Hi everyone, well here I am, on the other side and ready to give you my story. This is to all who I have met on this site, but also to any newbie out there unsure of what to do about their weight loss.
As most of you know I went to Belguim for my gastric band op. I have a friend from Belguim so it was ideal. After researching I learnt that the level of hygiene in Belguim is maximum, and the price of a gastric band was saving me at least 2500 pound to go there. I learnt that because the gastric band wasnt a difficult op that I would only need to stay in hospital for one night, but the company also recommended, or shuld i say insisted, that I stay a second night in a hotel, before flying home.
So everything looked postive for going to Belguim, especially when flights were costing just 60 euro for a return flight.
So i booked my operation 4 weeks ago and thats when the race was on.Them 4 weeks flew in.
I kept posting on this website, and getting encouragement from all the guys on here. As well as writing my diaries, I was also reading everyone elses. It was so inspiring to read peoples experiences through weight loss surgery and how they were now coping. I felt it was "my turn". I felt strong flying out to another country for wls.
My hotel was basic but clean. The consultants agent visited me the night before my op and told me the procedure. He was very nice. He then told me to go out and have a nice meal and a drink, as long as I didnt eat or drink from 12 midnight. SO my friend and I went into Brussels and had a lovely evening.
Next morning I arrived to hospital, and was checked in and brought to my ward which had 3 beds, 2 other girls were there for the op too. I met the consultant who told me what he was going to do throughout the operation. He spoke very good english and i was assured that I was in good hands. he has preformed 5000 gastric band operations.
At 230pm I was taking to the operating theatre, obviously I was nervous but because I had to lie completely flat on my back i couldnt see much around me as my chest was in the way lol... thank goodness. Anyway the team were all so very friendly and spoke excellent English, then a lady said to me, goodbye,,,, and I was gone. I awoke in another ward with pain on my left side, which they immediately give me pain relief and it put me back to sleep.
Next morning the consultant visited me and told me quite straight, that it was up to me now. He told me the band was an aid to lose weight but it would be up to me how I used it. I left hospital that day at 230 pm, still very sore and tearful. I wish my husband was with me for reassurance but my friend picked me up and I stayed in her house, (straight to bed) until the next morning where I got an early morning flight.
It wasnt easy walking from aeroplane to exit doors. the airport was huge and wheeling my suitcase wasnt good. I met my husband and he hugged me, while I cried . I was soon in the car and back in my own bed where I slept most of yesterday and all of last night...
Today i cannot believe how much better I feel, I am more rested. I still have pain in my left side but its bearable.... I have today to eat
Would I recommend having the operation abroad?
If you like me couldnt get NHS to even look me, then i would go abroad. If i had to do it again, I would definelty take my husband with me and definitely stay an extra day. I know theres nothing as good as your own bed, but i really wasnt fit for flying yesterday......as the song goes "what a difference a day makes".
Now I am looking forward to healing and getting better. I am looking forward to losing weight and getting my confidence back. I will keep you posted on my progress throughout this.
As most of you know I went to Belguim for my gastric band op. I have a friend from Belguim so it was ideal. After researching I learnt that the level of hygiene in Belguim is maximum, and the price of a gastric band was saving me at least 2500 pound to go there. I learnt that because the gastric band wasnt a difficult op that I would only need to stay in hospital for one night, but the company also recommended, or shuld i say insisted, that I stay a second night in a hotel, before flying home.
So everything looked postive for going to Belguim, especially when flights were costing just 60 euro for a return flight.
So i booked my operation 4 weeks ago and thats when the race was on.Them 4 weeks flew in. I kept posting on this website, and getting encouragement from all the guys on here. As well as writing my diaries, I was also reading everyone elses. It was so inspiring to read peoples experiences through weight loss surgery and how they were now coping. I felt it was "my turn". I felt strong flying out to another country for wls.
My hotel was basic but clean. The consultants agent visited me the night before my op and told me the procedure. He was very nice. He then told me to go out and have a nice meal and a drink, as long as I didnt eat or drink from 12 midnight. SO my friend and I went into Brussels and had a lovely evening.
Next morning I arrived to hospital, and was checked in and brought to my ward which had 3 beds, 2 other girls were there for the op too. I met the consultant who told me what he was going to do throughout the operation. He spoke very good english and i was assured that I was in good hands. he has preformed 5000 gastric band operations.
At 230pm I was taking to the operating theatre, obviously I was nervous but because I had to lie completely flat on my back i couldnt see much around me as my chest was in the way lol... thank goodness. Anyway the team were all so very friendly and spoke excellent English, then a lady said to me, goodbye,,,, and I was gone. I awoke in another ward with pain on my left side, which they immediately give me pain relief and it put me back to sleep.
Next morning the consultant visited me and told me quite straight, that it was up to me now. He told me the band was an aid to lose weight but it would be up to me how I used it. I left hospital that day at 230 pm, still very sore and tearful. I wish my husband was with me for reassurance but my friend picked me up and I stayed in her house, (straight to bed) until the next morning where I got an early morning flight.
It wasnt easy walking from aeroplane to exit doors. the airport was huge and wheeling my suitcase wasnt good. I met my husband and he hugged me, while I cried . I was soon in the car and back in my own bed where I slept most of yesterday and all of last night...
Today i cannot believe how much better I feel, I am more rested. I still have pain in my left side but its bearable.... I have today to eat
- water
- yoghurt drinks
- tomato soup
- tub of devon custard
Would I recommend having the operation abroad?
If you like me couldnt get NHS to even look me, then i would go abroad. If i had to do it again, I would definelty take my husband with me and definitely stay an extra day. I know theres nothing as good as your own bed, but i really wasnt fit for flying yesterday......as the song goes "what a difference a day makes".
Now I am looking forward to healing and getting better. I am looking forward to losing weight and getting my confidence back. I will keep you posted on my progress throughout this.
