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<\/p>\nFIRST Dates star Fred Siriex has managed to give his fans a smile from his hospital bed after undergoing two very uncomfortable procedures. <\/p>\n
Fred, 51, has today had both a gastroscopy and colonoscopy in a bid to find out the root cause of an iron deficiency, which was discovered in a blood test. <\/p>\n
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The French telly star has admitted he toyed with the idea of sedation but researched about whether he could withstand the pain without. <\/p>\n
Fred ended up avoiding the drugs and has told fans that he managed both procedures without the need to be knocked out. <\/p>\n
In a new Instagram post, he has been snapped holding his fingers in a peace sign while wearing a hospital gown. <\/p>\n
Another photograph shows the First Dates ma\u00eetre d'h\u00f4tel up and dressed and posing with his consultant. <\/p>\n
Fred's followers have been quick to wish him well, with one writing: "Glad you got this done and leaving any thing to fate and chance. Well done my friend. <\/p>\n "Have a fab weekend and enjoy your dinner tonight. Big hug."<\/p>\n Another wrote: "Thanks for sharing your experience Fred, you probably saved someone from feeling unnecessarily scared of the procedure."<\/p>\n A third penned: "I\u2019m having both done tomorrow so needed to hear this! Thanks Fred just need to get through tonight."<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n And someone else praised: "Agree \ud83d\udcaf with your description of both procedures. And it's great that you are sharing your experience to help others. Thank you Fred."<\/p>\n Fred has told fans he had to have both a gastroscopy and colonoscopy following a blood test. <\/p>\n The NHS states that a gastroscopy "is a test to check inside your throat, food pipe (oesophagus) and stomach, known as the upper part of your digestive system".<\/p>\n Medics carry out the procedure by passing a long, thin, flexible tube with a small camera inside it down the throat and into the stomach.<\/p>\n A colonoscopy is described as: "A colonoscopy is a test to check inside your bowels.<\/p>\n "This test can help find what's causing your bowel symptoms.<\/p>\n "A long, thin, flexible tube with a small camera inside it is passed into your bottom."<\/p>\n Fred told his followers: "A while back I had a routine blood test which came back with a slight deficiency in iron. <\/p>\n "This needed investigating. And so I was booked for a gastroscopy & colonoscopy. <\/p>\n "To be honest the mere thought of these procedures really stressed me out. What might be found? <\/p>\n "Not only that but these are invasive procedures. In the USA & France patients go under sedation when undergoing these two procedures. "A gastroscopy only requires a numbing spray on the throat while air and gaz is offered for the colonoscopy.<\/p>\n "Prior to the procedures I was debating what to do. To sedate or not to sedate?<\/p>\n "Is it needed? Would I feel unbearable pain if I did not have it? Or would the pain actually come from the fear and anxiety associated with such procedures?"<\/p>\n Fred went on to explain that he opted to go without sedation after speaking to his brother Pierre – a doctor, cancer researcher and one of the inventors of the Cytospong – and Oxford Gastroenterologist consultant Dr Elizabeth Bird-Lieberman.<\/p>\n He said: "You see I do not believe nor want to take drugs I do not need. <\/p>\n "I\u2019m busy and can\u2019t afford to take 24 hours off just because I\u2019m scared of a simple tube and camera going from my mouth to my stomach and another going from my bum to the end of my colon. Still. No point to be a hero for nothing."<\/p>\n Fred added: "Both told me I could take it and it was not necessary to be sedated. I trust them, I therefore followed their advice and went without.<\/p>\n "The gastrocopy is the most unpleasant of the two because it makes you gag. Basically it is awful. However it just lasts 5 minutes. Pain wise I\u2019ve had much worse. Anyone could take it.<\/p>\n "The colonoscopy is easy peasy in contrast. A bit weird I must admit because it is up your bum but we all have one and c\u2019est la vie. However it is NOT painful. It lasts about 20\/30 minutes."<\/p>\n Fred even mused about the moment the medics in the room grilled him about his pal and telly co-star Gino d'Acampo. <\/p>\n He said he will be now resting at home with biscuits, an Indian takeaway and a bottle of red wine. <\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/crop-24190740.jpg\")
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