Hi, I am researching the lapband, AGAIN!!! Anyone have any reccomendations for Houston docs? I just found out that my insurance (Aetna) has now started paying for the band. So I am hoping that when I get brave enough to go through with surg., they will pay for it. I want the surg and really need it. (BMI around 45 with diabetes) but I am terrified of anesthesia. Any suggestions on how to get over it?

All info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sherri (aka chicken "BIG")

Sherri,

Welcome to LBT! I'm in Houston and had surgery 10/10/05 with Dr Hadar Spivak.. http://www.lap-surgery.net/ In my opinion, he's a great Doctor. Best advice I can give is to attend a seminar, schedule an office visit, and ask specific questions relating to the anesthesia. Honestly, I didn't know when they put me under. Prior to leaving the pre-op area they gave me something thru the IV in my hand, and I was out. Next thing I knew, I was awake and groggy - definitely knew something had happened because I could feel the soreness in my abdomen.

I was self pay, I hope your insurance covers the procedure for you. Make sure you ask any doc you see if they are in network for Atena. Otherwise, your portion will be more and you want to be prepared for that.

I have a friend who was banded by Dr EriK Wilson http://utsurg.uth.tmc.edu/faculty/wilson.htm and she's had great success.

I've also heard great things about Dr Matthew St Laurent http://www.lapbandsolutions.com/aboutdoc.html

We're lucky in that we have many skilled, qualified surgeons to choose from. Continue to do your research and keep coming back to LBT for support!

All the best,

Karla

Thanks for the info and encouragement. I think I am going to call for an appointment this week. I am continuing to research this and so far, I think the lapband is the best option for me. I am also discussing this with my family and getting GREAT support from them.

Thanks again and have a wonderful day!

Sherri

I had my band 3/8/2006. Dr Felix Spiegel did my surgery. He conducts seminars/consults 2x a week & every other Saturday. He accepts most insurances, his # is 713-960-0003

I found this message board a great place to hear what everyone has to say about their doctors. You may want to search "doctor houston" or go to this link http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=13246&highlight=houston+doctor

Everyone has their own personal preference so read up there are lots of choices.

I picked Dr. St. Laurent - who so far I've been happy with and after attending his seminar I like the way he follows up with his patients and its not after you have the surgery you never see him again...he requires that you go to see him once a month, you also see a nutrionist and they have a personal trainer as well. But, like I said do your research or maybe go to a couple of different seminars. I was going to go to Dr. Spiegel's seminar but they wanted my insurance co-pay just to attend the seminar.

Dr Richard Wilkenfeld in Conroe Texas also does Lap Bands at Physcians Surgery Center in Houston as well as Conroe Regional Medical Center. Seminars are free they also have support group. His office # is 936-756-3133