Albert T. Spaw, M.D. Bariatric Center

I met with Dr. Spaw and just loved him as soon as I saw him. I was worried I would get a doctor that I didnt really click with but, all my worries were gone as soon as I met him. I kinda got emotional as soon as I entered his office when I put a familiar voice with a pretty face.~ ebony. she and I had talked on the phone so much and she helped answer alot of pre visit questions. I guess all my nervousness and emotions just had to come out when i was finally in there and the reality finally hit me that this was really happening and that standing there, my first visit in the office was truly the beginning of my new life. everyone on staff and Dr. Spaw made me feel so comfortable and welcome there. I left there feeling great and so much less nervous about my decision.I had also been on the phone alot with Teri and she helped me alot with all my food questions. Im so thankful to have somewhere that i feel so comfortable. I just love Dr. Spaw and can't wait to see them all again!

The first appointment I had with Dr. Spaw confirmed all of the wonderful things I had heard about him. He is man with a mission! Dr. Spaw asked me many questions about why I wanted to have gastric bypass surgery. He was interested in what type of situation I would go home to (support of family.) He covered all of my questions and did so in a caring professional manner. The staff at his office make you feel like a member of the family. Each person I have encountered from Dr. Spaw's office has made a point of telling me to call or email with questions anytime. The phrase that I heard over and over is..\"We are here for you!\" What a wonderful group to be associated with! Dr. Spaw's patients also have a very close aliance. They make visits to the newbies in the hospital and provide positive reinforcement as well as corrective suggestions when necessary. I was up out of the bed within a few hours after surgery. Dr. Spaw came to see me the next morning and sat down for a while to talk with my husband to answer any questions he might have. I have had very little pain. The day after my surgery I switched from the pain pump to oral medication...no problem! I think that God had a hand in leading me to my life-saving surgeon, Dr. Albert Spaw. I am so grateful for this second chance that I have been given!

Dr. Spaw spole at my informational meeting, and I knew from that day he was the one I wanted. His demeanor and all is just wonderful!!

Dr. Spaw is a good doc. Down 154 pds from 8/16/05 Good caring doc.Life has changed in 1 year.My Cousin. is dr. of anth. give him A rating.Dr.No Spawrnmade feel like it was personal,can not say enough good things about him.Whatever happen between him and Dr. Husted dont care.I have never postedrnbut I cannot let people cut him down.rnno problems during this change.Cousin cares about me when i told about surgery aganist it,when he found it Dr. Spaw he said do it.Some body that does this every day knows who is the best.Dont have enough time to tell u how much my life hasw changed. Daniel Adams@[email protected] pds. to 234 1year give it a chance.................rnrnrnrn

My PCP was the first person to actually mention Dr. Spaw to me. He has known him for years and thinks very highly of him.

I had already been to seminars at 2 other Nashville area hospitals when I decided to attend the one at Baptist. Dr. Spaw was the one leading the seminar that night and I immediately felt at ease with him. When I met with him a week later for my consult he made me feel even for comfortable.

He told us in the seminar that, after the surgery, we will be a patient of his for life. Even after the first 2 years, I will have to see him at least once a year for the rest of my life for follow up. My first 2 years of post-op care was included in his surgeon's fee. That includes the nutritionist as well as any calls or extra visits I may need in case of a problem.

He took time to ask not only why I wanted to have WLS but what had led me to decide on the RNY. We discussed what effect the surgery could have on some other health issues and he answered some more questions I had come up with after the seminar. We also discussed in more detail some of the possible risks of surgery. I never felt rushed or like I was just another fee. I felt like he truly had/has my best interests at heart.

My husband was very nervous about the surgery. After he met Dr. Spaw the morning of my surgery, he felt a lot better. He checked on me every day in the hospital and made sure my husband was doing okay too.

I still feel like God led me to the right surgeon for me. I had no post-op problems or complications.

My first impression of Dr. Spaw was that he has a nice manner. He spoke plainly and concise during the introductory seminar. During my initial consultation, he was pleasant and caring. The office staff at Metabolic Surgery Center has been wonderful; they were all very helpful during the initial stage and now through the post-op stage. The service has been excellent. Aftercare is extremely important to the staff. Dr. Spaw is going to be firm yet loving with you. The lapband is a tool and you have got to work with it and not against it. Dr. Spaw is there to help you work the program.

I absolutely love Dr. Spaw. He is so warm and caring. His surgical competency and bedside manner were perfect. I wish I could have him as my internist. He has been available for all my panicky calls, concerns, and happy days. I highly recommend him and the Metabolic Surgery Center of Baptist.

I liked Dr. Spaw from the minute I met him. I was going to go with Dr. Husted, but when I decided to go for gastric bypass instead of the duodenal switch, I chose Spaw b/c he would do mine laparoscopically. My impression of him has only gotten better with time. He is a very kind and invested man, who cares a lot about his patients. He treated me like gold when I had surgery, visiting me before I went under, letting me know everything was going to be okay...he is a very compassionate man.
The office staff is kind, but very busy. Their practice has grown so large, most of the time it's bottom-line, no time for chit chat. But they have taken good care of me and I think initially when you have this surgery, there is a lot of anxiety about the unknown, and the adjustment is hard. As I've become more used to things and less maintenance, they have loosened up with me. I imagine it would be necessary to be somewhat detatched or the patients would probably suck the life out of you in the beginning, because it's so scary. You can only hold a person's hand so much when you have hundreds of other patients to attend. They have support groups, but most are predominately DS'ers and gastric bypass patients have a different path and different set of needs. I haven't enjoyed their groups. Dr. Spaw was candid with me about surgical risks, but he felt I was an excellent candidate that would pull through without difficulty, and I did, except for getting a stricture. But, that was nothing to remedy. Spaw is equally proficient with surgical prowess (his reputation in Middle TN is impeccable--and I've got a lot of connections in the surgical field in Nashville--he came highly recommended from everyone who knew I was using him) and bedside manner. I have no regrets, and feel that God was really taking good care of me by leading me to Spaw as my surgeon.

Dr. Spaw is extremely kind and loves lap band. I felt extremely comfortable talking with him and he answered all my questions and was very patient. He is always asking questions and interested in how I'm progressing and what he can do to improve the care he gives. I had a textbook experience and would highly recommend him to anyone.

Dr Spaw was attentative and kind. He stressed after care. I was most impressed with his staff and that this is the only surgery that they perform.

First impression was that he is very interested in what YOU have to say.

He checked on me everyday in the hospital and seemed truly concerned for my care and comfort. I wasn't responding as well to the pain medication and once a change was made, things got lots better

The office staff is wonderful, they made me feel very at ease immediately. The office seems very open and they were easy for me to work with. They totally emphasize aftercare and send you with a manual (pre-op) that was very organized. Every aspect you can imagine is covered in the manual and the office will answer any additional questions.

They outlined my risks, but I felt the benefits were well worth it.

Would rate Dr. Spaw 10 out of 10. Gifted, caring. Both surgical competence and bedside manner were top of the line, in my opinion.