Hi,

I'm looking into doing the lap band but wanted some people's opinions on doctors in the Houston area. I see on this board that a lot of people have gone to Dr. Spivak, but I would like to get some opinions on other doctors as well. I've looked at "Lapband Solutions" with Dr. Felts and looked at "True Results". Dr. Felts and Dr. Spivak are both listed with "True Results". I don't know if I just don't understand all of the centers in Houston or if the doctors work at various facilities. Are "Lapband Solutions" and "True Results" the same thing, assocaited with each other?

Who has everyone used in Houston and would you recommend? Also I will more than likely be self pay, if anyone else was self pay, is there a big difference in fees between all of the doctors?

Thanks so much for all your advice!

Rachel

(still trying to figure all of this out)

True Results is formerly Lapband Solutions.

i went them in Dallas and had a great experience

good luck

I was banded by Dr. Felts on 03/21/08. He is absolutely wonderful, great beside manner, great personality, answered all my questions. To insure that you will end up with Dr. Felts, you need to call LapBandSolutions. LapBandSolutions and True Results employee different doctors. Dr. Felts works with LapBandSolutions but operates one Friday a month at True Results. This is Dr. Felts website with a little back ground information on him. Dr. Frank Felts The LapBandSolution website is Lap-Band Weight Loss Surgery Solutions - Hope this helps.

I went to Dr. Spiegel - LOVED him, but I also looked into Spivak and he seemed really good as well. I live in Conroe and a lot of the people I know are using Dr. Collier and seem to really like him, but I don't know how many bands he has done. I would make SURE you go to someone who has done at least 1000 LapBands (not just 1000 bariatric surgeries, make sure it is Lapbands)

I also used Dr. Spiegel. So far my experience with him has been great. I was self-pay and my decision to use Dr. Spiegel was largely based on his experience. I really liked the fact that he only does lap-band surgery.

Dr. Spivak performed my surgery and he was great. His staff is wonderful as well. It is very easy to get in for fills with Dr. Spivak. I was also self-pay. I highly recommend Dr. Spivak. bandmd.com

Other Houston surgeons to check out:

Dr. Garth Davis

Dr. Robert Davis

Dr. Wilkenfeld

Dr. Ponce DeLeon

Dr. St. Laurent

Dr. Spivak performed my surgery and he was great. His staff is wonderful as well. It is very easy to get in for fills with Dr. Spivak. I was also self-pay. I highly recommend Dr. Spivak. bandmd.com

Other Houston surgeons to check out:

Dr. Garth Davis

Dr. Robert Davis

Dr. Wilkenfeld

Dr. Ponce DeLeon

Dr. St. Laurent

Thanks! If you don't mind me asking, you said you were self-pay, did you choose the 11400 plan or the 12400 for unlimited fills. Because I am self pay and basically draining my savings for this, I didn't want to spend money where I won't use it. I don't want to short myself on care that I will need, but I just don't want to throw away money either. What is your suggestion? Do you know how much his fills are regulararly?

Thanks!

Rachel

Thanks! If you don't mind me asking, you said you were self-pay, did you choose the 11400 plan or the 12400 for unlimited fills. Because I am self pay and basically draining my savings for this, I didn't want to spend money where I won't use it. I don't want to short myself on care that I will need, but I just don't want to throw away money either. What is your suggestion? Do you know how much his fills are regulararly?

Thanks!

Rachel

When I had surgery in November it was $12,900 and that included unlimited fills for the 1st year and there were no others options at that time. He added the second plan recently. I've had 3 fills so far and I know I am close to needing another. I believe that fills are $150. Some people need very few fills and some need a lot. I know someone that was also banded in November and I think she has had 8 fills. It really varies from person to person. I would probably go with the $12,400 plan.

I would definitely verify how much fills are and ask what happens if the fill is too tight and you have to come back in within a week for an unfill. Will they charge you again? That could really add up. Sometimes Dr. S will agree to add a second year of fills if you lose 50% of your excess weight in the first year. You may want to ask about that.

I went to True Results and used Dr. Hollis I was very satissfied with the service. I was just banded on 3/19 and have not had a follow up visit. My cost for self pay was 12,300 and that includes up to 21 fills. I have seen a lot on Dr. Spivak and he sounds wonderful. I think It is just a personal choice. I researched Dr. Hollis and he has been doing this for many years. Also during my procedure they found a hiatal hernia and reparired that for me. I feel so much better didn't even know that was a problem. Best of luck and keep us updated.

When I had surgery in November it was $12,900 and that included unlimited fills for the 1st year and there were no others options at that time. He added the second plan recently. I've had 3 fills so far and I know I am close to needing another. I believe that fills are $150. Some people need very few fills and some need a lot. I know someone that was also banded in November and I think she has had 8 fills. It really varies from person to person. I would probably go with the $12,400 plan.

I would definitely verify how much fills are and ask what happens if the fill is too tight and you have to come back in within a week for an unfill. Will they charge you again? That could really add up. Sometimes Dr. S will agree to add a second year of fills if you lose 50% of your excess weight in the first year. You may want to ask about that.

Thanks so much for your input! Those are some great questions to ask!

I used Dr. Collier and got banded on April 3rd. He's been doing this for at least 3 years. I went to a seminar of his 3 years ago.

It's good to see some other people in the area that have been banded as well! How has your banding experience been? Are you eating "normal" food yet?

I used Dr. Jason Balette at the Surgical Group of the Woodlands. He's very personable and capable. I loved him!

I also had to have my gall bladder out in Feb, and used him for that, too.

He also has done all my fills so far, and it's in and out. No poking, no pain, he always knows exactly where the port is - he should, he put it there! :regular_smile:

I also used Dr collier. I have only been banded for 1 month but the dr is great. He also will only do lap band no other wls. I believe he does this surgery because he really wants to help people loss wieght. He is very caring and will spend time with you answering your questions. He works with journey lite in houston and right now they are 13,500 and free fills for life. That also includes a year of visits with a nutristionist.

hi rachel,

the choices in texas are daunting....we are lucky aren't we?

i used dr spivak and couldn't be happier with him or his staff. they are available all the time and very very helpful.

for me the surgery and the after care are equally important.

dr spivak was one of the few Drs in the FDA trials when they were testing lapbands. he taught many of the drs here in texas.

i had some issues after banding. (i caused the issue....not the band) his staff was great in helping me to deal with this. i ate too quickly and pieces of food too big and ended up with aspiration pneumonia.

also he is very willing to do the fills himself...all you have to do is ask.

i was self pay. i paid 12,900. if i had the choice of 2 plans i would choose the one with fills included because you just dont know how many fills you will need. i went to his office about 10 times because of my issue.

anyway...you may want to go to the seminar of each doctor you find interesting and make your choice that way. that's how i did it.

thanks

I used Dr. St. Laurent and he's great. He has solid aftercare as well. So far, so good.

I used Dr. Spiegel and he is awesome! He has amazing experience in what he does and I attend his support groups which are helpful.

Good Luck!