Hadar Spivak Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

So far Dr. Spivak has been great.

First things first....my procedure was a laparascopic gastric bypass (not a lap band at all), and when it comes to competency and bedside manner, I happen to be very picky about who I put my trust within. rnHaving been a nurse for 10 years now, I put my trust into Dr. Spivak. His manner is very \"laid back\" and friendly. He is a very confident surgeon, and for very good reasons since he has studied at Mt. Sinai, among others. rnIn my experience, my gastric bypass was performed on Jan. 9, 2008. Although I was quite uncomfortable being the \"patient\" and not the \"nurse\", I showed up at the hospital, and actually didn't have a very eventful beginning. It was my experience post-op that is very important to understand.rnYou should expect to see several \"holes\" from using the camera that are on your stomach that have been sutured or sewn closed. I personally(and not everyone does), had problems with a hole that is actually left open on my left side that was approx. 2-3 inches wide and packed full of gauze. I had a lot of additional pain at this site because almost all of your movements that involve your arm, involves this large muscle that is still healing. i.e. pulling yourself up to walk, to move in the bed, taking in large breaths, etc... On about day 2, you will have the guaze taken out with another dressing applied. You will continue this until it closes within the next couple of weeks. Thinking that this \"hole\" would be an infection risk caused me concern, but be advised that this is actually oposite. This leaves a \"way out\" for infections, instead of closing them in. I never once had an infection, but I do caution you about the \"hole\", because I wasn't aware of it and wished that I was more prepared. Again, Dr. Spivak has a \"method\" that shows me something different and improved among the normal approach to this.rnThe other thing that you should be aware of is that you will not have the traditional PCA (pain) pump with pain medicine. Some medicine is ordered in your IV, but you are at your responsibility to prompt your nurse to give it to you or they may not think that you are needing it. There is more pain medicine, but you should also be aware that it comes in \"shot\" form and it will take approx. 30 min. or so before you start getting relief. There again, anticipate what you will need for pain, because it's effectiveness will not be immediate. Again, not knowing that Dr. Spivak had this method to prevent problems concerning narcotics, I felt unprepared and many times I was in more pain than I felt necessary. Knowing these things would've helped so much more.rnI know this is extremely detailed, but this is for your benefit if you are thinking about a gastric bypass with Dr. Spivak. His competency and method is very strong. I had difficulties within the hospital facility and healthcare, but I feel that this is not a common thing. Perhaps I was one that \"fell beneath the cracks\". Knowing then what I know now would've been a great benefit.rnKnowing that a surgeon who is great atrnwhat he does is important, I strongly suggest that Dr. Spivak is the surgeon you want to strongly consider for yourself.

Dr. Spivak wants to start up a support group for RNY patients. Please contact his office if you are interested heading this group. Dr. Spivak is willing to do as much as possible to ensure that his patients are successful.

Dr. Spivak is GREAT!!! His staff is AWESOME as well. My first impression of him is that he really wants you to know what you can expect and nothing less. He will answer and any and all quesitons you have and likes to make sure you understand EVERYTHING. I definately would recommend him.

I felt that Dr. Spivak was a great doctor with a wonderful reputation in the Houston area. He had done the Lap-Band procedure on my aunt and also gastric bypass on a close friend. They both raved about him. When the time came to pick a surgeon, it seems like a no-brainer to pick him. He is very informative, very personable, not one to rush you out the door. He made me feel very comfortable from the minute I met him and I had no doubts that he was the person I wanted to do this operation. His seminar was very informative and he doesn't make promises that he can't keep. He is real with you regarding your weight loss potential and pulls no punches when telling you that he thinks you won't lose enough weight with the chosen procedure (in my case). After seeing that I was set on Lap-Band vs. Gastric, though, he supported that decision and moved forward. rnrnThe only complaint I have is that, on my surgery day, no one went out to tell my family that everything had gone o.k. and that I was in recovery. They waited for almost 4 hours before asking someone to come check on me and, at that point, I was already awake in recovery. I am sure this was not intentional and an oversight that happens rarely, but my family didn't take well to being left in the dark about my progress.

Dr. Spivaks staff are all Wonderful, Not to mention the time Dr. Spivak took time to answer all our questions and concerns.

I highly Reccommend him A+++++++++

The stay at Park Plaza was Great.

I absolutely love Dr. Spivak. He is very straight-forward which I love. So am I. The office staff has been consistently great. They are just as great now as they were back in 04. I do wish that I would have been told what my eating restrictions were for the night before surgery. I just happened to call and ask before I was about to treat myself to a big steak.

My first impression of Dr. Spivak, was that he's a very personalable person. He paid alot of attention to me. He answered everyone of my questions. He always had a smile on his face and never seemed to be rushed and/or had no time for me. Even in the hospital, he was in my room several times per day and always had that same smile and never left my bedside without going over things I should know. I'd rate him the highest of the scale of surgeons.

I'd recommend Dr. Hadar Spivak,M.D., to anyone that's considering this step.

Very articulate and reassuring. A calming effect. Makes you feel special.rnrnThe day of surgery was no different. My family loved him as well.rnrnSurigcal competence and bedside manner go hand in hand. I am a medical professional as well and understand the importance of both. Dr. Spivak, his office, and the staff at the hospital were kind, knowledgeable and completed my surgery without complication. I thank God for them.rnrnEunice, RN, BSNrn

Dr. Spivak is one of a kind. I felt comfortable with him the moment we met. He has great bedside manners and is very informative. No question is too silly for him...he makes you feel like you are his only patient. I studied numerous surgeons and found him to be the best. My impression of him stayed the same...I was impressed with everything about him. He allowed my husband to ask numerous questions and Dr. Spivak answered them in full detail. He gave us the pros and cons to both the RNY and Lap-Band. His office staff is wonderful also. His office called me every day for the first 4 days after surgery to check up on me. I love Dr. Spivak and his staff...they made and continue to make my experience so much easier. Thank you so much!!