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Testimonials ...
We have hundreds of satisfied
clients. Shown below are just a small sample of the letters
we have received and wishes we have made come true. 99%
of our clients are entirely satisfied with their treatment
and many return for further procedures.
Case 1: Mrs AW as featured on
ITV's "Tonight" with Trevor McDonald
Our Gastric Bypass Surgery patient Mrs.
A.W. featured on ITV’s critically acclaimed current
affairs program, Tonight with Trevor McDonald. Following
recommendations that stomach surgery be made available for
overweight teenagers on the NHS, comedian Ricky Grover investigates
the increasingly popular procedures.
w
Post-Op for Mrs A.W. - who was
seen on the Tonight Show with Trevor McDonald:
January 2007 - Mrs. A.W.'s
Post Op Diary:
It has been six weeks since the operation,
and I'm amazed at how much my life has changed already!.
My scars have healed wonderfully, I'm so glad I opted
for the laprascopic method rather than the open, as
I've only been left with 5, inch long little scars.
Internally, I feel better and better as time goes
by, although I have experienced nausea and feelings
of discomfort on the odd occasion which I feel is
my fault for either eating too fast or not chewing
my food thoroughly.
I found it quite difficult at first
to re-educate myself and change my eating habits.
Before the operation I never really ate very regularly
and didn't chew my food properly, resulting in indigestion
9 times out of 10!. Now I'm learning to eat regularly
(3 to 4 small meals a day) and chew my food slowly
and properly, it makes such a difference, and I can
judge more accurately when I'm full before becoming
uncomfortable. Sometimes I forget how small my stomach
is now!
I'm also following a healthy eating
plan, and for the first time in my life its easy!
Because I feel full after so little, I never fancy
anything sweet or get hunger pangs between meals,
I'm trying to include as much fruit and veg as possible,
as well as oily fish and protein.
I'm really encouraged by my weight
loss, I've lost just over 2 stone to date and allot
of my clothes i had before the op are too big now,
of course this is the most rapid period of weight
loss and it will slow down from now on but it's such
a confidence boost.
Right from the start when I booked
the operation, Direct healthcare have been so helpful,
from planning the type of surgery I wanted, to helping
arrange my stay in Brugge, I had a clear picture of
my schedule from the day I arrived in Brugge to the
day I came home, which was so reassuring.
The consultation I had the day before
the surgery really put me at ease, Dr Dillemans is
a lovely man and really made sure I was choosing the
correct type of surgery for me. He answered any questions
I had, and explained everything so clearly that I
knew exactly what was going to happen during and after
my operation.
The staff at St Jan's were so helpful,
I had a really comfortable stay in the hospital, it
really was the cleanest hospital I've ever been in!
I did feel sore after the operation, but it wasn't
as bad as I had prepared myself for, after 3 nights
in hospital I was doing well and was allowed back
to my hotel room. A nurse visited me the next day
to check my wounds and apply new dressings, I was
feeling so well that I went sightseeing the next day!
I
think that this operation has been one of the most
positive things I've ever done for myself, I had been
thinking about it for a long time, I had the number
of Direct Healthcare programmed in my mobile phone
for months before I actually rang them, I'm so glad
I took the step.
* Check back in April for
Mrs. A.W.'s 3 month post-op diary entry! |
The following testimonials are extracts from case histories
that actually took place - names and addresses have been
withheld (in some cases) but referrals and contact information
are available on request.
CASE
2
Name:
Miss. Natalie Cox. and Mrs Cheryl
Cox
Age:
16 and 43 years
Treatment:
Laprascopic Gastric Bypass Surgery |
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Closer Magazine 22 - 28 SEPTEMBER 2007
"Obese kids should have stomach surgery like
my 16 year old"
When Cheryl Cox's daughter Natalie
hit 25st, she took her to Belgium for a gastric bypass -
and had one herself …
WHEN THE STORY EMERGED last week that three obese children
had been taken into care, it provoked uproar. Debate raged
over whether the action was too severe - or whether allowing
your child to become obese was tantamount to neglect. But
the reaction of mum-of-two Cheryl Cox is even more controversial.
She says that the NHS should pay for all obese children
to have gastric bypass surgery. Two months ago she allowed
her 25st 16-year¬old daughter to have the procedure
- and she also had the operation herself. "Parents
are not to blame for their children being fat," says
defiant Cheryl, 43, who is 5ft 8in and until recently weighed
22st. "The Government should be spending money on surgery
for those kids - not taking them into care. My daughter
Natalie was addicted to food and it was the only option
left for her". Natalie, who's 5ft 6in, adds: "I
did the right thing having surgery and I'd recommend the
operation to other overweight kids my age”.
The potentially fatal gastric bypass procedure
is clearly a drastic measure. And it's worrying that Cheryl
allowed her daughter to give up on trying to slim through
diet and exercise. She even admits that she buys junk food
for her family and, until recently, set a bad example by
eating it herself.
"I was very partial to crisps and biscuits," she
says. "I couldn't stop buying unhealthy snacks because
I felt bad that I was depriving my husband Ken, 61, and
my son Peter, 14, who are both very slim:"
Natalie grew up on a diet of pasties, crisps, biscuits and
chips.
"At school I'd have lunch from the canteen - plus a
packed lunch," she says. "When I got home I'd
steal stuff out of the fridge. Having snacks around the
house made it even harder to lose weight:" However,
by the end of 2004 Natalie's weight had reached 20st - and
she finally decided to diet after appearing in Closer and
being shocked by the way she looked. She lost an amazing
6st over 12 months by going to the gym and following her
own low-carb diet.
But around Christmas 2005, Natalie grew "bored"
with dieting. Her downfall was chocolate - bought by Cheryl.
Cheryl says: "Like any family we all had treats and
I couldn't leave out Natalie. "It broke my heart when
she put all the weight back on, but I couldn't stop her:"
Over the next year Natalie's weight soared further - she
put on more than 10 stone in total. Then this year, after
seeing Natalie's story in a newspaper, a Belgian surgeon
offered to give both her and Cheryl a gastric bypass operation.
The operation involves reducing the stomach and removing
part of the intestine, which helps the patient to feel full
more easily as well as absorb less food into their system.
Cheryl saw this as the ideal solution. "We were both
worried about the risks of the operation, but the risk that
Natalie would die from her obesity was higher. It wasn't
an easy way out," says Cheryl.
Cheryl and Natalie travelled to Bruges in July to have their
operations.
After the 45-minute procedure, they had to remain in hospital
for five days. At first they weren't allowed to eat or drink,
while their bodies healed.
"Afterwards I didn't ache at all," says Natalie.
"Within five days I'd lost 1 stone and hadn't felt
hungry. I was so happy."
Once home, the pair spent a fortnight eating pureed food.
They can now eat fist-sized portions of meat and veg. Cheryl
says: "We can't drink fizzy or eat fatty foods because
our bodies can't handle them now. If we did indulge, we'd
throw up and have stomach aches:" Eight weeks on, Natalie
has lost 5 stones and Cheryl 3 stones. They say the operation
is "the best thing that's ever happened to us"
and are convinced they couldn't have lost weight any other
way.
"If you've got a stone to lose, then its easy to diet
and exercise. But over lO stone - you have to have surgery"
says Cheryl.
"I think gastric bypasses should be available on the
NHS. If someone's a drug addic alcoholic, they get help
straight away. Kids who are addicted to food need help too".
But not everyone supports their "The people who criticise
me for having the operation tend to be thin and don't know
what it's like to have a weight problem," says Natalie.
"I hope one day I'll be a size 14"
By Rebecca Wright
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CASE
3
Name:
Mrs. N. McG. of Lincolnshire, England
Age:
36 years
Treatment:
Laprascopic Gastric Bypass Surgery |
 |
Background:
Mrs. N. McG. weight soared to 20 stone
after having four children, so she had surgery to help her
slim.
"Having the children so soon after one another was
hard work and my husband and I didn't go out. When we'd
got everyone to bed we'd treat ourselves to a big meal and
bottle of wine in the evening. I'd have a family-size bar
of chocolate every night. I am a greedy person and after
a while it got out of control."
By the time Mrs. N. McG. started taking dress size 32 she
had become so demoralized she had given up doing her hair
or make-up or wearing nice clothes.
She had tried diets and slimming plans but nothing worked.
So, desperate to change and unable to get NHS treatment,
she took out a loan to pay for a gastric bypass operation
in June 2005. It was a success and Mrs. N. McG. lost eight-and-
a-half stone in six months, ending up at 11 stone.
Result:
Mrs. N. McG. lost a whopping eight stone
in eight months. Losing the weight has given her a new lease
of life.
Comments:
"It had got to the stage where I felt
like a freak and was losing my confidence. I knew I had
to do something to change my body before it was too late."
"It has changed my life," says a delighted Mrs.
N. McG. "I'm going to get a bikini and I won't hesitate
to wear it. And I'll have no qualms about going topless
either, which is something I never thought I'd say.
"And I will wear make-up now. Before I got involved
with the show I owned just one lipstick and a five-year-old
mascara - and I can't remember the last time I used that.
I didn't see the point, I thought it was like trying make
a silk purse out of a sow's ear so I didn't bother.
"It will be lovely to go on holiday and not be worrying
about how I look.
"Before all this I wouldn't have dreamed of showing
any part of my body, now I'll have no problem with it all.
I feel like a different person - the person I always knew
I could be."
"It's about so much more than looks," she says.
"I feel good and that is giving me confidence. I'm
5ft 10ins, which is fairly tall, but I used to try and hide
away. Now I stand up straight and walk tall because I feel
brave enough to do that. If I'm in a group these days I
will come forward and join in. And I no longer get mistaken
for a pensioner!"
Looking down at her brand new body again, she adds with
a smile: "It really is one of the best things that
has ever happened to me.
“I feel pretty and feminine,” she grins. “It
still takes a bit of getting used to!”
Letter from Mrs. N. Mc G.:
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CASE
4
Name:
Mrs. R. Mc M. of Newcastle, England
Age:
37 years
Treatment:
Adjustable Gastric Lap-Band Surgery |
 |
Background:
Mrs. R. Mc M. weighed at least twice her ideal weight and
was afraid of the long term complications this might have
to her health and well-being.
Result:
Just six weeks after her operation in Belgium, she was able
to join her children on summer weekend away.
Comments:
Mrs R. Mc M. had Lap-Band surgery mid 2005. She has lost
in assess of 45 kilos and continues striding towards her
target weight.
"I weighed 143 kilos the day I went to surgery. I also
suffer with diabetes and high cholesterol. Several members
of my family are also overweight and have had severe health
problems as a result. I knew that I had to do something
right away to shed this access weight or I would find myself
in a similar situation down the line."
"After doing a lot of research on the Internet and
talking to a surgeon, I felt that the Lap-Band was the best
selection. I had my surgery in 2005, and within a year I
have lost over 45 kilos. The physician is incredibly impressed
with my progressing weight loss and my new found health."
"As far as my physical and mental well being, I’m
a totally new individual. I feel I can achieve anything
with this new vigor and energy inside.”
"The Lap-Band procedure has changed my life - I feel
like I have gotten my life back!"
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CASE
5
Name:
Mrs. R.K. of Leeds, England
Age:
48 years
Treatment:
Adjustable Gastric Lap-Band Surgery |
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Background:
Mrs. R.K. went through gastric banding 3 years ago. Since
the treatment she has been able to carry out all her dreams
and aspirations– something she thought impossible
before.
Mrs. R.K. said, "Being overweight and obese was dreadful,
living in a society where people did not understand that
however much you tried to shed weight it was next to hopeless.
People laugh and make fun when they see a fat person. I
tried different gyms, diets and everything that anyone suggested
at the time…"
She lost weight but only to put it on again. Whatever she
did was of no help. Her metabolism was such that she had
the tendency to put on weight no matter what.
"How long can one person diet! I can not go without
food for long - it is difficult… and I used to cry
a lot”
Comments:
One day she met a group who had under gone surgery and had
transformed their lives.
“Following the meeting, I felt like a new person,
I felt a bounce in my step. I became confident even before
the surgery. I have so much to look forward to now. Dr.
Dillemans has given me a new lease of life”
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CASE
6
Name:
Ms. K.B. of London,
England
Age:
42 years
Treatment:
Laprascopic Gastric Bypass Surgery |
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Background:
K.B. had always been overweight, even at an early age. It
continued through her teens and into her forties, finally
reaching 185 kilos (405 pounds) at the age of 42. Her GP
had already warned her that she was a borderline diabetic,
and with her current high blood pressure and weight condition
- was heading towards severe health problems and in the
worse case scenario die an early death.
Comments:
"I had tried every diet going. Things finally came
to a head when I realized drastic action needed to be taken.
I scoured the web for information on gastric bypass surgery,
and finally found Direct Healthcare International. I received
the appropriate information from their team and immediately
returned the pre-surgery form. They then offered me a date
for the operation and I was ready to go".
"On arrival at the hospital, I was brought to the private
rooms of Dr. Dillemans for the initial tests. Everyone was
very welcoming and friendly. Tests completed, Dr Dillemans
explained in great detail the operation I was about to undergo.
Next day, I had the operation, and apart from a little discomfort
felt in good health".
"After spending the night in ICU (a standard safeguard)
I returned to my room to rest and recover. The following
day I was up and about and doing some light walking. The
Dietician explained what foods to eat and what to avoid,
and was discharged from the hospital 5 days later. My operation
took place in 2005, and to date I have lost a total of 57
kilos (125 pounds). My life is now on a new path! Thank
you Direct Healthcare International."
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CASE
7
Name:
Mrs. B.C. of Swansea,
England
Age:
39 years
Treatment:
Laprascopic Gastric Bypass Surgery |
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Background:
"By the time I hit my thirties, I had tried every diet
but was still grossly overweight. Now, after undergoing
gastric bypass surgery, I have rocketed from 130 kilos (290
pounds) to a trimmer 70 kilos (155 pounds). I now have a
new, healthy and determined life.”
“Before the surgery friends would say, 'you have such
a pretty face.' I knew in my heart they were just being
sympathetic to my weight problem.
Comments:
B.C. can now participate in activities with her 3 children
– whereas before she watched life go by from the sidelines.
“It’s such a change, I am now participating
in my life instead of watching it go by”.
B.C.’s health, well-being and general happiness has
come much stronger because of the lifestyle changes that
the surgery brought about. “I didn't have this surgery
for vanity sake. I did it to become fit and healthy."
B.C. is today a diligent campaigner of this life-saving
procedure. With first-hand experience of the unparalleled
difference it can make in a person's life she cannot recommend
it enough.
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CASE
8
Name:
Mr.
J.F. of New York, U.S.A.
Age:
55 years
Occupation:
Engineer
Treatment:
Laprascopic Gastric Bypass Surgery |
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Background:
Mr. J.F. was 135 kilos (295 pounds)– following a Laprascopic
Gastric Bypass plummeted to 105 kilos (230 pounds).
"My entire life I was obese and unhappy. I had wanted
to do all the things other people were doing such as swimming,
soccer and cycling without getting winded after a few minutes.
I was embarrassed in public; feeling like all eyes were
on me. Like most people with weight troubles I tried every
diet with very little success. I knew I had to do something
about my condition”.
Comments:
In 2005 Mr. J.F. made the life altering decision and decided
to have a Laprascopic Gastric Bypass.
"A gastric bypass is by no means an "easy way
out", there is effort and work involved. I gave up
almost all fatty foods and now make healthier diet choices
and exercise daily. I have no regrets!”
“It has been a year since my surgery and I am now
a happy and healthy. Both my wife and kids both love the
lighter spirit I seem to have these days”.
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Patient Letters
Mr. A.P. – of Sandhurst, England
Treatment: Laprascopic
Gastric Bypass Surgery
| Dear Amanda,
I feel very strongly that now I am home I need to
write and thank everybody involved with my Gastric
Bypass operation last week.
Firstly, I wish to thank you for the professional
way all the bookings, confirmations, and paperwork
was handled. This was very reassuring in the run-up
to the operation. But more importantly proved a comfort
while actually in Brugge, as my girlfriend and I never
once found ourselves unsure of our schedules or without
the bit of paper we needed!
Now, I could very easily fill the whole page highlighting
how lovely Brugge is (Without a doubt the most beautiful
town I have ever visited!), with praise for the friendly
Park Hotel, and thanks to the ultra-reliable Brugge
Taxi company. However, all this is really just icing
on the cake. I think I'm allowed to still use the
word 'cake'!
The main focus for my appreciation must be the wonderful
care I received while staying at St Jan's Hospital.
The nurses were all very polite and professional and
are used to dealing with patients from abroad. My
operation was part of the all inclusive package and
I thought I may receive a private room, so I was initially
a bit disappointed when I found out I would be sharing.
However, after meeting the very nice Danish man I
would be sharing with, and now reflecting on the many
conversations regarding our shared experiences and
hopes, I would now consider the room sharing to be
a plus. He will know who he is, and I wish him all
the best for the future!
Finally, we reach the part of the testimonial where
I must heap thanks and praise onto the super Dr Dillemans.
It doesn't take long speaking to the Doctor to realize
that he is extremely proud of the work he is doing,
and rightfully so, after all if my BMI drops by as
much as is predicted my life could be extended by
over 10 years.
I spent several months researching what would be the
best for me. I looked at different Gastric procedures,
Hospital rankings, Secondary infection levels, etc.
and In my experience I found the research would always
lead to 1) Gastric Bypass 2) Belgium 3) Dr Dillemans.
I really do believe that I have had the best procedure,
performed in the safest country, by the best Doctor.
During the operation I was especially pleased that
I was in the save hands of Dr Dillemans and under
the protection of the insurance included in the inclusive
package when it was discovered that I also had a hernia.
This was dealt with at the same time as the Gastric
Bypass with no extra charge.
So now I am back in the UK on my own? Well not quite.
I have medication to continue my stomach protection,
Thrombosis protection, and Painkillers if needed.
I have a sealed letter for my own GP detailing exactly
what has been done along with instructions regarding
future blood tests etc. For me the final touch is
a wallet card identifying me as a Gastric Bypass Patient
and Providing direct contact info to Dr Dillemans
in case of any problem, accident, or emergency.
In Summary, I am very impressed how slick everything
has been and my thanks go out to everyone involved.
There is however just one last thing. Based on my
experience I would be more than happy to by used as
a UK reference/contact for other people considering
surgery.
Yours Sincerely
A.P. |
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Mrs. P.R. – of West Sussex, England
Treatment: Adjustable
Gastric Lap Band Surgery
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Mrs. C.T. – of London, England
Treatment: Laprascopic
Gastric Bypass Surgery
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Carol Farnon - England
Treatment: Laprascopic
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Dear Dr Dillemans,
I am only sitting down
to write you this e-mail now life has been so busy. Well
I had surgery by you on the 23rd March 2007 and life has
never been better. I came over with my husband Gavin and
baby son Alex and 3 more sons at home you do surgery on
so many people I guess you don't remember. Well when I got
over to you I was 23 stone + and I had guessed my weight
to be about 21 stone which was way out. Today Wed the 9th
Jan 2008 I am very proud to say that I have lost 9 stone
I'm sorry I don't know what that is in kilos but you will
know. I have found myself after 13 yrs of being very overweight
and very unhappy. My husband loves the new me more now as
we can do a lot more and I don't get tired. I love when
I meet people and they don't know who I am until I speak.
You gave me a new life to enjoy and love and I can never
thank you enough as I know you could easily have refused
to do surgery on me last year. While I was waiting to go
into surgery you came out and showed me someones letter
to you that had surgery and you didn't have to but you made
me feel so safe in your hands. I'm still in touch with the
4 other english speaking patients Tony, Naomi, Debbie (Naomi's
mum) and Kirsty we are hoping to meet up this yr sometime.
Well thank you so much again and I will never forget what
you've done for my family and I you gave them back a new
mum, wife, daughter and sister.!!
Yours very sincerely
Carol Farnon
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Patient Quotes
S.K. – Galway, Ireland
”I was very informed
about everything. Other than feeling uncomfortable for approximately
3 days after surgery, it was at a whole okay. I feel fantastic
and look forward to future – which is new for me.”
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D.H. – Cambridge, England
”It is by far the best thing I have
ever done. I feel better than I ever have. Dr. Dillemans
is lovely. Thank you Direct Healthcare International!
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J.C. - Liverpool, England
”I can personally
vouch for the consideration that you will receive from the
Direct Healthcare International team and their surgeons,
should you opt for treatment with them.”
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T.S. – Brighton, England
”I met Dr. Dillemans
upon arrival at the Hospital. He answered all my questions
and did not seem to be rushed or in a hurry to get away
being the busy physician he is. His staff I also found very
friendly and helpful. Direct Healthcare International and
their people made this experience a very positive one for
me, and I highly recommend them for Gastric Bypass Surgery.”
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K.G. – Dublin, Ireland
”Dr. Dillemans is
without doubt the greatest of the great! He and his team
managed to put me at ease from the very first consultation.
I was even astonished at how knowledgeable the staff were.
His entire program is structured so that his patients are
aware of the risks as well as the benefits of the surgery.
I have been nothing but impressed with all visits thus far.”
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C.C. – Kent, England
“Direct Healthcare International justly
strive to make your treatment a positive life changing experience.”
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J.D. - London, England
”Excellent physician and hospital.
I would recommend Direct Healthcare International to anyone.
Their program and service was amazing. 10 out of 10!!!”
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W.J. – Suffolk, England
”I have been so blessed to have found
Direct Healthcare International”
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W.J. – Surrey, England
“I underwent surgery
in 2005 and have lost 58 kilos. Dr. Dillemans is among the
most sympathetic physicians I have had the honor of meeting.
He has changed my life forever, and I have the utmost respect
and admiration for him. I tell people every day that Direct
Healthcare International is the place to go!”
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