So Arizona Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery Bariatric Center

Dr. Chiasson was very informative and down to earth at his seminar.

When I met him one on one for a consult, I was very distressed because he'd just weighed me, and I hadn't seen my actual weight in months. I began to cry, and he was very understanding. He told me:

"This is a safe place. There is no shame here."

He seemed very sincere and understanding.

When I was anxious right before my surgery, Dr. Chiasson rested his hand on my shoulder and told me that they were going to take good care of me, and I believed him. And, they did!

When I called with a couple of questions after my surgery, Dr. Chiasson called me back personally the same day and answered my questions...waiting to see if I had any more before he hung up.

His staff is great (thanks, guys), and the program coordinator makes everything as easy and smooth as possible. She raves about Dr. Chiasson, even though she works for the hospital, not him.

Gayle Duke is an angel from above!

A very caring man and doctor, very easygoing
Stayed the same, but after surgery, more businesslike, took less time to answer questions.
Over worked, nice but not able to follow through on paperwork in a timely manner due to short staff.
Tended to discount the delayed incision healing.
Think he's a great surgeon, having good results, recommend him.
This was the most deficient part of the surgery "program". The program is new, but was supposed to have a nutritionist, exercise physiologist, exercise program, etc. Aside from the overworked surgery coordinator, a nurse who has had wls, there was no one to talk to or consult with. None of the aftercare programs were ever developed, even now, more than 1 1/2 yrs later.
Dr Chiasson was frank re the risks of complications or mortality.
Both are great, though I wanted more bedside time while i was in the hospital, looking back at it, there really wasn't much to discuss.
Overall, I would rate him at very good.

Dr. Chiasson showed compassion and intelligence about bariatric surgery during his seminar that I attended. My impression of him remains unchanged during my pre-op, surgery and post=op visits. His office staff is also very caring and compassionate and bends over backwards to help us in our quest for a new life. They are very busy women and know their stuff. Future patient need to have patience themselves while waiting for all the paperwork to be completed and dates set for surgery. This can take time and it isn't always easy to wait for the date. I don't think there is anything unfavorable about this doctor. He is feels very strongly about his patients participating in aftercare and encourages it from the pre-op visits. Support groups are a very important aspect of his aftercare program along with daily exercise. Surgical risks are part of the preop contract with this doctor. His surgical competence and bedside manner are superior to any doctor I have ever had. I would rate him a 100.

Dr Chiasson is the most attentive and caring surgeon I have met. He prepared me for my surgery and made sure I knew all the risks invovled with the surgery. I would highly recommend him. Recently I had an obstruction which did not show up on all the tests as an obstruction. I was in severe pain and Dr Chiasson was not going to give up. He did exploratory surgery and found a obstruction which he had to do open surgery on to repair. The best part of the surgery is that I came out alive and I credit Dr. Chiasson's perserverance in finding out what was wrong. If your insurance will cover him, Go and be patient with the staff, they are busy but will do everything they can to get the things done that need to be done.

I would like to say that my writing skills cannot begin to express my sincere gratitude and admiration for Dr. Chiasson, his staff, and Gayle Duke, Northwest Hospital's bariatric surgery coordinator. Thanks to Dr. Chiasson's expert surgical skill, as well as his entire program, my life has changed dramatically!
I began my journey to weight loss surgery in 2002 when I began researching online as well as discussions with my primary care physician, my family and others. Eventually I learned of Dr. Chiasson and the program he was formulating at Northwest Hospital. I was one of Dr. Chiasson's first bariatric patients in Tucson. Even though my family had some reservations about the program being new here, and urging me to go to Phoenix for the surgery, I soon learned that Dr. Chiasson is an expert in his field of laparoscopic surgery and I felt confident that I would be well taken care of here, as I definitely have been!
I was very well informed by Dr. Chiasson of every aspect of what to expect regarding the testing, preparation for, the surgery itself, and the period after.
I have lost 130 pounds since my surgery was performed. I was obese for more than 30 years, and was almost convinced I would never be thin again, or healthy. Now I can live my life in a "normal" way - I can sit comfortably in a restaurant seat, theater seat, aircraft seat, behind the wheel of a vehicle. And, of course, my health has improved dramatically.
I am thrilled beyond words that I have been given a new life, thanks to the expert skill in surgery and care given to me by Dr. Chiasson.
***Age 15 thru 25 - 120 pounds
***Age 26 thru 56 - 277 pounds
***Age 57...down 130 pounds and healthy: PRICELESS!!!

My first impression of Dr. Chiasson was that he was VERY knowledgeable & concise with the information he was providing.

Once I came to know him through my pre-op visits, his visitation while in the hospital (even twice when I wasn't his patient), and follow-up after my WLS, I realized that he is the most caring, yet professional person that I've ever had the pleasure to know. His bedside manner is impeccable & he has an uncanny way of making you feel like you're the MOST IMPORTANT person in the world to him; that he would do anything for you he possibly could. He's never rushed & is always very calm, cool & collected. He answers every question irregardless of how many times he's probably answered it. In summary, he's the BEST doctor I've EVER had in my lifetime.

His office staff (Stella & Rita) are a mirrored reflection of Dr. Chiasson; always helpful, kind, considerate & personable. Debra is fairly new to the office & I haven't gotten the chance to know her yet.

There is NOTHING to dislike about Dr. Chiasson. My only regret is that I didn't find him sooner.

Future patients should know that he is thorough, he has developed his WLS program through a lot of work & research & that he is constantly revamping his program to make it better for his obese clientele.

His emphasis on aftercare was made very clear from the getgo. His questionnaire is very thorough & informative to his pre-ops. The questionnaire HAD to be completed before continuing to the next phase of his program. It entails things like: how much alccohol do you drink; you will be required to attend group for one year after surgery - are you willing to do this?, etc.

Yes, he has a very structured aftercare program. I touched on a few things in the prior paragraph.

He addressed the risks early on at the seminar I attended at NW Hospital. By the time I was scheduled for surgery, we had discussed this issue several times. And, I might add, each patient is different with their comorbidities, so I am sure Dr. Chiasson, being the great doctor that he is, would address each person differently regarding their risks.

Overall, as I've stated previously, Dr. Chiasson is the BEST doctor I've ever had the privilege of knowing. He removed my gall bladder a year after my WLS & I entrusted him with my life twice now. What more can I say. He made me his spokesmodel for WLS because I am at goal now & have not had reconstructive surgery yet. He literally "gave me back my life!!!"

Both his surgical competence & bedside manner are SUPER.

Dr. Chiasson came to the TUSWLS support group meeting as he was setting up his practice in Tucson at Northwest Hospital. He cut his vacation short to come to the meeting and explain everything.
I was so impressed, that I checked my insurance PPO list everyday until he was approved and I called his office to get on the list. I did the necessary paper work and was prepared to wait until he could do my surgery. He was such a caring doctor.
I was so impressed with the hospital choosing Gayle Duke as our Bariatric co-ordinator. She has been such a great help to all of us.
Dr. Chiasson has been the greatest. He answers my questions. He returns my calls no matter when I call. He greets his patients, he does not have a nurse that does this for him. I am so grateful for the information that he shared at his seminar and will share anytime that I ask a question of him. He came to see me at least three times a day when I was in the hospital. I stayed in Tucson for a week after surgery, because I have a tendency for infection. Thank goodness this was the first surgery that I had that I didn't get an infection.
Dr. Chiasson communicates with my primary care doctor. If he has any questions, he calls and Dr. C answers the questions.
I am so grateful that Dr. C SAVED my life. I am looking forward to my grandchildren growing up and having me there to be a part of their lives.
When I first saw Dr. Chiasson, I had to stop three times to get to his office. Now they have to tie me down, to make me slow down. I cannot believe the wonderful things that this surgery has done for my life.
I am no longer on my heart meds, Cholesterol meds, high-blood pressure meds. I know I will always have these things as potiental problems, but I have learned that I am a healthy person probably for the first time in my life.
Dr. Chiasson will ask you if you are following the program. I am so thankful for the information that they have put together for us thru Northwest Hospital. Our notebook is a sourse of constant information. I have been attending TUSWLS for over 2 years now and I can say I was ready for my surgery when I had it. I am so thankful for the information that I received from them and from Dr. Chiasson.
I could go on for hours about Dr. C, that is how wonderful he is. His staff are the greatest also. Rita and Stella always have the time to answer my questions. They worked very hard to get me approved, and to solve all the insurance problems that I had along the way. I would get frustrated but they always gave me a "please don't worry!"
I would recommend Dr. Chiasson and Dr. Burpee to anyone having this surgery! They care so very much about their patients!
Negative comments: I am sorry, I personally do not have anything that I can say negative about him. I wish that he could be my primary care doctor too for all the wonderful care he gave me as his patient.

Very Friendly

Always very caring

Staff always busy but helpful

Nothing

Excellent and cares about each individual

Very important, plenty of follow-up appointments
The hospital has a great coordinator

High risk, but very reassuring

100%

I liked him right away. He is very easy to talk to, and has an excellent reputation in the area. His office staff is excellent, and no one rushes you. They helped me get the approval from my insurance carrier with no problem. The program is very strict, and I like that. We are required to go to a support group, an exercise program and nutritional follow-up. We were very well informed about everything. I think he is fantantic. His surgical competence is very good, and so is his bedside manner.