mooster

Hi, just wanted to introduce myself to all you other August bandsters! I live in the UK and travelled to Belgium for my surgery on Aug 6th. Each day it gets better, but like many of you the large incision where the "port" is stitched is still quite painful, BUT I'm so glad I had it done!!! Best wishes to you all, Kath.

Hi Jackruss, I dont know if you have already left for Belgium or not as you said you were going today. Don't be nervous, it will all go smoothly for you I'm sure. I also live in the north-west so if you want some support I'm here!By the way, I've not heard of anyone being refused the night before( but the thought did cross my mind at one point )!!!!! Good Luck, Kath.

Hi Mrs J.J Thank you for your message, and for wishing me well. I appreciate all the good wishes I've received from everyone. Thanks again, Kath.

Hi English Rose, Sorry I didnt reply sooner, but I had to go see my Dr for some more supplies. I don't know if anyone has mentioned it on the site but after the surgery you have to have injections in your stomach for 10 days to stop the blood clotting. The hospital does the first 2 and they give you 5 more when you are leaving,not quite enough to last the 10 days though! Back to your other questions, I think Mrs J.J answered most of them earlier, but there is also a "Lidl" store in Vilvoorde which is quite cheap for Soups etc. Your other question......you have a small drain in where the port is,which comes out the next morning. Concerning the taxi's we paid approx 20-22 Euros from the airport to the Campanile Hotel, approx 10 Euros to Dr DeBruyne's house/consulting rooms, and approx 8 Euros to the hospital. (The hospital & hotel will order for you)! Hope I've been of some help to you, Kath.:)

Hi Sarah, glad to say I am feeling quite well just 6 days after surgery, thankyou for asking! I found Dr Chris DeBruyne really nice, he puts you at ease instantly. I can honestly say I didn't have any nerves at all and was looked after really well by Dr Chris & his team, as well as the nursing staff.Feel free to ask me any other questions you might have, I really dont mind! Keep in touch! :thumbup: Kath.

Hi Jiggy, Yes I am really glad that everything is "done & dusted" ! I am also glad that I decided to go through with it! I'm hoping to lose about 105 lbs which would halve my weight.Being only 5'-1" every pound counts. I travelled to Belgium on Brussels Airlines from Manchester Airport, as they seem to be about the cheapest. Now six days after surgery, I feel very well,no sickness or anything....just some soreness around the site of the port, and that is improving every day. All the best, Kath.:thumbup:

Hi, I've just been reading all the postings between Jiggy and English Rose and I have quite a lot in common with you both! I just returned yesterday from Belgium after having my band fitted on Weds(6th Aug), and I too travelled from Lancashire! I also stayed at the Campanile Hotel in Vilvoorde which is about half-way between Dr Chris De Bruyne's house (and consulting rooms where you go the night before) and the hospital. It is possible to walk to the hospital in about 20 minutes as my husband (who went with me) walked it several times! I think you'd be better getting a taxi though when you come out the following day as you may feel a little delicate( I know I did!). If I can be of any further help feel free to ask.................I don't mind. All the best, Kath.:biggrin2:

I too have just returned from Belgium (yesterday, in fact) ! I had my band fitted on Aug 6th by Dr De Bruyne and I have nothing but praise for Dr Chris,the other Drs who work with him, and the hospital staff! I was a little worried before going as I didnt know a great deal about him, and also the fact that it was another country, but if anyone asked me now, I would say "go for it", theres nothing to worry about! I'm still in my early days but I dont regret a thing. Kath.

Hi everyone,my name is Kath and this is my first visit to this brilliant website! I am due to leave for Belgium tomorrow to have surgery on Weds 6th Aug with Dr Christiaan De Bruyne. I wanted to find some information from past patients as I was feeling a little apprehensive and thanks to the site, all the good comments have put my mind at rest!Its so good to read about everyones " high's & lows " and to know that there are a lot of people out there going through the same thing as myself! Must go now & pack.......will be back in touch when I get home on Sat 9th Aug! Wish me luck!!! Kath. :smile: