The Gastric banding Surgery In belgium debate hots up !

Further to the recent news report on the BBC wordl News where it was questioning the rights and wrongs about gastric band surgery in the UK. In the report it pilloried one poor unsuspecting Doctor in Belgium.

The Doctor was Dr C De bruyne who is a highly respected gastric band Specialist in Belgium who does carry out after care in the UK travelling to various Locations to provide after care and back up to his patients. His reason for this is that the NHS more or less tries to Ignore People who have taken the initiative and done something about their Obesity problems privately.

Here is One letter which Dr De-bruyne received from a very happy patient

QUOTE

I am writing to complain about your shoddy undercover stitch-up by the BBC of Dr Christian Debruyne.  He is one of the most respected weight loss surgeons in Europe.

The real story that you still have not grasped about obesity is that the government is in denial about the disease and is choosing not to treat it.  I wonder what would happen if the government decided not to treat some other disease eg. diabetes, hepatitis, prostate cancer etc.

In 10 years time when everyone wakes up to the fact that public money needs to be allocated to the nhs to treat the 95% of people who fail on diets, there will be a weight loss surgery clinic in every hospital offering choice of gastric banding, gastric bypass etc.  There will be daily nhs clinics for band adjustments and no one will need to travel abroad to avoid greedy overcharging uk surgeons.

It was so wrong of you to suggest that Dr Debruyne does not offer follow-up in the uk.  He has clinics here several times a month. (why did you not admit that your secret filming was at such a UK clinic?)
   
I happen to be now in the care of an NHS surgeon who will only see me every six months, even if I am vomiting and need an emergency unfill, his nhs secretary will refuse me an  appointment and direct me to his private practice. 

When I was unable to find the money, my only option was to go to A and E, just like the lady in your BBC report!  Sadly, they didn't know what to do and didn't have the correct non-coring needle to do it.  They placed my life at risk for two days (acid reflux while sleeping = danger of inhalation causing lung damage requiring intensive care) until I discharged myself and made my way to Dr Debruynes Edinburgh Clinc where all symptoms were immediately relieved with one injection to unfill the band.

So, you will see that this country owes a debt of gratitude to Dr Debruyne for filling a gap where nhs care is lacking. (I personally know 17 people who have had top quality operations performed by him with excellent aftercare)

If you ever want to do an honest piece about the real problem in relation to obesity, I will be happy to collaberate.

Until then, could you please let me know your motivation for this biased uninformed assassination of an excellent surgeon.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Nicola Hedley 
Full address provided

ENDQUOTE

So come on BBC. How about a report from the BBC about the many thousands of people the NHS is NOT EVEN TREATING who have to resort to Private Clinics to have this surgery carried out. That would Make a Much More Interesting report.

to view one of Dr de Byunes websites please click here