Spivak and Spiegal - Tell me more

[rodeomom06 0]

I was very pleased with Dr. Spivak. He has a great bedside manner and is very supportive of everything. I paid cash and it cost me 15,000 dollars and onw thing he does that I think is great is that includes one year of fills as often as needed and he backs you so much that he says as more inspiration to lose the weight he will give you the second year free is you meet half your goal weight in one year. It doesn't get much better than that. I got very nervous about 10 minutes before my surgery and started to cry. He came in and was so understanding. He told me how he would not let anything happen to me. I needed that. As far as I'm concerned there is no choice. Dr. Spivak is the BEST.....

[Betsyjane 2]

I hear great things about both. I chose Spivak and I would again.

[size8beauty 0]

Carol, my personal experience with Dr Spiegel has been nothing but great. I had my band back in Mar 06, I lost my ideal weight the first 5 months after surgery. I have actually lost a little more since Christmas. I wouldn't trade him for anything, the only thing I regret is not doing the surgery sooner. I wouldn't call it a cattle call persay, he is very down to the basics of surgery, he has done more than 5000 surgeries & yes it is a classroom setting, the consult with him is maybe 2-4 min just depending on the amount of questions you may have for him (medical) etc, I haven't met Dr SPivak nor have I attended any of his seminars/etc. I feel I made the right choice!

[Texas Cutie 0]

I guess what it comes down to is the fact that there is no aftercare and regardless of the number of patients he has banded he should at be following up with them. If he can't care for and do follow-ups with the patients he has then maybe he has done too many surgeries and this is a good place to stop and start caring for the patients he has banded. That is my opinion. I did not even see this man before I went out in the operating room and I have never seen him since.

My follow up was walking into a room standing across from a nurse having her say lift your shirt. Asking was I in any pain (of course I was), then she asked is it normal pain well I have no idea. I don't do these surgeries. That is why I should be seeing a DOCTOR! Then she said call back at 4 weeks for a fill.

Most other patients who have other doctors have follow ups and I think that makes sense this makes no sense to me! I was not told I would not see a doctor and I even asked about it and they said oh yes the aftercare is great. Yeah Right!

I got a packet printed on paper of what to eat and that is all I got besides the brochure from the band company. I would like to see if Spivak or someone else will see me I do not know what else to do.

(sz8beauty, you work for him don't you? do you think that makes a difference in your level of care?)

As for Spiegal I could care a less how many surgeries he has done. It does me no good that he has done more than 5,000 surgeries. He has done one on me and I am unhappy with the care I have recieved. Is he so skilled he can tell I am ok without ever have checked for himself?

[Betsyjane 2]

My experience with Spivak was that he's nice, kind, informative, and interested. But I haven't seen him since before they knocked me out for surgery. So in terms of after care, there ain't none directly by him. It's through the SurgiCenter.

[size8beauty 0]

T exasCutie, If you were experiencing problems, Dr SPiegel IS AVAILABLE 24/7 on his personal cell phone. My care from him has been fine, whether I work for him or not is not even a factor in this case. If you were in such pain then you should have ASKED for him specifically. Sorry you feel that your care was so lousy. But, maybe what you should do is re think what you say,

[Randi 0]

T exasCutie, If you were experiencing problems, Dr SPiegel IS AVAILABLE 24/7 on his personal cell phone. My care from him has been fine, whether I work for him or not is not even a factor in this case. If you were in such pain then you should have ASKED for him specifically. Sorry you feel that your care was so lousy. But, maybe what you should do is re think what you say,

Size8,

I beg to differ. If you work for Dr. Spiegal, you have direct access to him. Therefore, the level of care you would receive would differ from that of one of his regular patients who can only see him by appointment. Even if the surgeon only asks you in passing how you're doing your level of care is greater.

Also, he may be available to his staff 24/7, but a patient has to get through the "gatekeepers" in order to get to the surgeon. Again, not the same thing as having direct access.

One last thing . . . TexasCutie is entitled to her opinion and should not have to "rethink" what she said. However, If you are one of Spiegal's staff members, you should rethink the overall impression you are conveying on this board about the surgeon and his staff.

[size8beauty 0]

Texas Cutie, I apologize if you were offended. I stand by what I say though, Dr Spiegel is available 24/7 for his patients as well. His cell phone # is located on the paperwork that you sign, also if you were to call the office during or after business hours his cell # is also available from either his office staff or on the after business hours recording. Sorry that your experience with him was so terrible. I hope you can find another surgeon to accomodate you. Good luck to you

[faybie 0]

Size8,

One last thing . . . TexasCutie is entitled to her opinion and should not have to "rethink" what she said. However, If you are one of Spiegal's staff members, you should rethink the overall impression you are conveying on this board about the surgeon and his staff.

Well said!

[size8beauty 0]

I do not work for him, and again I do apologize. I don't represent him in any way, I was making a statement. Don't bash a surgeon just because he isn't what YOU THOUGHT he should be. He is an excellent surgeon, although his bedside manner according to some of the other people on this thread leaves a lot to be desired, but usually the way a Dr conducts himself in the Consultation is usually the way he would conduct himself in the OR. Was he cordial, talkative, ect in the consultation? With me when I had my surgery the consultation was all of about 3 min. So, no I didn't expect any more from him in the OR.

Sorry if this offended, but you know that Opinions are like other parts of your anatomy? Everyone has at least one, you're entitled to your opinion & I'm also entitled to mine.

Again, I hope you find a Dr that fits better to your liking. Good luck!

[Texas Cutie 0]

Thanks guys for sticking up for me you said exactly what I was thinking.

[Texas Cutie 0]

And in response to the ROBOT comment, we are highly trained personnel with years of experience in the MEdical field. On occasion we have to deal with Unprofessional people. We provide a service to the community, I guess when u start losing weight & looking good. Well, you just might forget who did U the favor. I mean, this is an elective surgery for some, emergency for others. Please consider that before attacking anyone about anything.

Have a wonderful day!:nervous

So I am not nuts you did work there. I was thinking I had read that somewhere.

[barbara465 2]

When you have surgery how many times do you see the surgeon afterwards? Most have a surgeon do the operating and go back to primary care when the operation process is completed. Why do we think that this surgery is a life long committment to the surgeon? I think this will change over time and more and more we will be seen by fill doctors, etc.

I have to say that Dr. Spiegel was available to me when I started losing my saline. I saw him the following week and he gave me my fill with omnipacque. I also have his cell number for emergencies. I haven't had any, but I know how to reach him if I do.

I don't need a surgeon to hold my hand through the entire weight loss. I do expect him to be there if he is the only one that can help me. I think it is just a difference of opinions as to what is required.

I picked him for his surgery skills, not for his people skills. If it was my heart and he was a heart specialist I would pick him. If I needed a primary care physcian I would not. Does that make sense? One you chose for their skills, the other you chose for your ability to talk with them and for them to find you the right specialist when needed.

Both are good doctors, with good skills, and good programs. Your choice.

[Texas Cutie 0]

Every surgery I have ever had I have had at least one visit with the surgeon afterward because they know what pain is normal and what level of pain and where the pain should be ect. I think that comfort of knowing ok I am supposed ot be feeling this at this time comes from seeing your surgeon and having them lay those fears to rest. I have had several surgeries and I have never gone back to a primary care after having them. I followed up with the doctor who did them. When it was a specialty surgery I went to a specialist in that area. Knee surgery sports medicine doctor and I saw him after cause he knows knees and knows what should be going on with a knee following surgery. My GP would not know that.

Most suregeries are not about a lifelong addition to your body and I think that makes a difference as well. This is a permanent fixture in your body put in by someone who specializes in treating those who have this done. That is who I expect to provide my care that I have paid them for. Why would I not expect to see the doctor that performed the surgery? That is an insane idea. I am not trying to be rude or confrontational I really am not but seriously think about that. Does it not make sense that when you pay a specialist you should have at least one follow up with that sepcialist. The area should be touched by them at least once afterwards? Call me crazy if you will it just makes sense to me.

I guess you have a point about this surgery being done more and more and maybe that is part of the problem that it is done so much it is taken too lightly and we are not as educated as we should be. But this is a major thing and it is a lifetime commitment to get this done. I think we should be watched to ensure it is going well. That is my position and I do not think I can be talked out of subscribing to the idea that a lifetime commitment means follow up through the time it is in place or at least until a person is familiar enough with whatever it is to safely utilze it and know when to seek assistance from a doctor.

Not to mention that I think it says in the band paperwork that you should be seen by your doctor at least every 2 months whether you need a fill or not. So if we do not do that and something goes wrong (not saying anything is wrong with my band just a blanket statement) who is responsible. Us as a patient or the docotor who did not see a need to follow his/her own criteria for follow-up?

If he were a heart specialist and installed a shunt or a pacemaker would you be ok with not having a follow-up knowing there was a foriegn body in your body? Would it be ok not to ever be seen by him again?

[barbara465 2]

I'm not really trying to argue about this. I just think we expect a lot from these surgeons for one fee. I don't expect any doctor to see me for a lifetime for the cost of surgery.

When I had knee surgery I had the consult, the operation, and the follow up to make sure I was healing. That was that. Same for my hysterectomy. Once I was released he did the normal follow up and that was that.

I do know that if I need my lapband doctor I can call him. If not, I am quite happy getting my fills from the surgicenter.

If you are not happy with your follow-up care than change doctors. I know this is not as easy as with other medical issues, but I'm sure you can find someone to take your case.

I follow his rules, do what he says, and so far no problems. I see now that I have 4 mandatory support group meetings to attend. I will, but I know that I must do the majority of this work. As you said, this is in my body forever, so I better get used to living with it.

Hope you can find another doctor who will not disappoint you and give you support. Neither one of us is wrong in our thinking - just differences in views.