I want to warn anybody who plans to use Dr.

Speigel in Houston and has BCBS or other insurance. I have had a difficult time with them. I rec'd misinformation from my caseworker in his office that has set me back in time in getting approval from insurance. Beware! Consider another choice of surgeon if you can!

I'm switching to a doctor in my network. I'm just sick that I wasted time with Speigel. 20-20 hindsight, wish I would have gone with my gut feeling about Spiegel's office, his TV commercials and billboards ... so I am set back, but definitely not defeated. :straight

I've got to tell you its just not his office. When dealing with insurance its a slippery surface. I had problems as well and switched doctors. They told me they had approval, but they didn't. Two days before surgery I switched back to Spiegel. My insurance had already approved him, but he had gone out of network. That's what made me look for another doctor. In the end Spiegel did my surgery. I'm glad he did. He is a fine surgeon. His office and his manner aside, I've had no problems as a result of the surgery.

When dealing with the insurance company you have to stay on top of it. Don't rely on the doctor's office to do all the work. That's been my experience and from what I've read, others as well. Keep on the insurance to get approval, no matter who the surgeon turns out to be.

Good luck to you.

barbara465,

Point well taken. I am my own best advocate.

I have been doing my own legwork for some time now. I just hadn't double checked with the insurance on what Speigel's office staff said they had already sent in. Some major problems in that office and my reaction is to run .....

Now looking for a new surgeon....

I went to an informational seminar and got an appt to see Dr. Garth Davis on July 18. Although I am virtually starting over, I am much more comfortable with Methodist Hospital and their doctors. The Lord works in wonderful and mysterious ways.

Garth Davis is who my PCP gave me as a possibility. He has done lots of GB surgeries. Not sure how many lapbands. I was the same way, I wanted Methodist and one in network. However, I opted for a surgeon who had done thousands and a surgicenter that does nothing but lapbands.

Good luck to you and let us know how you do.

thank you, I appreciate it. I originally went to Speigel because I talked to someone who had gone to him and she was happy with him. I was impressed with his experience also. Turns out, I am being lead a different direction now. Hopefully I won't have the same difficulty with office staff at Methodist.

Did Dr. Speigel send something in or was it something I sent into insurance?? Anyway just at the point of giving up and going to Mexico, literally, and BCBS TRS ACTIVECARE called and said I was approved. approved!! Must I eat my words?? This is nothing short of a miracle.

everyone that I know went to Dr.Robert Marvin . He is also out of Methodist. He have done over 100 bands.

Mert,

Check to see who they approved. This is what got me. I wanted to change at one point because Spiegel went out of network. THey approved me for Spiegel and it was difficult to change. Just check and make sure its for the doctor you selected.

I checked and they said it is OK to change to a doctor who is in network, Speigel is not for BCBS, for me just to hand deliver the letter of approval to my new surgeon. All systems are go.......

:clap2:

I did the seminar and am STILL waiting for Spiegels office to even SUBMIT the paperwork to my insurance. A couple of friends I met at the support meeting had the same problem as well as a lack of customer service AFTER the surgery. They are now going to Matthew St. Laurent (Houston) and are thrilled with him. I have an appointment Friday afternoon, and plan on switching to St. Laurent.

Dr. St. Laurent is who I chose when I wanted to switch from Spiegel. At that the last minute his office still couldn't get the paperwork from UHC. I had to switch back to Spiegel to get the surgery on time. You will like St. Laurent. He spends time with you and I think his aftercare is probably pretty good. His office staff is nice, but I'm not sure they are any more efficient than the others.

Good luck to you.

I just went to Dr. Speigels seminar and had a consult with him on 7/22/06. Im scheduled for surgery on 7/28/06! However Im not using insurance. My main perogative is to have a really experienced surgeon. Dr. Speigel has done more Inamed lapbands than any other Doc in the WORLD. He's up to nearly 5000. Im still really nervous though!! I'll make sure to post how it goes for me so that others can have a referance one way or the other about him.

KariK,

Good luck to you. I went for experience as well. If you don't require a lot of hand holding you will do fine. I use the board for general information, my common sense for more assistance, and if I need help I'll call his office. So far the first two have served me well. Now that his fills are being done by a PA at the surgicenter I'll probably never see him again! That's OK by me as long as I have no problems.

Thanks Barbara. Im not from TX and the Doctors in my area who do the procedure have only done 150 or so of them. I just don't want to be a guinea pig for them to learn on. Let me know if you see him or not when you have your next fill.

I just had my surgery by Dr. Speigel on July 19th. I have had no problems, little or no pain and his staff was very helpful. During surgery Betrice will be there to help answer all of your questions. I had no belly pain just sorness that lasted a couple of days. Good luck