Changing Doctors

Had my lap band surgery in Aug 03 in Houston, TX, by Dr. Hadar Spivak. (I live in Vicksburg, MS.) I am just sick because I'm going to have to change doctors. My year of post-op visits are about over and, if I continue going to Dr. Spivak, I will have to pay $225.00 for the airfare to and from Houston, plus the $100 for the visit (fill/adjustment). I have found a doctor in Jackson, MS, Dr. David Carroll, who will accept me as a new patient, and have an appt. with him in a week or so. I can't tell you how apprehensive I am about changing doctors. I researched Dr. Spivak for a long time before I decided to go to Houston to have my lap band surgery, and really trust him and respect him. I would like to hear from anyone who has gone to Dr. David Carroll and could tell me something about him. Please post your response. I tried to use Dr. Michael King in Oxford, MS, but was told he doesn't take patients of other doctors. H E L P. I'm stressed. C. Harrison Vicksburg, MS

C. I am pre op and not using Dr Carroll. What hospital does he do surgery at?

Hey Carolyn, I've not used Dr. Carroll, but have heard good things about him. A second cousin (that I've not seen since she & I were children) used him, but it's my understanding that she didn't follow the rules - she had a lap band. BUT, last July (2003) my sissie was in St Dominic's for about 6 hundred years(!) and I talked to some of the nurses about having bariatric surgery, and I asked specifically about Dr. Carroll. They said he was EXCELLENT!!! I would have gone to him, but he doesn't accept my insurance. After talking to those nurses, I would not hesitate to see him. Keep us informed!! Smooch, Arlies

Dr. King won't take the patients of others but his associate, Dr. Byars, does. He just did my revision RNY. I couldn't have asked for anyone any better. And hey, I am from V'burg, so maybe we could go to appt.s together!!

Hey Kathy C - I'm curious - what is a "revision RNY"???? - and how are you doing? Who did your original RNY procedure. I wish I had known about this Dr. Byars a couple of weeks ago. I have already arranged for my records to be sent to Dr. David Carroll in Jackson and I have an appt. with him on July 19 for a fill. There's one catch already and I don't know how this is going to pan out. I use Omnipak in my band rather than saline - saline tends to leak out for some reason, so about 2 fills ago, Dr. Spivak changed me to Omnipak which is a thicker solution that doesn't leak out. The nurse at Dr. Carroll's office told me they had never heard of Omnipak (not surprising to me), and if I want something they don't normally stock, I have to pay extra. I'm going to go to the appt. and see how I like him and how much over the $100.00 fill fee I have to pay. If I'm not comfortable with him or whatever, I will consider going to this Dr. Byars. You know, when I called Dr. King's office, they didn't tell me that there was another doctor that would do fills for me. They just said Dr. King doesn't take anyone if they are not his established patient. You'd think they would have told me about this Dr. Byars - go figure. I'll keep y'all posted on this situation. OMG - I hate having to change doctors.

Hi Carolyn I use Dr Carroll and I think the world of him. He did my surgery on March 18, 2003 and he has been good to me ever since. He is quite but very well informed surgeon and his girls in the office are great. He is very informed about the lap band and he gives you the tool to help you loose weight but it is totally up to you as to how you use that tool and as far as the other lady not sticking by the rules. Dr C can not do that for you so I don't think that should be a knock against him. I thank God for Dr Carroll being put in my life because with his help I have lost 100lbs to date and only hope it continues. And about this Omnipak what is it? I work in radiology(x-ray) and we have a liqiud that is called omnipaque. It can be viewed under xray as it is being put in. And if that is the case I have saline in mine and have not known that any of it has ever leaked out because each time I have a fill he checks it and makes sure of how much is in there. I think you if you go in there with an open mind you will like Dr Carroll. I know I do.

Hey Kim: Thanks for the info on Dr. Carroll. I'm sure he will be fine. I'm sure the "omnipaque" that y'all use in X-rays is the same thing - I just spelled it wrong. I looked it up on the internet and that is what I have in my band. BUT - on Monday, when I go to Dr. Carroll in Jackson - I've decided to go back to the saline and give that another try since Dr. Carroll's office doesn't stock the omnipaque and didn't even know about it. Besides, they are going to charge me extra to use the omnipaque since it isn't something they normally use. Will post more after my visit with Dr. Carroll. Carolyn Harrison Dr. Spivak - 8/6/03 208/157/150