Jacques Himpens Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

A ++, as they say on E-bay!

I have not seen much of Dr Himpens. I had one first talk with him, but I felt I could ask everything I wanted. He was willing to do my surgery even though I am at the lower end of the morbidly obese spectrum. I have not seen him long since I left the hospital. However, the most important thing to me was how my surgery went, and that was just perfect. Maybe I was just healthy, maybe I was just lucky, but what contributed most, no doubt, is that Dr Himpens knwos what he is doing. I had a super speedy recovery and even now, after 2 weeks, feel completely at home with the results.

A very good thing about Dr Himpens is how well everything is organized. His assistant, Christine D'haese, a RN, is very knowledable, friendly and will answer e-mails swiftly and well. Also, when I got to the Obesity clinic in St. Blasius, everything went like clockwork. The hospital got my paperwork in order, I had the obligatory talk with the psychologist that same visit. So I had to make the five hour trip to Dendermonde only twice, and the second time was to get surgery.

However, like the previous poster said, you have to find your own post-op support. Dr Himpens offers no structured aftercare program. So far I feel I'm doing okay with my book (Weight loss surgery for dummies) and the forums here on OH.And of course the Dutch and Flemisch forums at www.wls-info.nl But if you need more support, you've got to find it elsewhere.

Dr. Himpens is a very friendly dr, easy to talk to and non-judgmental. He speaks fluent English with an American accent, and advised that he has practiced in NY for several years. Dr Himpens and his staff have always been encouraging and were willing to work with me knowing that I was not going to be remaining in Belgium for more than a few months (I moved to Indonesia 4 months after my surgery), and has been quickly replied to any emails with questions. I send my blood test results and receive a response on what I should increase/decrease and how I am doing. Dr. Himpens staff is excellent and also speak great English. I had my surgery at Edith Cavell Hospital in Brussels, which is not the normal hospital Dr. Himpens works at - he has a hospital specifically set up for WLS, but it was about an hour or so outside Brussels, and since I lived in Brussels at the time, needed to be someplace near to home for my husband and son to come see me in the hospital. rnrnDr Himpens offers a 'package' for American patients coming overseas for WLS...they can come to Brussels for the surgery or to Portugal. The price for Portugal includes an apartment for the patient and travel partner to be in prior to and immediately after surgery. I did not go to Portugal since I lived in Belgium.rnrnDr. Himpens stresses the need for follow up blood work for life, and the necessity of taking vitamins. Since I was not going to be staying in Belgium, I di did not find out if there is a WLS support group in Belgium, but if anyone's traveling to Europe for surgery, they would have to consider going to a WLS support group in the U.S. after the surgery in Europe.rnrnDr Himpens' office has a video they show you explaining the risks of the surgery. He explains why he does not do the lap band surgery - which he used to do - in a manner that makes sense. He is able to answer all questions on a level that a non-medically educated person fully understands.rnrnI think Dr. Himpens is an excellent surgeon. I felt very comfortable with him as my surgeon and have had no complications or problems with anything related to my surgery. He's very competent and has good bedside manners, also. rnrnDue to the fact that Dr. Himpens works in Belgium (and Portugal on arrangement) the only thing that I'd say would likely be different from what I have read from those having WLS in the U.S. is that the eating plan you are given basically is how to eat regular food from day one - liquids, soft foods and regular food. His eating plan does not include protein drinks, bars, cereals, etc, because for the most part, these products are not available to the extent they are in Europe. He tells you to take vitamins and which ones (chewable multi, calcium, etc.), but doesn't give suggestions on brands or tell you that it's recommended to take one formulated for someone w/WLS. His office does refer you to obesityhelp.com though...which is where I got most of my information. Due to the fact that I moved shortly after my surgery - to another foreign country no less - I sort of did everything 'on my own' to lose weight, with little 'supervision' to make sure I was doing things correctly. If you come overseas to have the surgery, I think unless you are an extremely independent person, I'd suggest making sure you have a WLS nutritionist and support group already set up in the U.S. for your return. The hospital and dr are excellent and very easy to work with and will answer all your questions...will even answer your questions via email post-surgery...but due to the fact it would be done overseas, there is not a lot of one-on-one follow up.

Hi My expierence at the hands of mr Himpens and his team was very good I was well looked after and everything went well the after care is also very good.xxx

My husband and I both had surgery with Dr Himpens and I would recommend him to anyone. He and his entire staff were terrific.

My first impression was not a good indication. He had just performed an emergency operation and since I was already well-informed, our conversation was short and he appeared a bit distant. But during my stay in the hospital I came to know him as a wonderful, friendly and warm person. He's not afraid to show his feelings and likes to show affection by rubbing your leg, squeezing your toes or, in my case, just give you a big hug!

Christine, Himpens' assistant, is also a wonderful woman. She is very friendly and patient. She knows very much and is always there whenever you have questions.

Both Doc Himpens and Christine are wonderful people and I wouldn't be able to think of anything negative to say about either of them. Doc Himpens is a very gifted surgeon; I'd say his skills and bedside manner are equally wonderful. I can recommend him to everyone!

I know him for about 2 years now and my impression was and is very good. It is a expert on wls surgery and I am glad I had the opportunity to get to know him.

I live in the Netherlands and Dr.Himpens works in Belgium. In the Netherlands we dont have many wls surgeons who are just as able as Dr.Himpens is.

First I had a lapband (may 7 2002) but that went wrong recently (march 19 2004) so Dr.Himpens decided to do a gastric bypass because I was very scared to gain weight again.

My surgery with Jacques Himpens was a perfect surgery and recovery. This man is wonderfully skilled and professional but also an unbelieveably kind and dedicated surgeon. I considered myself blessed to have been taken care of by him and proud to call him my doctor. My whole DS experience was very positive from start to finish.

The Staff of Sint Blasius were excellent and I can only praise them for a job well done. They were very professional and could not be faulted.

The follow-up program is adequate. There is the option to have my GP take blood tests and for these to be faxed to Dr Himpens where can he look over them and discuss any issues by phone, or I can visit Dr Himpens myself. I consider this adequate follow-up and see no problems going forward.

I was most impressed with post-op support. Dr Himpens provides you with his email address which he answers usually the same day, as well as his office phone number and his private cell number. I have been told to call "day or night" if I have any concerns. This is invaluble to me as a post-op patient.

Jacques Himpens carries out lapband, RNY, BPD, DS, gastric sleeve and pacemaker ops, all lap.

I would highly recommend Jacques Himpens to anyone considering bariatric surgery.

I've come to know dr. Himpens not only as a very skilled surgeon, but also as a very helpful and caring person. During my stay in hospital, which due to complications was very difficult, he was very understanding and attentive, and ready to help me and answer my questions whenever I needed him.
The aftercare program the hospital offers is not very sophisticated. Patients, especially if not living in the vicinity of the hospital, are required to provide for their aftercare through their PCP.