Locations
Office
Phoenix, AZ
My office hours
Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Show morePhone
Insurances accepted
Aetna
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Arizona
CHAMPUS
CIGNA Health Care
Health Net of Arizona
LifeWise Health Plan of Arizona
Medicare
SCAN Health Plan
Tricare
United HealthCare Insurance Company
Para Surgical Specialists, PLLC
Phoenix, AZ
About
Bio
I am a board-certified general surgeon, practicing the full spectrum of surgical disease, including cancer of the breast and colon, all abdominal surgeries, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, as well as upper and lower endoscopy (EGD and Colonoscopy). Surgery for GERD (TIF procedure) is a specialty.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
General Surgery
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Phlebology
Surgical Oncology
Trauma Surgery
Licenses
United States: Arizona, California, Illinois, Kansas
Languages spoken
English, German, Italian
Doctor Q&A
168 Answers
56 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Depends : Most pathologists can return results in 48-96 hours for most breast lesions.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Yes they can.: One of the more common symptoms of venous insufficiency and varicose veins is itching legs. Some also describe a heaviness of the legs and even restl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
A natural astringent: Witch hazel is a very effective natural astringent (substance that tends to shrink tissues when applied topically) to treat symptoms of external hemor... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Sometimes: An incisional hernia is a defect in the abdominal wall at the site of a previous surgical incision. They are usually straightforward to diagnose by p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
General Surgeon: Umbilical herniorraphy is a common procedure performed by general surgeons.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Abscess?: If your appendectomy was recent (past 2 weeks), you may have developed an abdominal abscess, or collection of pus, in your abdomen. Get a physical ex... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
No, but banding is.: Appropriately sized internal hemorrhoids can be treated by rubber band ligation, often in the office without anesthesia. This is a tried and true tre... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Access instruments: Laparoscopic hernia repair can be technically demanding, requiring multiple small incisions for the various ports to be placed, allowing instrument ac... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Gallbladder removal: If you have had any discomfort, bloating or abdominal pains, and have documented gallstones, the most prudent treatment is removal of the gallbladder... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 54-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Get a physical!: Pain in abdomen and lower back can be signs of a serious medical issue. See your primary care doctor promptly for a detailed history and physical exa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
See your doctor: An acute hemorrhoidal crisis with pain/bleeding should be managed by a general surgeon promptly. Sometimes, these can be managed in the office, witho... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Yes: Often, gallstones don't give specific "symptoms". Many people may experience bloating, dyspepsia, nausea, "heartburn", or other non-specific abdomina... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Hemorrhoid or polyp?: "bumps" when having a bowel movement commonly are internal hemorrhoids that prolapse when straining. Sometimes a rectal polyp can prolapse as well, o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Cyst or lipoma: If this lump is just under the skin, and changes in size, it is likely an inclusion cyst, a benign growth related to the skin elements. Sometimes a f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Yes: Smoking cigarettes is never recommended, but especially when one is trying to heal a wound or acute infection. By constricting blood vessels, slower h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Depends on symptoms: The anatomical disorder of hiatus hernia is not as important as your clinical status. If you have uncontrolled acid reflux, frequent heartburn, upper... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old male asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Probably: Avoidance of straining at your bowel movements, avoiding hard stools and constipation, occasional sitz baths with epson salts and perhaps occasional s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Depends : Screening colonoscopy may not require any biopsy, but when the procedure is done to establish a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, or i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
No big deal.: I've had one myself, of course. I also perform a number of them every week, under sedation like propofol, with no discomfort for the patient. This i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 74-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Varies: Treatment for peritonitis after appendectomy for perforated appendicitis is therapeutic. Choice of antibiotic is based on expected bacteria present, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
See a doctor: If this is acute abdominal/pelvic pain, see your doctor promptly for history and physical examination! acute appendicitis, ruptured ovarian cyst, tub... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Yes: A complete screening colonoscopy with multiple biopsies is required to accurately diagnose crohn's disease, and assess the current status of this chro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Physical exam: See a doctor promptly for physical exam. Depending on those findings, your age, and history, other studies may be necessary, such as colonoscopy to b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
See your doctor: Increased gas and bloating are symptoms of malabsorption, generally. This can be multifactorial, i.e. Related to diet, stomach, gallbladder or pancre... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Follow up: After laparoscopic surgery, most patients can resume normal activities relatively quickly. Consult your surgeon in this regard. "water boils" near i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Malabsorption?: Abdominal pain and bloating after eating certain foods can have many causes, but overall is a sign of excess gas, which may be related to malabsorptio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Clear liquids : Depending on the type of bowel prep and physician preference, usually a light breakfast followed by clear liquids only the day before the procedure is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Yes: Most people can feel a "lump" at their biopsy site, usually due to post-biopsy swelling, or a small hematoma (bleeding) in the breast. This is normal... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Well tolerated: Usually, a small umbilical hernia may be repaired with mesh through a small incision under the umbilicus as an outpatient procedure. You will be sore... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Yes: Bleeding during/after inguinal hernia surgery is not uncommon. The blood will seek dependent areas i.e. Penis/scrotum especially as you are more ambu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Not recommended: Arnica montana is sometimes grown in herb gardens and has long been used medicinally. It contains the toxin helenalin, which can be poisonous if large... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
No absolutes: These diagnoses can aggravate nausea through reflux and malabsorption, but there is no absolute dietary restrictions. Alcohol use and smoking most ce... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old male asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Prevention: The best treatment of hemorrhoidal inflammation is prevention. Keep your stools soft with fiber therapy by mouth, stool softeners as needed, and plen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Depends: If you had a laparoscopic surgery for your appendectomy and your appendix was not ruptured with abscess, you will recover quickly (5-8 days). Larger ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Many options: You need an exam from your primary care doctor or a general surgeon. Many internal hemorrhoids can be banded painlessly in the office setting. Somet... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Depends: Trauma to a post-surgical pilonidal site can have various consequences depending on the type of surgery performed. If the wound was sutured closed, i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Yes: External and internal hemorrhoids are aggravated by straining and poor bowel habits. As long as you keep your stools soft and avoid prolonged straini... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Sure.: While withdrawing the colonoscope from the cecum (first part of colon) to the rectum, the endoscopist will generally try to suction as much air as pos... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Doesn't happen: A gallbladder does not "burst". It can cause pain when it is obstructed by a stone or other reason. The pain during an obstructive episode is descri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Swelling: Abdominal wall hernias can occur primarily or through a previous incision. Local symptoms include swelling at the site particularly with standing or ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Large area: Usually nipples to upper thighs is prepped for most laparoscopic cholecystectomies.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Varies: Usually a narcotic pain pill such as Percocet or vicoden is prescribed after inguinal hernia repair. I like to add Ibuprofen as well, it seems to dec... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Yes: Initially, you will have brown stool-colored results after colonoscopy prep. Eventually the goal is clear return or clear-ish with occasional flecks ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Routine followup: Surveillance interval colonoscopy for screening depends upon your personal history of polyps or symptoms, or family history of colon cancer or polyps.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
972 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Yes to both.: Hemorrhoids are a part of normal anorectal anatomy. When they swell, protrude, itch and burn, conservative care is most frequently curative. Sitz ba... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
768 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
See a doctor.: You need to be seen and examined by a physician. Urgent care facilities can be convienant to avoid hospital ER's. Your condition could be serious en... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
580 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Liver tear: A liver laceration is a rent in the hepatic substance itself usually secondary to trauma (blunt or penetrating).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
972 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 52-year-old male asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Could be.: Dull pain in the groin (inguinal) region is sometimes associated with an uncomplicated inguinal hernia. Things that would aggravate a hernia or make ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
972 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Yes: Inguinal hernia repair does not affect erections or ejaculation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Daniel Paraanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Absolutely: Exercise is always encouraged and should not have any effect on your upcoming scan or endoscopies.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
6
Recommendations
368
Thank you notes
Sep 27, 2012
I have known Dr. Para since he was a resident physician. He is an outstanding physician, and would be a good addition to any health care team
May 28, 2013
Very high quality responses.
HealthTap member
Aug 18, 2012
Dr. Para is an excellent surgeon who speaks to his patients clearly and understandably. I highly recommend this compassionate and caring physician.
HealthTap member
Thank you Dr Para! I hope for once in my life i get lucky and i am within that 5%. Everything i am getting lately seems to be chronic haha. I am getting old. Thanks again and hope you have a great wee...Read More
HealthTap member
Thank you for the quick response. I am seeing a GI surgeoun and have an appt to discuss surgery to remove them and fix the tear but I need to know if this is causing my severe tenesmus please.
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Thank u. I'm going back to my doctor in a couple of weeks and see if what he thinks. Sounds like a good idea about the upper gi series.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Illinois College of Medicine, IL
Graduated 1991MD
Medical/Graduate school
Stanford University
Graduated 1986MD
Residency
LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL
Residency
Phoenix Integrated Surgical Residency
Awards
Top General Surgeon , Third Place, Arizona - Winter
2013
Top General Surgeon , Third Place, Arizona - Summer
2013
Top General Surgeon, Third Place, Arizona - Spring
2017
Affiliations
American College of Surgeons
Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
American Society of General Surgeons
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