Hadar Spivak M.D. Bariatrics Bariatric Center

Wonderful doctor, very caring and great staff. All very friendly. They did all the paper work for me and sent everything in too, was approved within one week! Dr. Spivak has a great bedside manner and and post op care is great. Would recommend him to everyone! He also did my moms lap band surgery and still gives her free adjustments even though she doesn't have any insurance. Isn't a money hungry doctor like some in Houston. Will do what ever is needed to make you happy and healthy.

Nothing negative about Dr. Spivak at all. Wonderful!!! 100%!!!!!

My first impression of Dr. Spivak was that he is very knowledgable. I was very impressed with his staff and his seminar. He explained the risks involved and the pros and cons of the different surgeries. After meeting with him one on one and asking questions I decided I didn't need to see anyone else. I would highly recommend Dr. Spivak to anyone who is interested in a weight loss surgeon.

My first impression of Dr. Spivak was that he is very serious and dedicated to his work. When i attended the seminar I got a really great feel for him. He was very well informed about everything, and very honest about the the risks and outcomes of the surgery. Its not like he was trying to sell something. He has the patients best interst at heart by being very upfront and honest with surgeries. I love the office staff. They are so nice. They made me feel so comfortable and were very easy to talk to. They sat there with me for like 45 minutes answering all my questions. And Some of the girls in the office were bandsters themselves, so they were telling me their expierence and everything. They all give me hugs every time i leave and just alway make the visit a very pleasent one. Now i haven't had that much experience with Dr. Spivak's after care program because I am a relativley new patient, but the after care program sounds great. It sounds like a very structured program and there is always someone there to answer your questions. If you are a self pay the first year of after care is free, and if you loos 50% of your goal then the second year is free. I would rate Dr. Spivak a 10. He seems like a great surgeon. He is one of the houston docotors that trains all the other surgeons to do the surgery, so I am very confident in his surgical competence. I would recomend Dr. Spivak and his team to anyone who is considering WLS. ~Kristyn~

Dr. Spivak is AWESOME! He placed my band almost a year ago, and I just think the world of him:) He is very kind-excellent bedside manner, and I would trust him with my life....although I suppose I did that already:) I flew to Houston from Missouri just for this doctor, and I would do it again--no regrets.

I attended Dr. Spivak's seminar at my PCP, Dr. Pucillo's office. He was very informative and knowledgeable and realistic. He also had people there who had been banded. They talked to us about their experiences.

He is calm, attentive and ready to answer any questions. He has a great bedside manner in addition to being a very good surgeon.

His staff is great and treats everyone with respect. They know what they are talking about and will answer all your questions.

My aftercare is with my PCP, Ronald Pucillo, M.D. at his NRG Wellness Center. He supports the surgery, is trained in Bariatrics in addition to his family practice and has a gym with trainers at his facility. Because I have this support, I did not ask about aftercare with Dr. Spivak.

I think Dr. Spivak is an excellent surgeon and it's a bonus that he has a caring bedside manner. I wouldn't have done this with anyone else. He's the best!

Dr. Spivak is awesome. I feel so fortunate to have found him. He is a very caring surgeon. He truly wants to help each and every patient to achieve their goal of optimal weight loss. His entire program and staff are the best of the best.

I would highly recommend him to anyone who is considering weight loss surgery.

Dr. Spivak is the absolute best! Very warm, very experienced, and the staff is wonderful! I would highly recommend him.

I have been banded for over 2 1/2 years and have lost 160 lbs. Dr. Spivak & his staff have been incredibly supportive, kind & understanding throughout my weight loss journey. When I call his office, they always answer my questions. There is never a problem. Dr. Spivak is a skilled surgeon & a skilled communicator & always makes time for his patients. He treats us with dignity & respect.

I had my Lap-Band surgery on July 1, 2002 and have known Dr. Spivak since before he started doing bariatric surgeries (as a general surgeon). I chose Dr. Spivak initially for his excellent reputation as a gifted general surgeon, able to handle any and all complications a patient might experience. I have never regretted that decision. His after care has been excellent! When I had a complication requiring emergency deflation and surgery, Dr. Spivak and his office staff were there to help me through the ordeal. My band, with Dr. Spivak's help, has allowed me to lose from 329 pounds before surgery to 199 pounds. I have also had a baby last year as a result of the improvement in my health. Dr. Spivak provided clear, written instructions regarding diet and exercise requirements. When I asked for further help, I was promptly provided with expert information for Dr. Spivak's dietician, who is available to all paitents as part of his aftercare program. She was convenient because we talked on the telephone after work hours. Dr. Spivak patiently answers any question I might ask. I am always treated with kindness, compassion and caring by both my surgeon and his staff.
Dr. Spivak stresses the medical literature, to which he has contributed extensively and makes sure every patient understands that a band won't work without aftercare and adjustments. Overall, I would rate Dr. Spivak as "THE BEST." He cured my diabetes, hypertension, infertility and morbid obesity with a 45 minute surgical procedure he has done more than 1000 times. He is a quiet, unassuming man with a bedside manner I consider to be golden. I would highly recommend him to any patient considering either Lap-Band or gastric bypass. He takes excellent care of patients- start to finish!

When I went to Dr. Spivak's obesity seminar I was very impressed with his companssion and ability to communicate what we as patients were thinking about committing ourselves to if we decided to have weight loss surgery. By the time the seminar was complete I was certain that the band was what I wanted and Dr. Spivak was a surgeon that I was confident in using.

At the time my insurance was Cigna and Shirley from his office was honest that it was going to be a fight but that she would try to get it approved. Circumstances allowed me to change carriers and I immediately called Shirley to ask which I should choose and I've had United Healthcare ever since. I was approved within 3 weeks of submitting the paperwork and was at the hospital 2 weeks after that.

I was confident in my decision but did have a small meltdown in pre-op but Dr. Spivak's kindness and confidence calmed me immediately.

I have lost 110 lbs and have had no complications. It's been nearly 3 years and I have had lots of interaction with both Dr. Spivak and his office staff (Brenda, Shirley and Rachael). They have been unfailingly helpful and professional. They are always available to assist with questions and to calm fears. The few times I've needed to get an unfill quickly (like the time I had the stomach flu), I was able to get an appointment immediately.

Due to some non band related health issues I went on a long plateau and everyone in the office made me feel as if they were at my side as cheerleaders, certain that I'd make it to my goal. Now that I am losing again they have the biggest smiles and the most encouragement for me. I feel as if they are family.

I was part of a group of people that started a Houston Bandsters support group and his office is great about making sure that everyone knows that this support is available to them. I've made some wonderful wonderful friends because of that group. Banding has made changes like that in my life that I never expected.

My only regret about the surgery is that it wasn't available to me sooner. I have none about my choice of surgeon and I'd honestly recommend him to anyone who asked me. I count myself lucky that I live in Houston where such a wonderful choice is available to me.

surgery date 9/30/02
highest weight - 315
current weight - 205
goal weight - 150