Re: Questions for Belgium Surfacehippies

[Guest guest]

Hi !

You must be excited to begin your adventure. I can only tell you from my

experience- as you know everyone is different. I don't think that you need

extra compression socks- they wash and dry out quite quickly. However it is

personal preference. I hated the compression stockings and as long as I was

resting with feet elevated whilst they were drying it was a nice break! A lot

of people recommend sweat pants. I actually took along 2 long tencel jumpers.

I thought that the stockings were HOT and the jumper was cooler. Also- you

don't need to wear underwear- it IS easier! Or bring along thong underwear-

that way it won't add pressure to your incision. The crutches are indeed much

cheaper at the hospital. I had purchased my purple! ones in the states because

they were needed prior to my surgery. Also because I am rather small I needed

youth size. wow- does that seem a distant memory!

I was sight seeing in Bruges on day 3. There is a nice carriage tour. The boat

tour through the canals was recommended before surgery as it entails a rather

large step in and out on an unstable vessel. By all means- DO sight see! Gent

and Bruges are beautiful and the people are wonderful. (Not to mention the

SHOPPING! Also the chocolates and beer! We actually stayed 3 days in Bruges

prior to the surgery at a lovely hotel called the Hotel Hansa) Many know of the

good Dr De Smet!

Dr De Smet used general anesthetic for me. I was a unilateral. He did not use

staples for me either. My scar is barely detectable now. I was sewn up with

small absorbable stitches inside and had about 6 outside stitches and steri

strips. I didn't make any requests, I just woke up that way. But looking back

on it- you should request it. I believe it diminishes the scar.

Have a wonderful experience! Good luck and Godspeed. Give Dr De Smet et al my

best! (He knows me as the rock climber- telling me not to climb too high so as

to find my way to heaven!)

Rock climbin' Jude

LBHR De Smet 09/11/02

Questions for Belgium Surfacehippies

Hi All!

mentioned taking along a hip kit available from Alimed. Does anyone know

if the items in it are readily available from the hospital in Belgium? It

contained such things as a terry cloth sock aid, dressing stick with shoe horn,

and a long-handled sponge. He also mentioned bringing extra thigh length

compression socks, since the hospital only supplies one pair. Can I purchase

extra pairs from the hospital? I plan to buy my crutches there since they seem

to be cheaper at the hospital than they are in the

States.

Does Dr. De Smet use general anesthesia or an epidural and Versed? How about

staples vs. stitches and steri-strips?

I'm taking my sister with me for the surgery. Since we have a 14 hour flight

back to Minnesota and because my surgery may be more difficult (dysplasia cup

with screws), I booked our return flight for 11 days post-op. Neither of us has

ever been to Belgium. Do you think I'll be up to some sightseeing in Gent and

maybe Brugge by day 9 or so? Are there carriage tours or bus tours that would

minimize my walking so we could see more?

Thanks for all your postings and help. You have changed my life!

Przygoda

[Guest guest]

Dear - I am so happy for you and look forward to hearing from you

when you return. I just got back from Belgium last week and am

getting around better now on one crutch than I was prior to surgery.

Incision is a little sore but what can I expect in a little over two

weeks. Judy gave you some great suggestions and I agree with her about

the teds. You will not need extras but if you want you can purchase

them at the hospital along with the crutches which are cheaper. I was

fine without getting the hip kit you mentioned.

I had 4 staples which were removed the second day. The rest of the

stitches are those which dissolve on their own. My anesthesia was

general and I liked the idea of being completely out. I also made no

special requests in this area and it turned out fine. I know he does

epidurals if you really have to have one - talk to him though as there

are some issues.

The weather in Gent is much like it is in Seattle so don't forget to

bring a leather jacket, hat and gloves to wear while touring/walking.

Don't know if the canal tours are operating this time of the year. I

did not see or hear of any. I personally did not get much chance to do

anything other than visit downtown Gent once for a walking tour with my

physical therapy, doctor and dressing change schedule. One thing to

remember in some of these cities too is that it can be tough with

crutches as the streets and sidewalks are cobblestone. I spent most of

my time looking at the ground in downtown Gent instead of the sights.

Cut way down on what you bring - I brought two large suitcases and could

have gotten by with a medium suitcase for both my husband and I. The

Holiday Inn has a Laundromat less than a mile away. Many from our group

went there the day after getting discharged from the hospital.

If you can make Bruges which is a short train trip from Gent - by all

means do it. I heard it's beautiful. Some in our group last month went

to Amsterdam and Paris - these are all day trips by train and with bus

tours when they arrived in these cities. This would have been too

much for me, but everyone heals at a different rate. Enjoy this

experience - I met many wonderful people as we made the journey back to

active lives. Say hello to Dr. De Smet and company for me too. Best

wishes and enjoy the great beer and chocolate.

RBHR De Smet 2/4/04

Questions for Belgium Surfacehippies

Hi All!

mentioned taking along a hip kit available from Alimed. Does

anyone know if the items in it are readily available from the hospital

in Belgium? It contained such things as a terry cloth sock aid,

dressing stick with shoe horn, and a long-handled sponge. He also

mentioned bringing extra thigh length compression socks, since the

hospital only supplies one pair. Can I purchase extra pairs from the

hospital? I plan to buy my crutches there since they seem to be cheaper

at the hospital than they are in the

States.

Does Dr. De Smet use general anesthesia or an epidural and Versed? How

about staples vs. stitches and steri-strips?

I'm taking my sister with me for the surgery. Since we have a 14 hour

flight back to Minnesota and because my surgery may be more difficult

(dysplasia cup with screws), I booked our return flight for 11 days

post-op. Neither of us has ever been to Belgium. Do you think I'll be

up to some sightseeing in Gent and maybe Brugge by day 9 or so? Are

there carriage tours or bus tours that would minimize my walking so we

could see more?

Thanks for all your postings and help. You have changed my life!

Przygoda