Re: Proud To Be A Card Carrying Surface Hippy

[Guest guest]

Congratulations, Alan

It's good to hear that everything has gone so well.

If it were not that we have the likes of Mr McMinn and Mr Treacy in

the UK, I would be so tempted to go to Dr De Smet. He sounds just

great.

I hope the recovery continues apace.

Best wishes

ine

C2K 04/03

> Well here I am 10 days post-op and doing well. I am pain free and

> easily getting around on crutches. I did have a swollen ankle on

the

> operated leg for 24 hours after the long trip back to Toronto but

> otherwise in great shape.

>

> Please allow me to provide some detail for those going or

considering

> going to Belgium to be a patient of Dr. Koen De Smet and his Dream

> Team.

>

> Let me start by telling you that the " new hospital " , Jan

> Palfijn is a

> bright, modern, high tech facility that is staffed with kind,

> pleasant, professional people who have a great sense of humor and

> lots of compassion. I only speak English and there was never a

> communication problem with anyone. One evening the head of

> Administration along with 4 nurses assisted my wife is selecting

the

> best pizza delivery place in town (hospital food is hospital food

is

> hospital food…everywhere).

>

> I'm sure you have read lots of great things about the good

> doctor...all of it is so true. His attention to detail is

incredible

> and his quest for perfection is obvious. He is a warm, caring,

> skilled surgeon who relates to you like a friend rather than a

> patient.

>

> The nurse (Jan) and physio therapist (Marc) who visit you at the

> Holiday Inn have over 60 years experience collectively and it shows.

>

> The Holiday Inn is...well...a Holiday Inn. The beds were far too

> uncomfortable for me (6' 2 " , 280lbs) but the staff were very

> accommodating. I was able to travel locally three days post-op.

> Taxi rides to the City Core are free from 6 p.m. to midnight Monday

> to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. The bus stop is across

> the road and the Ghent public transit system is as good as any

> I've

> seen anywhere. The restaurants serve excellent meals and are

> reasonably priced. I soon discovered that the best beer was a

local

> brew call Jan van Ghent. The bottle is wrapped in a dark blue

paper

> wrapper...try it...you'll like it.

>

> I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

>

> Regards,

>

> Alan

>

> Right BHR, De Smet, 12Nov03

[Guest guest]

Congratulations, Alan

It's good to hear that everything has gone so well.

If it were not that we have the likes of Mr McMinn and Mr Treacy in

the UK, I would be so tempted to go to Dr De Smet. He sounds just

great.

I hope the recovery continues apace.

Best wishes

ine

C2K 04/03

> Well here I am 10 days post-op and doing well. I am pain free and

> easily getting around on crutches. I did have a swollen ankle on

the

> operated leg for 24 hours after the long trip back to Toronto but

> otherwise in great shape.

>

> Please allow me to provide some detail for those going or

considering

> going to Belgium to be a patient of Dr. Koen De Smet and his Dream

> Team.

>

> Let me start by telling you that the " new hospital " , Jan

> Palfijn is a

> bright, modern, high tech facility that is staffed with kind,

> pleasant, professional people who have a great sense of humor and

> lots of compassion. I only speak English and there was never a

> communication problem with anyone. One evening the head of

> Administration along with 4 nurses assisted my wife is selecting

the

> best pizza delivery place in town (hospital food is hospital food

is

> hospital food…everywhere).

>

> I'm sure you have read lots of great things about the good

> doctor...all of it is so true. His attention to detail is

incredible

> and his quest for perfection is obvious. He is a warm, caring,

> skilled surgeon who relates to you like a friend rather than a

> patient.

>

> The nurse (Jan) and physio therapist (Marc) who visit you at the

> Holiday Inn have over 60 years experience collectively and it shows.

>

> The Holiday Inn is...well...a Holiday Inn. The beds were far too

> uncomfortable for me (6' 2 " , 280lbs) but the staff were very

> accommodating. I was able to travel locally three days post-op.

> Taxi rides to the City Core are free from 6 p.m. to midnight Monday

> to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. The bus stop is across

> the road and the Ghent public transit system is as good as any

> I've

> seen anywhere. The restaurants serve excellent meals and are

> reasonably priced. I soon discovered that the best beer was a

local

> brew call Jan van Ghent. The bottle is wrapped in a dark blue

paper

> wrapper...try it...you'll like it.

>

> I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

>

> Regards,

>

> Alan

>

> Right BHR, De Smet, 12Nov03

[Guest guest]

Congratulations, Alan

It's good to hear that everything has gone so well.

If it were not that we have the likes of Mr McMinn and Mr Treacy in

the UK, I would be so tempted to go to Dr De Smet. He sounds just

great.

I hope the recovery continues apace.

Best wishes

ine

C2K 04/03

> Well here I am 10 days post-op and doing well. I am pain free and

> easily getting around on crutches. I did have a swollen ankle on

the

> operated leg for 24 hours after the long trip back to Toronto but

> otherwise in great shape.

>

> Please allow me to provide some detail for those going or

considering

> going to Belgium to be a patient of Dr. Koen De Smet and his Dream

> Team.

>

> Let me start by telling you that the " new hospital " , Jan

> Palfijn is a

> bright, modern, high tech facility that is staffed with kind,

> pleasant, professional people who have a great sense of humor and

> lots of compassion. I only speak English and there was never a

> communication problem with anyone. One evening the head of

> Administration along with 4 nurses assisted my wife is selecting

the

> best pizza delivery place in town (hospital food is hospital food

is

> hospital food…everywhere).

>

> I'm sure you have read lots of great things about the good

> doctor...all of it is so true. His attention to detail is

incredible

> and his quest for perfection is obvious. He is a warm, caring,

> skilled surgeon who relates to you like a friend rather than a

> patient.

>

> The nurse (Jan) and physio therapist (Marc) who visit you at the

> Holiday Inn have over 60 years experience collectively and it shows.

>

> The Holiday Inn is...well...a Holiday Inn. The beds were far too

> uncomfortable for me (6' 2 " , 280lbs) but the staff were very

> accommodating. I was able to travel locally three days post-op.

> Taxi rides to the City Core are free from 6 p.m. to midnight Monday

> to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. The bus stop is across

> the road and the Ghent public transit system is as good as any

> I've

> seen anywhere. The restaurants serve excellent meals and are

> reasonably priced. I soon discovered that the best beer was a

local

> brew call Jan van Ghent. The bottle is wrapped in a dark blue

paper

> wrapper...try it...you'll like it.

>

> I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

>

> Regards,

>

> Alan

>

> Right BHR, De Smet, 12Nov03

[Guest guest]

Thanks Alan for your report. It is so helpful to hear from some other people

experience.

I am going for BHR with De Smet January 6 and am flying from Vancouver.

I have a question about the anesthesie: did you have a choice between epidural

and general and how did you chose and did you have a chance to ask questions to

the anesthesist before surgery?

keep healing fast!

Sunita

Proud To Be A Card Carrying Surface Hippy

Well here I am 10 days post-op and doing well. I am pain free and

easily getting around on crutches. I did have a swollen ankle on the

operated leg for 24 hours after the long trip back to Toronto but

otherwise in great shape.

Please allow me to provide some detail for those going or considering

going to Belgium to be a patient of Dr. Koen De Smet and his Dream

Team.

Let me start by telling you that the " new hospital " , Jan

Palfijn is a

bright, modern, high tech facility that is staffed with kind,

pleasant, professional people who have a great sense of humor and

lots of compassion. I only speak English and there was never a

communication problem with anyone. One evening the head of

Administration along with 4 nurses assisted my wife is selecting the

best pizza delivery place in town (hospital food is hospital food is

hospital food.everywhere).

I'm sure you have read lots of great things about the good

doctor...all of it is so true. His attention to detail is incredible

and his quest for perfection is obvious. He is a warm, caring,

skilled surgeon who relates to you like a friend rather than a

patient.

The nurse (Jan) and physio therapist (Marc) who visit you at the

Holiday Inn have over 60 years experience collectively and it shows.

The Holiday Inn is...well...a Holiday Inn. The beds were far too

uncomfortable for me (6' 2 " , 280lbs) but the staff were very

accommodating. I was able to travel locally three days post-op.

Taxi rides to the City Core are free from 6 p.m. to midnight Monday

to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. The bus stop is across

the road and the Ghent public transit system is as good as any

I've

seen anywhere. The restaurants serve excellent meals and are

reasonably priced. I soon discovered that the best beer was a local

brew call Jan van Ghent. The bottle is wrapped in a dark blue paper

wrapper...try it...you'll like it.

I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Regards,

Alan

Right BHR, De Smet, 12Nov03

[Guest guest]

Hello Sunita

The Anesthesist visted me the night before surgery as did the

Cardiologist. I never asked for choices as I wanted to be 'out' for

the procedure. Good luck in January,I know you will be pleased.

Alan

> Thanks Alan for your report. It is so helpful to hear from some

other people experience.

> I am going for BHR with De Smet January 6 and am flying from

Vancouver.

> I have a question about the anesthesie: did you have a choice

between epidural and general and how did you chose and did you have a

chance to ask questions to the anesthesist before surgery?

> keep healing fast!

> Sunita

> Proud To Be A Card Carrying Surface Hippy

>

>

> Well here I am 10 days post-op and doing well. I am pain free

and

> easily getting around on crutches. I did have a swollen ankle on

the

> operated leg for 24 hours after the long trip back to Toronto but

> otherwise in great shape.

>

> Please allow me to provide some detail for those going or

considering

> going to Belgium to be a patient of Dr. Koen De Smet and his

Dream

> Team.

>

> Let me start by telling you that the " new hospital " , Jan

> Palfijn is a

> bright, modern, high tech facility that is staffed with kind,

> pleasant, professional people who have a great sense of humor and

> lots of compassion. I only speak English and there was never a

> communication problem with anyone. One evening the head of

> Administration along with 4 nurses assisted my wife is selecting

the

> best pizza delivery place in town (hospital food is hospital food

is

> hospital food.everywhere).

>

> I'm sure you have read lots of great things about the good

> doctor...all of it is so true. His attention to detail is

incredible

> and his quest for perfection is obvious. He is a warm, caring,

> skilled surgeon who relates to you like a friend rather than a

> patient.

>

> The nurse (Jan) and physio therapist (Marc) who visit you at the

> Holiday Inn have over 60 years experience collectively and it

shows.

>

> The Holiday Inn is...well...a Holiday Inn. The beds were far too

> uncomfortable for me (6' 2 " , 280lbs) but the staff were very

> accommodating. I was able to travel locally three days post-op.

> Taxi rides to the City Core are free from 6 p.m. to midnight

Monday

> to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. The bus stop is

across

> the road and the Ghent public transit system is as good as any

> I've

> seen anywhere. The restaurants serve excellent meals and are

> reasonably priced. I soon discovered that the best beer was a

local

> brew call Jan van Ghent. The bottle is wrapped in a dark blue

paper

> wrapper...try it...you'll like it.

>

> I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

>

> Regards,

>

> Alan

>

> Right BHR, De Smet, 12Nov03

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

---

Alan,

Thanks for the post about Dr. DeSmet's new hospital. I leave in 5

more days for Belgium, with my surgery scheduled on Tuesday, December

2nd. Like you, I am having only one hip done. I am going alone due to

having two young boys who need my wife's attention. It was really

reassuring to read what you said about the hospital, and especially

the care and compassion of the staff!

Also, thanks for the tip about the beer! Sorry we could not be

there at the same time, but I wish you all of the best in your

recovery. It sounds like you are doing great!

I'll keep in touch!

Dr. Ed from El Paso

emcelro1@...

In surfacehippy , " mackie346 " wrote:

> Well here I am 10 days post-op and doing well. I am pain free and

> easily getting around on crutches. I did have a swollen ankle on

the

> operated leg for 24 hours after the long trip back to Toronto but

> otherwise in great shape.

>

> Please allow me to provide some detail for those going or

considering

> going to Belgium to be a patient of Dr. Koen De Smet and his Dream

> Team.

>

> Let me start by telling you that the " new hospital " , Jan

> Palfijn is a

> bright, modern, high tech facility that is staffed with kind,

> pleasant, professional people who have a great sense of humor and

> lots of compassion. I only speak English and there was never a

> communication problem with anyone. One evening the head of

> Administration along with 4 nurses assisted my wife is selecting

the

> best pizza delivery place in town (hospital food is hospital food

is

> hospital food…everywhere).

>

> I'm sure you have read lots of great things about the good

> doctor...all of it is so true. His attention to detail is

incredible

> and his quest for perfection is obvious. He is a warm, caring,

> skilled surgeon who relates to you like a friend rather than a

> patient.

>

> The nurse (Jan) and physio therapist (Marc) who visit you at the

> Holiday Inn have over 60 years experience collectively and it shows.

>

> The Holiday Inn is...well...a Holiday Inn. The beds were far too

> uncomfortable for me (6' 2 " , 280lbs) but the staff were very

> accommodating. I was able to travel locally three days post-op.

> Taxi rides to the City Core are free from 6 p.m. to midnight Monday

> to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. The bus stop is across

> the road and the Ghent public transit system is as good as any

> I've

> seen anywhere. The restaurants serve excellent meals and are

> reasonably priced. I soon discovered that the best beer was a

local

> brew call Jan van Ghent. The bottle is wrapped in a dark blue

paper

> wrapper...try it...you'll like it.

>

> I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

>

> Regards,

>

> Alan

>

> Right BHR, De Smet, 12Nov03

[Guest guest]

Congrats Alan! Glad to hear all went well. I wondered if you got the hotel to

give you an extra mattress on top of the existing one? I know Dr De Smet's

assistant, Hugo, was doing it for patients when I was there, but being short, I

didn't need it.

Sharry (in BC)

Proud To Be A Card Carrying Surface Hippy

Well here I am 10 days post-op and doing well. I am pain free and

easily getting around on crutches. I did have a swollen ankle on the

operated leg for 24 hours after the long trip back to Toronto but

otherwise in great shape.

Please allow me to provide some detail for those going or considering

going to Belgium to be a patient of Dr. Koen De Smet and his Dream

Team.

Let me start by telling you that the " new hospital " , Jan

Palfijn is a

bright, modern, high tech facility that is staffed with kind,

pleasant, professional people who have a great sense of humor and

lots of compassion. I only speak English and there was never a

communication problem with anyone. One evening the head of

Administration along with 4 nurses assisted my wife is selecting the

best pizza delivery place in town (hospital food is hospital food is

hospital food.everywhere).

I'm sure you have read lots of great things about the good

doctor...all of it is so true. His attention to detail is incredible

and his quest for perfection is obvious. He is a warm, caring,

skilled surgeon who relates to you like a friend rather than a

patient.

The nurse (Jan) and physio therapist (Marc) who visit you at the

Holiday Inn have over 60 years experience collectively and it shows.

The Holiday Inn is...well...a Holiday Inn. The beds were far too

uncomfortable for me (6' 2 " , 280lbs) but the staff were very

accommodating. I was able to travel locally three days post-op.

Taxi rides to the City Core are free from 6 p.m. to midnight Monday

to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. The bus stop is across

the road and the Ghent public transit system is as good as any

I've

seen anywhere. The restaurants serve excellent meals and are

reasonably priced. I soon discovered that the best beer was a local

brew call Jan van Ghent. The bottle is wrapped in a dark blue paper

wrapper...try it...you'll like it.

I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Regards,

Alan

Right BHR, De Smet, 12Nov03

[Guest guest]

Just my two cents worth here - Dr De Smet prefers a general anesthetic, as he

belirves patients are more relaxed. However you can get an epidural if you

prefer. The operation is all of 30 minutes- he works fast - so I assume even

the general isn't too drastic - I took it as it was the doc's preference. If

it's the same at the new hospital, the anaesthetist comes around to see you on

the day before surgery and asks for your preference.

Sharry (in BC)

Proud To Be A Card Carrying Surface Hippy

Well here I am 10 days post-op and doing well. I am pain free and

easily getting around on crutches. I did have a swollen ankle on the

operated leg for 24 hours after the long trip back to Toronto but

otherwise in great shape.

Please allow me to provide some detail for those going or considering

going to Belgium to be a patient of Dr. Koen De Smet and his Dream

Team.

Let me start by telling you that the " new hospital " , Jan

Palfijn is a

bright, modern, high tech facility that is staffed with kind,

pleasant, professional people who have a great sense of humor and

lots of compassion. I only speak English and there was never a

communication problem with anyone. One evening the head of

Administration along with 4 nurses assisted my wife is selecting the

best pizza delivery place in town (hospital food is hospital food is

hospital food.everywhere).

I'm sure you have read lots of great things about the good

doctor...all of it is so true. His attention to detail is incredible

and his quest for perfection is obvious. He is a warm, caring,

skilled surgeon who relates to you like a friend rather than a

patient.

The nurse (Jan) and physio therapist (Marc) who visit you at the

Holiday Inn have over 60 years experience collectively and it shows.

The Holiday Inn is...well...a Holiday Inn. The beds were far too

uncomfortable for me (6' 2 " , 280lbs) but the staff were very

accommodating. I was able to travel locally three days post-op.

Taxi rides to the City Core are free from 6 p.m. to midnight Monday

to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. The bus stop is across

the road and the Ghent public transit system is as good as any

I've

seen anywhere. The restaurants serve excellent meals and are

reasonably priced. I soon discovered that the best beer was a local

brew call Jan van Ghent. The bottle is wrapped in a dark blue paper

wrapper...try it...you'll like it.

I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Regards,

Alan

Right BHR, De Smet, 12Nov03

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol

thanks for clarifying the epidural/general. I hope my surgery goes as smoothly

as yours.

Did they put something in your throat for breathing during surgery?

and how long was your surgery? and how are you doing now?

Sunita, Vancouver Canada

Proud To Be A Card Carrying Surface Hippy

>

>

> Well here I am 10 days post-op and doing well. I am pain free and

> easily getting around on crutches. I did have a swollen ankle on the

> operated leg for 24 hours after the long trip back to Toronto but

> otherwise in great shape.

>

> Please allow me to provide some detail for those going or considering

> going to Belgium to be a patient of Dr. Koen De Smet and his Dream

> Team.

>

> Let me start by telling you that the " new hospital " , Jan

> Palfijn is a

> bright, modern, high tech facility that is staffed with kind,

> pleasant, professional people who have a great sense of humor and

> lots of compassion. I only speak English and there was never a

> communication problem with anyone. One evening the head of

> Administration along with 4 nurses assisted my wife is selecting the

> best pizza delivery place in town (hospital food is hospital food is

> hospital food.everywhere).

>

> I'm sure you have read lots of great things about the good

> doctor...all of it is so true. His attention to detail is incredible

> and his quest for perfection is obvious. He is a warm, caring,

> skilled surgeon who relates to you like a friend rather than a

> patient.

>

> The nurse (Jan) and physio therapist (Marc) who visit you at the

> Holiday Inn have over 60 years experience collectively and it shows.

>

> The Holiday Inn is...well...a Holiday Inn. The beds were far too

> uncomfortable for me (6' 2 " , 280lbs) but the staff were very

> accommodating. I was able to travel locally three days post-op.

> Taxi rides to the City Core are free from 6 p.m. to midnight Monday

> to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. The bus stop is across

> the road and the Ghent public transit system is as good as any

> I've

> seen anywhere. The restaurants serve excellent meals and are

> reasonably priced. I soon discovered that the best beer was a local

> brew call Jan van Ghent. The bottle is wrapped in a dark blue paper

> wrapper...try it...you'll like it.

>

> I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

>

> Regards,

>

> Alan

>

> Right BHR, De Smet, 12Nov03

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

mackie,

I asked Dr. De Smet if he would recommend an epidural. He said he

didn't recommend it for only one hip. Reason being that the day after

surgery they remove all tubes and you start to walk (crutch it) and the

epidural would also be removed at that time. The only pain that it would

cut is barely one day basically. He personally didn't feel this is worth is

due to the fact that you have exposed your body to one more chance of

infection - another hole in your body. But he did leave it up to me.

I decided not to have the epidural. And I think Koen was right. When I

awoke from surgery in the recovery room I was in pain, and shaking from cold

to a degree I had never felt before. I heard them say that they were warming

me, then I felt a morphine needle in my left leg and I became instantly all

warm and comfortable. I did not experience any huge pain after that. They

gave me pain tablets that did a good so I could get up and " crutch it " .

Ouchy, I didn't want to move, but no where near what I thought it would be.

The joint pain was gone! I'd have to rather drag my leg around as none of

the muscles seem engaged!

My surgery was soooo smooth. I have a very clean scar, and I had hardly

any brusing. He is a very good surgeon! It was all a great experience. It

was great to chat with other patients (The Crutch Club) at the Holiday Inn.

Good luck to you in January! I was so scared, and it turned out to be

relatively easy.

Carol in CA 10-22-03 RBHR DeSmet

>

> Subject: Re: Proud To Be A Card Carrying Surface Hippy

>

> Thanks Alan for your report. It is so helpful to hear from some other people

> experience.

> I am going for BHR with De Smet January 6 and am flying from Vancouver.

> I have a question about the anesthesie: did you have a choice between epidural

> and general and how did you chose and did you have a chance to ask questions

> to the anesthesist before surgery?

> keep healing fast!

> Sunita

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: mackie346

>

[Guest guest]

I understood from Dr Koen that the choice of epidural would be " in

addition " to general. The general didn't effect me, other than I couldn't

keep water down the first night. As I didn't feel like eating that night

this didn't bother me. I just wanted to sleep. The next day I could eat,

take pain pills, and go for my first walk in the afternoon. Next day at

11am off to the Holiday Inn! Went very fast!

Carol in CA 10-22-03 RBHR DeSmet

>

> Reply-To: surfacehippy

> Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2003 10:08:22 -0800

> To: surfacehippy >

> Subject: Re: Proud To Be A Card Carrying Surface Hippy

>

> Just my two cents worth here - Dr De Smet prefers a general anesthetic, as he

> belirves patients are more relaxed. However you can get an epidural if you

> prefer. The operation is all of 30 minutes- he works fast - so I assume even

> the general isn't too drastic - I took it as it was the doc's preference. If

> it's the same at the new hospital, the anaesthetist comes around to see you on

> the day before surgery and asks for your preference.

> Sharry (in BC)

> Proud To Be A Card Carrying Surface Hippy

>

>

> Well here I am 10 days post-op and doing well. I am pain free and

> easily getting around on crutches. I did have a swollen ankle on the

> operated leg for 24 hours after the long trip back to Toronto but

> otherwise in great shape.

>

> Please allow me to provide some detail for those going or considering

> going to Belgium to be a patient of Dr. Koen De Smet and his Dream

> Team.

>

> Let me start by telling you that the " new hospital " , Jan

> Palfijn is a

> bright, modern, high tech facility that is staffed with kind,

> pleasant, professional people who have a great sense of humor and

> lots of compassion. I only speak English and there was never a

> communication problem with anyone. One evening the head of

> Administration along with 4 nurses assisted my wife is selecting the

> best pizza delivery place in town (hospital food is hospital food is

> hospital food.everywhere).

>

> I'm sure you have read lots of great things about the good

> doctor...all of it is so true. His attention to detail is incredible

> and his quest for perfection is obvious. He is a warm, caring,

> skilled surgeon who relates to you like a friend rather than a

> patient.

>

> The nurse (Jan) and physio therapist (Marc) who visit you at the

> Holiday Inn have over 60 years experience collectively and it shows.

>

> The Holiday Inn is...well...a Holiday Inn. The beds were far too

> uncomfortable for me (6' 2 " , 280lbs) but the staff were very

> accommodating. I was able to travel locally three days post-op.

> Taxi rides to the City Core are free from 6 p.m. to midnight Monday

> to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. The bus stop is across

> the road and the Ghent public transit system is as good as any

> I've

> seen anywhere. The restaurants serve excellent meals and are

> reasonably priced. I soon discovered that the best beer was a local

> brew call Jan van Ghent. The bottle is wrapped in a dark blue paper

> wrapper...try it...you'll like it.

>

> I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

>

> Regards,

>

> Alan

>

> Right BHR, De Smet, 12Nov03

>

>

>

>