Digestive Centre

Practical information

Consultations

Consultations

Consultations are by appointment only.

For a gastroscopy without anaesthesia and an ultrasound, you do not need to go in for a consultation first, but you can book an appointment directly. For all other tests and examinations, you need to first go in for a consultation, where the further arrangements will be made and the preparation will be explained.

Locations

If you have an outpatient appointment (not a day clinic), sign in with your identity card via the e-kiosk in the entrance hall. The Digestive Centre is located on the level, gate F2b. Before taking a seat in the waiting room (F2a), please register at the secretariat of the Digestive Centre.

If you have an outpatient appointment, sign in with your identity card via the e-kiosk at reception. The Digestive Centre is located on the first floor, reception desk 32. You may take a seat in the waiting room (waiting area 36) without registering with the secretariat.

What you need to bring

  • Medication list
  • Identity card
  • Possible referral letter from the GP or physician or reports from lab/radiology.

On an empty stomach or not?

You need to come to the following visits on an empty stomach:

For the examinations below, you need not have on an empty stomach:

  • Consultation
  • Left coloscopy

Admission

Admission

Location

  • Maria Middelares General Hospital: the Digestive Centre admission ward is located on the 5th floor (D503) and can be reached via gate D.
  • St Vincent General Hospital in Deinze: follow route 59 for the Digestive Centre admission ward.

Ward rounds

The physicians and the nursing team are responsible for your care. During the daily ward round, we try to provide as much information as possible about your condition. Do not hesitate to request additional expertise. You can also reach the supervising physician by phone.

Request for additional information by the family

If you want more information about an admitted family member, you can contact the duty physician. You can either be present during the ward rounds or you can contact the ward physician by telephone. To do so, contact the secretariat on 09 246 71 00 (Maria Middelares General Hospital) or 09 387 70 58 (St Vincent General Hospital in Deinze).

Communication with your GP

Your GP will be kept informed as best as possible. Upon dismissal, you will be given a provisional dismissal letter. Afterward, we will send a final and complete letter of dismissal to your GP.

Surgery

Surgery

Sometimes surgical intervention is decided by mutual agreement with abdominal surgeons. Below we provide an overview of the average hospitalisation duration per procedure. The surgeon who performs the operation will undoubtedly give you more personalised information about it during a prior consultation.

Type of surgeryDuration of surgeryDuration of hospital stayDuration of incapacity to work
Appendectomy30 min.2-3 days14 days
Cholecystectomy45 min.2 days3 weeks
Nissen1 hour2 days3-4 weeks
Elective sigmoidectomy after diverticulitis2.5-3 hours7-10 days4-6 weeks
Colon-carcinoma resection2.5-3 hours7-10 days4-6 weeks
Inguinal hernia30 min. (unilateral) 95 min. (bilateral)1 overnight stay3 weeks