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

I originally was going to go with Newhoff but he only does open procedures and i wanted mine done lap, so I changed to his partner Simon. He is ok, dry sense of humor, straight to the point, and very professional. Doesn't like you to ask questions before he gets a chance to first explain things. In case he answers them for you. Michelle was great, the secretary, she answered all my questions.

My first impression of Dr. Simon was very good. He was straight forward about the risks, complications, etc.. but, he also had a good sense of humor.
The more I saw Dr. Simon, and talked with him, the more comfortable I felt about having surgey. He put me at ease.
The office staff was very friendly and happy to help. They were extremely busy, but they managed to make you feel welcome and comfortable.
As of right now, I can't say there's anything I don't like about Dr. Simon.
Future patients should know that he is very likeable, professional, straight forward anfd funny. If they have any doubts about having surgery, he'll help you make the right decision.
Dr. Simon spends a lot of time stressing the importance of aftercare. He makes it very known that the aftercare is the most important part of making the surgery work for you. He makes sure that you understand that.
He has a structured aftercare program and he strongly recommends that you participate in it.
Dr. Simon addresses all of the risks of surgery. He makes sure you understand how serious it is, and taht it's a very important and hard decision to make.
I rate Dr> Simon very well, on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give him a 9, only because I haven't had my surgery yet. Hopefully he'll be a perfect 10!
Surgical competence is more important than anything else. This is your life in his hands. Bedside manner is very important though, this is big thing, it's scarry. If his bedside manner is good, it makes you more comfortable with the whole thing. If you're comfortable, you're happy, if you're happy, it ends up being a good expeience. (As good as it can be!)

Dr. Simon is very confident and, of course, very knowledgable. You have a question? He has a very specific answer. The staff at his office is very busy. That tells me I must be going to the right surgeon....more to come after surgery.

(8/2/03) To get started, I printed off the list of doctors in Arizona who performed the procedure. I went to United Healthcare's website, and typed in each of the doctor's names to find out if they were on my plan. From there, I researched each of the approved doctors. The first doctor I selected had a website was somewhat egotistical with information about his book and the required $1200 "plan" every patient must pay out of pocket, but I filled out and submitted his very detailed web contact form anyway. No one called for 3 weeks, so finally I called them, and the staff was extremely rude...that doctor was a big "NO" for me. So, I contacted Dr. Newhoff's staff and made a seminar appointment for 6/10/03. The seminar was conducted by Dr. Simon...it was a small group seminar in their waiting room, which was actually really nice. His education and experience impressed me, and his no-nonsense approach was exactly what I was looking for. He doesn't sugar-coat anything, and really tells you what you can expect. I decided to go with Dr. Simon and the Lap procedure, since Dr. Newhoff currently only performs the Open procedure. At that time, Dr. Simon was not an authorized surgeon for United Healthcare since he was new to Phoenix. I was called by a coordinator at Good Sam last week to tell me that his approval would be finalized on 8/5/03. But, yesterday (8/1/03) when I got home, my approval letter was in the mail (actually dated 7/23/03). I guess I'll find out where to go from here on Monday.


(8/6/03) I called the office on Monday to find out what I need to do now that I am approved, and was told I would get a call back from the scheduler. Well, no one has called yet, BUT yesterday I received my pre-op surgery packet in the mail from the hospital. The packet included my surgery date of Tuesday, 9/2/03 (the day after Labor Day). At this point I'm wondering if anyone is going to call me, if I meet with the surgeon one-on-one first, or if I need labwork, etc.


(8/7/03) After still not hearing from anyone, I called Dr. Simon's office again. I spoke with Adrianna and worked everything out. Apparently, there was just a communication glitch in the office. All of my appointments have been made, and my surgery will take place at 10am on 9/2/03.


(8/28/03) I finally met one on one with Dr. Simon today for my History and Physical. It wasn't really much of anything, except reviewing my chart, listening to me breath, and feeling my stomach. He was very nice and answered all of my questions. He didn't offer any other information really, and didn't talk to me too much about anything else. I guess that's how doctors are. I like him, and I feel confident in his abilities...in the end, that's all that really matters.


(10/11/03) Dr. Simon has continued to be thorough and supportive throughout my surgery and recovery. ASK QUESTIONS...I did research for 2 years on this surgery, and I still had no idea what I was in for...talk to people who have had the surgery.

This is on Newhoff:My first impression was that he seemed very knowledgeable and experienced. He was funny and to the point. His office staff seemed very nice. The Bariatric Center at Good Sam said they never received my paperwork (I've heard that happens a lot)which was disappointing and I lost several weeks due to that, but Newhoff's office said they'll work with me since I'm on a time constraint. Dr. Newhoff was good at pointing out risks and how they can be avoided by following his directions for post-care. He's been doing this since 1977 so he seems to have the surgical competence. :) UPDATE 9/5/03-switching to Dr Simon. Will update after I meet him more

When I went in for my initial consult I saw Dr. Alan Newhoff because Dr. Simon was not on my insurance for another 3 weeks. Dr. Simon did poke his head in to say hello and seemed like a nice enough guy. The information given was very informative even though I already most of it after researching for over a year. It was nice to get the how's and why's though. Dr. Newhoff is very blunt and to the point, but at the same time he's comical and jokes around. He will tell you exactly what you think and doesn't sugar coat anything. And if you are a smoker or just quit he will give you heck for that.

Both doctors seem very concerned about their patients and want to develop a relationship with you permanently. He says that is one reasons why they don't charge for your post-op visits. He doesn't want any of his patients to not get post-op care because they can't afford it.

The office staff is very busy and I did have a problem twice because I slipped through the cracks (that has never happened before at this weight!) The seem very nice but you will have a hard time getting through every now and again.

So far I am very happy with both doctors and the staff. I have to add that the girls at the Good Samaritan Bariatric Center are wonderful. They are so nice and never make you feel like you're wasting their time. They seem to be twice as busy as the doctor's office, but they will always get back to you. They're great!

My husband and I were both real impressed with the presentation that Dr. Simon gave at the group consult meeting. I decided not to post comments until after my face-to-face meeting with him. I now have had my pre-op appointment with him and I feel great about having him as my surgeon. He is very helpful in answering any of my questions or concerns and he seems to be very compassionate as well. My surgery is now four days away and I feel confident that I am in good hands.

I'm post-op 5 months now and I thought I should come back and say what a great job I thought Dr. Simon did! I had had lap gall bladder surgery two years ago and was miserable from the gas pain. I didn't experience any of that with the lap RNY and I've communicated with other Dr. Simon patients who have said the same thing. It appears that he takes special care to get a lot of that awful gas stuff out before sewing up and the difference in recovery is amazing. I'd recommend Dr. Simon to anyone considering this surgery.

Very nice guy,
I only met him once so far.
Office staff. They are the best, very helpful, go the extra mile
Least like?, have seen him much to judge
The risks were addressed.
competence and bed side manner are both important.

My initial group consult was with Dr. Simon. He was very professional and very informative. I have had no problems whatsoever with Dr. Newhoff's and Dr. Simons office staff. They have all been exceptionally helpful and cheerful each and every time I have called. During the group consult the term "tool" was stressed quite often since many people romanticize the procedure and imagine it to be a magical cure for all of our problems. Long term follow up care was also stressed and is free of charge, since longterm studies are limited there is a need to have patients return for documentation and progress reports. Overall, I have viewed my experiences with Dr. Newhoff's & Dr. Simons office as a positive one that continues to get better and better. To me however surgical competence is of the utmost importance.
** Updated 6/17 **
I just want to take a moment to say that Dr. Steven Simon is without a doubt an amazing surgeon! My surgery went so smoothly and my recovery time was almost nill, I returned to work 2 weeks after surgery. I am still doing wonderfully at 2.5 months post-op and cannot express my joy in having Dr. Simon as my surgeon. He has been attentive and informative and never have I felt as if he didnt have time for me. Again, thank you Dr. Simon for being so wonderful, I would highly recommend him to anyone considering Lap RNY.

My husband, John, and I went to the first seminar in Phx for Dr. Alan Newhoff but he was unable to attend so we were consulted by Dr. Steven Simon. I am very sure that Dr. Newhoff was and is a fantastic surgeon but when we talked to Dr. Simon we just felt completely at peace with him. He was a very handsome man and he showed care and expertise in the surgery. He spoke confidently on the fact that we had to do the hard part of this surgery and make the tool work for us. He could only supply the tool. Dr. Simon is a wonderful and able surgeon. He has been a true Godsend to me and John and everyone that I have met that has used him. Just remember that whoever your surgeon is, he is just the tool supplier. If the surgery went well and you had no side effects from that then it is entirely up to each of us to properly use the tools ... we can still mess it all up and cause us pain and difficulties ... that would be our fault and not the surgeon's. I (Annie) had some complications .. but that was caused by my body and it's faults. Dr. Simon did a great job on my WLS and I had no leaks or any kind of set back from that. And as far as the other problems I did have .. all is well and I am on the high road to a great new future! God bless you Dr. Simon.