Parul: As we talk about affordable medical services, How affordable are your surgeries?

Dr. Vishal Soni: Zydus is a corporate hospital but still, we are reasonable when it comes to overall expenditure. There is also a concept of getting the best for your buck here! We believe in these two things. So regardless of your financial status, we are going to give you the services that are worth your money.

Parul: Is Robotic surgery going to break the "holier-than-thou" attitude in surgeons?

Dr. Vishal Soni: I think the surgeons have been badly pictured! These are different times. If you manage to be empathetic towards the patient and be aware of their pain, fear, and discomfort. That is when you earn the patient's respect.

Parul: Is there any incident or case that has left an impact on your mind?

Dr. Vishal Soni: Once there was this government official whom I operated on, after the surgery, he cried like a baby. On asking the reason, He (the patient) told us being in the post (designation) he is in, he is not supposed to show pain, fear, or discomfort. After the surgery, he slept peacefully after a long time! Those were tears of relief! It was a good feeling.

Parul: Could you describe a case or an outcome that disappointed you?

Dr. Vishal Soni: Many doctors will tell you that when the patients are not doing well, they lose sleep or skip a meal! It definitely happens to me! I can't attend a social gathering or function knowing that my patient has complications or they are unwell. It shows on my face. One person who was my patient and had a successful surgery came to the hospital years after with chest pain. He was close to me and was in touch. When he came to the hospital with cardiac symptoms he recalled all the times we spent. He was shifted to ICU after his condition worsened and he could not make it. We did everything we could to save him but we couldn't! I got really disturbed and could not sleep or eat properly for several days. I still remember him. I am still in touch with his family.

Parul: What is the difference between the old way of laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery? How have the times changed?

Dr. Vishal Soni: Be it any surgery, the Instruments/tools are the interfaces between the surgeons and patients. We use the instruments like scissors, and scalpels during surgery. During Laparoscopic surgery we know that we are making very tiny holes, the shaft is long, it has only open and close movement, and the instrument is called a straight stick instrument. In robotic surgery, the shaft is longer, and the device's tip has the same movements just like a wrist joint instead of opening and closing (old laparoscope). This device has more degree of freedom just like my hand. It is as good as doing open surgeries but minimally invasive.

Parul: What is your message to the budding professionals/students? Like Anas, our Medical Journalism intern here at MedBound Times.

Anas Adil: Sir, I am a 5th-year medical student from Georgia. I don't want to do surgery. I am really not into suturing and basic surgical procedures. It does not interest me. What should I do in the future?

Dr. Vishal Soni: Anas, it is very important to know what you don't want to do! We need physicians! You need to hear your calling. I feel in today's world when someone is committing to be a doctor is great enough because you are inviting pain into your life. I will tell you the reason why. When you get a call at 3-4 am at night you are already tired and sleeping, that time is the best part of the sleep you get at night. When you need to go down to the hospital for any case that time you start to question your existence! (Jokingly). If you are not passionate enough or committed enough you become bitter. If you are in those demanding branches like gynecology or pediatrics you will need motivation and passion from within.

Anas: I want to be a pediatrician!

Dr. Vishal Soni: Best of luck a 100 times.

Parul: What is the healthcare scenario in India? As you are working with a Corporate Hospital like Zydus, will you consider a pro bono surgery or even be a on-call surgeon to a non-corporate hospital?

Dr. Vishal Soni: Healthcare access is much better in India now as compared to what it was a decade back. Now regarding hospitals let me break it down for you, there are many types of hospitals. Government-funded hospitals, nursing homes, and corporate hospitals. The nursing homes are going down slowly as there are many rules and regulations by the government. The biggest issue is medical waste disposal and other practices like fire safety which some hospitals do not follow often. Except for the niche branches, everything is now going under privatization. I am open to pro bono surgeries but Corporate hospitals are the next big thing.

Parul: Now some casual questions, What would you be if not a Surgeon(alternate career)?

Dr. Vishal Soni: I would be a high-tech farmer! I teach ergonomics to surgeons for better posture and hand placements in surgeries.

Parul: What can you eat all year long?

Dr. Vishal Soni: I can eat Okra all year long. In India, we call it "BHINDI."

Parul: Do you have a fitness regime?

Dr. Vishal Soni: I don't go to the gym as I work 10 hours every day! But I take out time for cycling and eating healthy food.

It was a pleasure talking to the dynamic surgeon Dr. Vishal Soni!