Hi does anyone know of Dr Mignon in Belgium, I'm going to see him next week and would like to hear from anyone who has been banded by him....

Thanks very much

Hi Anon,

I have just seen Dr Mignon, be prepared for slightly broken english and very straight forward talking.

He certainly made me feel confident in making my decision in going to Belgium. I shall be having the op 24th October! Still have to book my hotel!

One thing you should know and it isn't made clear on the website is that the aftercare is an extra cost, estimated about £300 for 3 fills, which is the estimated fills that may be required. Don;t ask Dr Mignon as he does not deal with the financial side.

But in the long run it does still work out cheaper than having it done in the UK and they do give us a list of suitable radiologist to see.

If you do decide to have it done please feel free to keep in touch, I have a feeling going to need a good support circle at the beginning.

Love to hear how you go

Kind regards

Suzanne

Thanks Suzanne, I've also had replies from the WLSinfo.org.uk website and found a few people who've had their procedure with him and are very pleased with the results so far!

I'm guessing that I'll need lots of support! I have a friend who was banded by the NHS a year ago she's at goal weight now, having lost 11 stones in 10 months. She's delighted with her result and is able to do all the things she never thought possible..... like keep up with an exercise class, paint her own toe nails (now that's one thing that really appeals!). But she is finding it hard to do without her security blanket (food) and there are days when she says, that if she could, she would rip out her band and eat for Wales!

It's not an easy decision but I hope that it will provide me with a tool that will enable me to be a healthy weight.

Well if you want to keep in touch, I'm more than happy to help give you some support, we can bolster each other up when the going gets tough! I'm glad you have heard from a few people who have had surgery with Dr Mignon, puts my mind at rest, I was astarting to build up some dreadful scenarios!

I did wonder about the Fills myself, although I might apply to have aftercare at the local nuffield hospital who offer it for £300 for up to 6 fills and about 30 minutes away rather than 1.5 hours to Manchester!

Not long for you to wait now.... Two weeks on Monday! I'm totally excited for you and anxious for you and myself!

H x

H!

That's great! Glad you found that out, I shall have to look into it, we have a nuffield in Shrewsbury which is only 20 mins away. Heading to find the site now

I'm not the most of patient of people it was hard waiting for the first consultation! Although I have a strange sense of calm as if I know I am doing the right thing. Weird I know an oxymoron of emotions lol

Sx

Ooooh! forgot to say that I found the info on this on the site of another French Doctor who shares a specialist nurse with some UK docs who works from Bristol and, I think, Gloucester Nuffield hospitals.

My appointment for consultation is on Friday 13th (Spooky) but only 3 days before your op..... I'll let you know as soon as they get back to me about it.

Hx

It's quite funny my appointment with Dr Mignon landed on an odd day, my mums birthday. She passed away last year and I thought 'well if this isn't a sign that I am doing the right thing, then nothing is lol.

By the way my surgery is on the 26th...have I put it in worng...probably one of my blonde moments!

Now you've confused me!! the 26th is 19 days away!

I'm seeing him on Friday that's only 6 days away now.

Come on girl! If your brain is dyed blonde now..... Heck knows what it'll be like after the anaesthetic!!!???

Well you've certainly made me laugh now!

Hx

Maths was never my best subject, so yep it is 19 days to go, wouldn't it be funny if you could get the op same day as me

Well if it is anything like laughing gas I'd be a hoot

I guess you're going to Manchester to see Dr Mignon? My advice to you is not to walk (which I did) from piccadilly station! Certainly a loooooong walk, mind you the taxi ride was pretty expensive I think there is a bus the 147 which will take you to manchester hospital and then you continue upwards to Anson Rd.

When I made my appointment to see him, his p.a. said that they had places in November, but she said nothing about October, but you never know, although I'm hoping to have a Monday slot, so that I can fit it in around my home life!

I'm going to be driving into Manchester, so I won't have to walk anywhere!

(Lazy I know, but the total journey is about 100 miles!)

I woke up today and felt like my mind was completely made up and this was defo the right thing to do for me, now I just feel calm....(OK my stomach is flipping out a bit!)

You may have a wee bit of a problem with the Monday slot. I think they only operate on a Tuesday. THe itinerary goes like this.

LapBand Surgery in Belgium 4 day Program:

Monday: Arrive before 1pm at belgium Midi station, meeting deidre outside Smas Cafe. Arrival at clinic you will have some pre-op tests nad meet the Anaesthist. Leave clinic approx 6pm and go to hotel.

Tuesday: Shuttle will take you to clinic for 6.45am

7am Admission and settling down in room

between 8.30am and 4pm: lap band surgery carried out.

Night spent at the clinic.

Wednesday:

Between 9am and 12pm an x-ray is carried out

first liquid meal at the clinic after x-ray

between 10am and 3pm visit of surgeon prior to discharge.

shuttle to hotel

night spent at hotel

Thursday:

Check out of hotel

shuttle to take you back to brussels.

I know I wasn't aware of it being a whole 4 days but after some consideration I thought it was still worth it. I had assumed it was a case of in and out, my fault but they don't make it clear on the website admittedly. Also, it could be that they do do other days, I just happened to arrive on a day the op was to be done on a tuesday. I hope this helps you.

After my appointment when i spoke to arrange the surgery it was late october beginning of November and apparently they have been extremely popular. So it is probalby going to be Nov for you, at least i will be able to tell you what it is like before you go!

Sx

thanks for filling me in! Now I don't have to feel like a complete ding bat, when I ask for mission impossible!

the itinery also answered another question for me.... Do they xray to make sure that the band is in the right place!

I know that it's supposed to be best practice, but I also know of people who have NEVER had an xray following their surgery.

Admittedly they are a year post op now and have had no probs, but was looking at Anne Diamond's site and she was xrayed by another clinic and they found her band was around her oesophagus. So it was a worry for me!

Hx

I'm glad I have helped. I wish I had had forewarning of what to expect as well lol. It was a journey into the unknown, with a worry that I would have to beg for the surgery! As was, I must admit I felt a little insensed when he said I was suitable! Go figure lol. I figure part of me was hoping that he was going to say 'pish posh you look beautiful as you are!' He he the stuff dreams are made of

I shall have to have a look at Anne Diamonds website, haven't seen that yet!

Sx

FYI it's at www.fathappens.com Don't know who did her surgery in Belgium, but it's enough to scare the Bejesus out of anyone!

Anyhow, her experience didn't put me off 'cos I've seen soo many successes come thru the WLS site and I guess it comforted me. There's no way on this earth I could stretch to the £8000 the want for the surgery here, so needs must where the devil drives I suppose.

Hx

I know exactly what tyou mean H and really you hear enough horror stories from surgery here, so it makes no real difference where as long as it is done in a safe way. As you say, knowing they take an x-ray afterwards is reassuring.

I often wonder what are the extra overheads in the UK that pushes the price so far up!!??

I had a final big meal with my friends and dad tonight, feel completely stuffed! It was a nice thing to do as CM, my son was feeling rather dejected about the concept of me having surgery, he's 9 bless him, so this was a treat for him as well. He wanted to make a big thing of my making a change for the better, once he had come to terms with it himself. He really is a bright cookie, wish I could take him with me but there would be no one to look after him while I was staying at the hospital, c'est la vie!