Northwestern Surgical Associates

Dr. Wilson H. Hartz III has the most extensive experience treating inguinal hernias at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dr. Mark T Toyama has the most extensive experience with laparoscopic hernia repair and Sports Hernias at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dr. Jeffrey S Fronza has expertise in abdominal wall reconstruction and mesh free, natural tissue inguinal hernia repair. All of the surgeons at Northwestern Surgical Associates are masters of hernia repair. Whether it is a straightforward inguinal hernia or a complex abdominal wall reconstruction, our surgeons have the expertise to best treat your disease. All patients with inguinal hernias and most patients with other abdominal wall hernias can be treated on an outpatient basis with quick resumption of normal activity. Our surgeons train others in the community in the latest techniques in hernia repair, and pride themselves on an uncommonly low rate of recurrence. In Dr. Hartz’s personal series of inguinal hernia repair, his recurrence rate is less than 0.5%. Dr. Fronza has perfected the mesh-free inguinal hernia repair utilizing the techniques of the Shouldice Clinic, which has set the gold standard natural tissue hernia repair for 70 years. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our surgeons to discuss the best approach to your hernia.

Dr. Jeffrey S. Fronza and Dr. Daniel Davila perform laparoscopic roux-en-y gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic duodenal switch, and revisional bariatric surgery. They believe weight-loss surgery must be tailored to the patient’s needs and desires with the surgeon’s thoughtful guidance. Patients interested in bariatric surgery are seen in consultation at NSA's office in the Arkes Family Pavilion at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. As a MBSAQIP accredited center of excellence, Northwestern Memorial Hospital has a proven track record of caring for the bariatric patient through the preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative process. Dr. Fronza has been recognized as a verified bariatric surgeon by the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery for his specialized skills and active practice in metabolic and bariatric surgery. MBSAQIP data consistently demonstrates that their patients achieve superior weight loss compared to patients cared for at other accredited centers and cared for by other surgeons. Dr. Fronza and Dr. Davila perform all their bariatric procedures at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. All patients are evaluated in a multidisciplinary fashion in partnership with the Center for Lifestyle Medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Prior to your consultation, you should determine if you are eligible for surgery and if your insurance covers bariatric surgery. You must have a body mass index of 40 or higher to be eligible for surgery. If you have a body mass index between 35 and 39 and you have at least one medical problem that is made worse by obesity, then you may be eligible. Verify that weight loss surgery is a "covered benefit" by your policy. Verify that Northwestern Memorial Hospital is a part of your coverage (please note: if your insurance does not cover surgery, a self-pay option may be available). Please contact the office to schedule an initial consultation to discuss the life-changing possibilities of weight-loss surgery.

Diseases of the gallbladder and appendix are common, and our surgeons at Northwestern Surgical Associates are often called upon to treat patients suffering from these conditions by the Emergency Department or a primary care physician’s office. Less common diseases such achalasia, paraesophageal hernia, and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease require an astute internist or gastroenterologist and a motivated patient in order for a surgeon to be called upon for evaluation. Fortunately NSA has surgeons are trained specifically to address these life-style limiting conditions of the gastrointestinal tract in a minimally-invasive manner. Please contact our office to set up a consultation to discuss a surgical treatment of these often undertreated diseases. LINX for Reflux Relief Northwestern Surgical Associates offers LINX for reflux relief. Dr. Jeffrey Fronza was one of the first surgeons in Illinois to perform this procedure, and has performed more of these procedures than anyone else in Illinois. Patients who are diagnosed with GERD by pH testing, and who are seeking an alternative to continuous acid suppression therapy may benefit from LINX. Learn more about LINX.

The abdominal solid organs provide a dramatic demonstration of the power of laparoscopy. Our surgeons are able to remove the spleen, adrenal gland, pancreas, and certain liver tumors with incisions much smaller than possible with traditional methods. Specifically. Dr. Fronza combines the diagnostic acumen and technical excellence necessary to treat complex tumors of the adrenal gland and the tail of the pancreas.