I have been told about Spivak and Spiegal many times. Those who have used them, could you tell me more about their practice, costs, insurance, skill, pre-testing, office, etc? Anything you can thinkof would be helpful (to me and to others I think).

P.S. Is one of them involved in something called a "cattle call" and what would that be?

I have only seen Spivak for my aftercare. When you call for a fill, tell them that you want to see Dr. Spivak and you will.

I agree everytime I have called for a fill they ask me if I want it with or without Dr. Spivak. I have full confidence in the surgery center that both Dr. Spivak and Dr. Spiegel use and I haven't had any complications so I tell them that without is fine.

I went to the seminar today - 11am at the Houston Location w/ Dr. Spiegel. It was very informative and I felt very at ease with the information he gave. I didn't have a consultation with him due to time restriction. I really like the fact that this is all he does - no gastric bypasses at all. I so far feel really confident about him doing the surgery. The fact that his staff has had the surgery also really does help. I'm not one that has to talk to the one who performed the surgery at first hand. If the person that I speak with gives me a good reason, solution or answer I feel comfortable.

As far as the "cattle call" I think it is misrepresented. There were quite a few people there and a lot was going on. They are aware that "we" have things that we need to, want to get done on Saturdays and they are trying to get you in and out as quickly as possible - those that needed extra time had it and those that have probably been researching it for awhile already know what they want and they are just going through procedure.

All I need to do now is have my consultation - get my insurance to approve and BAND me baby!!! I'm hoping to strut my stuff one day on the beach this summer (a thinner me).

BTW - If you were at the seminar Today (11am) at the W. Alabama office I would love to KIT and see how things go from here.

Hi there, this has been such a good read. I live here in the Houston area and will be doing the lapband within the next month or so. I had debated between the two drs here as well and I go to to Spivak's office on Saturday for the appt. I have only phoned his office did not try the other. But after just looking at the websites of the two, I could tell that Spivak would be much more personal.

Thanks for the data,

JPT

JPT

I called dr. spivak, but later found out he was no longer in our network. I went to Dr. Speigel's office for the seminar and I thought the information was very informative.

Based on the information I've read it may have to do with health. Again "I think" if you are fairly healthy, have had previous surgeries and recover easily and don't require a lot of after care (a side from your fills) then Dr. Speigel would probably be good. If you have had complications in the past, need extra attention to discuss different things, then Spivak would be a good Dr.

My mother in law is looking into in and me personally I would refer her to Spivak. She is Morbidly Obese and she has had quite a few medical problems that have resulted in hospital stays. I think she would need some extre TLC. Me on the other had I'm only Severely Obese (ha ha). I need to loose about 80 pounds. I just need him to band and fill me when needed. I've gotten most of my do's and don'ts here and I work odd hours - I can log on type and have 20 post to my 1 question. I love this site - Good luck with your band - I go for my consultation on tomorrow (1/25)

Dear Bikergirl, thanks so much!!

My consult is on Saturday with Dr. Spivak, and I am so looking forward to this. I have had 2 hernia operations on my stomach, and had a major life threatning surgery on my stomach about 12 years ago. (long story)

So I think I opt to go for the extra care. I am just hoping he can go laproscopic and not open for me.

Keep me posted on your consult please.

JPT

I will keep you posted. And yes if I was you I would go to Dr. Spivak also. They both seem to have great skills. Are you close to Deerbrook mall? We are trying to start a lapband mall walking group.

No, thanks for asking though.

I am over in the NorthShore area.

I am anxious to see how your consult goes, I will keep looking for your reply.

JPT

just got call from nurse w/ Dr. Speigel's office. Called to confirm appt @ 11:30 (I will be there for 11), co-pay of $20, and that I will be seen before the seminar since I've already went to the seminar. Went I signed up online for the seminar I assumed it was for seminar and then if you wanted to have a consultation you sign up and do it then. I guess Ishould have called and asked!! So when I got there I couldn't do the consultation because they were full, bad on my part but my fault. But, I'm also 1 step ahead because as I was leaving I took a set of paperwork off the clipboard so I could have it filled out before I went back. I will be online later - and I will post after my consultation.

BTW - Will you be selfpay or Insurance? I have United Healthcare Plus. Most of the people at my job have been approved. So hopefully I will be insurance. Have you checked out some of the other Threads?

I had already called for the seminar and got the consultation with it.

No, I don't have any insurance that will pay for the procedure.

We have Aetna and they have always been really good about anything I had to do in the past, but they are don't pay or at least our plan will not pay for anything bariatric.

It is a ton of money, but at 50 and 100# overweight I will not ride into glory with my husband if I don't get this under control.

I just have no will power with portion control. I just let it get out of hand 15 years ago and never put a stop to it while I could.

Keep me updated!!!

JPT

OH I will keep you updated. Yeah - My insurance company does pay but I don't know if they will approve it. I dont know what the BMI has to be to get the approval. If they don't then I will become a self-pay.

I don't know about your insurance, but my understanding is that you qualify if you have a BMI of 40 or a BMI of 35 plus other medical conditions like diabetes.

Well I went to my consultation today and they were great. My appointment was @ 11:30. I arrived a littler early - signed in and paid co pay. She advised me to grab a clipboard and fill out forms - lucky me I had snag some when I went to the seminar last Saturday - so I showed her that I had already filled them out. She said great come on back - I was in and out in no time - I liked Dr. Speigel - Now I'm just waiting to see if insurance will cover. She said 10-14 days.

So upset!!!!:think

Went for my seminar and dr visit with Dr. Spivak today. Was so upbeat and after the seminar and all the talk with past bandeee's and stuff.

The time came to get to have the one on one with Dr.Spivak.

I had a major surgery on my stomach in 1995 which included the using a a mesh on my diaphram, depending on where this mesh was put may keep me from being a band canidate.

The surgeon from 95 has since retired, so I have to see if I can get the operative records to find out just what all they did.

I could have cried a river, if not for the support of my husband.

I start checking Monday to see if those records from 12 years ago are available. But as he said this may just be a true test of just how bad I want this.

We discussed by-pass but it would possiblly have to be an open surgery.

Anyone that has done that knows that is the very last option I want to entertain.

As for as Dr. Spivak and his office staff, they were the best. I would have never dreamed of them being so personal and one on one.

And I do appreciate that he did not just take my previous history and not pay attention to it, could have been devasting to expect a simple lap band and then have to have closed with nothing have happend after spending the out of pocket money ourselves as this is not being covered by insurance.

I have been fat for 15 years, I can be patient to wait a couple more weeks to see where I am at.

JPT

I like the attitude and aftercare with Dr. Garth Davis. I personally am turned off by tv advertising by doctors. There are other docs that don't advertise on tv that are good as well. Make sure your aftercare program is adequate.

Truffles

11/24/06

-26

So upset!!!!:think

Went for my seminar and dr visit with Dr. Spivak today. Was so upbeat and after the seminar and all the talk with past bandeee's and stuff.

The time came to get to have the one on one with Dr.Spivak.

I had a major surgery on my stomach in 1995 which included the using a a mesh on my diaphram, depending on where this mesh was put may keep me from being a band canidate.

The surgeon from 95 has since retired, so I have to see if I can get the operative records to find out just what all they did.

I could have cried a river, if not for the support of my husband.

I start checking Monday to see if those records from 12 years ago are available. But as he said this may just be a true test of just how bad I want this.

We discussed by-pass but it would possiblly have to be an open surgery.

Anyone that has done that knows that is the very last option I want to entertain.

As for as Dr. Spivak and his office staff, they were the best. I would have never dreamed of them being so personal and one on one.

And I do appreciate that he did not just take my previous history and not pay attention to it, could have been devasting to expect a simple lap band and then have to have closed with nothing have happend after spending the out of pocket money ourselves as this is not being covered by insurance.

I have been fat for 15 years, I can be patient to wait a couple more weeks to see where I am at.

JPT

I am sorry to hear that your previous surgery might interfere with the lap band. :think I think the best thing to do for now is not to think the worst. Would an ultra sound or x-ray show the position of the mesh in your abdomen? Was it designed to dissolve over time? Laproscopic surgery doesn't need a LOT of space so hopefully everything will work out. Believe it will, until it does! Good luck!