Question:
Researching addtional Phoenix area surgeons

I'm helping a friend find a surgeon. She would like to stay with family in the Phoenix area and recuperate. There are not very many surgeons in the database for this area. I would appreciate the input of any additional surgeons that you know of in that area to pass on to her. Thanks.    — Helen C. (posted on June 11, 2003)

June 11, 2003
try Dr. Schlesinger in Scottsdale.
   — jerry W.

June 11, 2003
Go to the local message board, this topic is has been asked on the message board, it has some excellent input on surgeons in Phoenix area. In the whole state of Arizona everyone has to come to the Phoenix metro area for surgery. The local message link is at the top of the page, I am pre-op, but I have Dr. Zahn, he only does open RNY, there are other excellent doctors that do Lap RNY and the DS. Hope this helps.
   — cindy

June 11, 2003
Hi there, I live in Flagstaff, Arizona, but I am having surgery August 11 in Phoenix. Of course my opinion is biased, but as far as I am concerned, Dr. Alan Newhoff is the best surgeon around. He is located around the 7th Street/Thomas Road area, and he does his surgeries out of Good Samaritan Hospital at 3rd Street/McDowell. There is information about him on the hospital's website (Good Samaritan Hospital, but I think you have to look it up the Banner Health Systems or something like that), and that website says he is the most experienced surgeon in Arizona. He has been doing wls for approx 25 years and has done over 3000 wls surgeries. He is also a trauma surgeon, which I think is good, because if he can put a car-wreck victim back together, he can certainly handle any complications that come up during wls surgery! His demeanor can seem gruff at first, but what's underneath that is a true caring for his patients. He expects strict compliance with his instructions for recovery, and he says "my patients don't have complications" if you follow his directions. His office is very comfortable, he has large chairs to accommodate all sizes. He is quite busy so you won't get a surgery date one week after your approval (mine was set for 3 months after my approval), but I'll take quality over speed any day. Dr. Newhoff only does the RNY as open. He does have an office partner (Dr. Simon) that does laparascopic, but I don't know much about him. I hope this information helps, and please feel free to email me personally if I can be of further help or answer any more questions for you. Good luck!
   — beeda

June 11, 2003
ditto on everything debra said about dr. newhoff. the man is a top notch surgeon with god given 'magic' fingers. he is extremely humble too. when i thanked him for saving my life, he actually blushed & tried to brush off my words of gratitude. i could also tell he was genuinely & sincerely overjoyed at my success at 6 months out, because he was smiling from ear to ear & his eyes were sparkling as he looked at me. btw, my insurance co told me they automatically approve any surgery request that has dr newhoff's name on it. they also said he is the best bariatric surgeon in phoenix & as far as the nurse knew (i was talking to at bc), she said he has little or no complications. good luck in your quest!!! god bless your friend.
   — sheryl titone

June 11, 2003
Dr. J. Bradford Doxey is relocating to the Phoenix area from Virginia Beach at the end of July. He is the best. Look him up on this site, and you will see how many positive comments there are about him. I wouldn't trade him for the world.
   — beryl

June 11, 2003
I live outside of Chicago and had my surgery through The WISH Center, which has opened an office in the Pheonix area. The WISH Center is located at Tempe St. Luke's Hospital at 1492 S. Mill Avenue, Suite #307 in Tempe, AZ. I highly recommend them - wonderful, comprehensive program and great support.
   — barbdeane

June 12, 2003
Hello Helen! I too had my surgery in Chicago thru the WISH Center and they have awesome doctors throughout the country so even if your friend lives in a different area she could be seen by ANY of the WISH Center doctors. As a matter of fact the doctor's who performed my surgery are the doctors that head up the Tempe AZ site! Dr. Koler and Dr. Weinke are awesome doctors and very hospitable. Hope this helps your friend! Open RNY 8/20/02 -140 lbs!
   — Carole M.

June 12, 2003
dr. terry Simpson does the duodenal switch surgery. He is in PHX and is very active with this site in the chat room and having moderated chats. As his patient I can ony say he is extremely dedicated and treats his patients like family. I am 3 mo post and down 55 pounds. I think the DS is the better surgery because IN MY OPINION it is less drastic than the Rny and has the same long term results ( actually, better long term regain results..). He does not run a MILL of wls patients. He cares more about your success than how many he can turn out in a month..averaging only a handful a month, if that. He is easily accesible at all hours of day and night ( yes, him, personally) and he is a kind, funny and generous man.
   — nicole P.