Has anybody gone through the procedure with him? How long did the process take you? I'm self-pay, btw.

I was banded in 2006 with Dr. Simpson in Phoenix. Im a self paying patient. My procedure cost 16500 plus office/doc fees of about 1150. I also had to get a psychological analysis with another doctor; my insurance paid that after my co pay of 15.00. I went through blood tests and paid about 37,00 and was on my way. Dr. Simpson requires pre op and post op meetings. I have to admit, I dont think I got the best support from Dr. Simpson's as many have said they have from other doctors.

The day of my surgery was pretty much just that. "Her surgery". I was banded, he woke me up, and said "Good Job, you're fine" and I never saw him again until my post op appt. in which he just smiled and said, "good progress. You think you need a fill?"

A great thing about him is he's got a great sense of humor, a wonderful staff, a great forum, good follow up group sessions, and responds quickly and extensively to emails.

Would i recommend him? No. Look around and research.

great thing about him is he's got a great sense of humor, a wonderful staff, a great forum, good follow up group sessions, and responds quickly and extensively to emails. quote]

That would seem like a good enough reason for me to recommend him and I agree on all counts.

Dr Simpson is a good doctor to go to given the reasons I have; however, to recommend him, I wouldn't; I didnt recommend him because his personal practice with follow ups, the post operation, and the overall experience I had with him is not as many people have reported about their doctors on here. I have since found a new post op Doctor and am very pleased with her; she has taught me the differences between the bands used, the operation itself, and the importance of post op self care and doctor's care. I've just personally found the experiences here to be more extensive and more personal than I received at Dr. Simpson's. Having said all of this, I was only giving my experiences with Dr. Simpson; I hadnt realized you had already been banded when I responded. Im sure your experiences were much better and I do hope you continue to get great service. I wish you well.

My brother was banded by Dr. Simpson and is currently in the hospital in Scottsdale with complications after a year of satisfactory weight loss. I'd say his experience with Dr. Simpson was similar--surgery went fine but follow up and support was non-existent. Please email me with the Dr. that you found (Tenley) that you found great care from (if she is in AZ as well). My brother is really in need of a good network of support and new doctor for follow-ups (assuming they decide he can keep his band after his surgery consult tomorrow).

I am considering the surgery and I have looked at Dr. Simpson's practice, now I probably won't go that direction. I would be interested in the Dr. you found in Phoenix as well, I will be watching for it here. Thanks

Well, I'll tell you. I would absolutely recommend him as long as you don't mind a mildly egotistical surgeon who thinks he owns pre-med students...lol. I had no trace of even ONE complication.

I have not had the pleasure of meeting Dr Simpson personally. I found out about him through a friend that was just banded about a month ago. 10/09. He and I were talking and he was telling me about this doctor. I have to say that afternoon I was standing in his office setting up an appointment with Greg. I found out he did not take my insurance so I decided to look around. The Weight Loss Institute of AZ, just signed a contract with Banner Health care (Where I work) and they are going to be doing surgeries at one of the hospitals close to me. I went to Dr DeBarros's free seminar. I am in the pre-op testing phase at this point but have a tentative surgery date of 12/17/09, So far other than making me wait a little while in his office on my first visit. I don't have any complaints. He and his office staff answered all my questions and have been good about setting up appointments with me. I will let you know if anything changes. Although I have access to insurance I will be self pay due to insurance requirments that I don't want to wait for.

For those looking for a great surgeon in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, I highly recommend Dr. Robin Blackstone. She heads up Scottsdale Bariatric Center at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea hospital. Based on my research here, I found her to be the most experienced and highly regarded bariatric surgeon in this area (maybe the country). Her practice was the first Center of Excellence in Arizona. She does lapband, realize band, the sleeve, and RNY. She also operates on the super obese and difficult cases. Now, because she is in such high demand, you will find that you may wait longer in the waiting room and for return phone calls. But, the whole operation is top notch. Everyone from the nutritionist to the psychologist to the pre-op coordinators are all really on the ball. If you are in the area, go to one of her seminars. Even if you don't choose her, its a great education.