One needs to learn from setbacks, experience depression, come out of it, stay focused, keep your future in mind and achieve what you want.
Today we have done more than 4000 robotic surgeries, mentored many institutions like AIIMS, SGPGI, Adyar, Apollo, Yashoda, Fortis etc., did more than 200 academic programs for students. Worked in top 3 corporate hospitals of Hyderabad, entered three prestigious associations of surgeons, secured the support of our Telugu states surgeons in various academic activities. But the journey was never smooth. It had isolation, defeats deaths of loved ones, episodes of depression. But clear goals, madness of robotic surgery, passion of surgical practice, strong mental strength helped me to overcome many obstacles
My lessons
As a student focus on studies for a better future, learn the best from every teacher:
Was an average student from Wesley, but picked up and prepared with my guru, Shri Krishna anna, i used to take tablets not to sleep, realised it was wrong, finished my syllabus beforehand, so much so that i went for a movie before EAMCET and secured MBBS in Osmania in open category. But i saw many setbacks as a student, to keep up with studies, keep up with politics, won some, lost some. Learnt that you need to let go of somethings as a student, never underestimate anyone, never stop studying no matter what
Struggle increases after housemanship – stay focussed on studies, learning work, skills, work, work no matter what
Secured 1st rank in NIMS MD(physician) entrance, 1st in 5yrs. M.ch(neurosurgery)-joined but left as I wanted to be a surgeon and then secured it in Osmania. Cried when I lost my first patient to infection, learnt that we should save patients by understanding why that complication happened.
You will be on your own after post-graduation, detractors will rise from various quarters, you will face depression, monetary issues, compete to get PG seats, fight for surgical chances and above all have to face these alone many times
Surgical oncology was my next target. Only 5 seats were there in India at that time, 3 in Adyar and 2 in Kidwai. Took a bus to Kidwai with no recommendations, begged the director to take me, and Dr. Kannan helped me. Joined on a stipend of rs.800. A Hyderabadi loves food and can’t stay without it, but there was no canteen in the campus and had to starve for two days, but learnt to cook there and Dr.Mishra helped to arrange food, not my friends.
Kidwai was the toughest phase of life, went into depression as i didn’t get a seat in the first attempt, no proper food, aspirants competing in a cut-throat manner for two seats . But mad passion for cancer surgery, support of some friends, parents and god helped me to secure the seat and had great academics and surgical training there.
Our practice starts- money is secondary-join centre with advanced facilities-must serve the poor and rural people-teach students-learn correct techniques-be careful of some who are ready to chop you
Joined on rs.14,000 salary at MNJ cancer centre but left as it did not have minimally invasive surgery equipment. I joined Yashoda and worked for 5 years.
As I promised myself to serve the poor, i started visiting many districts in Telegu states and Gulbarga and operate the poor and trained many rural surgeons early years i used to travel in RTC bus to reach Karimnagar, Nizamabad and Warangal with a black suitcase filled with instruments and return home tired after finishing 8 to 10 surgeries, with occasional blood spattered on my feet,
Have a passion and pursue it- those who called me mad fellow bought robos now- lesser returns for the surgeon but useful for the patient
I was always passionate about robotic cancer surgery and wanted to learn it. There were no training centres in India and I had to go to rose well park cancer centre, USA and completed my training. That was the first time I applied for a passport and the first country I visited.
Went to Yonsei university, severance robotic institute to fine tune my robotic surgery to Asian cancers. Most of the Koreans do not speak English and I didn’t know any teacher. I wrote a mail, landed in the parking lot, waited for the professors and tagged them, and requested them to allow me into their operation theatre. Dr. Kim helped me a lot I i used to go there every year till covid started,
Learnt humbleness there. Koreans are very hardworking, helpful, and very good in surgical techniques.
I had to change hospitals every 5 years as new robos were getting launched and acquired the experience of having worked with all the generations of DaVinci robots.
My best learning is in mentorship
Mentoring an expert from AIIMS or SGPGI or Adyar is very tough as they are masters in their field and I used to feel jittery sometimes during the travel to go there. But the feedback they gave, mutual discussions helped me designing new approaches, new way of inserting ports to do robotic surgery.
Mutual learning happens during mentorship
I had to go into depression as I lost my mother and father during my journey. I predicted peripheral vascular disease for my father and despite thinking hard and exploring everywhere, I did not find any solution and lost him eventually.
I realised life is brittle, unpredictable, one should live decently but most important give it back to society, teach skills you learnt to other students, serve the poor at least 20% of your practice, be updated in practice, keep fitness and be always humble, listen to your patients, your team, colleagues, keep improving for better results. Depression is part of our life, overcome it, there is one life, live well. And live for others also.