Dr. Spiegel Houston, NO NO NO

[sureshotcharlie]

Friend of mine had gastric Bypass a while back by Dr. Spiegel in Houston. She recently starting complaing about pain and he told her she was imagining it. She convinced him to check her into the hospital and after doing endoscopy found that scar tissue has blocked her intestines and that it was keeping her from being able to go to the bathroom. He performed surgery a few weeks ago to remove scar tissue and then every day after surgery she started getting sicker and sicker, Another bariatric doctor looked at her and said that they needed to open her back up and he found that Spiegel punctured her colon when removing the scar tissue and all her bowels were emptying into her insides and poisening her. She almost had no pulse when they started the surgery. But they saved her life. My friends husband will not let Spiegel near her now. Spiegel also told her that only 10% of people that get sleeve and or bypass will loose weight and that she was one of the lucky ones that did. and that 40% of patients have post op complications and that she fell into that 40% which I think from all my research that he is completely wrong. I also searched this Dr. up on the internet and found terrible reviews. 9 out of 10 were bad. We all need to do our research before picking a doctor

[Munchkin]

That is scary. 80% of the people who has surgery can maintain the weightloss. So it is still a pretty good statistic in comparison to traditional diet & exercise.

[stephintexas]

I've heard terrible things about him. I went with a newer doctor. I'm not fond of his meal plan but LOVE LOVE LOVE His bedside manner.

[Sunflower]

40% of HIS patients may have complications, but the overall complication rate for bypass surgery is much lower ( and lower still for sleeve patients). This guy needs to have his license taken from him. Your friend should report him to your state's medical govening board. Good luck!

[LMS]

Yet another reason why I did not go to him or others like him that have million dollar offices and that is ALL they do. You want experience but I did not want a doc that was on commercials and boards arcross town. I dont have medical issues other then being fat so knew my risk was low but I think these type practices prey on those that should NOT have surgery do to other health risks. I had a family member that no one should have touched her with 10ft pole and she almost died think they did lap band on her several years ago (she still wont talk about it) It was a well known here in houston too but I forget which one they left her to die in ER same thing said she was fine. Once I tell my family what I did I am sure I can find out what doc it was.

If you are in the Houston area and looking will be gald to PM you where I went.......small office but he has the excellance cert for BS.

[sarahjayne823]

I agree! I didn't even consider him/his office -- too slick for me!

[SuzieInTexas]

Holy cow, so sorry for your friend's experience. I pray that she fully heals and stays healthy.

I walked away from the first WLS doc, well, actually ran. He and his program gave me the heebee geebees. All kinds of bells and whistles going off. My sister is an RN, no longer in patient care, but in hospital admin up at Baylor in Dallas. She gave me tips on what to look for regarding surgeons. Wound up going with a much better doc & program, bariatric center of excellence, etc etc. Unsolicited rave reviews from the hospital and pre-op testing staff.

[incredibleshrnkngshirly]

Friend of mine had gastric Bypass a while back by Dr. Spiegel in Houston. She recently starting complaing about pain and he told her she was imagining it. She convinced him to check her into the hospital and after doing endoscopy found that scar tissue has blocked her intestines and that it was keeping her from being able to go to the bathroom. He performed surgery a few weeks ago to remove scar tissue and then every day after surgery she started getting sicker and sicker, Another bariatric doctor looked at her and said that they needed to open her back up and he found that Spiegel punctured her colon when removing the scar tissue and all her bowels were emptying into her insides and poisening her. She almost had no pulse when they started the surgery. But they saved her life. My friends husband will not let Spiegel near her now. Spiegel also told her that only 10% of people that get sleeve and or bypass will loose weight and that she was one of the lucky ones that did. and that 40% of patients have post op complications and that she fell into that 40% which I think from all my research that he is completely wrong. I also searched this Dr. up on the internet and found terrible reviews. 9 out of 10 were bad. We all need to do our research before picking a doctor

I'm so glad your friend was okay...I almost used him. My heart doctor and my foot doctor BOTH told me to use somebody else. My family doc said he didn't like Speigle either...said the after care sucked and he treated people like cattle! I went online to find someone in Houston and that's how I found where to go...I love my doc....Speigle needs to be shut down, I think word is getting around faster now...he has more commercials on weight loss meals. The band is on its way out too. I was happy to find out I wasn't the only one who thought this doc was a joke! I will pray for your friends full recovery!