Hi!

I have decided to get the Lap Band, but I am self pay because of an insurance exclusion . I am still in the surgeon hunting stage. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am considering Dr. Terry Scarborough or Dr. Ken Hollis. I am sooo nervous but excited at the same time. I am so tired of being alive but not living! Hopefully I'll be one of the "banded" in April.

Please please check out Dr. Spivak. His credentials are impeccable. Plus, he was one of the surgeons on the original team of surgeons that introduced the band to the US from Europe. He still does medical trials for the AMA. He's done at least 4k bands. He had done 3k at the time my daughter had her band, which was 2.5 years ago. She flew from NYC to Houston. She hadn't even met him. But her doctor in NYC highly recommended him. She couldn't get insurance approval (no comorbidities) and so she did all of her pre-op, which was not the six months for Spivak, just her medical workup. Flew in on Sunday, went to watch his little video on Monday, surgery on Tuesday (no liquid diet beforehand), flew back on Friday and worked on Saturday. She's had phenomenal results. She does her follow-up at NYU. I think his fee is like 9,900 for one plan and then 10,900 for plan B which cover a full year of follow-up, He's done a lot of peer-reviewed articles and is quoted and cited by many other doctors. It's Hadar Spivak. website is www.drspivak.us. Truly, his credentials are the best. If you have any questions, please ask. He doesn't do the two week liquid diet preop...I think Lisa went out to eat Mexican food the day before. She just didn't eat after a certain time at night the night before. After surgery, she was only liquids for a few days, then mushies pretty quick. His attitude is that he wants you to get used to eating/living with your band as soon as possible.

trisha

I agree with the above post. I love Dr Spivak, hey is a great surgeon and person. He did all my fills himself under floro. NEVER had not one problem with him or any of his staff. I would recommend him for sure!!! I have had to call him on the weekend and the answering service gave me is cell number and he took the time to talk to me and make sure I was okay.

Cheri

I am being banded by Dr. Spivak in a little over a week, Monday April 4th. I am self pay as well and it has been an easy process thus far. I had done quite a bit of research and thought his credentials were excellent. He was very open and honest at my appointment, very easy to talk to. My husband still has a few questions for him so he feels comfortable with what to expect post-op with me and Dr. Spivak's office was more than happy to schedule another meeting with him this coming Tuesday, a few days before my sugery at no additional cost. Dr. Spivak does have 2 plans to choose from if you are self pay. $9900 with 3 follow up visits or $10,900 with a year of follow up.

I have to say I am happy to hear the positive feedback on Dr. Spivak. I knew I made the right choice, but hearing such great feedback from people always helps!

Dr Spivak really is the best. Like I said when you go in for a fill he always does it himself. I loved that! Will you be a Park Plaza?

Cheri

Dr. Spivak's post op is a breeze...he doesn't put you on the two week pre-op diet or require that you lose 10 percent of your body weight which a lot of insurance plans require. I don't even think he requires, especially if you're self-pay, as to a particular BMI that you absolutely have to be at. He told my daughter, why would I put you on a diet before surgery, when we both know that's not going to work, or else why would you be here. After surgery, he wants you to learn to live with your band as soon as possible. Having been through this procedure twice, (long story, Spivak was NOT my surgeon unfortunately), the first few weeks you will have restriction because you're still swollen. The further out you get, you will feel like you can eat just about anything. Some people feel a lot of restriction even with no fill in there. I think it depends on how much weight you need to lose. My neighbor who was close to 400 lbs, obviously felt lots of restriction with no fill and lost quite a bit of weight after surgery. It wasn't until about 3 months out that he even got a fill, but it was because he didn't need one yet. As he lost weight, then of course he needed the fill. Six months out he's lost a little over a hundred pounds. This time around, I only have 40 lbs to lose. (I started at 85 lbs to lose with first band.)

So you will be surprised at how well you will feel after surgery. You'll just be sore, like you've done way too many situps.

good luck and you've made a great choice in Spivak.

trisha

Dr Spivak really is the best. Like I said when you go in for a fill he always does it himself. I loved that! Will you be a Park Plaza?

Cheri

Yes, I will be at Park Plaza. I won't find out exactly what time I go in until next Friday. I am exciited and nervous at the same time, which I know is normal. I was told I won't go in for a fill, if needed, for 5 weeks and that I should feel restriction with just the band at first. I know a lot of people don't feel restriction at first, but I hope I do. I am ready for a change and in need of one regardless. The pain in my back and knees is ridiculous. I am more embarassed with each passing day at work when I get up and hobble down the hall to ladies room.

I am trying to be really proactive with all of this. My husband is so supportive and has said he is going to eat whatever I do. I don't see him joining me in the super mushy or pureed versions of meals though! I have tried a couple Protein shakes to see which ones I like best. I know I only have to be on a liquid diet for a few days after surgery, but I figure I will need a protein boost for a while in addition to whatever I start eating. So far I like the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chocolate.

My plans this weekend are to clean out and reorganize my pantry so I can see what I have, what I need and of course get rid of the junk that is in there as well. I bought 2 cookbooks with recipes and meal ideas specifically for WLS folks. I have been lurking on these boards for a couple weeks now and the nutrition information alone is SO overwhelming to me. Hopefully the cookbooks will help to make the soft food stage a little more interesting and just give me a little guidance for variety.

I know I sound like a crazy person, but I just want to give myself the best shot at success from the beginning.

OK...I am done. I am backing away from the keyboard! I do appreciate all of the feedback and support though!

It really will all be good. It won't be near as bad as you think. I like the clear liquid Isopure Protein drinks you can get at GNC, but my daughter hates them. But really, if you like yogurt the Chobani Greek yogurt is really high in protein and low in calories. Cottage cheese is great. So you don't have to beat yourself up on Protein Drinks. I think for women it's like 40-60 grams of protein a day. So you don't have to stick with protein drinks. Even a can of tuna is high in protein. I had my rebanding on the 23 of February. I haven't lost but five pounds since then but I've been sick for a couple of weeks with the flu...so too much of higher caloried juices. But going to start back at the gym this weekend and go for my first fill (again) in two weeks. Can't wait.

Good luck to you and it will all be good!!

Trisha

Thanks everyone for posting!!..I have an appointment with Dr.'s Hollis and scarborough...looks like I will be adding Dr.

Spivak. He's 1000.00 more than true results but I guess you cant put a price on safety. Does he only practice at Park

Plaza? I dont really care for that hospital. Maybe because I work at Memorial Hermann I'm a little partial to the place. But again thanks everyone and keep it coming!!!!

OMG Cheri !!! Went today to meet with a different Dr. and literally bumped into Dr. Spivak leeaving the elevator!! Is that crazy or what? We chatted for a couple of minutes and I felt like I met a rock star or something....he proberly thought I was some goofy chic..lol. I think it was meant for me to meet him....Im leaning his way. Thank You soo much!

I agree with the above post. I love Dr Spivak, hey is a great surgeon and person. He did all my fills himself under floro. NEVER had not one problem with him or any of his staff. I would recommend him for sure!!! I have had to call him on the weekend and the answering service gave me is cell number and he took the time to talk to me and make sure I was okay.

Cheri

So clearly there's a sign here, right? What are the odds. If I had it to do all over again, I would have saved up the cash and went to Houston. My concern was because of my age, if I had complications I wanted a doctor close by. In reality, my doctor close by screwed up...so I should have just made the trip. But he's like 3k dollars cheaper now than 3 years ago. I don't think you would go wrong...if you can have the best, why not?

But I agree, what are the odds that you would have run into him? Did you just know it was him by seeing his website or did he have his name on his doctor's smock?

Trisha

OMG Cheri !!! Went today to meet with a different Dr. and literally bumped into Dr. Spivak leeaving the elevator!! Is that crazy or what? We chatted for a couple of minutes and I felt like I met a rock star or something....he proberly thought I was some goofy chic..lol. I think it was meant for me to meet him....Im leaning his way. Thank You soo much!

How crazy is that! Hopefully I can give you guys a report back in a little over a week! Can't wait to hear which doctor you end up going with no mattter who you eventually choose.

Thanks to both Trish and Cheri for all the support and advice. You guys are all great.

Tracy

I knew his face from his website!! I am 99% sure I am using him

So clearly there's a sign here, right? What are the odds. If I had it to do all over again, I would have saved up the cash and went to Houston. My concern was because of my age, if I had complications I wanted a doctor close by. In reality, my doctor close by screwed up...so I should have just made the trip. But he's like 3k dollars cheaper now than 3 years ago. I don't think you would go wrong...if you can have the best, why not?

But I agree, what are the odds that you would have run into him? Did you just know it was him by seeing his website or did he have his name on his doctor's smock?

Trisha

Sounds like Dr. Spivak is pretty great and well recommended. Just my two cents, I had Dr. Ken Hollis and I have no complaints. I am rather impressed with how tiny my incisions are. And my port is well hidden. I haven't had a fill yet but I think he has competent people doing the fills as he focuses on the surgeries. He sees patients in groups and spends about an hour speaking to a group of about 10 people at a time but he's very knowledgeable and upfront about everything that is going to happen every step. And everyone asks questions and learns from each other. I'm fine with that. He gave me pictures of the lap band inside me, xrays of the liquids going down into my stomach after surgery, Pretty sure he put 4cc's in me right away since I lost weight and did so well on the pre-op diet. Anyway, just wanted to share my experience. Good luck to you!

Sounds like Dr. Spivak is pretty great and well recommended. Just my two cents, I had Dr. Ken Hollis and I have no complaints. I am rather impressed with how tiny my incisions are. And my port is well hidden. I haven't had a fill yet but I think he has competent people doing the fills as he focuses on the surgeries. He sees patients in groups and spends about an hour speaking to a group of about 10 people at a time but he's very knowledgeable and upfront about everything that is going to happen every step. And everyone asks questions and learns from each other. I'm fine with that. He gave me pictures of the lap band inside me, xrays of the liquids going down into my stomach after surgery, Pretty sure he put 4cc's in me right away since I lost weight and did so well on the pre-op diet. Anyway, just wanted to share my experience. Good luck to you!

So glad you got to meet Dr Spivak. He really is great! I think what I like about him is that he does his own fills. He put the port in and he know where it is so always gets it with no pain or trouble. Brenda I think is his office manager and did a small unfill for me one day when he was on vacation. Everyone there is so nice. He also always does floro as he has one in his office. So many surgeons do not and people have to go to the hospital to get one. I like knowing when I left his office after every fill we had looked at the band and knew everything was okay.

Cheri