Dr. Venkata Mukunda M

I am a 36Y Male who seemed to have lived a healthy life without any issues/surgeries. One night (Wednesday), I had unbearable pain in my abdomen. I thought it to be a gastric issue and when it was not reducing, went to Emergency of a renowned hospital in Bangalore the next early morning (Thu). They gave painkillers, antacid, etc. and the pain reduced to some extent. During that time, my sugar level was detected to be around 300 units (it was normal when tested a year ago). So, I thought the Lockdown has brought upon this as well. Emergency Doctors sent me home asking me to revisit and get an ultrasound done if pain remains/increases.

Later in the evening, I called up Dr. Venkata Mukunda (who also happens to be my school friend) and upon listening to my case, he asked me to get Ultrasound/Sonography done as he suspected the acute pain could be from some other factor and not necessarily a gastric/acidity related issue.

The next day, I got my ultrasound test done and the radiologist found 3 large stones (1.3~1.7 cm) in my gallbladder, of which one was in the neck of the gallbladder. When I called up Dr. Mukunda to update him, he said he anticipated it and hence had asked me to get the Ultrasound done. Immediately he asked me to get a Liver Function Test (Blood test) done so that he can gauge the damage caused by the stones and if any stone(s) has/have moved out of the gallbladder, which requires further testing and procedures. The Liver Function Test results were normal and he started planning my surgery 5-6 days later.

As with any medical emergency, it was a shock for me and family that a seemingly perfect healthy person can get into such issues. Maybe reduced physical activities during the pandemic could be a major reason, however, the pain felt was too much to experience again. Had it been any other Doctor or Patient, there would have been another round of consultancy with other Doctors to see if surgery can be avoided and if any natural remedies/medicines can cure. However, since I knew Dr. Mukunda for a very long time and since he explained to me and my wife very patiently on why the surgery was required, we were convinced. No "Second Opinion" was taken and we agreed for the surgery on the next Wednesday.

Dr Mukunda prescribed a dose of anti-biotics and also to reduce my sugar levels we consulted another Diabetologist whose treatment ensured my sugar levels reached admissible limits. Moreover, due to ongoing Covid, I had to get my Covid test (RT-PCR) done for the surgery to take place.

Before the surgery, Dr. Mukunda used to check with me on a regular basis if my pain had reduced and through Pristyn Care, he ensured that I had a pleasant experience of pre-authorization of my mediclaim for the surgery. I got admitted to Apollo Spectra Hospital (Koramangala, Bangalore) on Tuesday. The pre-surgery checks/blood tests, ECGs, etc. were done. Sugar level was within range (110-160).

On the day of Surgery, Dr. Mukunda met me in the Pre-operative region of the hospital and very briefly discussed the procedure. He ensured that I was not afraid as it was my first surgery. He made me feel very comfortable and asked the support team to lead me to the Operation Theatre (OT). The anaesthetist and others made me feel very comfortable and within no time, I do not remember what happened.

Fast forward to 3-4 hours, I was in the post-operative care region and it was all hazy. When I regained partial consciousness, I could see Dr. Mukunda and my elder brother (who had accompanied me) discussing. Both of them came to me and told me the surgery was a success and showed me three stones (perfectly spherical I should say!) and my removed gallbladder organ in two different containers. Dr. Mukunda asked how I was feeling and ensured that I get good attention at the hospital. He allowed me to rest and then after shifting to my ward, he visited again to check on me. We had a good chat over the surgery and he explained the procedure along with post operative care I had to take for the night and next day, before he would again visit me. I had difficulty for the first night with pain and restricted movement.

However, the next day I was better in mobility and spirit and Dr. Mukunda explained further procedure, do's and don'ts very nicely. He also explained what would happen if I do not follow the set procedures. In the discharge summary, all these were also mentioned and we reached home.

Post surgery, I used to update Dr. Mukunda every morning for 1 week. He would acknowledge my message and also ask me specific questions. Luckily my sugar levels started dipping while taking diabetes medicines and with concurrence of the diabetologist, I gradually reduced medicine dosage and have finally stopped diabetes medicine. With good control over food and regular walking, I suppose my sugar levels have reduced and I have to continue doing the same.

A week after the surgery, I visited Dr. Mukunda and he investigated the incision ports. The cuts had healed and he removed the pins. Thereafter he asked me to follow a few important steps (no lifting of > 5kg, no major workouts/exercise, running, swimming, etc. for atleast 2-3 months).

Today, (12 days after surgery), I feel almost normal (except I should not strain too hard/lift weights) and I owe my present situation to Dr. Mukunda. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for helping me diagnose the issue correctly and taking utmost preference in getting my surgery planned and executed. Had I waited for 2nd/3rd opinion, it would have caused more harm than help.

Summary:

1. Trust your Dr. He/She would have seen similar issues as yours.

2. Get all tests done as they mention.

3. Go with your intuition.

4. Follow the diet/steps told by the Dr.

When I had a sudden bout of stomach pain, I went to my nearby doctor who asked me to do an ultrasound, Upon seeing it, he diagnosed it as gallstones and asked me to check myself into a hospital to deal with it. I didn't know which hospital to go to. And I was worried about the cost of the procedure.

I searched online and went to the first clinic it recommended. The Clinic - Pristyn Care, Koramangala. Mr.Ajith who was the point of contact from Pristyn Care set up an appointment with their doctor. And I am so happy the doctor turned out to be Dr.Venkat. The day I took all my scans and went to his clinic (Pristyn Care, Koramangala), he sat with me patiently, literally took out a paper and drew the anatomy of the digestive system and explained what was wrong as per my ultrasound. And suggested we do the surgery asap because there was a 16mm stone at the neck of the gall bladder blocking the flow of bile from the gall bladder to the small intestines, thus preventing digestion. He painstakingly explained what happens with surgery, without surgery, alternatives to it and covered all range of questions for over 30 minutes...and I knew the only viable option I had was surgery. When discussing the cost, I was surprised at it being inexpensive as opposed to what was told to me in major hospitals. So I got admitted the next day. And Dr.Venkat performed the surgery.

Turns out, once he went in, the gall bladder was way more damaged than was seen in the ultrasound. It was enlarged, with a 1cm thick wall, filled with infection and puss!! What was a one hour procedure took over three hours. But Dr.Venkat, as per the nurse who described the surgery to me later, took great efforts to make sure it was a clean surgery with all infection removed (over 50ml of puss suctioned out) and the gall bladder was removed without problems and as minimally invasive as possible.

I was asked to stay an extra day for observation, owing to the severity of the surgery. By the next day I was already walking and Dr.Venkat visited me in the hospital to describe what had happened. And also told me certain other anomalies he found in the body, which I can start addressing right away, so that I don't land up on a surgery table years later.

The second day, Dr.Venkat visited me again and checked on me and I was allowed to go home. It was a pain-free procedure except for the discomfort in the stomach owing to how complicated the surgery had turned. By the seventh day, I was completely alright. And I visited Dr.Venkat who checked on me again and removed the staples and once again gave me instructions on how to maintain my body and so on. That was another 30 minutes! The doctor makes time for patients like no other doctor I know!! :-)

Even though the hospital stay for extended for a day, Dr.Venkat and Pristyn Care made sure the cost wouldn't go too much beyond the package I was initially told. I just had to pay the hospital 10k extra because of the extra day and also for the additional equipments that had to be used for the surgery and also the additional medicines for the extra day. Dr.Venkat and Pristyn Care made sure the cost was exactly as I was told and I was extremely grateful that such doctors and clinics still do exist!! Right from arranging a transport to bring me to the hospital, to arranging for me to be dropped back home after surgery, with two of their 'care buddies' repeatedly checking on me everyday, Pristyn Care turned out to be much more than I expected...and Mr.Ajith and his team took care of every concern (especially the cost) without us having to stress about anything.

It's been three weeks since surgery and I am perfectly fine, my medicines ended yesterday and I feel absolutely relieved. I sent the report of the biopsy to Dr.Venkat on WhatsApp and he responded with observations and I am totally free from any further issues. I am eternally grateful to Dr.Venkat for the amount of work put in by him and for stepping in at just the right time and helping me with this.

Everything was explained clearly, everything was laid out openly and honestly. He took as much time as I needed to explain to me what needed to be done, before the surgery. But most impressively....even seven days AFTER surgery, he took equal amount of time to talk to me even though he didn't need to! That shows genuineness and I would recommend anyone in need of help in this area to go to Dr.Venkat. He is the best!!

Last 8 -10 years I had gallstones. I was delaying surgery just because I wanted to avoid the hassle of running around hospitals and running behind insurance approval. Then I came to know about Pristyn Care. The way it started and ended it, changed my whole perception of medical care. I still can’t believe, how could the overall process of my gallbladder surgery be so easy?

It started with my search for the best surgeon in Bangalore for Gallstones. Practo brought me to Dr Venkata Mukunda. I was impressed with Practo ratings and patient experience with him. So I decided to get the consultancy from him. Had an online consultancy with him and I was given a single point of contact (Mr Ajith). Real surprise came when I was told that I need not worry about insurance approval and hospital selection. Mr Ajith took all the hassles, he took care of insurance approval, free pickup and drop cab booking and hospital selection. Everything was just sitting at home. No paperwork at all.

My insurance company had a daily bed charges limit of Rs 3000 only, whereas most hospitals charge Rs 6000 for twin sharing rooms. So I was expecting a low-quality hospital room. Pick up cab came to my house and directly brought me to Apollo hospital Seshadripuram. There was a care-buddy from Pristyn care who helped me to get admitted. The admission process took more time than expected but it was painless. They admitted me even before insurance approval. I did not pay any money from my pocket. Insurance approval came a little late at night, but I was already given room and basic medication.

It was a big surprise for me that the hospital room was way better than I was expecting. Much better than 3-star hotels. ( Only thing missing was beer and barbeque, just kidding... ). Nurses on the press of a button, regular cleaning of rooms, toilets. Prompt room service.

The next day morning I was made ready for surgery. MRCP and blood test was done early in the morning. My operation was a complicated one, so it took 5 hours to get all the stones removed. They gave me a full box of stones, around 100 plus big and small stones. The surgery went well and I could recover quickly. I got discharged in 2 days. Thanks to Dr. Venkata Mukunda. ** ** *** **** ******* * **** **** ************ Till discharge, he visited me (even on Sunday) and made sure everything was fine. He is my real-life hero.