The Smile of Recovery: Dr. Samir Mahajan, Vadodara ENT Expert, on What Truly Matters in Patient Care & Well-being.
This blog post is based on an interview with Dr. Samir Mahajan
Dr. Samir Mahajan
"I would advise people to spend time on their health. We have become too busy for our own good. We don't get enough sleep. We don't eat on time. We do not exercise; we are forgetting basic things in life, which is somewhere or the other leading to our health issues." - Dr. Samir Mahajan
" I am just a regular person" - Dr. Samir Mahajan
From Human side of Dr. Samir Mahajan, his approach to Healthcare and patient’s philosophy.
Introduction
In this insightful interview, we speak with Dr. Samir Mahajan, well reputed Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgeon(ENT), focusing on his approach to medicine, covering his career journey, patient philosophy, and insights on technology and well-being.
Dr. Samir Mahajan is a highly experienced ENT specialist with over 21+ years in the field. He earned his MS (ENT) in 2003 from Government Medical College, Surat, and further specialized with a Fellowship in Laryngology from Deenanath Mangeshwar Hospital, Pune, and Mumbai Hospital, Mumbai. Dr. Mahajan holds a particular interest and expertise in voice surgeries, along with significant experience in managing voice disorders, sinus surgeries, and mucormycosis surgeries. Dr. Mahajan offers a unique perspective on healing, technology, and the profound connection between a doctor and their patient. Currently, he is running his own clinic named Baroda Ent And Skin Center, Nizampura, Vadodara, Gujarat.
The Accidental Calling: A Passion Forged by Mentors
Dr. Mahajan’s journey into medicine is quite interesting. Initially, his aspiration was to become a soldier. However, life had a different path for him, leading him to pursue medicine. He had one teacher who ignited his passion for becoming an ENT surgeon. He candidly shares, “It was his teachers, particularly Dr. Farida Wadia, who was Head of the department at his college. She was an inspirational person. The way she taught us, handled patients, and approached every case was an inspiration. Thereon, I started finding my feet in this branch of ENT.”
The Patient Goes back with a Smile
When asked what he truly loves most about his specialty,
Dr. Samir shares: “Whether it is any specialty in medicine, the part that we love most is when a Patient goes back with a smile.”
This simple yet powerful sentiment underscores the human-centric core of his practice.”
Just a Regular Person:
When asked what truly sets him apart from other healthcare professionals, Dr. Samir Mahajan humbly replied, “I am just a regular person.” This profound yet simple statement lies at the core of his philosophy. It emphasizes that despite his more than two decades of extensive experience and deep medical knowledge, his approach to patient care remains incredibly relatable and centered on the fundamental human connection, proving that extraordinary healing often begins with an empathetic and down-to-earth perspective.
A Whisper of Warning: The Voice of Early Detection
In a world where we often overlook subtle changes. It’s crucial not to ignore any abnormal symptoms your body presents, no matter how minor they may seem. Early detection can make a life-saving difference. Dr. Mahajan highlights a crucial early warning sign: “a persistent change in your voice”. He explains, “Change in your voice would be the most common problem. If somebody has a change of voice and has history of smoking or tobacco abuse, it could be the first sign of cancer. That would be something which would be a very early sign of [a serious condition].” This serves as a vital reminder to pay attention to our bodies and seek timely medical advice.
Navigating the Uncharted: Lessons from Complex Cases
Medical practice is rarely straightforward, and Dr. Mahajan has faced his share of challenging scenarios. He vividly recounted a particularly challenging case from three years ago at Bhailal Amin Hospital. A patient with blood cancer suffered from extremely low platelet counts, fluctuating between 10,000 to 20,000, yet paradoxically developed a persistent clot in his nose, a rare occurrence given his condition. The patient had been immunocompromised for a year, and while a CT scan suggested mucormycosis, it was strangely confined to just one specific part of his nose. Despite his platelets never rising above 25,000, surgery became essential. To prepare him, the patient received two doses of platelet-rich plasma before the operation, with similar doses administered during the procedure to maintain his platelet count. Given his complex medical history, the situation demanded swift and precise action under immense pressure. Dr. Mahajan recalls, “I was given around 20 minutes by the anesthetist to finish the case because of his medical complications. We just had to go in, remove it, and come out.” The successful outcome, he emphasizes, was a true testament to teamwork: “I would credit the entire team of Bhailal Amin Hospital; You cannot do such cases without a good anesthetic backup and a good ICU backup.”
Another profound case unfolded recently, highlighting the incredible impact of timely care and a patient’s spirit. Dr. Mahajan recalls a patient who arrived complaining of numbness beneath the eye. This individual was battling uncontrolled diabetes, with sugar levels soaring above 400 mg/dL. A CT scan revealed a severe fungal infection in the left maxilla. Alarmingly, by the very next morning, the patient had lost vision. Without a moment to lose, he was operated on that same evening. Through swift diagnosis and intervention, Dr. Mahajan and his dedicated team successfully restored the patient’s sight. What truly struck Dr. Mahajan was the patient’s unwavering positivity throughout this ordeal.
He shared, “The patient’s spirit was very high. He was a very positive person in spite of everything. What I feel is that those patients who are positive, who keep their spirits high, they recover well.” He further emphasized, “Those who trust their doctors, they recover well.” This stands in stark contrast, he notes, to patients who are “always mistrusting their doctors, those who are always going for second, third, fourth opinions, those who are very negative in their approach. Somehow, in those cases, we end up having more complications.” This powerful observation truly highlights the often-underestimated role of trust and a positive mindset in the healing process.
The Evolution of Care: Technology as an Ally
The field of ENT has witnessed remarkable advancements, and Dr. Mahajan points to the Coblator as a game-changer for tonsil and adenoid surgeries. “It has definitely improved the quality of surgery,” he states. Unlike older methods that often led to pain and bleeding, the Coblator offers “Extremely safe, no pain, no bleeding, and extremely good results. Near complete removal of [adenoids].” This technology exemplifies how innovation can significantly enhance patient outcomes and comfort.
While embracing technology, Dr. Mahajan remains grounded in the irreplaceable role of human expertise. On the topic of robotic or distant surgeries, he believes, “We have not yet reached that state, at least in India”. He emphasised that “machines will never be able to take the place of doctors in total.” The human element, he asserts, will always be essential.
A coblator is a special tool that doctors use during ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries. It works by using radio waves and saltwater to create a gentle energy that breaks down soft tissue. This energy works at a lower heat than regular surgical tools, so it removes unwanted tissue without burning or harming nearby healthy areas.
Dr. Mahajan’s Prescription for Well-being: Slow Down and Invest in Health
Beyond the operating room, Dr. Mahajan is a strong advocate for proactive health management. His advice for the general public is simple yet profound: “I would advise people to spend time on their health. We have become too busy for our own good. You don’t get enough sleep. We don’t eat on time. We do not exercise basic things in life we are forgetting, which is somewhere or the other leading to our health issues.”
He urges us to “slow down a bit and go back to the traditional things: eat on time, sleep on time, exercise regularly. That would be the advice I would give to people – start investing in your health.” He particularly emphasizes the critical role of sleep, noting, “Not getting enough sleep can lead to many health-related issues, including diabetes.” He observes that those with shift duties are “more prone to having acidity, digestion-related issues, and to develop psychological issues at a later stage of life.”
The Doctor’s Recharge: Friendship and Cycling
Even doctors, who dedicate their lives to others’ well-being, need outlets for stress. Dr. Mahajan shares his personal strategy: “I have this group of school friends we meet once or twice a month. They are my biggest de-stressors. There, I don’t have to be a doctor or be anybody else. They are my antihypertensives and anti-diabetics.” In addition to this invaluable social connection, he has embraced physical activity: “Since last couple of years, I have added about half an hour to 45 minutes of cycling every day, which also helps me de-stress a lot.”
Dr. Samir Mahajan’s insights remind us that healthcare is a dynamic blend of advanced science, compassionate care, and the fundamental principles of healthy living. His dedication to his patients, his belief in the power of positivity, and his emphasis on holistic well-being offer invaluable lessons for us all.
