So why has Belgium become such a popular destination in Europe?

The huge cost savings compared to a country like UK, as for example approx 9,000 for the procedure to compared to Belgium where the same operation would only cost half that amount. With this cost saving the quality has not been downgraded.

Quality of surgery: Belgium has a long been known for an affordable and high quality weight loss surgery medical centres. Laparoscopy, in fact is one of the areas of expertise of Belgian medical tourism for a long time. Gastric Lap Band or Gastric bypass is done by laparoscopy where possible and as this means a reduced stay in hospital, the patients too find this a great choice.

Belgiums secondary infection rate is the best in the world compared to 175 different countries surveyed. Their secondary infection rate is as low as 0.5% compared to UK around 10%.

Belgium has achieved a very high surgical expertise mainly due to the quality of training given to its doctors. Typically their Belgian doctors are trained for a minimum of seven years; for specialists it is 12 years.

A problem with overseas surgery is the follow up inspections that can easy be one in England or Ireland though their network as they have links to local doctors to ensure all is well.

No need to wait for the surgery: As UK is famous for its waiting on the NHS. In Belgium, you set the date for the surgery, after initial tests are done, surgery is next.

Waiting is nearly zero, gone are the days of waiting months like UK, now you can choice your date and next stop is your surgery.

Climate and language: The climate is much about the same as the UK with warmer summers and colder winters. Dutch, French, and German are the official languages but a lot of young people do speak English, too. Hence, there is usually no communication problem.

Laparoscopic gastric surgery in Belgium is one of the popular choices with medical tourists from the UK not only because it is affordable but also because it is very convenient.

Gastric Banding in Belgium

Having your Gastric Lap Banding Surgery in Belgium has become very common, and Belgium has become one of the medical tourism destinations in Europe for Weight Loss Surgery and especially laparoscopic gastric band surgery.

Why is Belgium a popular Gastric Lap Band Surgery destination in Europe?

1. Huge cost savings: In the UK for example, you may have to pay a whopping £ 9,000 – £ 12,000 for the gastric lap band, whereas the same procedure in Belgium will cost around £ 4,000. Surpisingly with this savings the quality of the gastric banding surgery is not less.
2. Quality of surgery: Belgium has a long been known for an affordable and high quality weight loss surgery medical centers. Laparoscopy, in fact is one of the areas of expertise of Belgian medical tourism for a long time. Gastric Lap Band or Gastric bypass is done by laparoscopy where possible and as this means a reduced stay in hospital, the patients too find this a great choice.

Belgian hospitals have very high standards of hygiene standards and always uses the latest technology. Recently, The World Markets Research Centre put Belgium on top of a list of 175 countries on ratings done for medical purposes, one of the ratings being secondary infection or Staph rates. Belgium’s secondary infection rate was found to be on an average less than 0.5% compared with 10% in the UK.

Belgium has achieved  a very high surgical expertise mainly due to the quality of training given to its doctors. Typically their Belgian doctors are trained for a minimum of seven years; for specialists it is 12 years.

3.  Follow-up feature: Quite often patients are scared off by this part when it comes to oveseas treatment. However, as with Belgium,  many doctors do offer follow-up checks through their network in the UK and Ireland.

4.  No need to wait for the surgery: As UK is famous for its waiting on the NHS. In Belgium, you set the date for the surgery, after initial tests are done, surgery is next.

5.  Belgium is just around the corner: You can fly, drive down or take a train. With Eurostar offering you quick and convenient train service from London. Major European highways pass through Belgium where Eurolines coaches can easily access from anywhere in Europe.

6. Climate and language: The climate is much about the same as the UK with warmer summers and colder winters. Dutch, French, and German are the official languages but a lot of young people do speak English, too. Hence, there is usually no communication problem.

Laparoscopic gastric lap band surgery in Belgium is one of the popular choices with medical tourists from the UK not only because it is affordable but also because it is very convenient.

Stress Management after Gastric Banding Surgery

Stress after Gastric Banding Surgery

Managing stress without turning to food can be a challenge for any individual and after gastric banding surgery is no different, and any underlying stress triggers that are causing you to eat for comfort may require professional help. There are ways to manage stress effectively without drugs, medication or a treatment plan, and these can involve some simple lifestyle changes such as:

• Massage therapy
• Acupuncture
• Yoga or deep breathing exercises
• Meditation
• Pursuing a hobby
• Support groups

Managing the stress and emotions without turning to food, working with a therapist, and engaging in a exercise routine after gastric banding are just a few ways to implement a post-surgery weight management plan. Learn more about weight loss counseling from your gastric banding surgeon and the procedures involved.

The full names for the two types of restrictive surgery for weight loss are:

• Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding which id the most common form of restrictive surgery, and
• Vertical banded gastroplasty

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

Laparoscopic gastric banding is often called gastric banding or lap banding and is the second most common weight loss surgery, after gastric bypass.

Gastric Lap band surgery will involves the following:

• Using laparoscopic tools, the procedure will place an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach.
• Squeezed by this silicone gastric band, the stomach becomes a pouch with about an inch-wide outlet. After banding, the stomach can only hold about an ounce of food, so you will feel full alot faster.
• A plastic tube runs from the silicone gastric band to a circluar device just under the skin. Saline (sterile salt water) can be injected or removed through the skin, flowing into or out of the silicone band.
• By adding the saline the band can be tightened or loosened as needed.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding can help to reduce your weight by about 40%  on average. So someone who is 200 pounds overweight could expect to lose an average of 80 pounds after gastric banding. However, these results vary widely depending on the person.

Gastric banding is considered the least invasive form of weight loss surgery and is also the safest too. The procedure can be reversed if necessary and the stomach generally returns to its normal size.

Gastric Lap banding surgery has a low complication rate. The most common problems after lap banding surgery include:

• Nausea and vomiting. Can by reduced by adjustment of the banding.
• Minor surgical complications occur less than 10% of the time. These include problems with the adjustment device, wound infections, or minor bleeding.
• The risk of death due to lap banding surgery is about 1 in 2,000.

Unlike gastric bypass surgery, gastric banding does not interfere with food absorption but just the quanitiy of food thats taken.So vitamin deficenceny for people who had Gastric banding is rare.

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG)

Vertical banded gastroplasty also involves a similar plastic band placed around the stomach. In addition to the band the surgeon will staple the stomach above the band into a small pouch.

Vertical banded gastroplasty results in less weight loss, compared with other surgeries and also has a higher complication rate. Therefore due to this vertical banded gastroplasty is less common today as approx. only 5% of bariatric surgeons still perform this surgery.

Mixed Surgeries (Restrictive and Malabsorptive)

Restrictive surgery is an important part of nearly all weight loss surgeries. In the most common weight loss surgery, gastric bypass surgery, restrictive surgery is first done on the stomach. This “stomach stapling” creates a small stomach pouch.

The new stomach pouch is reconnected to a part of the small intestine further down. This leads to less food eaten (restrictive) and less food absorbed (malabsorptive).

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