Question:
Anyone in the Mesa,Chandler,Gilbert,AZ area know of a doctor to refer me?

Hi.I just moved form VA to AZ. We are looking at houses, and will have one soon. I need to know if anyone in the area knows of a family physician I could go to, so I can get a referral to a barriatric surgeon. We have Aetna/PPO, if that helps. I am so ready to start the long process of getting my surgery. Any advice or where to start would be very appreciated! Any replies can be sent to me at: [email protected] Thanks! Wish me luck and please pray for me    — camiam (posted on January 31, 2001)

January 31, 2001
Go to http://www.asbs.org/html/member/az.html to find a surgeon board-certified in bariatrics in your area. Most people don't need a referral from a PCP to see one.
   — blank first name B.

February 1, 2001
I can't help you with a PCP in the area, but I can tell you about the surgeons in the Valley. There are four doing the procedure: Dr. Kelley at Mayo Hospital in Scottsdale; Dr. Juarez and Dr. Zahn at St. Luke's Hospital; and Dr. Newhoff at Good Samaritan Hospital. (There is a Dr. Feinstein in the east valley that is in the process of retiring.) St. Luke's and Good Sam are both in Phoenix although St. Luke's is just a little closer to the east valley. I would contact their offices and they can tell you if you need a referral. You may want to check with each of their offices about when their next information meeting is. I personally chose Dr. Newhoff without even meeting the other doctors. My main reason is that I really liked him at our first meeting and I feel VERY comfortable with Good Sam. As a Phoenix native Good Sam has been our hospital of choice for a very long time (I was even born there!). If I can be of any assistance please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected]
   — georgiacarol

February 1, 2001
Hi, I personally had Dr. Zahn. He was great and St. Luke's is fantastic! A friend of mine just had the surgery at Good Sam's and was a little upset...she called it Kosovo General! Everyone is different. I had complications and was in the hospital for 6 days and couldn't have had a better group of people taking care of me. God bless!
   — Lisa J.

February 2, 2001
My step daughter had wls surgery Jan 3rd, her family physician was very cooperative in helping her get to see Dr. Zahn. Her family dr is Dr. Rineholtz( I think thats how its spelled) I would give you the name of my family dr but he balked at sending a referral and then would only write the referral but would not fill out anything else to send to the insurance company. Good luck.
   — Helen B.