Meet Dr. Lucas Kleijn - Hip Operations Specialist

Celia Kavanagh

Knee Replacement
29/06/2025

“I Did This on My Own – and I’d Do It Again in a Heartbeat”

Celia smiles proudly –just 7 days after her knee surgery and she only needs one crutch. Although she travelled to Spain for treatment on her own, she says hasn’t felt alone since arriving to Spain. “Everyone I’ve come across at the hotel and hospital has been kind and happy to help. I’m a widow, so the support that I have received here has really made a difference.”

Something Needs to Change

Before travelling for knee replacement treatment, Celia could feel her day-to-day life becoming monotonous at times. “I was watching a lot of TV, because, well I couldn’t do much else with the pain I was in. I saw Healthcare Abroad on the TV one morning and thought, I’ll give it a go. I rang the number and Robert answered straight away. He’s a real nice guy, as were the rest of the team I spoke to. The process was made so easy – all I had to do was fill in some forms book my flights.”

Home Away From Home

“I met loads of other Irish patients at the hotel, we even have a WhatsApp group to keep in touch. You make friends out here – real ones. It’s been such a comfort. The hospital was spotless, and you get a private room, it’s like a hotel. Dr. Sendra was my surgeon, he held my hand and explained everything. I was nervous about the epidural, but I didn’t feel a thing. He’s a lovely man”

A Special Shoutout and Looking Forward

“A special mention for the physio team, Josh, Mar, María, Vincent, all of them were lovely, not only that, they knew their stuff so well! When to push you, when to ease off, they put me through my paces and it made a big difference.”

Now back on her feet, Celia is looking forward to what’s next: “My son just had triplets in Australia. I’m hoping to go over at the end of August – or Christmas if I need more time to build my strength. But the way I’m going, I feel like I could fly in the next few weeks!”