Dr. Husted MOVING to TEXAS!!!

If you had your consult with Dr. Spaw, why are you changing? If it is because you don't want to wait until July, I understand. If it is because you have been told Dr. Spaw is leaving, you have been misinformed. Ellen is no longer working with Dr. Spaw. Dawn is now doing the insurance stuff for him. Ellen and Jamie work exclusively with Dr. Husted. Jamie won't even respond to a phone call or question from a patient of Dr. Spaw's. I know, I've tried on 3 different occasions in the 2 weeks preceding my appt Thursday with Dr. Spaw. I needed to talk to someone about my insurance payment and my co-pay (my insurance paid more than Ellen had expected so I overpaid my part - woo hoo, refund!). Tiana had to go get Ellen to come out to the waiting room to talk to me. I still know I made the right choice in going to Dr. Spaw. I had attended 2 other seminars in Nashville before I went to the one at Baptist. I had left both of those other meetings with a very uneasy feeling. When I attended the seminar led by Dr. Spaw at Baptist, I immediately felt at ease. When I met with him for my consult, I knew without a doubt that he was the right surgeon for me. Even my husband felt more at ease after meeting him the day of my surgery. Dr. Spaw has never failed to get back in touch with me - when he has gotten the message. He's never made me feel like I was bothering him or asking a silly question either. He has rejoiced with me over my weight loss as well as the fact that I am off all diabetes medication. He has expressed amazement that I went back to work just 12 days post-op (half days). And he has praised my boss for being protective of me during those early weeks back at work. I don't like the way the whole thing going on right now with Dr. Spaw and Dr. Husted is being portrayed. From the very beginning it has been presented like Dr. Spaw was leaving and Dr. Husted was staying and would be looking to bring in a new surgeon to work with him. What we are finding out is that the opposite is true. The reason Dr. Spaw is having to wait until July to take on new patients is because he has a contractual agreement with Dr. Husted through June 24th. He is trying to negotiate a way out of that contract now. As it is, he is Dr. Husted's "on call" back up until then.

Susan, Thanks for clarifying a few things. I'm like most people who were seeing Dr. Spaw we were just told that he was resigning from the practice and that he wouldn't be able to do any surgeries until at the earliest July 1st. I would love to have my surgery with Dr. Spaw, he is a wonderful and caring person and he has always made me feel comfortable and good about the decision I've made to have this surgery. He is always supportive and encouraging. And I absolutely love Tiana she is a doll. Always calling checking up and making sure that I'm still following my diet even though I'm finished with my 6 month diet program. But unfortunately I have to find another surgeon, not my choice but because of insurance. I will no longer have insurance after the end of June. But thank you again for clarifying things. From the very cloudy information that has come from the office it is hard to distinguish what is really going on. Thanks again. Larry,

I completely understand your reason for changing doctors now. I've heard very good things about Dr. Houston and Centennial. One of my techs while I was in the hospital (at Baptist) had RNY at Centennial about 2 years ago and has lost 215 lbs. I would have never guessed her to be a WLS patient if she hadn't told me. It was so wonderful to have someone who had been through the surgery caring for me post-op. She was very encouraging and just had a wonderful outlook on life.

Dr. Woodman did my surgery and he and his team are great!!!!! I live 2 hours from Memphis so I Spent the night before surgery at Hampton Inn next door to Baptist East.

Marian, You will be well taken care of no matter where Dr. Husted is located. He has numerous out of state clients who traveled hundreds of miles for him to be their surgeon (because he IS a great doctor) and does a great job of follow up on them. He will continue to have staff here in Nashville. I am a DS patient of his and I am not worried at all. Soon, announcements will be made. There will be changes, but these professional and ethical people are going to make sure their patients are taken care of. Calm down and if you need to, call the office. They may be able to clear things up for you. It's all good!

Hi Amy, Thanks for your reply. I understand that some, if not most, of Dr. Husted's patients put him on a pedistal and think the world of him. I felt this way about him and his staff before my surgery last year. However, the reason for my reaction to the letter I received is two-fold. First, it was a huge shock, and second, the care and concern I have received from Dr. Husted and his entire staff has been extremely sub-par. I would never recommend him to any other person for surgery -- EVER. I've had all kinds of problems since my lap RNY and they could honestly care less. Dr. Husted didn't even show up to my 6 month appointment. Perhaps this is how those of us who pay out of pocket are treated. My reaction was so angry because I feel like this (him moving) was probably the reason. I won't "be well taken care of" because I never have been.

As a patient of Dr. Spaw's, I can tell you that he has resigned from his partnership with Dr. Husted and CCFOS, he is not leaving Nashville, Baptist or his patients. I just saw him last Thursday for my 2 month follow up. He has also sent a letter out to his patients letting us know that he is planning on staying in the same office. Drs. Lynch and McDowell have now moved into the office space also. You are right that there has not been a lot of information concerning Dr. Husted's exact plans. I don't know where the person got the information that was posted about him moving to Houston or about it being in the works for the past year. I have been told by Wanda that Jamie is staying with Husted wherever he has his office and that she probably will too. She wasn't sure about Ellen yet. All of this may have something to do with relocating out of state and it may not. That is their personal choice either way. Why can't you switch to Dr. Spaw? He is also experienced with DS as well as RNY and the Lap Band. I wonder why Dr. Husted's letter only listed bariatric surgeons outside of Tennessee. There are plenty of very qualified surgeons right here in Nashville as well as all over the state.

Susan I appreciate the info regarding Dr. Spaw and the other doctors moving into the office. However, I paid Dr. Husted -- to the tune of $7000 (surgeon's fee). Would the other doctors see me since I haven't paid them? I think this is where the sticking point would be. Honestly, I wish I had seen Dr. Spaw from the get-go. I think he's nicer, if not more professional, and a little less egotistical, than Dr. Husted. Marian

I'm not going to comment too much on this because I can't speak for someone else's experience. I will just say mine has been fantastic and I would highly reccommend Dr. Husted to anyone.