Colon and Rectal Surgeon

Aisha Akhtar MD, FCPS

Colon and Rectal Surgeon, Proctologist And General Surgeon

Dr. Aisha Akhtar is a Board-Certified Colon And Rectal Surgeon and General Surgeon with a fellowship training in Surgical Oncology. Her passion for medicine inspired her to receive a medical degree from the Army Medical College in Pakistan and practiced as board certified general surgeon in her home country until she moved to the United States.

At the age of 29, Dr. Akhtar moved to Houston where she completed a surgical oncology fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She received her general surgery training from Saint Agnes Hospital and colon and rectal surgery fellowship from Greater Baltimore Medical Center.

Currently, Dr. Akhtar is a Diplomate of The American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS) and American Board of Surgery.

About Aisha Akhtar

Treats simple to complex colon and rectal conditions with
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Open Surgery
Transanal surgery
Colonoscopy

Robotic da Vinci Assisted Surgery

Treats benign to cancerous conditions with
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery to minimize pain and faster recovery

Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery

Treats abdominal conditions with
Laparoscopic Surgery
Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery
Hand Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery

Proctologist

Treats anorectal conditions and pelvic floor dysfunction with
Anoscopy to Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Anal Manometry
Screening of LGBTQ+ population high risk for anal cancer

Colonoscopy

Treats colon polyps and rectal bleeding with
Screening Colonoscopy
Diagnostic Colonoscopy
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

Ambulatory and Office Anorectal Surgery

Treats hemorrhoids, pelvic floor dysfunction with
Rubber band ligation
Infra-red coagulation
Excision of thrombosed external hemorrhoid
Excision of Anal skin tag

Certifications and Affiliations

american board of colon and rectal surgery

Conditions & Treatments

Our Colon and Rectal Surgery Team is dedicated to delivering effective screenings and treatments. Our highly trained team utilizes the latest and most advanced methods for colon cancer screenings, ensuring the best care for our patients.

Colon Cancer

Third most common cancer

Rectal Cancer

Third most common cancer

Diverticular

What Is Diverticular Disease? Diverticular disease is the general name given to the disease that creates small sacs or pouches from the wall of the colon and the complications that can arise from the presence of those sacs. There are many terms related to diverticular disease that can be confusing and deserve to be defined. The individual sacs or pouches are called a diverticulum. Multiple sacs or pouches (the plural form of the worddiverticulum) are called diverticula.

Anal Fissure

Discover causes, symptoms, and treatments for anal fissures. Learn about non-surgical and surgical options. Consult Dr. Aisha Akhtar, MD, Colorectal Surgeon.

Hemorrhoids

Every Americans suffer with hemorrhoid problem at least once in life time. Hemorrhoids can be painful, cause frequent bleeding and local hygiene issues. Fortunately, Colon and Rectal Care Center of Phoenix provides state-of-the-art hemorrhoid treatment services to patients from throughout Valley at their comfortable and modern offices in Glendale and North Phoenix. What Are Hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids are enlarged “varicose veins of the anus and rectum,” These enlarged, bulging blood vessels are present in and around the anus and lower rectum.

Anal Abscess And Anal Fistula

What is Anal abscess and Anal Fistula? An anal abscess is an infected cavity filled with pus near the anus or rectum. An anal fistula is a small tunnel connected outside skin opening to inside anus opening leading to intermittent discharge outside anus skin. 50% of anal abscesses end up into fistula. What are the Causes of Anal Abscess and Anal Fistula? Small glands just inside the anus are part of normal anatomy.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

What Is Colorectal Cancer Screening? A screening test is used to look for a disease when a person doesn’t have symptoms (When a person has symptoms, diagnostic tests are used to find out the cause of the symptoms.) Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.

Rectal Prolapse

What is Rectal Prolapse? Rectal Prolapse Rectal prolapse is a condition in which the rectum (the last part of the large intestine) loses the normal attachments that keep it fixed inside the body, allowing it to slide out through the anal opening, turning it “inside out.” Who is Affected? Rectal prolapse affects mostly adults, but women ages 50 and older have six times the risk as men. It can be embarrassing and often has a negative effect on a patient’s quality of life.

Constipation

Constipation is a very common complaint affecting upwards of 15% of all Americans. What Is Normal Bowel Function? After eating, food is transported through the small intestine, where it is broken down and the nutrients are absorbed. The remaining liquid waste then passes into the colon. The colon removes water and certain electrolytes, turning the liquid waste into a more solid form. It then passes into the rectum, where it is stored until it is time to have a bowel movement.

Fecal Incontinence

What Is Fecal Incontinence? Fecal, or bowel, incontinence is the inability to regulate bowel movements. It can be common among the elderly. Accidental bowel leakage is typically not an indication of something serious. However, it can affect daily life and a person’s self-confidence. Effective treatments used at the office can include: medication surgery minimally-invasive procedures What Causes Bowel Incontinence? The most frequent cause of bowel incontinence is an injury to the muscles surrounding the anus.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

What is inflammatory bowel disease? Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two major inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract—from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis occurs in the large intestine or rectum. It’s usually diagnosed in teens and young adults. Three million US adults report having a diagnosis of IBD. Common symptoms include frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloody stools, fever, weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats.

Rectal Bleeding

What is Rectal Bleeding?

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Accepted Insurance Plans

Arizona Advanced Surgery is in network with most major health care insurance plans. Below is a list of the plans we are currently contracted with:

Commercial Plans

Aetna - Standard, OA, Hlth Fund, Banner & Aetna plans, Premier plans & more
Aither Health - Spooner PT Employee's Hlth Pln
Banner/Aetna - Premier Care, Open Access, HMO/PPO/EPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield - all HMO / PPO / EPO plans, Alliance
Cigna - IPA, Preferred Partner, Local Plus, OA plans, ChoiceFund, & more
Cigna Administered by Oscar - for small group employer plans
First Health (Aetna) - is a PPO network for TPAs
GEHA (Aetna) - Elevate, HDHP, Standard, High Options
Humana - ChoiceCare, POS, Premier, Preferred, OA & more. Some on Oscar+Humana and PhoenixHMOx
Intel Connected Care
Medica (ACN) - Choice, Elect, Essentia, Options, Elect & more
Oscar - is the administrator for a couple small group Cigna plans
PNOA (Provider Ntwk of America) - a PPO ntwk for self-funded employers & TPAs (eff 1/2023)
Tricare - Prime, Select, Standard
TriWest VA CCN / Tricare West HNFS
UMR - 'Tier' varies based on the employer plan
United Healthcare - Choice, Charter, Core, DoctorsPlan, Freedom, Heritage, Navigate, Nexus, Options, Select, MedicaChoice, PassportConnect
Worker's Comp

AHCCCS Plans

American Indian Health Plan-AIHP
AZ Complete Health
Banner University Hlth Plans - Banner Univ Family Care and LTC
Care1st
Health Choice - Health Choice Arizona
Mercy Care - Complete, DD/ALTCS, LTC, DCS CHP
Mercy Care RBHA
United Healthcare - Complete Care, LTC, DD

Market Place / Exchange Plans

Ambetter (AZ Complete Hlth) - Ambetter & Ambetter Select
Banner/Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield Maricopa Focus - Advance, Portfolio, Standarized, Everyday, TrueHealth, PPO
Cigna - Care Connect
Medica (ACN) - Pinnacle
Oscar (ICP) - Classic, Elite, Simple (only ICP network providers are on - Castillo, Cortesi, Damore, Eubanks, Forstner, Kumar, Makarawo, Masur, Raghavan, Singh, Testa)
UHC - Essential, Value, Standard, Advantage

Medicare Plans

Alignment Medicare Advantage (ACN and/or AzPC)
Aetna - Eagle, Elite, Freedom, Platinum, Premier, Prime & Group Retiree
Banner - Advantage Plus, Prime, Dual
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Classic/Plus, BluePathway, BlueJourney & Medicare Supplement plans
Cigna - Achieve, Alliance, Preferred, Savings, True Choice
Devoted Health (EHN) - Liberty, Choice, Core, Select, Bewell
Health Choice - Pathway (a Dual plan)
Humana - GoldChoice, HMO, PPO, EmployerPPOPlus
Medicare
Mercy Care Advantage (a Dual plan)
Railroad Medicare
United Healthcare - AARP Med Adv plans HMO, Walgreens & Patriot / Dual plans Complete LP & ONE / Group plans / NHP plan.
Wellcare by Allwell (AZ Complete Hlth) - Assist, Giveback, No Premium plans, Patriot Giveback, Dual Liberty

Reviews & Testimonials

Contact

Please don't hesitate to call us at 602-932-5660 or reach out via our online form, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for educational resources.

MY COLON DOCTOR

Welcome to Dr. Aisha Akhtar, The Colon and Rectal Surgeon, Proctologist And General Surgeon