Dr. S Mallikarjun Rao

I'd been to three other doctors for this nagging abdominal pain, and everyone just said it was stress. Dr. Rao actually listened. He asked about things no one else did, like the specific timing of the pain and my family history. He ordered a couple of specific tests others hadn't thought of. Turned out it was a rare type of intestinal adhesion. It wasn't a quick fix, but finally having a real answer and a plan was a massive relief. He explained it all without making me feel stupid.

Needed my gallbladder out. Honestly, I was nervous at first, but Dr. Rao made it sound so straightforward. The surgery itself was fine—in and out of Apollo in two days. The best part was the follow-up. He called me himself the evening after to check in, and at my post-op visit, he actually took the time to look at the tiny incisions and said they were healing perfectly. It was just a routine thing for him, but he made it feel important.

The parking at Apollo was a nightmare that day, completely full. I was late and flustered for my appointment with Dr. Rao. But from the moment I walked in, the front desk lady was so calm and got me checked in quickly. The nurse who took my vitals noticed I was anxious and cracked a little joke about the parking too. It made a huge difference. By the time Dr. Rao came in, I was actually relaxed. The whole team there just works well together.

What I remember most is how he talked to my elderly mother. She was scared about a new medication. Dr. Rao didn't just hand her a prescription. He sat down, looked her in the eye, and drew a simple diagram on his notepad about how the drug would work. He spoke slowly, repeated the key points, and asked her if she had questions. He treated her with such respect and patience. You don't see that everywhere anymore.