Alan Newhoff Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

Dr. Newhoff is very no nonsense and very used to dealing with people with weight problems. He does have empathy and gives you all the details you need to know. His office staff is great, but sometimes you have to wait for a while at post op appointments. I don't particularly like doctors at all, but he was a good surgeon and I trusted him. I had never had major surgury before and he and the staff at Good Sam were very reassuring. I have had no complications at all and am getting used to my new lifestyle.

My first impression of Dr. Newhoff...he is a very educated man who has found a way to improve a section of society's life and he believes fully in every word he utters. If my impression changes, I will update that. My surgery went great and Dr. Newhoff would be my first choice to reccommend to anyone for this surgery.

I was very impressed with Dr. Newhoff at the initial group meeting. He explained the procedure very well. I was going to get another opinion but I liked Dr. Newhoff and the fact that he operates at Good Sam so I decided to go with him. What I didn't like was having to wait for 5 weeks to get an apointment and the slowness of the California Weight for Life staff.

My first impresion was that he knewwhathe was talking about. Alsdo i got the impression that he enjoyed what he does and enjoys seeing the people change and come out of their shell thatsome are in.
His office is nice and comfortable.hehas an aftercare program. But it seems to specialize in the people that haven't hd surgery yet. They needto do more for the pople that have already had urgery. That s why a lot of the people tat I knw that have had surgery in the past quit attending.Dr. Newhoff fills yu in in all of the risks and answers all of the qustions that you may have.

Dr. Newhoff is very straightforward and brutally honest. I really like that about him, as it fits my style :-) I do not have any complaints about my experience. Dr Newhoff is a great surgeon who I have found to be attentive and humorous, when he knows you are serious about the program and are doing as he tells you (for the most part :-).

Dr. Newhoff really emphasizes aftercare and requires attendance before the surgery. I am glad he does because I ABSOLUTELY LOVE going to my group sessions and dearly cherish some of the friendships I have made through that group.

Overall, if you are serious about this surgery and the life you want to lead after surgery and you are not easily offended by abrupt, direct talk....Dr. Newhoff is the right choice for you. If you are looking to be "babied" and have your hand held, you may find your experience with Dr. Newhoff is not as good.

My first impression of Dr. Newhoff was largely a good one. I had a couple of doctors willing to perform surgery on me without even meeting me. I was a revision, and I had "drive through" surgery for my stomache stapling in '92. I was pleased he wanted to consult. I was also pleased that he mandated a group session to explain the procedure too.

Over time I did not get to know him well, I live quite a distance from his office.


The office staff is okay. He uses Weight for Life as the insurance getting company, there was some miscommunication with them, and it took me months to get a date, but part of that was my fault for not being more aggressive.

I liked best that Newhoff has had no fatalities, he does have skill as a surgeon.

Future patients should know he is sharp, he knows this business.

Aftercare is emphasized, but not required, so I could have him as my surgeon even if I can't attend aftercare.

He does have a program.

He forthrightly discussed the risks of surgery with my group.

I would rate him fairly high. I did not know enough prior to surgery to find out some things I think I should know, such as the exact name of my procedure, it seems to have been rny, but the receptionist told me it was just gastric bypass. I do not know how much was bypassed either.

While this was just one procedure for Dr. Newhoff, one of many, it was my only procedure. I found him to be a bit abrupt during hospital visits, and I was too drugged to make much contact. He is a really good surgeon, but I felt as though he held some contempt for me, but that may just be my impression at the time.

First Impression: That he "gets it"--he understands the real issues, he wants to help, he isn't judgemental or condescending, and he is careful and thorough.

He is also realistic/pragmatic--he helps you understand what it will be like to live with this change, he talks about the pitfalls (with family and with yourself), and he answers questions patiently. In addition, his record for cases with lack of complications is very impressive.

Dr. Newhoff emphasizes aftercare, and offers a wonderful support group two times/month, led by a therapist who also had the surgery several years ago. She was an excellent faciliator, so I could see that the group was/will be a worthwhile investment of time. He also encourages you to come for regular visits, as you progress, and will do brief follow-up appointments without charge over the course of the rest of your life, if you choose to follow the offer.

Update: Post-op. Dr. Newhoff was a terrific surgeon. The incision is healing well, I have experienced no complications or discomfort. He continues to be a kind, attentive, and effective physician; I have been very satisfied with my treatment.

Risks: He addresses them forthrightly, and goes over the procedure, variants, possible complications, and family/psychodynamic issues. He is thorough. But what sold me on him was his record--3,000+ cases, and very few complication events.

AFTER INTERVIEWING 19 DIFFERENT PHYSICIAN, I CHOSE DR. NEWHOFF. HE IS A VERY DIRECT, CANDID, AND NO-NONSENSE DOCTOR. WITH HIS HELP, I KNOW THAT I AM FINALLY GOING TO WIN THIS BATTLE OF OBESITY. THE MAN KNOWS HIS STUFF!!! HE IS VERY OPEN REGARDING HIS SURGICAL SUCCESSES AND FAILURES. THE NURSES AT THE HOSPTIAL HATE HIM BECAUSE HE IS SOOO TOUGH, BUT THEY ALSO STATE THAT HIS PATIENTS HAVE LESS POST OP COMPLICATIONS AND TEND TO DO BETTER THAN OTHERS.

He is very experienced, will know more after next visit

My first impression of Dr. Newhoff is that he is a very caring doctor. He understands how difficult it is to lose weight.

My impression has not changed except for the better.

His office staff seem to be very friendly and helpful. (Cute too.)

If you come with a slew of questions to ask him when you have your first consult, don't be surpised if he answers them all before you get to ask them! He is very thorough.

He emphasized aftercare a lot. In fact he recommends I join the after care support group. He also suggested I check it out before surgery so I can meet some of the people there and get support from them as well.

He explained the risks of surgery to me at the very beginning of the meeting.

At this point, my overall rating of him is high. I believe his surgical competence is very good. I have no regrets with going to Dr. Newhoff. He took very good care of me.