As a medical journalist who has covered neurological care and surgical innovations across India, I recently visited Lalbaug Diagnostics in Parel to meet Dr. Manish Baldia — seeking clarity around the cost of DBS surgery in Mumbai and the realities behind this advanced procedure. Walking into the clinic not as a patient, but as someone aiming to document the facts, I observed the environment, the team’s setup, and — most importantly — had an in-depth conversation with Dr. Baldia about when DBS makes sense, what it entails, and what patients should know before opting for it.

Who Is Dr. Manish Baldia: Credentials, Experience & Clinic Setup

Dr. Manish Baldia is described on his official profile as a highly skilled neurosurgeon with MCh (CMC Vellore), Fellowship in Functional Neurosurgery, and EEPIN (London) credentials. Over the years, he has specialized in functional neurosurgery — particularly Deep Brain Stimulation — as well as complex brain and spine procedures. His record includes over 120 DBS surgeries and more than 1,000 advanced DBS programming sessions, indicating substantial practical experience in this field.

At Lalbaug Diagnostics — the infrastructure is designed to support sophisticated neurological diagnostics and surgery referrals. While the diagnostics centre itself may not host full surgical theatres for all cases, Dr. Baldia also practices at associated hospitals (including Wockhardt Hospital and other affiliated institutions), ensuring that patients requiring DBS receive comprehensive surgical, perioperative, and post-operative care under his supervision.

In conversations, Dr. Baldia underscored his commitment to patient-centered care, evidence-based decision-making, and using modern neurosurgical technology. The calm, organized environment at the diagnostics centre supports thorough pre-operative evaluation, imaging, and planning — essential prerequisites before undertaking a surgical procedure as sensitive as DBS.

Given this expertise and infrastructure, Dr. Baldia fits the description of a leading “DBS Surgeon in India” capable of guiding patients through this complex journey.

What Is DBS & Who Might Benefit

During our discussion, Dr. Baldia explained the fundamentals — Deep Brain Stimulation involves implanting thin electrodes into targeted brain areas (depending on the disorder), connected to a small neurostimulator (IPG) implanted elsewhere (typically under the skin of the chest). This device sends controlled electrical pulses to regulate abnormal brain activity, particularly in movement disorders.

He said DBS is typically considered when standard medical treatment (medications, therapy) no longer offers adequate relief for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and certain other movement or neuropsychiatric disorders. Candidates are usually those whose symptoms severely hamper daily functioning — such as disabling tremors, rigidity, or dyskinesia, despite optimized medicines.

In Dr. Baldia’s view, when properly selected and carried out at a specialized center, DBS can offer a substantial improvement in quality of life — making it an invaluable option for suitable patients.

Benefits of DBS Surgery: What Patients May Gain

From the clinical and patient-care perspective articulated during the visit, the benefits of DBS under an expert surgeon like Dr. Baldia include:

• Significant reduction in tremors, rigidity, and dyskinesias — leading to smoother, more controlled movement for patients with Parkinson’s or other movement disorders.
• Reduced dependency on medications — in many cases medications can be lowered substantially after DBS, which reduces side effects associated with lifelong therapy.
• Improved daily functioning and quality of life — enhanced mobility, better control over motor symptoms, and greater independence in daily tasks.
• Long-term management option — once the neurostimulator is implanted and programmed, patients may benefit for years, with adjustments made as needed.
• Access to advanced neurosurgical care — Dr. Baldia’s case history suggests that even complex or previously failed surgeries may be revisited using advanced imaging and electrode programming.

For many patients — especially those for whom medications no longer provide consistent relief — DBS may represent not just symptomatic relief, but a renewed sense of normalcy.

Risks and Important Considerations

As a caring and responsible neurosurgeon, Dr. Baldia was clear that DBS is not without risks. During our interview, he stressed careful patient selection, transparent discussion of risks, and thorough follow-up protocols. Key potential risks include:

• Surgical risks — bleeding, infection, or hardware-related complications, such as lead migration, lead fracture, malfunction of the implanted device (IPG), or skin erosion at the implant site.
• Neurological complications — though rare, there may be changes in cognition, mood, or behaviour. Over long-term follow-up, some patients may experience decline beyond what their underlying disease might cause.
• Device-related issues — battery life, need for periodic programming, possibility of revision surgeries if electrodes shift, or hardware failure.
• Variable outcomes — not everyone responds equally; age, duration of disease, general health, and neurological profile all influence results. As Dr. Baldia put it: “DBS is powerful, but it is not a guarantee — it offers improvement in many, but must be approached with realistic expectations.”

He emphasized that every candidate must undergo thorough pre-operative evaluation, neuroimaging, and counselling — and accept that while DBS can dramatically improve life, it also requires lifelong commitment to follow-up, programming, and device maintenance.

Approximate Cost Range: What I Learned About the Cost of DBS Surgery in Mumbai

One of the main reasons I visited was to understand the cost of DBS surgery in Mumbai. According to the information provided by Dr. Baldia’s practice, the cost generally falls between ₹10 lakhs and ₹20 lakhs, depending on factors like the type of neurostimulator device used, complexity of the surgery, hospital charges, and follow-up programming sessions.

He explained that premium hospitals in South Mumbai or specialized institutions often land on the higher end due to advanced infrastructure, imported devices, and meticulous post-operative care.

This cost typically includes — when planned comprehensively — the surgery itself, implant and hardware costs (electrodes + IPG), pre-surgical evaluations, hospital stay, and initial programming/follow-up.

However, Dr. Baldia noted that additional expenses — such as extended hospital stay, rehabilitation, medications, or unforeseen complications — may lead to variation. Not all patients will require those extras, but the possibility is real and should be part of the patient’s financial planning and decision-making.

Precautions & Aftercare: What Patients Should Know from the Visit

During our discussion, Dr. Baldia highlighted several important post-surgical precautions and aftercare considerations:

• Follow-Up & Programming: The neurostimulator requires careful programming post-surgery and periodic adjustments for optimal symptom control. This makes follow-up essential.
• Device Maintenance & Monitoring: Patients must avoid exposure that could interfere with device — strong magnetic fields, uncontrolled head trauma, or unverified external stimulators are discouraged.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: While DBS can improve motor symptoms, patients should still maintain neurological care, medication schedules (as advised), and regular evaluations. Dr. Baldia emphasized that DBS is part of a comprehensive care plan — not a standalone “cure.”
• Infection & Wound Care: As with any implant surgery, strict hygiene, wound monitoring, and immediate reporting of any signs of infection or unusual symptoms is essential.
• Realistic Expectations & Informed Decision: He urged patients and families to understand both the benefits and the limitations — noting improvements can be substantial, but results vary, and long-term follow-up is mandatory.

In Dr. Baldia’s words, “DBS offers hope, but requires responsibility — from both the medical team and the patient.”

Reflective Thoughts: What My Visit Revealed

Leaving Lalbaug Diagnostics after the interview, I realized that discussions around DBS — especially cost — often focus only on numbers and devices. But what stood out in my visit was the emphasis on patient-centred evaluation, realistic expectations, and long-term care. Dr. Manish Baldia’s approach underscored that DBS is not a quick fix, but a carefully calibrated intervention that demands collaboration, follow-up, and mutual trust between surgeon and patient.

For those exploring DBS, the cost of DBS surgery in Mumbai should be viewed not simply as a fee, but as part of a broader commitment — to health, to maintenance, and to a quality of life that balances optimism with medical realism.

CTA

If you or a loved one are navigating the journey of movement disorders — seeking clarity, weighing options, or looking to understand what advanced neurosurgical treatment may offer — starting with a conversation can help.

Consider reaching out to Dr. Manish Baldia for a professional evaluation. Real understanding begins with questions, clarity about risks and benefits, and realistic expectations.

📍 Clinic Address:
Lalbaug Diagnostics

Clinic Hours: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm

Phone: 096767 67507

Practicing Locations: Wockhardt Hospital, Lalbaug Diagnostics, Ruby Hall Hospital