International Health Care: Obesity Surgery in Belgium and Germany

International Health Care (KirurgiRejser) is Denmark’s largest travel agency offering surgery abroad, with a head office in Denmark and representative offices in Norway, United Kingdom, Turkey and China. Since 2004 they have successfully sent thousands of patients to have surgery with more than 10,000 operations performed.

They offer quality surgery at reputable, competent and specialised hospitals. They have more than 15 professors, surgeons and doctors, and is also associated with more than 80 nationwide psychologists, dieticians and support contacts to assist you.

International Health Care emphasise the importance that surgical treatment of obesity is not cosmetic surgery. It is a treatment with the purpose of avoiding and reducing the obesity related health risks and to improve the life quality of the patients.  

Why choose International Health Care?

Patient safety

The surgeons and hospitals are all internationally recognised for their experience and results. The hospitals are approved by Health Insurance "Denmark" (Sygeforsikring Danmark), and they are a member of Rejsegarantifonden (The Danish Travel Guarantee Fund).

Quality of care

International Health Care does not compromise with quality, and their hospitals only have specially trained staff with wide experience in treating European patients. They use the most recent technology and internationally recognised surgeons and professors.

Savings

Savings on treatment can be great, compared to UK clinics/hospitals and other countries within Europe.

No waiting lists

With International Health Care you skip the waiting lists. They can schedule your treatment at your own request.

Grants

It is possible to receive reimbursements from your home country.

Simple and easy

Fill in the order form on their site, and they will take care of the rest.

Hospitals and surgeon

• AZ St Jan Hospital (Bruges, Belgium)
• Klinikum Nordfriesland (Tönning/Husum, Germany) 

AZ Sint Jan Hospital (Bruges, Belgium)

A leading academic hospital in Belgium, St Jan's hospital, Bruges has 1000 beds 200 physicians and surgeons, and over 2100 staff. This modern high tech hospital has many facilities including 15 operating theatres equipped with the latest technology, a cardiac care and bypass centre, the only dual arm "da Vinci" robotically assisted laparoscopic, microsurgical unit, bariatric weight loss surgery clinic, a bank, shops, florist, hairdresser, cafe and modern restaurant. A physician will respond to an urgent bed call within 2 min day or night.

The surgeon Dr Bruno Dillemans

Procedures will be carried out by Dr Bruno Dillemans. He is Secretary General of the Belgium Society of Obesity Surgeons and a Board Member of the Belgian Society of Upper Gastro-Intestinal Surgeons. Dr Bruno Dillemans has performed over 8,000 successful Bariatric procedures and performs 1,300 upper gastro intestinal surgeries a year. He is a renowned expert in obesity surgery and advanced laparoscopic surgery

Obesity treatments available  

There are four types of surgery available, in both Belgium and Germany.      

Mac Lean: (Belgium)

The mac lean procedure aims to make the patient eat less, by dividing of the stomach in two parts. A small gastric pouch is created which will provide an earlier sensation of fullness and satiety when eating.

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (Belgium)

The vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is a purely restrictive procedure. During the procedure approximately 60-85% of the stomach is removed, creating a “sleeve” or tubular stomach.

Gastric Bypass: (Belgium, Germany) 

Gastric bypass surgery makes the stomach smaller and allows food to bypass part of the small intestine. This reduces the amount of food you eat and thus the calories consumed. 

Gastric Banding: (Belgium, Germany)

Gastric banding is when a band is placed around the upper part of the stomach and effectively divides the stomach into two. Aims to reduce the uptake of calories in the gastrointestinal tract by limiting the quantity food.

Gastric Balloon: (Germany)

The gastric balloon is implanted endoscopically in a short outpatient procedure under general anesthetic at their Hospital in Tönning. What you eat stays longer in the stomach in front of the balloon and the eating volumes are reduced.

What obesity surgery is right for me?

The procedure depends on the surgical risk, the patient’s medical history, eating habits, motivation and the patient’s own wishes.

• Gastric Banding and Mac Lean is recommended at a BMI of 35 to 40 

• Gastric Bypass is recommended at a BMI of 40 to 60

Calculate your BMI...

This chart will give you some ideas as to which obesity surgery is right for you...

Obesity surgery prices

There are various packages and services available. Basic treatment can start from £2,800 for gastric balloon surgery, and 3,995 for gastric banding.

International Health Care also offers full packages to patients. Full packages can start from £4,995 for gastric banding and can include:

• Return flight ticket
• Hotel accommodation
• Local transport (airport, hotel, hospital)
• Preoperative consultation with surgeon
• Preoperative consultation with dieticians
• Basic surgery (laparoscopic)
• Guide
• Private nurse visits your hotel to do postoperative check-ups

To view latest prices go their website.

Patient itinerary

Contact details

International Health Care

Rolfsvej 19

2000 Frederiksberg

Denmark

Tel DK: +45 35 38 77 77

Tel UK: +44 (0) 20 8144 8222 - Main line

Tel UK: +44 (0) 20 3286 6993 - Marika Nesbitt, weight loss surgery nurse

Email: info@ihcare.co.uk

Email: marika@ihcare.co.uk -  Marika Nesbitt

Web:  www.ihcare.co.uk