July 31, 2010

Your Trip

What to Pack:

When deciding on what clothes and shoes to bring, always keep in mind that loose, comfortable clothing and comfortable slip on shoes are the way to go. Many places in India require that visitors and guests remove shoes before entering, so wearing loafers or sandals will save you from having to tie and untie and strap and buckle. It will also cut your time at the airport when going through security.

You'll need to carry along all of your personal ID information and passport. You must apply for a Visa. MED INDIA recommends working with Visa Express. US travelers entering India are required to show a passport. Your local Consulate of India has all the information you need, so contact them with any questions you may have. You don't need your Social Security card, so leave it home.

It's very important that you bring any prescription medications as well as any medical equipment that you need to maintain your health. India's warm climate and sunny days mean you should take along plenty of sun block if you plan to be outside for prolong periods. Use as your doctor directs.

Bringing toiletry items is not a bad idea (soap, shampoo, conditioner) and don't forget reading material for your flight. You'll find plenty of material to read in the hospitals as well as in your luxurious Guest Home in India, but perhaps nothing that captures your interest. Common bathroom electrical appliances like razors, hair dryers and grooming appliances may be troublesome; our hospitals and Guest Home have international plug adapters.

Carrying along makeup may not be a good idea. Women may want to take some makeup to cover up any post surgical bruising. However, airport security checks all liquids. What's more, it's often too hot outside to apply cosmetics effectively. Foundations, powders, and eyeshades often slide off, which is why Indian women don't wear a great deal of cosmetics during the day. Feminine hygiene products are certainly a good idea. Your preferred brands may not be available locally.

If you are undergoing cosmetic surgery you should get your surgical garments before leaving and bring them with you. Hospitals sometimes don't carry Western-sized garments. Bring comfortable clothes to recuperate in, as this will help make a difference in how you'll feel after surgery.

To summarize, India allows you to bring anything you plan to take home again. You are allowed to bring one carton of cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of loose tobacco. You're only allowed 1 liter of alcohol or wine. You can only take along gifts up to approximately $620.

Carrying Your Money Overseas:

Most hospitals accept any major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Discover), but not everywhere else does. To ensure you have the proper financial means of payment throughout your trip, make sure to:

1. Contact your bank and credit card companies

If you plan on visiting a bank or using a credit card while in India, it's a good idea to contact your preferred financial institutions beforehand. Let them know you'll be traveling. Double check the spending limits on your cards and debit accounts and make sure you are able to use your cards overseas. Financial institutions often red flag purchases made overseas to protect against fraudulent activity. It can take weeks to release this hold, so be careful.

2. Take along travelers checks

It's always a good idea to have a Plan B, just in case of an unforeseen problem. So make sure you have additional funds available, such as Travelers Checks, in case your debit or credit card doesn't work. Purchased at your financial institutions, they are guaranteed against theft, and are accepted throughout India.

3. Bring Some Cash

Taking lots of cash on any overseas trip is never recommended for travelers. But it's a good idea to carry a small amount of convertible cash for minor purchases-a soda at the airport, a tip for your driver, a souvenir at the airport gift shop. Airport changing stations usually offer a decent money exchange rate, even a better rate than in most places in India.

4. Leave Your Personal Checks At Home

No one in India will accept any kind of personal check, no matter how hard you try. What's more, passing around personal checks will provide plenty of opportunities for someone to steal your account information, which could then lead to identity theft. Leave your personal checks at home.

5. Have A Financial Plan B

Before you leave, make sure a friend or relative at home is authorized to make financial decisions for you. Imagine if your credit or debit card is stolen or doesn't work for some reason, and you lack funds. You'll want someone trusted who is on your side back home who can help arrange transfer of funds.

India: What's it like?

Arriving at the airport, you'll first pass through customs, then passport control, then immigration. Just follow the traffic flow, read the signs, and you won't be confused. Once you step out of the airport, you'll be seeing the landscape for the first time. The first thing you'll notice is that India is nothing like the U.S. There is sorrow and beauty side by side. Poverty and riches side by side. Very wealth and very poor people, side by side. Above all, you will marvel at the generosity and kindness the Indian people show to each other and to you. You've probably heard it before, but Indian people are famous for their hospitality and it shows. Take this wonderful opportunity to absorb as much as you can about the culture-the food, music, views, people, etc.

Your Hospital:

The hospital where you'll undergo your procedure is a very modern, ultra-clean facility with all state-of-the-art equipment available to take care of your medical needs. It will look like a U.S. hospital, sometimes with marble flooring and fancy décor. One thing is certain: You will find comfortable rooms, great food, and excellent care waiting for you. In your hospital bathroom, the shower is not partitioned separately, which is a common architectural design. Also, Indian hospitals aren't big on disposable items, preferring instead more eco-friendly products. (Don't worry, the doctors and medical staff are absolutely obsessive about properly sterilized instruments and reused material). For example, you won't see paper gowns and sheets, but hard cloth ones instead.

A flurry of people-doctors, nurses, medical staff-will see you during your first few hours in the hospital, catering to your every need. After many hours of flying you may feel a bit overwhelmed by this. Some of the people you will meet include:

International patient coordinator for the hospital
Head nurse for the ward
Your personal nurse
Your personal dietician
Your surgeon
A lab technician or two
A couple of porters who will obsessively straighten your room and check things for neatness and cleanliness. Everyone works as a cohesive unit to prepare your surroundings and make sure your surgery proceeds perfectly.

Believe it or not, most of the hospitals in India have a nurse to patient ratio of 1 to 1. That means you'll have all the attention you need and then some! This is quite a difference from the hospitals here in the U.S., as we all know. The nurses will check on your needs frequently before and after your surgery. If you feel overwhelmed by the attention, just let them know. They'll let you alone. In fact, they'll do whatever you ask.

Just after you arrive and are settled in at the hospital, you will have your own private dietician who will ask you what types of food you like. Keep in mind they will strictly monitor your diet before and after surgery. The food is excellent and there is a grand variety to choose from.

You always have the option of eating either Indian food or "Continental" (Western) food. If you choose to eat Indian food, you will almost automatically be given a choice of "Veggie" or "Non-Veggie" cuisine. Many Indians do not eat meat. The average American thinks Indian food is very spicy, but many people come home craving Indian food forevermore. It's important to let your dietician know if you have a problem with spicy food. Also, let your dietician know if there is something you can't or won't eat. Your meals will be prepared the way you like. Interestingly, drinks are often served lukewarm or even hot and almost never with ice unless requested. Tea is very frequently given. Breakfast cereals are served with hot milk. You can request cold milk too.

If for any reason you are unhappy with the hospital food or are just looking for some comfort foods like home, then you can visit any of the many fast-food chains near most hospitals (McDonald's and Dominos Pizza are very common in India). Just keep in mind that beef and pork are sometimes rare foods.

Shopping:

If you like shopping, you'll love India. There are plenty of street vendors and they are all very loud and boisterous. They'll stop at nothing to make a sale. For example, most retailers will show you all the items in their shops if they think you will buy, making it hard for you to walk away without purchasing something. Bargaining is acceptable, as in Europe, but within reason. Some merchants display a "fixed price" sign prominently on the door or wall, so try to keep an eye out for that. Clothing items are not hung on hangers but stacked on shelves, unwrapped and brought to you to examine. India has many wonderfully artistic textiles, jewelry, and arts and crafts. If you like window shopping, you may pay a few dollars to have a guide walk you through the best window shopping neighborhoods. Be advised, you will be quickly overwhelmed by the many venders vying for your attention. Guides are experienced at taking off some of the heat.

As with the U.S., the major department stores in India offer high end goods in a more relaxed environment. However, for better deals and a more authentic Indian cultural experience the open air markets are the place to go. Be warned of overly aggressive vendors.

Coming Home:

Before you leave your hospital, make sure you receive a copy of your medical records from your personal physician. Also, make sure you have all the proper contact information for your surgeon, just in case there is any question regarding the notes on your medical chart. It's also important that you make sure you have detailed instructions on how to take care of yourself on the flight home and in the days and weeks to follow.

If you've picked up items in India, make sure you pack them for U.S. customs separately from the rest of your belongings, and keep their sales receipts handy. U.S. Customs information is available at: www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/duty_free.xml. You don't need to declare items you are bringing home unless they exceed $800 in value. Also, you are prohibited from bringing into the U.S. from India soil, plants, pets, insects, absinthe, biological matter, drugs and drug paraphernalia, animals, cat and dog fur, and most foods.

You may want to bring medications, as medications are significantly cheaper in India than in the U.S. Purchase medications to take home with you after surgery; but keep in mind that you risk having them seized by customs.

Have Fun:

India is one of the most fun and amazing places in the world. Absorb the culture, go sightseeing, enjoy the people, visit the temples. Do as much as you can before your surgery. Try to pack light so this way you'll spend less time worrying about your baggage and driving yourself crazy and more time enjoying the moment and taking in as many experiences as possible. Remember to relax as much as you can so as to enjoy swifter and much less stressful recovery and recuperation period.

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