First Dates star shares picture from hospital bed after undergoing two procedures

First Dates star Fred Sirieix has shared a reassuring selfie from his hospital bed after undergoing two procedures.

The 51-year-old revealed that he needed to have both a gastroscopy and colonoscopy to "investigate" blood test results.

A recent routine blood test confirmed that the French maître d'hôtel and presenter had an iron deficiency.

Fred admitted to his 839,000 followers, on Instagram, that the thought of the procedures "really stressed" him out and that he wasn't sure whether to be sedated for them or not.

In America and France, patients would be sedated for a gastroscopy and colonoscopy but in England they can choose to opt out of being put under.

Fred admitted that he toyed with the idea of being knocked out but in the end made the decision to undergo the procedures without sedation.

He has now shared a picture posing, holding up his fingers in a peace sign, while wearing a hospital gown.

In his caption, Fred said: "A while back I had a routine blood test which came back with a slight deficiency in iron. This needed investigating. And so I was booked for a gastroscopy and colonoscopy.

"To be honest the mere thought of these procedures really stressed me out. What might be found? Not only that but these are invasive procedures. In the USA & France patients go under sedation when undergoing these two procedures.

"In the UK it is different. Patients can opt out of sedation. A gastroscopy only requires a numbing spray on the throat while air and gaz is offered for the colonoscopy.

"Prior to the procedures I was debating what to do. To sedate or not to sedate? 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?"

He added: "You see I do not believe nor want to take drugs I do not need. I’m busy and can’t afford to take 24 hours off just because I’m 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.

"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.

"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’ve had much worse. Anyone could take it.

"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’est la vie. However it is NOT painful. It lasts about 20/30 minutes."

Fred went on the joke that medics asked him about his co-star and friend Gino d'Acampo.

After his hospital trip, he said that he will be recovering at home with his favourite biscuits, an Indian takeaway and a bottle of red wine.

Followers wished Fred well in the comments section, one said: "Thanks for sharing your experience Fred, you probably saved someone from feeling unnecessarily scared of the procedure."

While another added: "Glad you got this done and leaving any thing to fate and chance. Well done my friend. Have a fab weekend and enjoy your dinner tonight. Big hug."

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