How to Prepare for Heart Surgery in India: The Ultimate Packing & Planning Checklist for Malaysians

You have made the decision — your heart surgery will be at DDMM Heart Institute in India. Now comes the practical part: what do you pack, what documents do you need, how do you prepare your body, and what do you need to arrange at home before you leave Malaysia? This checklist is built from the real preparation guides V&R Medical Service sends to every Malaysian patient before their trip to Nadiad.

1. Medical Documents — Non-Negotiable

These documents must travel in your hand luggage — never checked baggage. If your bag is lost, you still need these.

• Original and 3 copies of all cardiac reports: Coronary angiogram, echocardiogram report, stress test results, Holter monitor results if any
• Specialist letter from your Malaysian cardiologist confirming diagnosis and recommendation for surgery
• Full blood test results (FBC, renal panel, liver panel, coagulation, lipid profile, HbA1c if diabetic) — taken within the last 3 months
• ECG results — most recent
• Chest X-ray — most recent, with CD or digital file if available
• List of all current medications including doses and frequency — typed in English
• DDMM admission confirmation letter from V&R Medical Service
• e-Medical Visa — printed copy for patient and companion
• Travel insurance policy — printed summary with emergency contact number
• Passport — original, plus 2 photocopies
• MyKad — original, plus 2 photocopies

2. Clothing and Personal Items

Gujarat in April is hot — temperatures reach 35 to 42°C. Pack accordingly.

For the Patient

• 5 to 7 loose, comfortable shirts or baju — front-opening preferred (easier access for monitoring leads and wound inspection)
• 3 to 4 loose trousers or tracksuit bottoms — no tight waistbands
• Non-slip slippers or sandals for hospital ward use
• Light cardigan or hoodie — hospital wards can be cold
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild soap, shampoo, deodorant
• Small hand towel (hospital provides large towels but personal hand towel is comfortable)
• Prayer mat (sejadah) and compass for Qibla direction
• Phone charger and power bank
• Light reading material or tablet for hospital stay
• Ear plugs — hospital wards can be noisy at night

For the Companion

• Enough clothing for the full trip duration plus 2 extra days buffer
• Comfortable walking shoes — you will walk between hotel and hospital daily
• Notebook and pen for taking notes during medical consultations
• Portable wifi device or activated international roaming

3. Medications to Carry

Carry a full supply of your current medications for the entire trip plus 1 week extra. Bring the original boxes with pharmacy labels, and carry the prescription or specialist letter for each medication.

Important: Certain medications must be stopped before heart surgery. Your cardiologist in Malaysia and Dr. Sanjeeth Peter will advise which ones and how many days before surgery. Common pre-surgery medication adjustments include:

• Blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, rivaroxaban) — usually stopped 5 to 7 days before surgery. Get clear instructions from your Malaysian cardiologist before departure.
• Metformin (diabetes medication) — usually stopped 48 hours before contrast procedures or surgery
• Continue all other medications as normal unless specifically told to stop

Carry a small personal first aid kit: paracetamol (adult dose), antacid (Gaviscon or Eno), oral rehydration salts, and antiseptic cream for minor cuts.

4. What to Arrange at Home Before Leaving

• Childcare arrangements: If you have young children, arrange reliable care for the duration of your trip (typically 2 to 3 weeks)
• Work leave: Apply for medical leave well in advance. Your Malaysian specialist and DDMM discharge summary will provide documentation for employer
• Bill payments: Set up auto-pay or arrange for a trusted person to handle utility bills, mortgage/rent, and other commitments
• Home security: Inform a trusted neighbour or family member that you will be away. Set timers on lights.
• Pet care: Arrange for pets to be cared for during your absence
• Emergency contact list: Leave a written list of emergency contacts with your next of kin in Malaysia — including V&R Medical Service’s WhatsApp number (+6011 2159 9937) and DDMM Heart Institute’s number
• Healthcare proxy: If you have a preferred person to make medical decisions on your behalf in case of emergency, discuss this with them before departure

5. Financial Preparation

• Confirm hospital payment arrangements with V&R before departure — whether you are paying by international bank transfer, KWSP withdrawal, or other means
• Carry emergency cash in Indian Rupees (INR) — exchange RM 500 to RM 1,000 worth before departure or at Ahmedabad Airport. Daily expenses in Nadiad are modest.
• Inform your bank that you are travelling to India to avoid card blocks — both patient and companion
• Carry one credit card and one debit card, kept separately (not both in the same bag)
• Save V&R’s WhatsApp and all important numbers offline on your phone — not just in your browser

6. Pre-Surgery Health Preparation

The weeks before your surgery are important for optimising your physical condition:

• Stop smoking immediately — smoking impairs wound healing and increases anaesthesia risk. Every day smoke-free before surgery helps.
• Control blood sugar if diabetic — high pre-operative HbA1c increases surgical risk and slows wound healing. Work with your Malaysian doctor to optimise control before departure.
• Light daily walking — 20 to 30 minutes of gentle walking daily in the weeks before surgery improves post-operative recovery
• Maintain healthy weight — no crash dieting, but avoid heavy oily meals in the week before surgery
• Dental hygiene — good oral hygiene reduces bacterial load and lowers infection risk. Brush and floss thoroughly in the weeks before surgery.
• Sleep well — aim for 7 to 8 hours nightly. Good sleep before surgery supports immune function.

7. Day-of-Travel Checklist

• Check-in online if possible — reduces airport stress
• Arrive at KLIA or KLIA2 at least 3 hours before international departure
• Inform check-in staff that you are a medical patient — request a wheelchair if needed
• Carry all documents and medications in hand luggage only
• Eat a light meal before departure — avoid heavy food
• Stay hydrated throughout the journey
• WhatsApp V&R when you board — we will arrange your airport pickup at Ahmedabad
• V&R coordinator meets you at Ahmedabad Airport arrivals and transfers you directly to DDMM or Boulevard 9 Resort