perforce

I was really worried that would happen to me. I've heard a lot of stories about GPs refusing, but it seems my doctor had a couple of patients go through the NHS and one (a long time ago) go privately, so it's not entirely new. She said as long as the hospital let her know precisely what they want her to check for in the blood tests etc she's got no problem doing them.

I'm so relieved! I had been really nervous about telling my GP about having the surgery abroad, because I've heard a lot can be quite unsupportive of the idea of going for surgery abroad. My doc was fine with it, will help me with any potential reflux medicine and are willing to do blood tests later. I didn't realise how much this was worrying me until I put the phone down and I feel so much better now.

I'm going to guess yes because some people don't have to do pre-op until the day before. (In my head I now have a picture of Liver sheikh : The sheikh of livers!)

Well done and enjoy your class!

It seems to be standard for the company/hospital I'm going with? That way you're over the hump and any immediate post op problems can be resoled I suppose, and it gives them a chance to talk you through the first few days with your drinking/eating. Given that I'm going to another country to get it done I'm kind of glad of it tbh.

Pyjamas, some loose clothes, laptop/kindle for entertainment, toiletries, a towel, anti-gas stuff. There are some other things that I can't remember, my provider sent me a long list of suggested things. I'm at the hospital for a week though, so you may not need as much stuff.

This video was posted in a private facebook group I'm a part of and I thought some people might want to watch it. I found it interesting and he explains things quite clearly and simply (though I don't think they treat it simplistically, which was nice). The title says 'how to stop stomach stretching' but it's actually talking about eating post op and some of the reasons people regain, how to avoid it etc. It also discusses how portion size changes further out post op an some other things.

Awesome, glad it's working for you. I don't have a fitbit else I'd look into it. I've got surgery on 2/2, I'm also 32 and was around 270 when I started preop. My first surgeon didn't require one but when I changed my new one did. Luckily I got a choice between liquid diet and regular food that's low carb/low fat.

So sorry to hear that! At least you're reschedule isn't far away and you're able to get yourself treated for your tendon.

Wow, fancy-schmancy water bottle, it's really cool that it syncs like that.

Good luck! I'm sure everything will go great. At least being first you won't have to wait long

So far they have been very nice and helpful. Their support pack has been very informative and detailed about the whole pre/surgery/post op situation and I'm happy so far. They were also very flexible with me after I had a problem with my other provider, so I'm having a good experience so far.

The original clinic was ISCARE in Prague, I've now switched to a hospital about an hour or so outside of Prague in Turnov, the company dealing with me in the UK is called New Leaf.

I have surgery on the 2nd and my pre-op is low carb (less that 50 a day) and low fat too, I don't have to do a period of liquids (except the day before surgery)

I was wondering if anybody used New Leaf in Turnov fpr their surgery? I was having some problems with my provider so I switched last minute to be able to keep my original date on Feb 2nd. They've sent me some good support information, but I'd love to hear form anyone who has used them.

My original clinic changed my dates on me (after I'd booked flights and hotels) and stopped communicating with me, so I've been having rather a stressful week. Bear in mind I was supposed to have surgery February 2nd so I didn't have a lot of time! I contacted another provider (I'm self pay) and they said they had the date free, but I needed surgeon approval. The good news is I have now been approved! I can use my original flights, though I'm still losing money on the hotels that I now won't be using. I'm so relieved, it would have been a real emotional blow to lose my surgery date so close to it happening. I do now have to do a pre-surgery diet, which I didn't have to with the old place, but it doesn't have to be liquid, it just has to be low carb (less than 50 a day) and low fat, so I've signed up to myfitnesspal to keep track of things. According to their literature they sent me, I would usually have to do 3-4 weeks on the pre-op diet, but fortunately they're willing to let me do it for a shorter time so I'm going to be really careful to follow it.

My main problem with my proteinworks is it creates a bit of a situation with my bathroom habits (hoping switching to soy milk will help) but it actually tastes lovely

I see your surgery is today, hope everything is going great

Aaaand, the plot curdles. I called their English helpline, who today were finally answering their calls. She called the girl in prague and messages finally started flowing again. Unfortunately, during the two month period of magical email disappearance that seems to have conveniently fixed itself, she claims she emailed me to say that their was a problem with my date and that she moved it to the 16th. Assuming she's telling the truth (assuming.) that's ridiculous because who changes stuff around with no reply? So now I have the problem that I have the flights and hotels booked because she told me to go ahead and do that, but won't use them, and I now don't really trust the clinic to know their arse from their elbows and take care of me. I called up another provider (New Leaf) that I had been considering before I chose the ISCARE clinic and *fingers crossed* they may have a space for the dates I originally had, the lady is checking with the surgeon now for me. If they do I can use my original flights, but will lose money on the hotel booking. I've told my contact with medical travel czech that I really think I should be reimbursed for the hotels, but I doubt that will happen. They told me before that if I cancelled the surgery for any reason they would return my 800 EUR deposit, so I'm waiting to see if that happens and what their response to my email will be. Hopefully I don't have to fight for it. They were very apologetic, but at this point apologies don't help me.

I haven't had mine yet but I will be flying out alone. Family will take me to the airport/pick me up.

As long as the surgery has been booked I don't think I need to be super nervous, it's just a hassle having to figure out myself is all, especially when it's their job. I'm from the UK, hence Europe for surgery.

Glad you're ok and that things are being sorted out!

Just thought I'd update this for anyone else looking, I ended up ordering an unflavoured powder and a mint chocolate brownie flavour from theproteinworks.com. They seem to have a huge range of flavors for anyone who wants something a little different. I put a review and some pictures on my blog (listed below in my sig) for anyone who's interested.

I have my surgery booked for February 2nd, and am getting quite annoyed about my Medical Tourism agency. They were very attentive and quick to answer emails before I paid my deposit, but now it's taking longer and longer, and they sometimes don't answer the questions I ask, even when I ask them more than once. I sent my flight/hotel information to them on the 2nd of Jan, then followed up a week later to check they had it and ask some questions, and they still haven't emailed me back. I don't think I'm being unreasonable here? They gave me some pre-surgery info back in November in terms of what things I had to reduce, and a basic idea of what would happen when I arrived at the airport, but I don't understand why it's so difficult to get questions answered now. It's getting closer to my date and they're just not replying. I have a copy of the invoice from the clinic to say my surgery is actually booked and they received my deposit, and I contacted them on Friday to double check it and ask if there was anything besides what I was already told that I need to do before my pre-surgery tests the day before. The person there replied back the next day to say I was definitely booked in and she would send. me any other info tomorrow. That's a relief for me, but I'm very frustrated that I'm having to do this at all. The whole point of going through a medical tourism was so that I didn't have to worry about these arrangements. The company is supposed to meet me at the airport and transfer me to the hotel, and then they take you the next morning for your tests and things, but without them confirming if they have my details I don't know if this is still happening. I can figure out the subway/tram/taxi if I have to, but why should I, you know?

I have my surgery booked for Feb 2nd, and I'm also going to Prague to do it. I'm flying out Jan 31st and coming back Monday 8th, so depending on where you're going/when you're arriving we may overlap.