Learn about Vagus Nerve Stimulation Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Vagus Nerve Stimulation and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is an advanced neuromodulation therapy performed by a neurologist to treat specific neurological conditions. The procedure involves the surgical implantation of a small, pacemaker-like device, typically in the chest, which is connected to the left vagus nerve in the neck via a thin wire. The device delivers mild, regular electrical pulses to the brainstem via the vagus nerve, helping to regulate abnormal brain activity. Primarily used for drug-resistant epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression, VNS offers a long-term management option for patients who have not responded adequately to medications. It is a reversible procedure that can significantly improve quality of life by reducing seizure frequency or alleviating depressive symptoms.

Key Highlights

    Offers a treatment option for medication-resistant conditions like epilepsy and depression.Provides continuous, automatic therapy without requiring daily patient intervention.Is a reversible and adjustable procedure; stimulation settings can be fine-tuned non-invasively.Can lead to a significant reduction in seizure frequency and severity over time.May improve mood, alertness, and overall quality of life for eligible patients.

Who is this surgery for?

  • Drug-resistant epilepsy (focal seizures) in patients who are not candidates for resective brain surgery.
  • Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) that has not responded to multiple antidepressant therapies.
  • As an adjunctive therapy for certain other conditions being researched, such as anxiety disorders or chronic migraine (in specific contexts).

How to prepare

  • Comprehensive neurological evaluation, including video EEG monitoring and neuroimaging (MRI/CT).
  • Detailed discussion with the neurologist and neurosurgeon about benefits, risks, and expectations.
  • Pre-operative blood tests, ECG, and chest X-ray to assess general fitness for surgery.
  • Adjustment or tapering of current medications as advised by the neurologist.
  • Fasting for 8-12 hours prior to the surgery as per hospital protocol.

Risks & possible complications

  • Surgical risks: Infection, bleeding, pain at incision sites, or scarring.
  • Voice changes, hoarseness, throat pain, or coughing during stimulation.
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing, typically temporary.
  • Device-related issues like lead breakage, generator malfunction, or battery depletion requiring replacement.
  • Rare risks include nerve injury, cardiac rhythm changes, or worsening of seizures or depression.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Hospital stay of 1-2 days for monitoring after implantation surgery.
  • Incision sites on chest and neck need to be kept clean and dry for about a week.
  • Avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for 2-3 weeks to allow proper healing.
  • The device is typically activated 2-4 weeks post-surgery during a follow-up visit with the neurologist.
  • Regular follow-ups are essential to program and optimize stimulation settings for maximum benefit.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 1-2 days
  • checked Expected recovery time: 2-3 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering vagus nerve stimulation in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for vagus nerve stimulation compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India INR 450 Thousand – 850 Thousand 1-2 days ~ 2-3 weeks Know More
Turkey TRY 1.58 Million – 2.98 Million 1-2 days ~ 2-3 weeks Know More

Top hospitals for Vagus Nerve Stimulation in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurology teams and experience managing patients undergoing vagus nerve stimulation.

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432+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Gurgaon

  • IconGurgaon, India
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2478+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Jayanagar

  • IconBangalore, India
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1610+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Varthur Road

  • IconBangalore, India
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91+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram

  • IconBangalore, India
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6016+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Mysore

  • IconMysore, India
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1837+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Salem

  • IconSalem, India
  • Icon18 Doctors
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847+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road

  • IconBangalore, India
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180+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Vijayawada

  • Iconvijayawada, India
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2882+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Whitefield

  • IconBangalore, India
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534+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur

  • IconBangalore, India
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5990+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Rangapani

  • IconSiliguri, India
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5734+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Siliguri

  • IconSiliguri, India
  • Icon30 Doctors
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279+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Jaipur

  • IconJaipur, India
  • Icon55 Doctors
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98+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Doddaballapur

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon30 Doctors
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65+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Salt Lake

  • IconKolkata, India
  • Icon129 Doctors
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135+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Goa

  • IconPanaji, India
  • Icon79 Doctors
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12320+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon78 Doctors
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185+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Ranchi

  • IconRanchi, India
  • Icon41 Doctors
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872+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Millers Road

  • IconBangalore, India
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1161+ Rating

Artemis Hospital Gurgaon

  • IconGurgaon, India
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694+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Kharadi

  • IconPune, India
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156+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Patiala

  • IconPatiala, India
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181+ Rating

KMC Hospital Mangalore

  • IconMangalore, India
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PATIENT REVIEW

Reyansh Roy, a 42-year-old software engineer...

Reyansh Roy, a 42-year-old software engineer and father of two, had his life upended by temporal lobe epilepsy. Diagnosed at 28, his seizures evolved from brief absence episodes to debilitating tonic-clonic seizures multiple times a week, despite trying over eight different anti-seizure medications. The side effects, brain fog, fatigue, and mood swings, made it impossible to maintain his demanding job or be fully present for his family. His neurologist, Dr. Sharma, recommended Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) as an adjunctive therapy, explaining it could reduce seizure frequency and severity when medications alone weren't enough. Reyansh felt a mix of hope and apprehension; the idea of an implanted device was daunting. The surgery was outpatient. The recovery involved some neck pain and hoarseness, but within three months, his seizure frequency dropped by 60%. The intensity lessened dramatically, often curtailed by using the device's magnet. Emotionally, he journeyed from a place of frustration and helplessness, fearing he was a burden to his family, to one of regained control and profound gratitude. He returned to part-time work and, most importantly, can now confidently coach his son's football team, something he once thought was lost forever.

Neurologists for Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Explore experienced neurologists who regularly perform vagus nerve stimulation and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Bindu Thankappan
  • 18 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. AK Roy
  • 46 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Uday Murgod
  • 25 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Vivek Iyer
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi, Tamil
Consult Charge ₹ 500

MediFyr Plus SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rithesh R Nair
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi, Tamil
Consult Charge ₹ 500

MediFyr Plus SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Pradyut Ranjan Bhuyan
  • 19 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Laxmidhar Parhi
  • 26 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1250
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. LAKSHMI PRIYA INAPAKOLLA
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Aakash Agrawal
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. KRISHNAVENI VANAPALA
  • 5 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. NAREDDY SANDEEP REDDY
  • 3 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. KAMLESH M CHAWDA
  • 32 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Apurva Nagesh Sharma
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1200
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. DR M. LAKSHMI LAVANYA
  • 7 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Shishir Pandey
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 700
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Jay Dip Ray Chaudhuri
  • 32 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

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Dr. Pramod Krishnan
  • 19 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Manjunath Mahadevappa
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Veena Vedartham
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Neeraj Kumar
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Neurologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

OPD-desk synced • Updated