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Your journey
What happens, from first consultation to recovery.
This is how treatment with Dr Lavrysen works, step by step. Not every patient goes through every step: a large proportion of the people we see are not operated on.
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First consultation
Dr Lavrysen listens to your story, examines you and reviews the images you bring, in Bornem, Willebroek, Rumst or Knokke.
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You get an immediate explanation of what he sees and what the options are.
Bring: identity card, referral letter, medication list, previous reports and all imaging (USB stick or secure link).
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Thorough diagnostics
If the images are insufficient or outdated, we request targeted additional investigations: MRI, CT, EMG or a specific test.
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That way we know for certain where the complaint comes from before we propose anything.
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Multidisciplinary review and decision
Your situation is discussed with the team: the pain clinic, physical medicine and physiotherapy, and for tumours oncology and radiotherapy.
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Together we decide whether surgery is needed or whether non-operative treatment is better.
Non-operativeMost patients. You are followed up by the pain clinic (injections, medication), physical medicine and rehabilitation, or your physiotherapist. Dr Lavrysen keeps track and sees you again if the symptoms change.
A decision not to operate is not an end point: with new deficits or increasing pain the choice is reconsidered.
SurgeryIf surgery is the best option, Dr Lavrysen explains what it involves, what it can and cannot solve, and what risks it carries. You decide, and you get time to think. Then the preparation below begins.
You can ask for a second opinion at any time.
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Call from the head nurse and pre-operative planning
The head nurse calls you for a pre-operative planning consultation.
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Blood tests, an ECG and, if needed, a chest X-ray and the anaesthesia consultation are scheduled there, together with any other investigations. The aim is simple: to be sure the operation is safe for you.
Blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs often have to be stopped or replaced a few days beforehand. That is agreed during this consultation, if necessary with your cardiologist or GP. Never stop them on your own initiative.
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Surgery date
The secretariat gives you a date and an admission time, with instructions about fasting, medication and what to bring.
Ill or feverish in the days before surgery? Tell the secretariat. Operating during an infection is not safe, so the operation is postponed. That is normal and in your interest.
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The day of surgery
Admission, a final check by the anaesthetist, the operation and the recovery room.
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Your family is informed as soon as you are back in your room.
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Hospital stay and early mobilisation
How long you stay depends on the operation: from the same day to a few days.
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After almost every operation you are up quickly; the physiotherapist and occupational therapist help you and teach you what you may and may not do.
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Discharge and home care
You go home as soon as you can safely look after yourself.
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For older patients, or when extra help is needed at home, this is arranged in advance with the rehabilitation physician, social services and patient support. A home nurse almost always visits for wound care.
Instruction sheet for home (pdf) · choose your operationBack Neck Brain · tumour Brain · haemorrhage Nerve -
After 2 weeks: wound check
Wound check and a first follow-up with the head nurse.
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Questions about pain, medication or movement are answered here.
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After 6 weeks: consultation with Dr Lavrysen
Evaluation of the result; discussion of returning to work, driving and sport, and of what else is needed.
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Rehabilitation
Depending on the operation, physiotherapy or rehabilitation follows for several months.
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That part of the journey often determines as much of the final result as the operation itself.