"I hate computers," says 64-year old Robert Rickson emphatically. Ironically, it was only through the help of computers that he landed up in India for a hip-resurfacing surgery at the Wockhardt Hospital in Mulund.

Rickson, a professional carpenter and an ex-veteran at the armed forces in the US, first came to know about India as a medical hub through the popular TV show 60 Minutes. "I saw an episode of 60 Minutes, which had two Americans coming down to India for hip-resurfacing operation,'' he said.

Then later, when he came to know that his hip was worn out, he thought of India as an option. Later, his landlady helped him gather information on the Internet about the surgery in India. And he decided to come down to Wockhardt hospitals. What attracted him was the cost factor. He says, "A sum of $80,000 was something I couldn't have afforded. I was getting a good bargain of $13500 for a surgery on both the legs."

Dr Kaushal Malhan said, "When he came here, he was in extreme pain. However post-operation, he is much better now." When asked to sum up his experience in India, Rickson quips, "I wanted an adventure and I had it. I am glad I came down to India."

Rickson will return to the US on Saturday.