The Centre for Bariatric Surgery
St Jan Hospital

 

The surgeon, Dr Dillemans, is the head of the centre for Bariatric Surgery, and is well known for his long experience and skill. Since 1994 he has performed more than 6000 bariatric procedures, gastric banding, gastric bypasses and other bariatric procedures. Most of these operations are done by laparoscopy. He is one of the best surgeons in Europe. He is very charming, knowledgeable and reassuring. He made me feel confident in the surgery and I had total faith in his capabilities before, during and after surgery. You know you are in safe hands when you put your faith in this wonderful surgeon.

Curriculum Vitae of Dr Bruno Dillemans

BRUNO DILLEMANS

Born : 27th January 1961
Place of birth : Leuven
Nationality : Belgian

Married to Kathleen Sintobin
Children : Julie, Charlotte and Laura

Address :

Department of General Surgery
AZ St.–Jan AV
Ruddershove, 10
B-8000 BRUGGE (Belgium)
Tel : + 32 (0) 50 452560 (Secr.)
Fax : + 32 (0) 50 452571 (Secr.)

STUDIES
Medicine Studies

  • 1979- 1986 : Catholic University of Leuven , Graduated ‘Magna cum Laude’.

Specialisation in General Surgery :

  •  1986 - 1990 : Heilig Hart Hospital, Roeselare
  •  1990 - 1992 : University Hospitals Leuven

Super Specialisation in Abdominal and Laparoscopic Surgery

  • 1992 - 1994 : Academic Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Surgical Activities
Since 1994 : Staff member of the Department of General Surgery AZ St.- JAN AV , Brugge (940 beds)

He performs 1300 Upper GI surgeries a year, 900 of them are pure Bariatric procedures ( Lap Band, Lap Vertical Banded Gastroplasty , Laparoscopic or Open Gastric Bypasses and (rare) Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch).

He has several certifications of Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery with active participation at different teaching programs and postgraduate courses ( SOSB, BGES, IRCAD) for residents and general surgeons. Tyco Healthcare recently recognized him as an ‘Expert’ in Advanced Bariatric Surgery with teaching services and performing ‘live’ procedures for Bariatric Surgeons from Europe. He is renowned as ‘Expert in digestive surgery ‘ for IRCAD ( Strasbourg).

He has given numerous oral and video presentations at International Congresses (EAES, IRCAD, EUROSURGERY, OESO) with topics around bariatric surgical procedures, laparoscopic treatment of reflux oesophagitis, laparoscopic splenectomy etc.
He performed the first laparoscopic gastric bypasses in the United Arab Emirates ( University hospital, Al Ain) June 2005 and in the Sultanate of Oman ( Royal Hospital, Muscat) January 2006.
He was invited expert at the ‘First Laparo-Endoscopic Congress for the Middle East ‘ in Dubai, May 2006 . He was course director of the international meeting ‘ Master Class in Gastric Bypass’ in AZ St JAN AV in Bruges, June 2006

Other Medical Activities :

President of the Medical Council of AZ St. Jan AV (1999-2002) and (2002 -2005).
Vice- President of the Medical Council of AZ St. Jan AV (1996-1999) and (2005-2008).
President of the ‘Commission for External Relations’, AZ St. Jan AV Bruges, Belgium.
President of the Advisory Board of ‘AZ Nieuws’, Belgium.
Secretary General of the SOSB ( Belgium Section for Obesity Surgery)
Board Member of the BSUGI ( Belgium Section of Upper Gastro-Intestinal Surgery)
Board Member of the BGES ( Belgium Group of Endoscopic Surgeons)
Board Member of the BSAWS ( Belgium Section for Abdominal Wall Surgery)
Redaction Member of the RBSS ( Royal Belgium Society for Surgeons)

 

The hospital is called St Jan and is a large hospital on the outskirts of the city. I was on the 10th floor and had a spectacular view over the city of Brugge. The hospital is a 5 minute taxi ride from the hotel. It is large and clean with very low MRSA rates. Parts of the hospital are being upgraded as there is a need for more single and double rooms. Currently there are double rooms and rooms with 4 beds in, but very few single rooms which are at an extra charge. The staff all speak English fluently. I was impressed with the nursing care standards and the cleanliness of the ward.

The views from my window. Dawn was spectacular

  

Here are a few pictures of the hospital