Hadar Spivak M.D. Bariatrics Bariatric Center

My first impression of Dr. Spivak, he is a very caring person. He always answered any question i had at the time of my appointments. I was never rushed. rnThe staff were also so helpful in helping get through this life changing experience. rnMy surgery was over 6 years ago and to this day they have always been there when i needed them or had any questions.rnOverall, I rate Dr. Spivak and staff number 1.rnBedside manner and surgical competence are both important and you can have both with Dr. Spivak and his team!

From the first time I heard Dr. Spivak speak at an information seminar, I was impressed by his calm, confident demeanor and presentation of the scientific research. I've remained impressed by his manner through the past three+ years. His office staff is always courteous. I know that Dr. Spivak has a structured aftercare program, including a support group, which I have attended once, but due to the distance I now live from the office, I don't participate on a regular basis. I felt well informed about the risks of surgery, possibilities of complications, etc. Overall, I think Dr. Spivak is one of, if not the best, doctors in the country for the lap-band procedure. Both his surgical competence and bedside manner are excellent. After three years, I have lost 110 pounds and am continuing to lose on a very slow but steady basis. I am glad for the slowness - it has given me time to get used to my body as it changed, without it changing too much all at once, which has freaked me out in the past before. I would have this procedure again in a heartbeat, and when asked about the procedure, I always refer the person to Dr. Spivak.

When I first met Dr. Spivak, I felt very comfortable with him. He seemed very knowledgeable in the procedures that he spoke about. He answered all questions that I had and he was very thorough and made sure that I understood everything. As time passed and I visited his office, I became even more of of him and his staff. They were always so helpful and caring. Dr. Spivak and his staff stressed how important and pertinent aftercare was. Dr. Spivak advised on support groups that were available both in person and online. He also talked about how diet and exercise would be beneficial and more results would be produced. Prior to surgery, Dr. Spivak sat down and talked with me about the risks of surgery and gave all of the statistical data on patients overall and his patients personally. I have to say that my experience with Dr. Spivak and his staff has been wonderful and I would not have changed a thing. I would do it all over again knowing what I know now. I only wish that I would have known about the surgery years ago. Dr. Spivak's surgical competence and bedside manner is out of this world. He has made my life so much better and I could never find the words to express my gratitude to him.

I attending the seminar in June of 2005 and was immediately cmfortable and confident in Dr. Spivak and his staff. They explained the options for weight loss surgery thoroughly and answered all of my questions. I chose to do the lap band because of the less invasive procedure and the fact that it could be modified if needed, my anatomy wasn't being altered. rnThe recovery from surgery was no more painful than over doing it working out. I took the next day off from work and was back at my desk the next work day. I started loosing weight immediately and reached my initial goal weight within the year, but to my surprise and joy it continued to come off and now I am the same weight and size as I was in high school. I am working out again, because I like to, but it was too painful at 282 pounds. I now weigh between 140 and 145. rnMy health improved faster than the weight sould come off. Prior to surgery I was being treated for the onset of Type 2 diabetes. When I left the hospital after surgery I monitored my glucose levels and to my amazement they never peaked and I no longer need medicine to control it.rnrnI chose to take my weight off slowly and gradually and only adjusted my band when it was necessary, so I was still able to eat with my husband and children without feeling deprived. I used my band as a reminder of when enough was enough.rnrnIf you considering weight loss surgery, visit Dr. Spivak's office and get all the facts. Don't jump in to anything without getting the knowledge you need to benefit from any surgical weight loss program.

Living in a state where there isn't a single bariatric surgeon, making my decision on which surgeon to go with was crucial. I grew up in Houston, Texas and my family was still there so that narrowed down which city I would be traveling to quickly. Upon my intial research I was blown away with just how many lap band surgeons there were in the Houston area alone. I narrowed my choice down to three doctors, but always went back to Dr. Spivak. The other two tried to push me into gastric bypass and I had already made up my mind I did not want to go that route. Dr. Spivak actually talked me through the different procedures and made me feel like together we had made this choice.rnrnDr. Spivak was the first in Texas to do this procedure and had SO many behind his belt, that his experience alone made my choice. rnrnWhen I spoke with him and his office, I was very careful to explain my concerns of living out of state, and what could go wrong living 1000 miles away from my doctor. He and his staff put me at ease and put me in touch with another one of his patients living in my same city. The fact that his patients were nation wide made me even more comfortable with my choice.rnrnGoing into surgery I felt completely prepared for everything, from the procedure to the recovery to living with the band. rnrnOnce I returned home, his office answered all of my \"stupid\" questions, and never made me feel as far away as I was.rnrnIt's been a little over a year and I have lost over 100 pounds. I know that this decision, going ahead with the lap band and Dr. Spivak's care was the BEST decision I have ever made!

My first impression of Dr. Spivak was on the tv when I first learned of the lap bank. I liked his presentation; not flamboyant or overly promising, just a matter of fact, we might be able to help you attitude. My impression of Dr. Spivak has just gotten better after personal contact with him. His office staff is super. Always courteous and knowledgeable. I really don't know anything I would change about Dr. Spivak. I've had more than my fair share of contact with doctors, and I would say he ranks right at the top of the list. I have heard of some complicaitons that can occur with this surgery, and I've not experienced any after effects. I can attribute that to Dr. Spivak's experience and expertise. A lot of emphasis is put on aftercare, and I'm glad. I will live the rest of my life with an appliance on my stomach, and I want to know all I can about what I can do to make that trouble free. All the risks of surgery were explained to me, and, actually, the risks seemed pretty small considering the amazing benefits. As I said, Dr. Spivak is at the top of my doctor list. I give him an A plus. I like all of his attributes, but when it comes to a surgeon I suggest that his expertise with the procedure is probably most important, and I think he nailed that. I also like him personally. He has a very caring and pleasant personality.

Dr. Spivak and his staff made the lap band experience easy and enjoyable. He is very kind and spent time answering my questions. The fact that Dr. Spivak was the first lap band surgeon in Texas gave and was part of the FDA trials was a huge factor in choosing him as my surgeon. His staff was very helpful through the process. When I called with questions someone always got back to me very quickly with the necessary information. Dr. Spivak was very honest about the procedure, results and possible side effects of the surgery. He was very informative. On the morning of surgery he came by and visited to reassure me that everything would be fine. He checked on me again after I woke up and before I left the hospital. With Dr. Spivak you get an experienced surgeon that cares about his patients.

wow, what a wonderful experience. I would do it all over again. Dr. Spivak is so pleasant to talk to. He appears to be very concerned and he is. The band proceedure was easy. I would do it over bypass anyday. To me you can control eating better and with the option to deflate or fill helps you along the way. It is true it only a help method the rest is up to you. If you run into problems Dr. Spivak can help you.

Dr. Spivak is a very caring doctor who understands the needs of his patients. I work in law enforcement and my weight became a major issue. Being on patrol I needed to be in shape for myself and others. I am also a mother with a son who is 4 now and needed to lose the weight to keep up with him. I had my lap-band 3 years ago and my first impression of Dr. Spivak was WOW. He listens to your needs and takes the time to listen to your every concern. He recommends the best procedure to fit your needs. My impression of Dr. Spivak is still the same after three years, he still takes the time to listen and make recomendations. If I ever need anything he and his staff are always a phone call away and a so polite and if they need to get back with me they do so in a timely manner. Aftercare after the lap-band is so important and is emphasized by Dr. Spivak. The lap-band is a life changing procedure and takes self-control and the wanting to lose weight. If you follow the instructions and adjust to the changes you will do well and it is well worth it. If I had to make the decision I would do it all over again if I had to and would recommend the procedure to anyone who needed it. It has dramatically changed my life and I wouldn't chose another doctor. It has helped me medically, physically, emotionally and I have better self-esteem and self-confidence. I give Dr. Spivak a ten and his staff as well.

Very compassionate, caring Doctor. HelLet me make the decisions as to what surgery was best for me after giving me all the information then supported me 110% to get the best results after I made my decision.rnrnHis staff made me feel I could call at anytime with questions and no question was unimportant.rnrnThe surgery center (Park Plaza) went well beyond my expectations in care. I received superb care and attention.rnrnThe surgery has changed the way I feel about myself and the way I feel about everything I do. I would advise anyone else contemplating the decision to do what I did but only if they are doing it for themselves - not for what other want them to do.