Re: Packing for Belgium

[Guest guest]

Ruth, definitely take your swimsuit. You will have an amazing

waterproof tape over your incision and as soon as you get to the

Holiday Inn, you can start doing pool exercises. There were no

restrictions for showering; I took one unaided, the day after

surgery. Best of luck to you and please give Koen my regards.

Donna Goodley LBHR 11/13/02

> I'm getting ready for my DeSmet Day next Tuesday. The prospect

> alternately thrills and terrifies me. Being a Worst Case Scenario

> type doesn't help here. (My kids call me WCS Mom). Anyway, I

> wondered if there is any point in taking a swim suit along. Were

> you Belgian Hippies able to use the Holiday Inn pool post op?

> Were there any restrictions on showering? For how long?

> Thanks for all the information I already have received. I have a

> book of email posts to reread on the trip. My deep appreciation to

> and the Captain and Lynda and and many others

> who have guided me in this journey. I am looking forward to

> waffles and chocolate and no limp, not in that order. Ruth

[Guest guest]

Have a safe trip and soon your will be swimming on the " other side "

Godspeed in your travels and recovery......

C2K 3/27 Dr Gross.

> I'm getting ready for my DeSmet Day next Tuesday. The prospect

> alternately thrills and terrifies me. Being a Worst Case Scenario

> type doesn't help here. (My kids call me WCS Mom). Anyway, I

> wondered if there is any point in taking a swim suit along. Were

> you Belgian Hippies able to use the Holiday Inn pool post op?

> Were there any restrictions on showering? For how long?

> Thanks for all the information I already have received. I have a

> book of email posts to reread on the trip. My deep appreciation to

> and the Captain and Lynda and and many others

> who have guided me in this journey. I am looking forward to

> waffles and chocolate and no limp, not in that order. Ruth

[Guest guest]

Tell me about a WCS type - I even arranged an extra life insurrance for

my first (left) surgery!

For me, it was a life time experience. But it was a big comfort to find

out that everything went very smooth, well organized and professional.

When I went back 2 month later for my second hip, I really looked

forward to get surgery, imagine!!! People must have think I went mad

somewhere along the line...

So my advise to you Ruth, skip the first surgery, and think about it as

if it is your second one. Look forward and enjoy (yes I really enjoyed

the second time, as I got a spinal and was near full consious during

surgery).

I've no experience with swimming as I went home on the 3th day PO. But

being a WCS type, there is only one answer: bring it with you, just IN

CASE OF...

-----Original Message-----

From: rebures

Sent: 07 May, 2003 14:31

To: surfacehippy

I'm getting ready for my DeSmet Day next Tuesday. The prospect

alternately thrills and terrifies me. Being a Worst Case Scenario type

doesn't help here. (My kids call me WCS Mom). Anyway, I wondered if

there is any point in The first a swim suit along. Were you Belgian

Hippies able to use the Holiday Inn pool post op?

Were there any restrictions on showering? For how long?

Thanks for all the information I already have received. I have a book of

email posts to reread on the trip. My deep appreciation to and the

Captain and Lynda and and many others who have guided me in

this journey. I am looking forward to waffles and chocolate and no limp,

not in that order. Ruth

[Guest guest]

Ruth, best wishes for total success. After a certain point, I've heard

that Dr. De Smet's helpers can use some waterproof tape on the incision

that allows use of the pool. I'd confirm that with the Dr.'s office,

and then take my swim suit. Water IS life. Will be looking forward to

feedback from you on your experiences. Kindest regards...

danz

rebures wrote:

> I'm getting ready for my DeSmet Day next Tuesday. The prospect

> alternately thrills and terrifies me. Being a Worst Case Scenario

> type doesn't help here. (My kids call me WCS Mom). Anyway, I

> wondered if there is any point in taking a swim suit along. Were

> you Belgian Hippies able to use the Holiday Inn pool post op?

> Were there any restrictions on showering? For how long?

> Thanks for all the information I already have received. I have a

> book of email posts to reread on the trip. My deep appreciation to

> and the Captain and Lynda and and many others

> who have guided me in this journey. I am looking forward to

> waffles and chocolate and no limp, not in that order. Ruth

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ruth,

I don't believe anyone in our group of 5 went swimming. ly, I

wasn't about to get into a public pool with a brand new incision,

even though it had been 'water proofed'. Especially when the water

proofing was letting a little water penetrate each time I took a

shower.

Have a good trip. 2/19/03 BHR DeSmet

> I'm getting ready for my DeSmet Day next Tuesday. The prospect

> alternately thrills and terrifies me. Being a Worst Case Scenario

> type doesn't help here. (My kids call me WCS Mom). Anyway, I

> wondered if there is any point in taking a swim suit along. Were

> you Belgian Hippies able to use the Holiday Inn pool post op?

> Were there any restrictions on showering? For how long?

> Thanks for all the information I already have received. I have a

> book of email posts to reread on the trip. My deep appreciation to

> and the Captain and Lynda and and many others

> who have guided me in this journey. I am looking forward to

> waffles and chocolate and no limp, not in that order. Ruth

[Guest guest]

Dear Ruth

Good Luck toYou on your journey to Belgium..Tell Dr. De Smet and his team Sue

from CA says HI!!!!..The hospital is ok but you'll be glad to be at the

hotel...I didnt discover the pool till around the third day..I immediatly

went in and it was heaven....Dont worry just take the suit...keep us posted

Sue

3/11/03

Dr. De Smet

sue 3/11/03

[Guest guest]

hi ruth,

DEFINITELY take your swim suit!

the pool in the holiday inn is a wonderful bit of relaxation in a non-weight

bearing environment (in my humble opinion). it's open late, too. some have

found it too cold.

i didn't. there's nice music, and a scorching hot steam room which was fun

too, but hot. belgium and the good doctor desmet and his team and all can be

counted on,

without a doubt. belgium is a very interesting country--plus, on top of the

chocolate there are cute buildings to look at, and fine melt in your mouth

waffles.... not to mention the very kind people. let me/us know how you're

doing on your return home.

steph

desmet rbhr april 2/03

[Guest guest]

Please be careful re: swimming. I was done in the states and was cautioned

about getting the incision wet (even if showering). No bandage is IMHO

waterproof. An infection s/b a concern. Wolf(L)C2K Dr Gross 17Jan02

Ustina wrote:hi ruth,

DEFINITELY take your swim suit!

the pool in the holiday inn is a wonderful bit of relaxation in a non-weight

bearing environment (in my humble opinion). it's open late, too. some have

found it too cold.

i didn't. there's nice music, and a scorching hot steam room which was fun

too, but hot. belgium and the good doctor desmet and his team and all can be

counted on,

without a doubt. belgium is a very interesting country--plus, on top of the

chocolate there are cute buildings to look at, and fine melt in your mouth

waffles.... not to mention the very kind people. let me/us know how you're

doing on your return home.

steph

desmet rbhr april 2/03

[Guest guest]

As I recall, our male nurse, Jan, put the waterproof tape over my

incision and encouraged me to shower, swim, whatever I wanted to do.

De Smet gave us his blessings as well. Jan changed my tape right

before I left Belgium and I kept that same tape on for weeks after I

got back. Not a drop of water got under that tape that entire time.

It must be miracle tape or he just did a great job of laying it on.

If you're skeptical, ask De Smet before you go over there. He's great

about answering all kinds of questions. Good luck!

Donna LBHR 11/13/02

hi ruth,

> DEFINITELY take your swim suit!

> the pool in the holiday inn is a wonderful bit of relaxation in a

non-weight

> bearing environment (in my humble opinion). it's open late, too.

some have

> found it too cold.

> i didn't. there's nice music, and a scorching hot steam room which

was fun

> too, but hot. belgium and the good doctor desmet and his team and

all can be

> counted on,

> without a doubt. belgium is a very interesting country--plus, on

top of the

> chocolate there are cute buildings to look at, and fine melt in

your mouth

> waffles.... not to mention the very kind people. let me/us know how

you're

> doing on your return home.

> steph

> desmet rbhr april 2/03

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I think the business of caution with swimming with an incision must

vary............. In Sydney where I had mine done my surgeon insisted I go

to a Rehab hospital for a couple of weeks after the operation........ They

had a pool there and all the just done THR's, Knee replacements (from a

range of surgeons and hospitals there) and I were expected to do pool

exercises as part of PT each day......... all of us had the fresh op covered

with waterproof cover........mine seemed to work pretty well............

As it was part of procedure I figured they knew pretty much what worked and

what didn't.........and no doubt kept a close eye on the chemical contents

of the pool............. also remember that the body's system kicks in

pretty fast after an op as far as sealing off the whole thing goes.......

would suspect most people who get hassles from bugs, get them from bugs

getting in the operation area during the operation than immediately

after.......

Edith LBHR Dr. Walter Sydney Aust 8/02

> Please be careful re: swimming. I was done in the states and was

cautioned about getting the incision wet (even if showering). No bandage is

IMHO waterproof. An infection s/b a concern. Wolf(L)C2K Dr Gross 17Jan02

>

> Ustina wrote:hi ruth,

> DEFINITELY take your swim suit!

> the pool in the holiday inn is a wonderful bit of relaxation in a

non-weight

> bearing environment (in my humble opinion). it's open late, too. some have

> found it too cold.

> i didn't. there's nice music, and a scorching hot steam room which was fun

> too, but hot. belgium and the good doctor desmet and his team and all can

be

> counted on,

> without a doubt. belgium is a very interesting country--plus, on top of

the

> chocolate there are cute buildings to look at, and fine melt in your mouth

> waffles.... not to mention the very kind people. let me/us know how you're

> doing on your return home.

> steph

> desmet rbhr april 2/03

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dr. DeSmet uses his assitant surgery nurse to apply the waterproof

tape over the incision(s) when at the holiday inn. His name is Bart

and he's a great, down to earth guy. I can see why Dr. DeSmet hired

him. He'll give you extra waterproof tape if request to bring back

home.

Michigandar Mike

Bilateral, Dr. DeSmet, April 1, 2003

hi ruth,

> > DEFINITELY take your swim suit!

> > the pool in the holiday inn is a wonderful bit of relaxation in a

> non-weight

> > bearing environment (in my humble opinion). it's open late, too.

> some have

> > found it too cold.

> > i didn't. there's nice music, and a scorching hot steam room

which

> was fun

> > too, but hot. belgium and the good doctor desmet and his team and

> all can be

> > counted on,

> > without a doubt. belgium is a very interesting country--plus, on

> top of the

> > chocolate there are cute buildings to look at, and fine melt in

> your mouth

> > waffles.... not to mention the very kind people. let me/us know

how

> you're

> > doing on your return home.

> > steph

> > desmet rbhr april 2/03

> >

> >

> >

> >