Dr. Gary Knighton, D.O.?

Dr. Gary Knighton, D.O.

Family Practitioner | Obesity Medicine

4/5(38)

2152 S Vineyard Suite 135 Mesa AZ, 85210 Show map

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4/5

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About

Gary A. Knighton, DO, is a bariatrician who diagnoses and treats patients at Arizona Medical Weight Loss in Mesa, Arizona. He founded Arizona Medical Weight Loss in 1998. Dr. Knighton is recognized Arizona’s #1 Physician for Weight-Loss Management. As a bariatrician, he specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of obesity. Dr. Knighton’s impressive professional journey spans twenty-eight years and has expanse knowledge and unrivaled expertise in bariatric medicine.

Education and Training

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine 1995

Provider Details

Male English, Spanish

Dr. Gary Knighton, D.O.

Dr. Gary Knighton, D.O.'s Expert Contributions

My Answers

What are the treatment methods for obesity?
I suppose a lot depends on how old your daughter is. We are seeing such a dramatic rise in obesity in children between the ages of 9-18. The tough thing is girls develop 20% of their total body fat cells in the ages of puberty. We live in a world of processed foods, fast food, inflammatory wheat, and lots of sugar. I grew up incredibly poor and sometimes all we had was bread, butter and sugar and you can guess what kind of sandwiches we had. There are some amazing advances in medicine. I like tirzepatide as a dual receptor medication and the medications from over 60 years ago. There hasn't been much that has come out between 1959 and 2022. All of that said, we now have much better options. No one wakes up and says, "hey, I want to be obese." I wake up each day saying "who can I help not be obese today." I recommend that you see a doctor who is trained to treat obesity; most doctors just don't know how and there are still doctors who think it is a choice. Go to: https://obesitymedicine.org/about/find-a-provider/ There you can find a doctor in your area that will help your daughter. I wish you and your daughter all the success in the world so that she finds her best self and lives that best self throughout her life because that is exactly what she deserves! READ MORE
How to cope with obesity?
You know, that is a very difficult question. I hope you don't mind, but I want to rephrase your question. How to I cope while curing my obesity? I want everyone to not feel they are locked into obesity and then try and find a way to cope with it because it is impossible to cope knowing you are stuck. I battle with obesity, I have been to enough family reunions to know what my genetics are, so I have to look at it the exact same way. There are treatments for obesity that are really promising. We have medications that have been around for 60 years and the new tirzepatide is a game changer as well. Since I am not your physician, I can't give you a specific treatment, but there are some that are working wonders for me and my patients. I would highly recommend that you find a bariatric doctor in your area: https://obesitymedicine.org/about/find-a-provider/ Working closely with a doctor who knows how to treat obesity will get you on a path, and it does take some work, to a healthier, happier you. Once you are down, don't think the body magically changes, there is a significant probability that you will need to be on something long term to maintain, but so worth it. READ MORE
Can obesity be reversed?
It can if you treat it as a disease and not a condition, because it is a disease that we have to use all of the tools to put it into remission. I suggest working closely with a doctor who specializes in treating those of us with obesity. You can find a doctor near you on: https://obesitymedicine.org/about/find-a-provider/ I wish you all of the success because that is exactly what you deserve! READ MORE
Can obesity be prevented?
Yes, if you address it as a genetic disease. There is only about a 5% success rate in just changing eating and exercise habits who can lose and stay down. I recommend working closely with a doctor who specifically treats obesity to help. I suggest going to: https://obesitymedicine.org/about/find-a-provider/ and find a doctor near you to help. I wish you all of the success because it runs in my family, too. READ MORE
Can obesity be treated?
It sure can. The best way to treat it is to see a doctor who treats specifically obese patients. You can find one near you on the following link: https://obesitymedicine.org/about/find-a-provider/ There are some great advances in the treatment of obesity; specifically, with Zepbound (tirzepatide) which was just approved by the FDA last month. I believe this medication will be a game changer in the ability to treat and be able to keep the obesity in remission. Obesity is a disease, and the medical world is finally catching on. I wish you all of the success in your journey because success is exactly what you deserve! READ MORE
Are there any medications to treat obesity?
Yes there are. You will need to work with a doctor who specifically treats obesity. You can find one here: https://obesitymedicine.org/about/find-a-provider/ Once you do, you can work with them in finding the treatment that works best for you. I have had very good success with my patients taking diethylpropion and phentermine. However, I am very excited about Zepbound (Tirzepatide) as I believe this medication to be a game changer as a dual receptor medication rather than the single receptor (semaglutide). I wasn't too impressed with semaglutide, but I am sure there are individuals who did well. I wish you success because that is exactly what you deserve. READ MORE
Is obesity genetic?
Yes, obesity is very much genetic. Thousands of years of a blueprint of survival is passed on. Those of us that gain and hold onto weight are the ones who survived a thousand years ago and our skinny friends wouldn't survive. However, today where we can go to the store and acquire food takes away the threat of famine, but our body is still programmed to store for survival. All of that said, we can help the body override that programming and lost the percent body fat and feel good. I battle obesity and I get it. I suggest going to the link: https://obesitymedicine.org/about/find-a-provider/ Once there, find a doctor who specializes in treating obesity, because it is a genetic disease, and get the life you want. I wish you all the success. READ MORE
What helps with obesity?
The best way to help obesity it to find a physician to help. Obesity is a disease; it isn't a choice even if we have some bad habits. We all know it is easy to do the right thing when we see results, when we feel good and when we feel good about ourselves. I suggest that you go to the following link and find a doctor who treats obesity to help you: https://obesitymedicine.org/about/find-a-provider/ I wish you all of the success in the world. I battle it, too! READ MORE
How can I help my obese daughter mentally?
The best way to help mentally is having success. We all know success is the greatest motivator and turns our situation into a glass half full and not half empty. I battle with weight, my genetics are not good, and even though I work with patients every day to help them lose weight, I know we are only as good as our success; me included. We can't force our mind to change how it feels if we don't believe it. I suggest working with a doctor who knows how to treat obesity. You can go to this website and locate an obesity specialist in your area: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ Once your daughter has the hurdles eliminated that are preventing her from having success, she will then experience the success of making progress and recognizing a whole new person. When she feels good physically and feels good about herself; that is when you have really helped her. I counsel people all of the time, don't accept yourself unless it is your best self. If we are not our best self, the best thing a parent can teach their child is to have the tools to have self-belief and self-confidence. Both comes from self. My parents did that for me. We were very poor and nothing came easy. My mom and taught me hard work, there is no shortcut but everything goes smoother if you use the right tools. In this case, you can do the same for your daughter. I wish you and your daughter the best as you accomplish your goals. READ MORE
What treatments are effective for obesity?
There are not many treatments that can effectively help someone lose weight and keep it off. There are some "newer" options called GLP-1 agonists (i.e. Ozempic, also known as semaglutide). This has become very popular, but I don't believe we are where we need to be with this "recipe." There are a lot of side effects and studies have shown us that some might be permanent. We also are guided to only use the name brand of this drug class and that is over $1,000 a month. I am still in support of the medications that came out over 60 years ago (diethylpropion, for example), and that particular class has had many years to show it's benefit and very limited side effects. There are doctors who specialize in treating with this class of medications, and you can find one near you on: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ Treating our obesity is a life-long commitment. Very few, if any, can lose their weight and then abandon everything they used to get there and maintain. However, though it does take commitment, and the right doctor helping, I rarely see someone who doesn't achieve success. The greatest feeling in all the world is "if I feel good physically, and feel good about myself." Those are the days we can handle what life throws at us. If we don't feel good or don't feel good about ourselves that is when everything is glass half empty. That is the natural human response. I know that I am no different as I battle with weight. So, medications that have a proven track record of safety and success to help the body's ability to burn energy (fat cells) and control appetite, a plan of good nutrition of bringing in foods high in protein and low in carbs, and exercise/activity that increases naturally as percent body fat decreases; this is the recipe. Good luck as you both set out to accomplish your goals. READ MORE
Can obesity be reversed?
We can "reverse" our percent body fat and put the "obesity" in remission. To date, we don't have the genetic tools to reverse a disease process because that is generally in our genetic blueprint of survival. It is tough with all of the processed foods as well as all of the hormones in the food we consume that exacerbate the obesity, then we add the gluten in our wheat and it is a disaster. With everything seemingly working against us, even when we try, it is harder than it was 50 years ago. I recommend working with a skilled Bariatric Physician to meet your specific needs, and to use medications to help if needed. In my experience, 2 out of 3 people who battle with obesity can not succeed on their own and that is discouraging. We can't will obesity away in the same manner as we can't will cancer away. We can decrease the body fat and put it in remission which will include long term limitation of carbohydrates and a focus on protein. To find a Bariatric Physician in your area go to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ If you can't find one, you are welcome to come to my office and I can treat you. I treat patients all over the United States. I know exactly what my patients are going through as I battle obesity, my family reunions have shown me what my outlook is if I don't do everything in my power to keep my obesity in remission, too. READ MORE
Can obesity be reversed?
Much of this is dependent on the cause of her obesity. If she has genetics that predict a struggle with weight, then that can't change. It also depends on her age as 20% of the number of fat cells that are developed in girls will occur during puberty years. These biological markers will make it difficult, but a recipe can be produced to assist in the process. In a practical sense, the cause of obesity (outside of healthy eating and activity) can't be reversed, but she dramatically decrease her percent body fat and have a chance to maintain it. In most cases, it requires the assistance of a physician who specializes in obesity to help formulate a plan/program/medication to help the body respond to healthy eating (more protein and less carbs). Once she is down, it may require a long-term usage of the plan/program/medication to get the "reverse in obesity" so to speak. To find a bariatric physician in your area, I suggest going to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ I have helped thousands with a plan/program and medication (when indicated) to decrease their percent body fat and become the person they were destined to become. I am confident that your daughter will succeed. READ MORE
Can obesity be treated mentally?
Yes and no. The mental part of why we eat for reasons other than nutrition can be treated mentally. Many of us use food as a coping mechanism or we are seeking pleasure. There are some foods that stimulate the same receptors in the brain that opiates and dopamine do; namely sugar and certain carbohydrates. With that said, there is also a physiological cause and effect depending on our biological programming on our body's engine type. Meaning, does my body burn fuel/energy like an old Buick, or does my body burn fuel/energy like a Prius and we go 50 miles and only burn a gallon. My body, for example, burns like a Prius making it impossible to exercise off bad eating. In addition, I seek pleasure through food which sets me up for a tough combination. I have found that the best place to start is working with a good bariatric physician as I have found that mental therapy alone tends to have a less than satisfactory outcome. To find a bariatric physician in your area, go to:https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ READ MORE
Is obesity a serious problem?
It is a serious problem both physically and psychologically. When we feel good physically, and feel good about ourselves, we do much better in life. When we are obese we set ourselves up for disease, cancer, orthopedic problems and there is an increased risk of fatigue and depression. In fact, obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States. I recommend that you see a physician who is trained to treat obesity. You can find one near you by visiting: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ READ MORE
What treatments help with obesity?
The best treatment that I have found is to work with a physician who is trained to treat obesity. I am not faulting healthcare, but most physicians are not trained to really treat obesity. I have found that it takes a commitment to addressing why the body doesn't want to burn fat, but wants to store it. Often times it takes medication to help in addition to an individualized nutrition and activity plan to obtain success. To find a physician near you I suggest that you go to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ READ MORE
Can psychiatrists help with obesity?
A psychiatrist can help if there is an emotional cause of over-eating or bing eating. Unfortunately, that doesn't help the metabolic causes of obesity. I would recommend including a bariatric physician in your journey for the best success. You can find one near you by going to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ Good luck with your journey. I battle obesity and the greatest drug in the world is feeling good and feeling good about yourself. Does it take work? Yes! Is it worth it? Absolutely! READ MORE
Can obesity be fixed with a diet?
For some, just by cutting out carbs and focussing on protein and healthy fats can help. For many, it requires more than that. If you have followed a diet of getting enough protein and have cut out sugar, wheat, fruits with too much sugar (if you can make a juice out of it and it tastes delicious there is too much sugar) and vegetables with too much sugar (best ones are the green ones grown above ground) and have lost weight/percent body fat then you are one of the lucky ones. If not, then I suggest finding a bariatric physician in your area to help by going to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and they can help with medications, if necessary, to help. READ MORE
Is obesity a disease?
It is most definitely a disease. Although it took until 2013 until it was universally classified as a disease, those of us who treat obesity have known such 50 years prior to its official classification. Those of us who battle with obesity know our bodies do not burn calories as efficient as those who do not battle it, much like some engines can go 50 miles and only burn a gallon and others go through a gallon in just 13 miles. Those of us who battle obesity would be the ones alive 10,000 years ago and our thin friends wouldn't have survived. Since food is so easily obtained, in our carb driven society, many of us battle with the predisposed disease. I recommend that you find a doctor who specializes in treating obesity as many doctors still feel it is a choice and that is very unfortunate. Go to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and you can find someone in your area. I treat patients from all over the United States. I wish you much success in your quest. I battle obesity and I am going on 6 years of keeping my weight off. Even as one who knows this disease inside and out, I am still human. I am sure that is part of what makes me very good at being a physician in this field. READ MORE
Can obesity cause other health issues?
It sure can. From a physical standpoint it increases stress in all of the joints which increases the need for joint replacement in the future and increases inflammation in the body; physiologically it increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancers; psychologically it lowers self-esteem and increases depression. You mentioned that you are obese. I would recommend that you see a doctor who specializes in helping people lose weight. To find one in your area, go to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ and find someone that you trust to help you lose the weight and keep it off. READ MORE
Can obesity be treated?
Yes, obesity can be treated, but it takes a physician who knows how to treat the disease of obesity. There is no such thing as calorie in and calorie out as we are different "engines" so to speak. It is like saying every car has the same gas mileage. I recommend that you find a good bariatric physician in your area to help by going to: https://obesitymedicine.org/find-obesity-treatment/ READ MORE

Awards

#1 Weight Loss Specialist 5 Ranking Arizona Publication
Compassionate Doctor Recognition 2016
On-Time Doctor Award Year
Patients’ Choice Award Year

Professional Memberships

Arizona Osteopathic Association
American Medical Association
American Osteopathic Association
Obesity Medicine Association

Professional Society Memberships

Arizona Osteopathic Association | American Medical Association | American Osteopathic Association | Obesity Medicine Association

Dr. Gary Knighton, D.O.'s Practice location

2152 S Vineyard Suite 135 -
Mesa, AZ 85210

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New patients: 480-539-1855, 480-539-1855

Fax: 480-539-1859

Mon:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

Dr. Gary Knighton, D.O.'s reviews

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Patient Experience with Dr. Knighton

4.0

Based on 38 reviews

Dr. Gary Knighton, D.O. has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars based on the reviews from 38 patients. FindaTopDoc has aggregated the experiences from real patients to help give you more insights and information on how to choose the best Family Practitioner | Obesity Medicine in your area. These reviews do not reflect a providers level of clinical care, but are a compilation of quality indicators such as bedside manner, wait time, staff friendliness, ease of appointment, and knowledge of conditions and treatments.

Media Releases

Get to know Bariatrician Dr. Gary Knighton, who serves patients in Mesa, Arizona.

Ranking Arizona’s #1 Physician for Weight-Loss Management, Dr. Knighton’s vast knowledge of bariatric medicine and the ability to see beyond the obstacles and take science into consideration truly make him one-of-a-kind. He is the Founder of Arizona Medical Weight Loss in Mesa, Arizona.

Dr. Knighton has 24 years of training and experience helping people lose weight and feel better about themselves. Dr. Knighton’s number one priority is to be involved in the care of every patient who walks through his door. He and his staff provide an individualized weight loss experience. He wants patients to feel at home in a comfortable, inviting atmosphere, where they feel genuinely cared for. What he and his staff offer is something utterly unique.

Patients come from all over the country to see Dr. Knighton. His personal experience, battling weight and losing weight adds another dimension to his approach helping others lose weight and feel better about themselves. His patients have success without feeling deprived.

A 1995 graduate of the A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Knighton has been practicing bariatric medicine since 1996. His philosophy on helping patients lose weight is to never assume that any two people are the same.

As a bariatrician and a long-standing member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, he believes in using a multi-faceted approach combining a balance of nutrition, activity, proper vitamin supplementation, and medications to help his patients shed extra weight. His Weight Loss Program has helped thousands achieve dramatic results – from late teens to the aged, new moms to men at midlife, former professional athletes to former models, etc.

Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity. A bariatrician is a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) who has received special education and training in bariatric medicine. They may treat overweight and obese patients with diet, nutrition, exercise, behavioral therapy, appropriate medications, or any combination of these treatments.

Recognized as an authority in his field, Dr. Knighton is the recipient of Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2014, 2016), On-Time Doctor Award (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018), and Patients’ Choice Award (2015, 2016, 2018).