Patient Experience
Just home from my surgery at SIMS. The first few days were rough, I won't lie. But Dr. Durai's team had a clear plan for the pain, and he checked on me himself every morning. He was straight about what recovery would feel like—no sugarcoating—which actually helped because I knew what was normal. The physio people he recommended are good too. Taking it day by day, but feeling more like myself each week.
Had surgery with Dr. Durai Mavalavan. He's direct, tells you how it is. Got the job done, no fuss. I'm doing fine now.
I was terrified when they said I needed surgery. My first meeting with Dr. Durai at SIMS, I was a bundle of nerves. He sat down, drew a simple diagram on his notepad showing exactly what he was going to do and why. Didn't use scary jargon. On the day, right before they wheeled me in, he gave my shoulder a pat and said, 'We're ready.' That small gesture meant everything. The parking garage was full that morning, my family had to circle, but honestly, that was the worst part of the whole experience. I'm six months out now, and every check-up feels like a step further away from that scared person in his office.
For years, I was just tired all the time. My old doctor said it was stress. Dr. Ravikiran actually listened to all the weird little symptoms I thought were unrelated—the dry skin, the weight I couldn't lose, the constant chill. He ordered specific tests other doctors hadn't. Turns out it was a thyroid issue, but a complicated one. He drew me a simple diagram on his notepad to explain what was happening in my body. Finally, I had an answer, and a treatment plan that's actually working.
I needed a fine needle test on a thyroid nodule. I was pretty nervous about it, I won't lie. But Dr. Ravikiran talked me through each step before he did it. 'Small pinch now,' he'd say, and that's exactly what it was. The whole thing was over in a few minutes. It felt very controlled and professional. Got the results quickly, and thankfully, everything was clear. It was a relief to have it done so efficiently.
The SIMS Hospital lobby is calm, which helped my nerves. I did have to circle for parking, but that's Chennai. What stood out was the nurse at the endocrinology desk. She saw me looking confused at the forms and came over to help without me even asking. She had a warm way about her and explained things in Tamil, which put my mother at ease. It felt like a team effort, not just a doctor's appointment.
What I remember most is how he spoke to my elderly father. Dad gets flustered easily and doesn't always follow medical terms. Dr. Ravikiran never talked down to him. He pulled his chair closer, looked him in the eye, and explained his diabetes management like they were figuring out a puzzle together. He asked Dad about his daily routine to fit the medication into it. We left feeling heard, not just prescribed to.
After a bad bike accident, my face was a real mess. I saw a couple of other surgeons who basically said they could only do so much. Dr. Karthikeyan was different. He spent ages looking at my scans, drawing on photos, and explaining this multi-stage plan he had. It sounded complicated, but he made it make sense. We're a year into the process now, and honestly, I didn't think I'd ever look this normal again. He didn't just fix the damage; he gave me my confidence back.
I was so nervous about getting my ears pinned back—it felt like a silly thing to be anxious about. But from the first consult, Dr. Karthikeyan was just really calm and direct. The day of the procedure, the team at SIMS kept things moving, even though I had to wait a bit in pre-op. The surgery itself was quick, recovery was exactly as he said it would be—a bit sore, but fine. No drama, no surprises. Just a simple fix for something that bothered me for years.
My mom needed reconstructive surgery after her mastectomy, and the whole experience was daunting. What made it bearable was the environment. The nurses on Dr. Karthikeyan's floor were incredibly kind, always explaining things to her in Tamil, which put her at ease. The hospital itself at Vadapalani felt clean and quiet, not chaotic. Even the little things, like how the receptionist remembered our names, made a stressful time feel more human. The doctor's skill was a given, but the staff's care made the real difference.
Look, I'm not great with doctors. I get awkward. But Dr. Karthikeyan has this way of talking to you like you're just having a normal conversation, not a medical lecture. Before my rhinoplasty, he asked about my job, my hobbies—just chatted. It made me forget to be scared. He checks in himself after hours, not just through an assistant. You get the feeling he actually remembers you as a person, not just another nose on his schedule. That matters a lot.
I had a joint replacement last month. The first few days were rough, I won't lie. But Dr. Ravichandran's plan for managing the pain was clear from the start. He didn't just hand me pills; he explained the schedule, what to expect, and when to start moving. The nurses at SIMS followed it exactly. It wasn't magic, it was a solid, step-by-step process that got me through the worst of it. I'm walking with a cane now, and each week gets a little easier.
Severe rheumatoid arthritis for years. Tried many treatments. Saw Dr. Ravichandran at SIMS. He suggested a new biologic. Explained the risks and benefits clearly. Started it. Inflammation is down. Morning stiffness is less. I can open jars again. It works.
I was quite nervous at my first appointment; autoimmune issues run in my family. Dr. Ravichandran has a very calm way about him. He listened to all my worries without rushing, and his explanations were gentle but firm. The hospital itself is very clean and quiet, which helped. We're trying a conservative approach first, and I feel confident in his care. It's a relief to finally feel heard.
After months of unexplained joint pain and fatigue, I got a referral to Dr. Ravichandran. Honestly, I was starting to think it was all in my head. He ordered the right tests and diagnosed lupus. Starting treatment was a huge weight off my shoulders! The difference in my energy levels in just a few weeks is incredible. I finally have answers and a path forward. So grateful we have specialists like him at SIMS.
Had a hernia repair with Dr. Balaji. Juggling work and health is tough, but his team scheduled everything fast. Surgery was quick, recovery minimal. Back at my desk in days. He gets it when you need things to move.
I was really scared about my gallbladder surgery. The first couple days after were rough, I won't lie. But Dr. Balaji and his nurses had a clear plan for the pain. They checked on me often and adjusted things. Knowing what to expect each day of recovery made a huge difference. I'm feeling more like myself each week now.
Needed my appendix out. Dr. Balaji did it. No fuss, explained things straight. Got the job done. Hospital was fine, parking's a nightmare though.
My whole family was worried when I needed surgery. From the first consult, Dr. Balaji just had a calm way about him. He drew a simple diagram on a notepad to show me exactly what he'd do. The day of, I was nervous waiting, but he came by, cracked a small joke about the hospital coffee, and it helped. The follow-up was thorough—he actually looked at the scar, asked specific questions. It felt like he remembered me as a person, not just a case.
I've been seeing Dr. Durai Mavalavan for over three years now for follow-ups after my initial treatment. What I appreciate most is that he remembers me and my case details without having to dig through the file every single time. He explains the scans in a way that makes sense, never rushing me out. The clinic at SIMS can get busy, sure, but he's the constant in all this. You build a kind of trust when someone guides you through the long haul, and that's what he does.