A crucial treatment option for certain major health conditions is surgery. A surgeon can recommend hip replacement surgery that replaces a damaged hip joint with a functional one. India is a top destination for medical tourism, as this surgery costs only a fraction of the cost incurred in developed countries like the United States, the UK, and Australia. Many foreigners are keen to explore the country as it is becoming a sought-after destination for medical tourism. With a high success rate, and a better quality of life after the surgery, the patients don’t mind spending a little more provided they get all the facilities. India has a number of well-qualified doctors and the patient-centric approach of the different medical staff is a positive factor for the medical tourism industry. In this blog, we will briefly describe the best time to travel to India for hip replacement surgery.
To make your medical journey fruitful and a pleasant one, some points that you should bear in mind include:
- Climate,
- Crowd levels,
- Travel costs, and
- your overall recovery when choosing the best time for surgery.
The time of year you travel for the surgery is crucial. As the world has different time zones, you should plan your journey as per your convenience, as the time can impact your surgical experience, postoperative recovery, and your comfort while traveling.
What is the Best Time to Travel to India for Hip Replacement Surgery?
Several factors that including climate, comfort, and the availability of healthcare services affect the season that suits one for the procedure. India has three primary seasons; summer, monsoon, and winter, and each season is unique.
1) Winter (November to February)
November to February make up the winter season in the northern hemisphere. Some advantages of surgery in this season include:
- A favorable climate: The weather being mild and pleasant and average temperature ranging from 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F) makes the weather extremely favorable for undergoing the procedure.
- Peak international tourist season: International tourists particularly British and American tourists prefer the winter season for its pleasant weather and low humidity.
- Winters tend to make one more energetic: Winter time is best suited for post-recovery. As physical therapies can take considerable time and in winters you will not feel the sweat and discomfort of summer heat. Winter period is good for exercises as it is normal that a person can do similar exercises in winters for a longer duration as compared to summers. This increases the body’s immunity also.
2) Summer (March to June)
The summer season in India begins from March and lasts till June.
- Recovery can be challenging: It is quite hot during the summers and usually temperatures rise beyond 40°C or 104F in many Indian cities. This heat is a cause of discomfort and the start of many air-borne diseases. The extreme heat of the sun causes perspiration and an increase in the humidity makes one tired easily. Traveling after post-surgery can be a challenge, especially if you are feeling weak.
- Risk to health: Some risks that start with the onset of summer season include dehydration, heat exhaustion, and infections. And these can complicate the recovery. Extremely hot weather may not allow the easy progress of therapy or if you want to pursue outdoor activities, you will have to think twice.
- Limited Tourist Inflow: International tourists prefer to come to India in the winter season due to its pleasant weather and cooler days.
3) Monsoon (July to October)
July to October is the period of monsoon in India. It is characterized with heavy rains, humidity,and a challenging environment for travelers.
- Increase in the risk of infections: Risk of infections is high in monsoon season, particularly for those who are yet to recover. Infections from mosquitos and other insects is always a threat that you should consider. This may delay the healing process so you should carefully consider the operation in this season.
- High Rainfall: It is a characteristic of monsoon with high humidity. This again poses a challenge to people from cooler climates, as high humidity can give an invitation to bacterial and fungal infection.
- Tourist inflow is the lowest in this season, which makes hotel and other accommodation cheap. But opting for the surgery in this season is least preferred due to many ill-effects.
Winter months from November to February and autumn season are favorable to undergo this surgery. As it has good weather and the autumn season which transits from monsoon to cold winters are the 2 ideal seasons for hip replacement procedure.
Advantages of Off-Season Treatment vs Peak Season
The big advantage with off-season is cost saving. Low flight fare, cheap accommodation, a better and personalized medical treatment are the benefits of surgery in off-season, summer and monsoon seasons.
In the peak seasons, hospitals and medical establishments may be crowded, which may lead to an increase in the consultation time and the operation date.
If you want a saving in the cost, the off-season period is the better option. If you plan to visit Mumbai or Goa, winter and the initial spring period are good to schedule surgery in these areas.
Keeping Fit and Healthy While Traveling for Surgery
Maintaining your health while traveling to India is vital for a smooth recovery and a positive experience. A few tips that will keep you fit and healthy while traveling for this procedure include:
- A healthy lifestyle will make sure you stay physically active prior to the medical procedure.Physical exercises help the body parts to remain in shape and help to keep mentally fit also. This can help you recover more quickly post-surgery.
- Consuming a wholesome food rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein will add to quick recovery. Once you arrive in India, a wide variety of nutritious local foods are available easily. But mind the water and hygiene. You can carry a basic medical kit with you.
- Drinking plenty of water will keep the body hydrated. As it is crucial especially in summers. Dehydration can hamper the growth and recovery process.
- A support system will be of valuable help. It can be a friend, family member, or caregiver that will help you through the recovery process. You can also consider hiring a local caretaker if necessary to assist with daily tasks as you recover.
- If you have any travel insurance, keep it ready. It can be of help in complicated matters of surgery.
Conclusion
We discovered the best time to travel to India for hip replacement surgery (i.e., November to February is the best time for this medical procedure). These cool months reduce the issues related to heat and enable a smooth recovery.
Regardless of when you travel, staying active, maintaining a healthy diet, and adhering to the doctors, recommendations will make the surgery successful. With the right preparation, traveling to India for hip replacement surgery can be a smooth and rewarding experience.
