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

Thanks les1964, its nice to hear that. I hope it goes the same for me!!

I had Dr.Speigel do my surgery and felt his experience was the most important thing to me. As far as my band it is fine and my surgery was 4/25/05 . I agree that his office staff and his bed side manner are lacking a bit but I decided his experience was the most important thing. Now that I am without insurance I might change doctors. I have not decided.

It's slow going for me but one day at a time will do just fine.

So far so good. The banding surgery went fine. I saw Dr. Speigel for about 10 seconds before the surgery and haven't seen him since. But my incisions are small and healing well. I didn't have any gas discomfort. Today is the third day since my surgery and im feeling really close to normal. I can drink protein shakes with no problems whatsoever. I can chew and swollow viactiv multivitamins with no problems.

So far so good. At this point I have nothing bad to say about Dr. Speigel. Everyone at the Surgi Center was very nice. They all seem to know what they are doing and care about the patients. I will post again after some time has past just to let anyone who is comtemplating having Dr. Speigel do their lap band know my experience with him.

Glad everything went well for you. I am 6 weeks out and doing great. I really didn't have any post op problems and was surprised and how fast I bounced back. I'm going for my 3rd fill/unfill today. I had a fill, then a PB, and a little unfill. TOday going back for a fill. Now that they are at the surgicenter I doubt if I will ever see Spiegel.