Hadar Spivak Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Once you’ve had the best (Dr Spivak) it’s very hard to not compare others to him. He’s smart, practical and very accessible. I had lap band surgery with him March 2007. I lost 120 lbs. his staff is great too. Aftercare is so important with the lapband so the DRs. Staff is key too. I wish he’d come back to the states

Unfortunately Dr. Spivak has went back to Israel in his further studies as a bariatric surgeon. I just want to say he is an amazing doctor. Immediately post surgery, he came to visit over 8 times. My surgery went perfectly and I can say...this man changed my life. I came in wanting to do lap band and he completely changed my mind on switching to VSG. I am so glad to have found him. I went through 3 doctors and when I met him, I JUST KNEW. I will miss seeing him at the office.

Great surgeon, bedside manner questionable. I had the route-en-y gastric bypass surgery on November 23, 2009. I don't feel he kept me in the loop about realistic recovery expectations. I was under the original impression that I would be feeling fine and be able to return to work 2 weeks post-op. In reality it took about 1 month for me to be able to feel good enough to work and to eat without throwing up. The most pain I suffered was attributed to the drainage tube which I had in for a little over 2 weeks. He asked me to come in 1 week post-op to remove the drains. I was really excited to get those removed, since they were so painful. My drainage was too high for him to remove it that day, so he asked me to come back. I asked if I would need my mom to take off work to bring me or could I drive myself. He assured me I could drive myself, and I would be feeling much better once he removed my drain. When I came back, he readmitted me and did not tell me what his concerns were or what he was hoping to accomplish with my hospitalization. I was under observation for 1 day and then released. He did cover the hospitalization costs and the charge for a taxi home the next day which was a great relief. I'm sure that admitting me was just a precaution to verify that I didn't have a leak or any other surgical problem. I just felt ill-informed and scared about the whole experience. I came back in to get my drain removed after another few days. I first uploaded a review shortly before going in for my 1 month post-op check-up. I had my blood work updated and wanted to know how I was progressing, and if I was deficient in any essential vitamins or minerals. Dr. Spivak came in to see me and didn't refer to my recovery, progress or nutritional needs. Instead he pressured me to take my review off of the web. I was so uncomfortable during the whole meeting, that I never again visited his office. I removed my review of him from the website. Even though I paid $18,600 cash for this surgery, which included 1 year of follow-up visits, I have not gone back. Beyond that, his office has never called to request a follow-up appointment. I have lost 75 pounds in the 19 months since the surgery. In the end, I felt that the doctor regarded me as a dollar sign or one more procedure under his belt…not a person. I have never felt right about being asked to remove the review of my experience with this doctor from the web site. I have since reconsidered and felt that others should have the benefit of seeing good and bad experiences that patients have had with this doctor, regardless of what the doctor does to try to squelch the critical reviews. Overall my surgery was a success and this surgeon has an excellent track record for successful surgeries of this kind.

First impression of Dr Spivak: he was very personable and his office staff - especially Brenda is great!

Dr. Spivak is very knowledgable and helpful. He does not candy coat the truth. His staff is also extremely helpful. I always felt very comfortable while in the office. I don't think I would trust anyone more than I trust Dr. Spivak with the operation. While attending the meetings before the surgery he and his staff made my family and I feel confident that he knows his stuff. I honestly have nothing negative to say.

Dr. Spivak performed my revision surgery in October 2010. I originally had a lapband and had complications with it, acid reflux and didn't like the problems with food getting stuck and the sliming. Eventually I had to have all of the liquid removed from the band and was unable to have it refilled, resulting in regaining all the weight I had initially lost.

I went back to Dr. Spivak for a consultation and he recommended I have the revision surgery from Lapband to the sleeve. While I was hesitant about it at first, I felt very confident that Dr. Spivak was giving me good advice and after considering this for a month or so decided to go ahead with the surgery.

The surgery went well, although I ended up needing to have my gallbladder removed during the surgery, I have to say the staff and care at the hospital was excellent. Followup visits have gone very well and I am so grateful for all the help and advice I've been given.

I am a few months out of the surgery and very happy and excited about the sleeve.

I Wish it had been available when I had the band, if it had I would never have had it. My recommendation to anyone considering the band is... don't do it, get the sleeve instead. Result from the band are good at first, but most folks I've talked to that have had the band have ended up with the same problems I experienced.

With the sleeve, I have no restiction on what I eat, but I get full right away, there is no sticking of food, no throwing up, no sliming, and my results have been wonderful so far.

Thank you Dr. Spivak and Staff!

I've been overweight most of my life. For several years I thought about weight loss surgery, but my insurance would not cover it. In the past ten years, I gained almost 100 pounds. I had constant back pain and poor circulation in my right foot. I knew in another 10 years, I would be even heavier. I finally decided to pay for the surgery myself and it was the best decision I've ever made.

I researched doctors and procedures and decided on Dr. Spivak as my surgeon. I attended his seminar and each procedure was explained along with the risks involved. Originally, I was going to have the lap band, but decided the gastric sleeve was a better choice for me. I had my surgery 5 weeks ago and I've lost 20 pounds. I've lost all cravings for sweets and soda. I no longer live just to eat. My back pain is gone and I'm able to exercise again.

I can't say enough good things about Dr. Spivak and his staff. Dr. Spivak has always taken time to answer all of my questions. Whenever I have a question or concern, I can talk to someone in his office.

If you're thinking of weight loss surgery, I highly recommend attending Dr. Spivak's seminar.

my name is Lynda and i'm form houston tx.i went to one of Dr.spivak seminars on saturday 10-11-2010 all the info i got was very useful.let me tell you if you want a good dr he is it.even though he said i wasn't a good canadate for lapband i still would recommend this doctor.he's fair an speaks very clear and in words that everyone can understand.i researched this for weeks before i chose this doctor even if its not for me i would say he and his staff are the most friendly i have seen in a long time.
Thank you to all
god bless and have a blessed day

I loved Dr. Spivak! I had my surgery Mon 8/2 and i am still recovering! I go on Tues to see him again! I feel that I am in good hands and look forward to the time i get to see him in the future

Dr. Spivak was and still is very professional. His office staff is great and most of them have had a WLS procedure and can answer any questions you may have. DrS is always available to speak with you and will call you back if he is in surgery. He even will call you back on his cell phone if he is out of the office. If you are a patient that loves communication via e-mail well you will have to get over it. This office only faxes and speaks via phone. They will however read your email but don't expect a response via e-mail, you will only be getting a phone call.

I chose Dr. Spivak because he is the best! Being in the medical field I came prepared with tons of questions and actually interviewed DrS. He answered everything in detail and explained in depth. He made me feel very comfortable and welcomed even as I was drilling him with questions. Most doctors would find offense to this however he did not. This is my body and it is my right to know the answer to every question or concern. Dr. Spivak is very well rounded and is not only an excellent physician but his bedside manner is superb. He is very sincere and has a lot of compassion for our well being. Dr. Spivak truly cares. I know I can call him with any question or comment and he will listen and offer advice or a suggestion.

Dr. Spivak is a pioneer in laparoscopy and is the best doctor to have surgery with. After reviewing his credentials and asking numerous questions I decided have the Vertical Gastric Sleeve. Since yo-yoing my entire life and always being the girl with the beautiful face I was so ready to have this surgery. I chose the VGS because I knew it would work for me and the lap banding is too much maintenance. Counting calories and taking diet pills always worked for me so I needed that permanent stomach restriction to feel full without having to take diet pills. I know of several people who had the banding and have not been as successful as they want to be because it is not as restrictive. Let's face it people we are over -weight for a reason...we can't stop over eating and have little to no control of what we put in our mouths!

The anesthesiologists were also amazing. Again I asked them numerous questions about what they would be administering as my “cocktail” and they made sure I did not feel nauseous after surgery. The hospital staff was so wonderful and caring and became my new friends. All in all I was in the hospital for 3 nights and 4 full days. I left the hospital on the 4th evening and was happy to be home. You just have to be mentally prepared and ready to have this surgery. I would highly recommend to each patient you need to meet with a psychiatrist to help you before must mostly after your surgery. You will have so many emotions and you need to realize it’s ok that you can’t eat huge portions or certain foods anymore.

Since having the VGS, I have been so amazed at my weight loss progress. Food no longer consumes me and I am so happy about it not having a hold on my life. My weight was beginning to impact my life personally and professionally. The only regret I have is I wish I would have done this sooner. But at the same time I am happy I waited since the better solution for me was the VGS and not the lap banding. Thank you Dr. Spivak you have made me one happy lady. I am getting healthier every day and feel more confident since I am no longer the girl with such a beautiful face.