Patient Testimonials

Direct Healthcare International Limited ....

Easy, simple, trouble free overseas surgery and treatment.

The following testimonials and case studies are extracts from case histories that actually took place and letters and emails received by patients, names and addresses have been withheld (in some cases) but referrals and contact information are available on request.

Case Study 1

Name: Mrs. M. Lincolnshire, England Age: 36 years Treatment: Gastric Bypass

Background:

Mrs. M. 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. M. started taking dress size 32 she had become so demoralised 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. M. lost eight-and- a-half stone in six months, ending up at 11 stone.

Result:

Mrs. M. lost a whopping 8 stones in 8 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. M "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!”

Case Study 2

Name: Mrs. J of Teignmouth, Devon Age: 70 years Treatment: Surgery: Knee replacement.

Background:

Had already waited some time for diagnosis when she was told she would have a 10 month wait for NHS surgery. At this stage she was unable to go out walking.

Result:

Just two months after her operation in Belgium, she was able to go out walking with her family over Christmas 2003.

Comments:

Mrs. J said: “It took all our savings, but I couldn't have afforded to have had it done privately in this country.”

Mrs. J is very pleased with the treatment she had. Her husband went with her and stayed in guest accommodation in the hospital in West Flanders where the surgery was carried out. “Everything went so smoothly,” she said. “We were picked up by car at the airport and driven to the hospital. The doctors, nurses and physiotherapist were lovely and the hospital was very clean. There was no language problem as people spoke English with us. ”

Mrs. J couldn't get physiotherapy immediately on her return but continued with the exercises the physiotherapist in Belgium had taught her. The result was that, when she did see a Devon physiotherapist she only needed three sessions. And when she showed the consultant in Torquay her X-rays “he was most impressed”.

Direct Healthcare International helps some 200 UK patients a year, who would otherwise have long waits for all manner of surgery, get top quality medical care quickly and effectively in Belgium, France & Germany.

Case Study 3

Name: Mrs. PW of Dorset Age: 70 years Treatment: Surgery: Hip replacement

Background:

Mrs. W first went to her local hospital in July 2002 for X-rays. A three-week wait and her doctor’s absence on holiday meant it was late September before she saw a consultant at another hospital who told her she was too young for a replacement and recommended a hip block injection. Not satisfied, she returned on November 28 and was booked for surgery in Dorset on January 20. But then, it seems, the surgeon went sick.

Her NHS surgery was postponed at the beginning of January 2003, and so she got on the Internet and found alternative facilities in Belgium through Direct Healthcare International Limited.

Result:

Following a number of questions and concerns all answered to her satisfaction, she booked with the company in January and flew out to Belgium with her husband. The next day she met the consultant and was operated the following day.

Mrs. W said: “I had been suffering from restricted movement and walking was limited due to a damaged right hip. I have had no pain since the operation and now, three weeks later, I go out each day and walk with one crutch for about 20 minutes. Friends who've had the operation done in the UK can't believe the progress I'm making!”

Comments:

Mr. W says: “Booking through Direct Healthcare International Limited was one of the best decisions of our life”

While his wife was in the Belgian hospital, Mr. W was able to stay in the modern relatives accommodation unit.

Case Study 4

Name: Ms. KC of Dublin Age: 42 years Occupation: Clinician Treatment: MRI and Consultation

Background:

Hit by a JCB while driving on October 1, 2003. “Irish surgeon wasn't interested in my pain.” She tried to treat pain by acupuncture as she would whiplash patients but it wasn't getting better. A normally healthy person but spasms were affecting her work.

Result:

MRI done in Belgium. Doctors have prescribed magnesium. No operation needed.

Comments:

Ms. KC said: “The level of cleanliness in the hospital astounded me. Because they suspected an infection of the MRI unit from the previous patient I had to wait while they disinfected the whole unit. The level of care I received was fantastic. I did not experience such care in Ireland where the medical staff discounted my pain. The Direct Healthcare International Limited patient liaison officer took care of me the whole day. ”

Ms. KC found Direct Healthcare International Limited on the Internet by typing in MRI into Google. On calling the office she said: “I got more information out of Direct Healthcare staff in 10 minutes than I got out of the Irish medical service in two months.”

Ms. KC has since returned to Direct Healthcare International Limited for further scans and treatment.

Case Study 5

Name: Mrs. LD of Swansea Age: 85 years Occupation: Radio Performer Treatment: Knee Replacement

Background:

Mrs LD of Swansea went to Belgium for a total knee replacement. During the recovery period in the state of the art intensive care facility the heart monitor showed a slight trace the cardiologist wasn't completely satisfied with.

Result:

Mrs LD was immediately transferred to our specialist heart hospital 15 minutes away. Her heart was thoroughly checked out and it was found that she had suffered a mild heart attach. The hospital informed DHI directly and once Mrs LD was stabilised she was transferred back to the orthopaedic facility.

Her son in the UK was contacted and flown out at DHI’s expense. Mrs LD was given an extra weeks stay so that she may fully recover and complete her physiotherapy coarse before her and her son were flown back to the UK at DHI’s expense. No additional fees were charged to the patient.

Comments:

The Cardiologist said: “Mrs LD was due to have the heart attack sooner or later. Fortunately she chose to have it in our intensive care facility, which has to be about the best place for this to happen. The trace was so slight and the attack so mild, many hospitals may not even have detected it. ” “There was no damage to the heart and the patient has been treated with drugs to normalise her heart stability.”

Mrs LD said: “I cannot thank the wonderful hospital and staff enough for my excellent treatment. I am happy to recommend them to anyone and also would like to acknowledge the help and support of the DHI team whose liaison officer’s frequent visits to my bedside and to support and see my son were extremely supporting and welcome”

Case Study 6

Name: Mr. S - Resident Overseas Age: 45 years Occupation: Engineer Treatment: Knee Arthroscopy

Background:

Mr S returned to his home following a knee arthroscopy. After a few weeks he started to suffer from reoccurring fever and pains regularly every evening. The DHI team swung into action. Local investigations revealed nothing and the fevers were a complete mystery so at DHI’s expense he was returned to Belgium where the hospital investigated. The state of the art laboratories in the hospital found nothing and the fevers continued.

Result:

Acting on a hunch the DHI team asked the patient if he had had malaria previously. The hospital ran an investigation for rare strains of malaria and it turned out that the patient had previously had malaria in the forces some years earlier. His recent surgery had been he catalyst that had caused a reoccurrence. The patient was treated and after recovery flown home. There was no cost to the patient for the hospital treatment.

Comments:

The patient said: “I was concerned at first I thought I had picked up some kind of infection as a result of the surgery. However the hospital is so clean I found this hard to imagine. What wonderful service I got they were so quick to react and very thorough with their investigations, I would be very happy to return and use Direct Healthcare’s services again”

Case Study 7

Name:

Mrs. Z.K. - Resident U.K.

Treatment:

A letter from one of our hysterectomy patients at St. Rembert's Hospital, Belgium.

Case Study 8

Name:

Mr. R.B. - Resident: Hampshire, England.

Treatment:

A letter from one of our Hip Replacement patients at St. Rembert's Hospital, Belgium.

Case Study 9

Name:

Mr. P.F.A. - Resident: Philadelphia, U.S.A.

Treatment:

A letter from one of our Hip Resurfacing Surgery patients at St. Rembert's Hospital, Belgium.

Case Study 10

Name:

Mr. M.R. - Resident: Florida, U.S.A.

Treatment:

A letter from one of our Hip Resurfacing Surgery patients at St. Rembert's Hospital, Belgium.

Case Study 11

I have just weight myself on the same calibrated scales i stepped on 8 weeks ago and i am 73 pounds lighter i.e. i have lost 5 stone and 3 pounds in 2 months

My life had been completely transformed - i have my old confidence back, I am walking miles with the dog every day, I am cycling every couple of nights, I am now back in shirts and ties at work, I sleep every single night, I have just Painted the whole of the outside of the house in one day, I never think about food and find it easy to eat small amounts 5 or 6 times a day. My obsession with food has gone and i never feel hungry. The most important change is that i am happy and a lot of people have commented on how in a very short space of time I have went from a miserable grumpy old man to being very cheery!

I have a couple of amazing photographs taken 8 weeks apart and if i had not been wearing the same clothes you would have thought it was two different people.

I realise that there is still a long way to go but literally since i got back to Scotland I have not had a single bad day and i am enjoying my life again.

I cannot express how grateful I am to you and i want to thank you and your team for giving me another chance at life.

I was out of breath after walking a few yards, my blood pressure was high, I had become reclusive and due to my eating habits was heading towards 30 stones.

12 weeks later and i have lost 93 pounds (6 stone 9lb) I am heading towards 20 stone, I cycle 3 times a week, I walk 5 miles every night and have been told by several people that I look 10 years younger.

Although the thought of this type of surgery was a nightmare to me, due to the professionalism shown by Amanda at Direct-Healthcare my trip was almost a pleasure. Thanks to Direct-Healthcare I have another shot at life and i am making the most of and aim to continue to do so.

Case Study 12

Yes Absolutely

Everything I said in the email is the truth, I will get in touch if Ineed advice on anything and will keep you informed of my weight loss. I have taken so many "before" pictures and I am so looking forward to taking "after" pictures.
I also forgot to mention that I went through every experience with 2 other direct health customers and have become good friends with Susan from England who shared every consultation and waiting room with me, including being on the same ward and staying in the same hotel. We spent ages discussing how we felt after the operation and it was a definite comfort knowing she had come through the exact same operation as myself.

Riche

Case Study 13

Dear Amanda

Just thought I would write a wee note to say thank you for all your help (and Áine’s in your absence) for everything you did for me to make the whole experience going to Antwerp very smooth. Dr De Clercq was absolutely brilliant and very professional in all aspects, he was so approachable and nothing was any bother and no question that was asked was thought to be silly. The staff in the hospital were brilliant and it was fantastic to witness the brilliant working relationship nurses and doctors had it was such a friendly place to be in.

It was great also to be released from hospital a day earlier than I thought I would be so I was able to see some of Antwerp, as on the Wednesday when I had my first consultation I forgot I had received my schedule for the day (which I think was a blessing not knowing what was ahead of me) so we had not been able to see Antwerp on that day.

Now it’s up to me to recover and get on with losing the weight. Also it was great to meet Alex and have someone to go through the whole experience with was great to have someone to talk to and not bore others with it, we intend to keep in touch and support each other through this journey.

Again, many many thanks,

kind regards

R. L

Case Study 14

Hello Amanda

In June 2006 I saw a program on TV about Gastric Surgery and I knew it was for me. I was a dress size 24, my knees were giving up, walking was difficult and I did not go out socially anymore. I hated myself and had major depression.

I had been dieting for many years, but nothing worked. My GP put me on medication and I saw a dietician, but still my weight went up. I was 51 & knew i had hit rock bottom. I researched on the internet for more information into Gastric Surgery and went to my GP. I was told there was no funding for Obesity Surgery at that time, so I took out a loan to pay knowing my life would be over if I didn't do something. My family backed me and I contacted Direct Healthcare. Everything went smoothly and I had my operation in September 2006 weighing 284 lbs. Within a year I lost 119 lbs and 20 months out my total loss is 133 lbs. Now I am a dress size 10/12! I had an Apronectomy on the NHS in February 208 which was also successful and has made me feel even better. Life is certainly more fun, I have more energy, can walk easily and my confidence has grown. I may be 53, but i don't feel it. I aim to make the most out of life. Going shopping for clothes is fun at last and I am not embarrassed to undress in the changing room now.

Dr de Clercq is remarkable surgeon and the hospital staff are experienced in aftercare and so kind there is an English speaking nurse with you at all times. Amanda at Direct Healthcare was very helpful and made the process easy. Thanks to you all!

Regards

R. L

Case Study 15

Dear Amanda

You must probably can't remember me, but I booked surgery through you with Dr. de Clercq for 13/09/06. I was living in the East Lothian Scotland and while I was having surgery you were in Edinburgh staying at your parents flat.

Anyway I was wondering if you would send this email to Dr de Clercq for me. I want to thank him for making me so happy. I love my RNY and have lost 132 lbs about 60kilograms. I am ideal weight now and have had an Aponectomy at my local hospital in Bedfordshire England where i now live, my hometown of Luton. I have attached some photos from before my operation to the present day.

I recommend Dr de Clercq to anyone who asks me about the surgery and I tell anyone who will listen. Life is so much better now even with the loose skin!!!

Thanking you for making my journey easy.

Regarding

R. D

What The Press has to Say The Not Here Service (NHS) (209Kb) The BBC Article (93Kb)

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