Through earlier conversations in a separate thread, it was suggested to have a specific thread for Spivak's patients to share experiences. Please feel free to join in.

Lynn, Terry and Deb hope to see your updates here.

Take care,

Kim

*To be banded Monday, February 5th

HeatherGurl - P.S. I noticed your before and after pic's. You look great. Another success story. Congratulations. Keep us posted on your progress. I am a newbie of Dr. Spivak, just three weeks post-op. But I am hopeful! Take care, Kim

Nope, I do not work for Spivak!!! After reading back on some of my posts, it sure sounds like I do.

Spivak couldn't pay me what I make at my current job, and he sure couldn't pay me to drive to his office daily. :Banane43:

HeatherGurl - P.S. I noticed your before and after pic's. You look great. Another success story. Congratulations. Keep us posted on your progress. I am a newbie of Dr. Spivak, just three weeks post-op. But I am hopeful! Take care, Kim

Thanks!!! Take it easy and get to walking if you haven't already. That is one of the number one things I have attributed to my success. Exercise! The weight was slowly coming off before, but AFTER I started exercising, was when the weight REALLY came off.

How do I insert a ticker? I went to ticker factory and set one up but couldn't figure out how to link it to my profile? I know, not a lap band related question, but I'm starting to get excited/anxious about my surgery next week and thought I would start one.

I have been denied and I do not know what to do. For me this is depressing. I have decided to appeal. Does anyone have an example of an appeal letter?

Oh! I'm glad to see you all here!

I went to see Dr. Spivak last Saturday and signed up for surgery on April 4th ....so wish me well and I'm sure I'll be seeing you all around!

I see that he's got "wellness classes" starting up on Mar 13th, but there's no way I can make it to the Medical Center on Tuesday evenings for these Do any of you attend any kind of support group in the NW Houston area?

Although I have not attended any, I've heard there is a support group for Bandsters at Conroe Regional Hospital (next meeting March 9???).

Oh! I'm glad to see you all here!

I went to see Dr. Spivak last Saturday and signed up for surgery on April 4th ....so wish me well and I'm sure I'll be seeing you all around!

I see that he's got "wellness classes" starting up on Mar 13th, but there's no way I can make it to the Medical Center on Tuesday evenings for these Do any of you attend any kind of support group in the NW Houston area?

Hi TerriDoodle, I was also banded by Dr. Spivak, on 1/31/06 and am due for my first fill on Thursday. My experience with Dr. Spivak was nothing but positive and I would recommend him to anyone.

As far as meetings in the Houston area, check this Yahoo group. There are a number of meeting in and around Houston and I think there is one in the NW area that meets at a restaurant at 290 and Fry Road. I am also NW (Hwy 6 and 529), but have not been able to make any of the meetings. Am hoping I can attend some in March.

Good luck you will do great with your surgery. Where are you having it done?

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HoustonAreaBandsters/database

Gosh, Mary....I live right near you!! I am in Copper Lakes near Longenbaugh and Barker Cypress! We should get together sometime....for lunch??? LOL ....or maybe new clothes shopping in a few months!! Yeah, that's more like it!

What, if any, pre-op tests did Dr. Spivak order for you?

Also, are you self-paid or insured? (I think that makes a difference.)

I guess I'm kinda wondering why he didn't order any for me. I am fairly healthy (other than my weight and hypoglycemia), and don't have a *whole bunch* of weight to lose, so maybe that's why...?

What, if any, pre-op tests did Dr. Spivak order for you?

Also, are you self-paid or insured? (I think that makes a difference.)

I guess I'm kinda wondering why he didn't order any for me. I am fairly healthy (other than my weight and hypoglycemia), and don't have a *whole bunch* of weight to lose, so maybe that's why...?

He didn't order any tests for me either. I'm a self-pay and have no co-morbidities except high cholesterol.

I am a Dr. Spivak groupie!

I was banded on 9/19/06. There was one nurse there that was wonderful...a hispanic guy, who said he worked part time. He was gentle and kind. I wasn't thrilled with the rest of them. Maybe because I'm a nurse myself. Maybe I just wasn't thrilled with the surgery.

It took me a while to come to grips with the fact that I had a problem that only the band could fix....I don't think I was OK with the surgery for a few weeks.

I am a true believer of it now and tell everyone that asks about it how wonderful it is!

I think Dr. Spivak is a gem of a man, kind, compassionate and with a remarkable CV to boot.

I didn't have any pre-op tests. My only co-morbidities were depression, cholesterol and GERD.

I would love to be a regular at one of the support groups but since I am 3 hours away from Houston it's not possible.

If anyone starts any unofficial meet-n-greets, let me know. I may just drop in when I get my next fill.

BTW, does anyone know how he calculates your ideal body weight? I would really like to get the second year of fills for free. I was told if we lose more than 50% of our excess body weight the first year that is possible.

Thanks!

BTW, does anyone know how he calculates your ideal body weight? I would really like to get the second year of fills for free. I was told if we lose more than 50% of our excess body weight the first year that is possible.

Thanks!

Go to Dr. Spivak's website. There is a BMI calculator on there.

Does he want us to have a certain BMI? At 25 or does he want it to be less?