Dr. Spaw

Does anyone have any experience with Dr. Spaw?  i will be getting a RNY to DS revision, and wondering if anyone knows anything about him.  I am from alabama, and talking to a few docs.  He would be the closest to me, and I was wondering if anyone has anything to say about him.  Thanks,

Jamie

Dr Spaw was not my surgeon.  He's at Baptist and I went to Centennial.  HOWEVER, I have many friends here on the board who love him!  One person, PDSMile works for him and has much respect for him.  Another, Pam Davis now working at Centennial, worked for Dr. Spaw as well and raves about Dr. Spaw's professionalism and skill. 

 I tried to go down the path of my wls journey at Baptist but I had insurance problems and it just did not seem the way for me.  The way opened up at Centennial.  But, had I stayed with the Baptist program, I was going with Dr. Spaw.  I believe him to be a most qualified surgeon and he has been in this area/speciality for a long time in the Nashville area.

 

Good luck on your journey!  I know that some of Dr. Spaw's patients will probably post here for you.  I am very confident in many, if not all of the gastric surgeons in the Nashville area right now.  I cannot think of one single doctor who practices here who is not a good one from any program:  Baptist, Centennial and Vanderbilt.  

I, like Melinda, did not have Dr Spaw, but I have met the man, and truly admire him.  His professionalism, bedside manner, and concern he has for his patients is top notch.  I really don't think you could go wrong in choosing Dr Spaw as your revisionist!

Good luck and keep us informed of your progress!

Dr. Spaw was my surgeon and I have nothing but WONDERFUL things to say about him.  If you are seriously considering either surgery definitely talk to him.  For the record, I am 19 months out, have lost 160 pounds within a few pounds of goal and I have had NONE, NADA, ZIPPO complications.  But even from this board of the people that had some complicatoins he is very hands on and if very accessible.  As any Dr. Spaw patient will tell you -- we love him! 

I have always heard great things about Dr. Spaw.

Thanks for the info.  It makes me feel much better!  I am greateful for the encouragement I have received from you all.  Thanks again!

Jamie

Dr. Spaw was my surgeon and I really can't begin to tell you how wonderful he is.  After meeting him and doing my research on him it was finding someone that I felt I could have complete confidence in that even made me to decide to go ahead with surgery.

My surgery went beautifully but the way he has been there when ever I have had questions or concerns amazes me at every turn.

It also doesn't hurt that his staff (the nurse who we bug and the nutritionalist especially) are fabulous.  I also had great experiences with Baptist hospital.

Good luck with your revision!

Hi - Dr. Spaw did my sleeve, and I have an appointment to talk with him on 7 Jan about doing the switch portion of the DS.

I don't know if Dr. Spaw does the revision.   Have you talked with his office about that?   I know that Dr. Husted, who is now in Kentucky, does revisions.   I believe that Dr. Maguire in Ohio does "sorta" revisions, where he revises a RNY to a Distal RNY.   There are some surgeons in California who specialize in revisions, too.  Also a doctor in Minnesota that I *Think* does revisions.   The DS is difficult to find a surgeon to do, and the revisions to DS even moreso.

The revision from RNY to DS is a lot more difficult to do than a "new" DS.   Especially if they're going to take down the pouch and do a sleeve gastrectomy and then do the revision on the intestines.  

Dr. Spaw is a wonderful surgeon.   If he doesn't do the revisions, I'm sure he could do, but just doesn't.   He's well known as a pioneer in abdominal laparascopic surgery, although he does the DS open.  When we first met, I felt that he didn't place enough credence with what I had to say.   As we got to know each other better, I think that improved a good deal.

I wish you all the best as you get this set up.   Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.   There are a lot of people on the OH DS board who have a lot of knowledge about the revisions.   I believe there is a revisions board on OH, as well.

Dennie