Steven Simon Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

My surgeon is a very knowledgeable and confident surgeon. He always told me everything and reinsured me that im in good hands. The offic staff was great they knew what you were going throught because most of them had the surgery. He is a good guy and he treats you like hes your own. Aftercare is very important to him from walking to vitamins. They have support groups to go to talk to others. He tells you everything about the surgery from complications to risks. I would rate him about a ten out of ten. His bedside manner and surgical competence or both great.

Dr. Simon is very frank, and upfront. He will tell you what you need to do. And he is not afraid to let you know what steps need to be taken to get the results needed. His staff is very helpful and knowledgeable. He is very forthcoming in letting you know that you need to do everything he tells you to. If you do not follow his orders, he will tell you do not complain to him if you do not suceed. His surgical competence is very good. He is alright in bedside manner, but he will not baby you. He expects you to walk and drink.

My first thought about Dr. Simon was that he reminded me of that doctor on Everwood. He has that "woodsie" look to him and I can just imagine him in flannel in the forest with his dogs. Since I first met him at the informational appointment, I have felt that he is a nice guy - a little dry, but there is nothing wrong with dry (we live in Arizona for crying out loud, everything here is dry!). Dr. Simon is no non-sense. He tells it like it is. I think his bedside manner is good and I enjoyed his brief visits while I was in the hospital after surgery and I enjoyed my first pre-op visit with him as well - I took my daughter with me, and he engaged her in conversation.

I think his office staff is a little overworked. He needs a couple more dedicated receptionists to handle the phones which get very busy. I have sat on hold for up to 15 minutes! But all in all, I like the staff. Lori is great at getting those insurance issues handled, but she is also no non-sense - Marcia is excellent at scaring one into walking after surgery :) and she is also a great at the pre-op meetings - she had the surgery herself and is a true testament!

Patients should expect to hear it like it is. Don't get sensitive about being fat, Dr. Simon is going to say it over and over, those ugly words "Morbidly Obese" But you have to suck it up and realize that if you were not in that boat, you wouldn't be seeing the good Doc in the first place.

Overall I think Dr. Simon is great. He has a sense of humor, but a no nonsense way about him. Be ready to be scared to death and excited at the same time.

One thing - the hospital of choice would not be my choice. There is one nurse there whose name I don't know, but she is horrible! Also, I didn't care for the rooms themselves. This was my only complaint - the hospital.

Dr. Simon is AWESOME!! From the first time I met him he made me feel that I was in good hands. He is very passionate about his work, and he makes sure you know what your getting into before you have the surgery. I am proud that I chose Dr. Simon, I think its one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I have not met with Dr. Simon yet because at the time we had our consult he was in surgery. Dr. Newhoff was the only doctor we met that day. I liked Dr. Newhoff but decided to go with Simon because Dr. Simon does Lap surgery if he can. I want an inscision(s) that heal in less time that one large scar from my breat bone to my belly button.........

Dr. Simon has a great repuation as a bariatric surgeon so I feel 100% at ease with my deciscion.
I met Dr. SImon the Friday before my surgery. I loved him! He's great and I and my hubby trusted him without hesitations. Again in the hospital he came to pre op to say hi to us and again we were reassured. I made a very good choice.
The office staff are very hard working and do everything to aide us in achieving our goal of WLS.
He is very precise in what he expects out of us after our WLS but is also very suppotive.

He does tell us about the risks of surgery but never to scare us.
Surgical competence anyday! But both are great!

I thought Dr. Simon was very direct and to the point when he was talking about the procedure. He was very pleasnt. My impression of my Doc has improved. He is very personable. I think a couple of the office staff could improve, but overall they are pretty good. I think Lori the insurance lady is wonderful. It took her no time to get approval for my surgery. The gals that take you back to be weighed are very nice. Marcia the counselor is very nice and encouraging. These are my favorites. Future patients should know not to be put off by a couple of the staff. They just could be under stress. After care is very emphasized. There are free classes available through his office to help with problems. Marcia the counselor will come and see you before you leave the hospital, and you are encouraged to call the office with any questions. I think
Dr Simon is great.

When I 1st met the Dr. I was unsure, but after meeting with a few other Dr.'s in the area, I liked him alot better. His office staff is awesome, everyone has been so nice! They make sure you know everything before you proceed, and they offer free follow up forever. I will have to check back in to let you know the other ?'s asked. So far I am very happy.

Dr. Simon is very nice. He makes sure that you understand all the advantages and disadvantages of the surgery. He even made sure that I knew what to expect. I will tell you though he will let you know that if you do not follow what he says to do, it is out of his hands. I really enjoyed talking to him. He never made me feel stupid.

What was my first impression of him?

My first impression of Dr. Simon was just as others on this site have stated. No nonsense, to the point, no sugar coating. I appreciated the fact that the risks were discussed as well as the benefits. I have heard of other surgeons (Dateline ~ gotta love the media!) who do not discuss the negative aspects.. only the positive. This isn't a used car.. it's the rest of my life.. let ME make the choice of whether or not the benefits outweigh (no pun!) the risks.

Did my impression change over time?

Aside from the initial consultation, I have not yet met with Dr. Simon.

How would I describe his office staff?

Busy! I have empathy for these people taking calls and inquiries all day from people like me! Once I learned that this was going to be a reality for me, I could think of nothing else.. although I was not one who called daily, I know that there are people who do. These people need a staff member who does nothing but takes calls giving a status! ;)

How much does he/she emphasize aftercare?

VERY much. It was stated during my initial consulatation that ALL aftercare is free. This tells me that that they are dedicated to a successful outcome. I was very impressed by this.

So far Dr. Simon and his partner have been wonderful and very informative. They have answered all questions, and didn't seem to be in a rush, like you would expect a busy surgeon to be. Getting anyone to pick up the phone after the initial receptionist is a little tough sometimes, but everyone in the office is a professional, and knows their stuff.

I just had m pre-op visit with Dr. Simon. My wife and I are having the surgery the same day, and his office has handled us as a group, arranging everything together. We had to bring our 10 year old with us to the pre-op due to last second babysitting issues, and she came in the room with us. Dr. Simon talked to her like a real human, asked her if she had any questions, and answered them honestly, in her language. I know she has fears about us, but now she seems much more at ease. I was really impressed with Dr. Simon for taking that time, and I'm grateful.

I'll have a lot more to add after surgery!!!!

After surgery, I still rate Dr. Simon rather high. He was dealing with my wife and I on the same day, knew we both worked in hospitals, and went out of his way to explain anything we knew was "not normal". I was concerned I wouldn't hear how my wife was, since I was first and would be up in a room before he finished her. He took the time to come to my room, explain her complications, and why they had to convert her to an open. He came in every day and looked at me. It seems strange, but I don't think he physically touched me, or listened to my belly in the hospital after the operation... Competence was excellent, compassion had a few low points but overall were excellent. Bedside manner was awesome. I hear the nurses are a little afraid of him, but never saw anyone getting reamed for anything, so I don't know why.