bigwelshguy

DAY 2 - OP DAY 6.30am get a knock on the door. Dr Fredrick. Nice chap. Young about 43 ish.Comes in, introduces himself and explains the procedure and post off diet, do'sand donts. Explains that they now have a website and that you can now go directto them rather than go through Brigit the UK Rep which personally I found asuseful as a chocolate fire guard, but that's only my experience. I asked if itwas cheaper direct, he said a little and you get all the transfers all in fromAirport to hotel to hospital to hotel to airport.. Anyway, he took my money,3900 euro in cash, I signed a receipt and off we went. The hospital was approx7 miles away and took about 15mins to get there. We had a chat about thehospital and about our families etc and his english is very good. We got to thehotel, parked up and walked towards the waiting room which is straight throughthe entrance hall then turn right. There are 6 booths there numbered 1-6. Youtake a ticket from the machine then look up at the screens. The monitor willflag up your number and tell you which booth to sit at. This is where you needto hand over your passport for I.D. and this is where you get your BAR CODE andwrist band and registration. All was very easy, they already know its for a lapband and know its from DR Chris. They again speak english, so its easy. Afterthe band is applied, she called for a porter who let me up stairs to the wardwhere I would be staying. VIEW FROM MY HOSPITAL ROOM http://i306.photobuc...10427-00398.jpg MY ROOM http://i306.photobuc...426-00391-1.jpg

Thanks guys for all the kind words. OK......Im gonna tell you of my whole experience of Belgium so bare with me. Day 1 - Travelling to Belgium Ok my 2 week pre-op on low fat was ok, Did not stick religiously to the whole low fat thing but hey ho! Albeit now after the op I wish I did, as I know understand how important it is to shrink the liver. The liver sits over the top of the stomach where they need to operate and they literally flip the liver to one side like an omelette to make room to do their stuff. So having a small one helps and eases pressure on the stomach when flipped back after the procedure. SO DO THE LOW FAT DIET FOR TWO WEEKS AS IT HELPS. My flight was at 4.30pm on Monday (Bank holiday mmm) so it took just about an hour to go to Bristol Airport. The plane was just a small charter plane and was probably the smallest plane Ive been on. Still the flight was on time and so off I went. Landed in Brussels Airport at just over an hour later, and had had to wind my watch forward 1hr. I must say the the Airport in Belgium is huge, but as long as you follow everyone else when you arrive, its all pretty easy. So off to baggage like everyone else to collect. Once collected and gone through the security checks I was out side in Arrivals. As I took one step outside a Taxi driver caught my eye and pointed to his cab. Its worth mentioning that there are official Taxis outside which have a blue and orange badge on. These as employed by the airport and have fixed tariffs. Its was 25 euro to the HOTEL CAMPANILE in VILVOORDE. It took approx 15-20 mins in the car to get to the hotel. The hotel is situated in like an industrial estate but don'l let that put you off. Its like a version of a Premier Inn with a resteraunt on the side. The hotel front desk people are fully conversant in English as was the taxi driver. I checked in and was shown my room which was clean and comfortable with 32ins TV with about 4 English channels on. Rest being French and Flemmish. I was suppose to have a consultation with Frank, Dr.Chris's side kick but he rang the hotel and we spoke over the phone. As i was approx 1/2hr late on arriving and being a bank holiday, Frank expressed his apology for not being able to turn up and we both agreed that he would see me in the morning in my room then take me to the hospital. He told me that I could eat anything I wished but not to eat after 12. So I settled down, tv on and ate my three pack of airport sarnies, crisps and a diet coke.. Later had coffee and biscuits which were in my room. Fell asleep at 12.30. To be continued.................................

Has anyone ever taken Thermogens like Stack II, Hydroxycut etc etc or even T3's OR 4's after they have had their lap band fitted. What is the general concensus regarding this kind of supplimentation / Drugs post op. What do the docs say??? Any views / experiences on this would be welcomed. Thanks

oh well...1st week on low fat diet. Cut out all bread, well....most. Cut out all crap and lived on pots, veg and chicken or fish and a few cuppa Soups low fat throughout the day and also 3 servings of Mayoplex whey Protein with skimmed milk. Just weighed and Ive lost 8 pounds which isnt bad. If I can loose another 7-8 next week then thats a stone in 2 weeks before the op. So should be please with my self. Have not done any Cardio and I have an office job, so not much activity thoughout the day. lol. Ill keep you posted end of next week the day I fly to Brussels. 25th.

Just wondered if anyone on here is getting banded in Belgium in April??

Hi Chick (sounds like a come-on lol) I dont know of anyone personally who's had it done. Im alone on this one. Just reading various post on sites and cheapest options etc etc. The clinic in Belgumn under Dr Chris De Bruyne is well established and has had lots of great review plus its currently approx ~£3500, with refills done here on my doorstep for £75 a pop. So thats attractive initself. My biggest problem is Portion controll, I have no problem heating healthy but seem to need to eat all the time and I suppose Im in danger of going Diabetic If Im completely Honest with myself. Something I dont want my 4 yr old daughter to live, nor myself. One thing I curuous about is is people are on liquids for say the 1st week, how do you prevent your self from getting really low with energy and lathargy. Whats the Carb Intake?? Let me Know your progress as you are the nearest bander date wise there is on this forum, maybe we can bounce off each other?

Will do. I am 19st and wanna get to 14st. I was for years into weight training, doing 4-5 days a week religously and also playing Rugby. I was 15st and solid. Unfortinately after a bad ankle injury and subsequent bad operation, wife, kids etc etc came along, circumstances obviously change, for the good I might add, apart from my active life or lack of it and being used to huge portions of food and Protein rich foods and supplimants meant I soon ballooned up. First I was 17st before I knew it, Thats when I was diagnosed with Hypertention and also High Cholostrol (high Triglyserates) which is the bad type. lol, and then soon crept up to 19st which Ive been for the last 6 months. Im asthmatic too on Salbutamol, so Its pretty crap at the moment. Tried all sort of diets, Atkins, Wightwatchers, even took Thermogens (tried most) and slimex etc etc which work for a while then I go back to the weight I was. So I figured this is the only option left for me. I must say Im bricking it, not so much the op, but the fact that Im going over to Belgumn on my own leaving my wife and 4 year old girl at the Airport. Im sure all will be ok. Im thinking about starting a diary but its all been done before, but if people want me to I will and document my travel, hospital, the doc and post op progress. Ill be starting a low fat diet next week and will up my protein intake by drinking Suppliments plus some good dose of multi Vitamins just to speed up recovery. Im guessing "Dylan" you went to Newport for the stiches out and refills??? whats your experince with this place. Is it a surgery, hospital??? Anyway, will keep you all posted and Ill post up a "before pic" next week bye for now.

Nice. Thats something we would like to do is to move out there. What a life changing experience. Im sure Id like to pick ya brains once I have it done and hope you dont mind. Thanks Nigel.

Hi there, just to say hello and that im being banded on the 26th April in Belgium by Dr Chris De Buyrne. Anyone else in the uk going the same week, be good to chat. Any pre op advice, what to look out for any tips etc etc BTW Im a man so go easy on me. lol :rolleyes: