently Asked Questions About Bypass Surgery in India
Q1. What are the long-term health benefits of bypass surgery, and is it worth the cost?
A1. The cardiac condition that leads to the blockage, such as atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease, is not treated by coronary artery bypass surgery. However, it can lessen signs like shortness of breath and chest discomfort. The surgery, commonly called CABG or Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, may reduce the risk of heart disease-related death.
Q2. What are the main factors that affect the cost of bypass surgery?
A2. One of the most costly operations is a coronary artery bypass. Amongst hospitals across the nation, there is a sizable cost difference, and between surgeons, there is a sizable supply cost difference.
Q3. Are there any risks or complications associated with bypass surgery?
A3. There are a few risks related to bypass surgery, like Renal or kidney failure, blood clots, swelling and bleeding in the place of incisions. However, most after-effects do not last long and can be mitigated with proper care.
Q5. How does bypass surgery cost vary depending on the location and facility where the procedure is performed?
A5. The costs vary depending on the hospital, its reputation and what its doctors charge in the location.
Q6. Are there any financing options available to help individuals cover the cost of bypass surgery?
A6. One can avail of medical loans, insurance, crowdfunding, and personal savings. Patients can choose the payment mode according to their financial condition and medical plans.
Q7. How much does Coronary Bypass Surgery cost in India?
A7. CABG surgery in India might cost anywhere from Rs 150,000* to Rs 650,000* or more, depending on the above-discussed variables.
(Costs vary from hospital to hospital and as per invasive option selected)
