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Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD

Specializes in: Colon & Rectal Surgery
University of Illinois College of Medicine (1985)
Professional interests include: laparoscopic surgery, cancer, colorectal cancer, and more.
9548 Park Meadows Drive
Lone Tree, CO 80124

Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD is a colon and rectal surgeon in Aurora, CO specializing in colon & rectal surgery. She graduated from University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1985 and has 41 years of experience. Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD is affiliated with UCHealth, University of Colorado Medicine and UCHealth Surgical Clinic - Anschutz Medical Campus.

View Doctor's Full Profile (720) 848-2200

Office Locations

12605 E 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045
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UCHealth Surgical Clinic - Anschutz Medical Campus

1665 Aurora Court Anschutz Cancer Pavilion
Aurora, CO 80045
(720) 848-0300
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University of Colorado Medicine

9548 Park Meadows Drive
Lone Tree, CO 80124
(720) 848-2200
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Some issues Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD can help you with:

Gastrointestinal Problems (Digestive Disorders)

The gastrointestinal system, or GI tract, is the name given to a collection of organs that work together to digest food. These organs fit together in a long tube, running from the mouth to the anus, and include the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, among others. With so many parts working together, complicated by today's busy lifestyles and diets, digestive problems are common. As many as 1 in 3 Americans have a digestive or GI disorder. There are a huge variety of digestive problems, but the most common are IBS, constipation, GERD, hemorrhoids, and ulcers.

IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, happens when the muscles surrounding the colon contract too easily or frequently. The result is abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea or constipation, gas and bloating. IBS attacks can often be brought on by specific triggers, so a key part of treatment is learning which foods trigger IBS attacks and avoiding them. Treatment also includes exercise, avoiding stress, and medications if needed.

Constipation, or large, hard, or infrequent stools, happens to everyone at some point. It can be caused by a disruption in routine or food, or by eating a diet without many fresh fruits and vegetables. Although it is uncomfortable, constipation is common and usually not serious, but it can sometimes become chronic. Adding fiber to the diet, exercising, and taking medications may help.

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a severe form of chronic heartburn where stomach acid spills back up into the esophagus. Left untreated, the acid may even eat away at the esophagus and cause serious damage. Treatment includes changing the diet to avoid trigger foods, losing weight if needed, medications, or even surgery.

Hemorrhoids are blood vessels around the rectum that become irritated, swollen or torn while straining during a bowel movement. They are most often caused by constipation, but can also be caused by pregnancy, diarrhea, or simply a genetic predisposition towards hemorrhoids. Treatment involves first treating any constipation issues, then keeping the area clean and soothed until it has healed. If these measures are ineffective, surgery is sometimes used.

Peptic ulcers are sores or spots of inflammation in the lining of the stomach or close to the stomach in the small intestine. Usually this area is coated with a protective lining that shields the tissue from the strong stomach acid, but a break in the lining can let acid in, causing the sores. It used to be thought that stress caused ulcers, but now it is known that is not the case. Most often, they are caused by an infection by H. pylori bacteria, but ulcers can also be caused by alcohol abuse or overuse of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other NSAIDS. The symptoms of an ulcer are pain, hunger, nausea, and fatigue.

Gastrointestinal problems, perhaps more than any other area, are markedly affected by lifestyle. Many disorders can be prevented or treated at least in part by eating a healthy diet high in fiber, exercising regularly, drinking enough water, and limiting alcohol intake. Still, the frequency of digestive disorders means that even the healthiest person can be affected by them. Anyone who notices blood in their stool, experiences abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or any significant change in bowel movements should see a doctor.

Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is a kind of minimally invasive surgery using a thin, narrow tube called a laparoscope. Usually performed on the abdomen or the pelvic region, the surgeon makes a few very small incisions instead of one large one.

During the procedure, the surgeon inserts the laparoscope, which contains a light and camera that allows the surgeon to see what is happening inside the body. Then tiny tools are placed through the small openings and used to perform the surgery.

The most common laparoscopic surgery is gallbladder removal, but laparoscopic surgery may also be used for the removal of a kidney or appendix, to treat certain cysts and tumors, for bariatric surgery, for some GERD treatments, or for hernia repairs, among others.

Because laparoscopic surgery only uses a few tiny incisions, the scars are minimal and recovery is easier than with open surgery.

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, using a tiny opening to get inside the body instead of making a large cut. It uses small tools attached to a thin robotic arm, which is controlled by the surgeon. Robotic surgery may be referred to by the specific kind of robot that is used. The most advanced robot currently in use is called the da Vinci, and surgery using it is sometimes called da Vinci surgery.

There are many benefits to robotic surgery, both for the patient and the surgeon. Robotic surgery allows for more precise movements and increased control during very delicate surgical procedures. This makes performing surgery accurately much easier for surgeons and reduces fatigue. The smaller 'hand' of the robot can enter the body via a much smaller opening, which reduces the risk of infection and scarring and leads to a faster recovery. The robotic hands also contain tiny moveable cameras among their tools, giving surgeons a much closer view of the procedure than would be possible with traditional surgery.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Volume:

abdominal sacrocolpopexy
pelvic reconstructive surgery
pelvic surgery

In 2023, Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD performed more abdominal sacrocolpopexy, pelvic reconstructive surgery, and pelvic surgery procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of providers in related specialties within Colorado.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD treated as a colon and rectal surgeon in Aurora, CO during 2012 were gastrointestinal procedures, anorectal procedures, minimally invasive procedures and manometry.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD for Medicare patients.

abdominal surgery 20
anorectal procedures 98
diagnostic procedures 48
doctor visit 400
gastrointestinal procedures 135
manometry 50
minimally invasive procedures 85
urologic procedures 48

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD treated as a colon and rectal surgeon in Aurora, CO during 2013 were anorectal procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, manometry and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD for Medicare patients.

abdominal surgery 21
anorectal procedures 132
diagnostic procedures 65
doctor visit 505
gastrointestinal procedures 112
manometry 67
minimally invasive procedures 45
urologic procedures 65

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD.

Gender
Male 141
Female 299
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 386
Black 42
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 192
From 75 to 84 105
85 and over 44
Less than 65 99

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD in 2013

Hypertension 70
High Cholesterol 58
Stroke 3
Ischemic Heart Disease 35
Depression 34
Chronic Kidney Disease 24
Asthma 8
Osteoperosis 9
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 15
Diabetes 29
Dementia 8
Cancer 36

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD treated as a colon and rectal surgeon in Aurora, CO during 2014 were anorectal procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, manometry and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD for Medicare patients.

abdominal surgery 11
anorectal procedures 81
diagnostic procedures 40
doctor visit 352
gastrointestinal procedures 52
manometry 41
minimally invasive procedures 11
urologic procedures 40

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD.

Gender
Male 107
Female 227
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 299
Black 24
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 138
From 75 to 84 84
85 and over 26
Less than 65 86

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD in 2014

Hypertension 68
High Cholesterol 50
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 36
Depression 34
Chronic Kidney Disease 30
Asthma 10
Osteoperosis 10
Atrial Fibrilation 8
Heart Failure 14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 17
Diabetes 29
Dementia 6
Cancer 35

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD treated as a colon and rectal surgeon in Aurora, CO during 2015 were gastrointestinal procedures, anorectal procedures, minimally invasive procedures and manometry.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD for Medicare patients.

abdominal surgery 19
anorectal procedures 65
diagnostic procedures 30
doctor visit 323
gastrointestinal procedures 77
manometry 35
minimally invasive procedures 42
urologic procedures 30

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD.

Gender
Male 200
Female 396
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 524
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 268
From 75 to 84 156
85 and over 36
Less than 65 136

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD in 2015

Hypertension 66
High Cholesterol 53
Stroke 5
Ischemic Heart Disease 35
Depression 34
Chronic Kidney Disease 26
Asthma 16
Osteoperosis 10
Atrial Fibrilation 9
Heart Failure 13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 20
Diabetes 30
Dementia 7
Cancer 38

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD treated as a colon and rectal surgeon in Aurora, CO during 2016 were gastrointestinal procedures, anorectal procedures, minimally invasive procedures and manometry.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD for Medicare patients.

abdominal surgery 30
anorectal procedures 66
diagnostic procedures 24
doctor visit 324
gastrointestinal procedures 95
manometry 42
minimally invasive procedures 53
urologic procedures 24

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD.

Gender
Male 98
Female 208
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 271
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 128
From 75 to 84 81
85 and over 15
Less than 65 82

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD in 2016

Hypertension 62
High Cholesterol 45
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 33
Depression 34
Chronic Kidney Disease 32
Asthma 19
Osteoperosis 10
Atrial Fibrilation 9
Heart Failure 15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 17
Diabetes 28
Dementia 7
Cancer 37

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD treated as a colon and rectal surgeon in Aurora, CO during 2017 were gastrointestinal procedures, anorectal procedures, manometry and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD for Medicare patients.

abdominal surgery 13
anorectal procedures 22
doctor visit 191
gastrointestinal procedures 35
manometry 22
minimally invasive procedures 13

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD.

Gender
Male 68
Female 143
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 190
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 97
From 75 to 84 53
85 and over 14
Less than 65 47

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD in 2017

Hypertension 64
High Cholesterol 46
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 35
Depression 36
Chronic Kidney Disease 39
Asthma 6
Osteoperosis 10
Atrial Fibrilation 11
Heart Failure 17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 20
Diabetes 27
Dementia 9
Cancer 33

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 189

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD.

Gender
Male 37
Female 139
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 158
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 101
From 75 to 84 44
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD in 2018

Hypertension 63
High Cholesterol 40
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 23
Depression 34
Chronic Kidney Disease 27
Asthma 16
Osteoperosis 13
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 16
Diabetes 20
Dementia 8
Cancer 23

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 205

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD.

Gender
Male 48
Female 171
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 183
Black 0
Hispanic 19
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 117
From 75 to 84 52
85 and over 14
Less than 65 36

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD in 2019

Hypertension 63
High Cholesterol 42
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 28
Depression 31
Chronic Kidney Disease 34
Asthma 13
Osteoperosis 18
Atrial Fibrilation 15
Heart Failure 16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 13
Diabetes 17
Dementia 12
Cancer 23

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 164

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD.

Gender
Male 23
Female 172
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 167
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 117
From 75 to 84 52
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD in 2020

Hypertension 62
High Cholesterol 49
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 30
Depression 32
Chronic Kidney Disease 33
Asthma 14
Osteoperosis 18
Atrial Fibrilation 8
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 16
Diabetes 19
Dementia 12
Cancer 22

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD treated as a colon and rectal surgeon in Aurora, CO during 2021 were reconstructive surgery, open surgery, abdominal surgery and pelvic surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD for Medicare patients.

abdominal surgery 11
doctor visit 205
open surgery 11
pelvic surgery 11
reconstructive surgery 11
urologic procedures 11

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD.

Gender
Male 31
Female 185
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 187
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 125
From 75 to 84 52
85 and over 16
Less than 65 23

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD in 2021

Hypertension 54
High Cholesterol 51
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 23
Depression 31
Chronic Kidney Disease 31
Asthma 11
Osteoperosis 25
Atrial Fibrilation 9
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 8
Diabetes 21
Dementia 7
Cancer 17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD treated as a colon and rectal surgeon in Aurora, CO during 2022 were reconstructive surgery, open surgery, abdominal surgery and pelvic surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD for Medicare patients.

abdominal surgery 11
doctor visit 184
open surgery 11
pelvic surgery 11
reconstructive surgery 11
urologic procedures 11

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD.

Gender
Male 33
Female 159
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 172
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 104
From 75 to 84 55
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD in 2022

Hypertension 60
High Cholesterol 64
Stroke 6
Ischemic Heart Disease 16
Depression 33
Chronic Kidney Disease 19
Asthma 19
Osteoperosis 21
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 14
Diabetes 17
Dementia 7
Cancer 18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD treated as a colon and rectal surgeon in Aurora, CO were gastrointestinal procedures, anorectal procedures, manometry and minimally invasive procedures.

abdominal surgery 17
anorectal procedures 77
diagnostic procedures 41
doctor visit 276
gastrointestinal procedures 84
manometry 42
minimally invasive procedures 41
open surgery 11
pelvic surgery 11
reconstructive surgery 11
urologic procedures 32

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD.

Gender
Male 71
Female 190
Ethnicity
Black / African American 6
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 230
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Hispanic 1
Other 0
Age
75 to 84 66
85 and over 15
Less than 65 46
65 to 74 126

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension 57
High Cholesterol 45
Stroke 1
Ischemic Heart Disease 26
Depression 30
Chronic Kidney Disease 26
Asthma 12
Osteoporosis 13
Heart Failure 12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 14
Diabetes 21
Atrial Fibrillation 8
Cancer 25
Dementia 7

Education & Training

Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD graduated from University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1985. She completed residency at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. She has a state license in Colorado.

Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine (1985)

Residency: North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System (1990)

Licensed In: Colorado

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UCHealth
University of Colorado Medicine
UCHealth Surgical Clinic - Anschutz Medical Campus

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.69 out of 5 stars based on 49 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Aurora, CO. 

4.69
Overall Rating
Leave a Review
Reviews Left On DocSpot
Overall Rating: 1.0 2022-04-01 
This is not a womans dr.  She could care less about your pain and discomfort. Hemorrhoid surgery is too superficial for this giganticly self-important surgeon.  And yet, she told me hemorrhoid surgeries are fun and quick and are extremely painful to recover from.  Imagine a (professional) surgeon poised with a scalpel on your already sensitive anus who finds hemorrhoid surgeries to be "fun".  Yeah, not so much.  A reall kook.

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Elisa H. Birnbaum, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. $4,053 Da Vinci Surgical System
$4,053
Medtronic USA, Inc. $767 Sacral Nerve Stimulation - Neuro
$767
Covidien LP $525 Vessel Sealing
$525
Covidien Sales LLC $211 Endo Stapling
$166 		LigaSure
$45
Ethicon US, LLC $208 Advanced Wound care
$115 		HARMONIC Product Family
$92
Other $1,317 BIODESIGN
$136 		OFIRMEV
$134 		Solesta
$120 		STRATTICE
$111 		IONSYS
$88 		Other
$728
Types of Payments
Travel and Lodging $2,738
Food and Beverage $2,731
Education $1,088
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program $525

Biography

Dr. Elisa Birnbaum is a specialist in colon & rectal surgery. She works in Aurora, CO and Lone Tree, CO. Patients rated Dr. Birnbaum highly, giving her an average of 4.5 stars (out of 5). Areas of expertise for Dr. Birnbaum include crohn's disease, microscopic colitis, and colorectal cancer. Before performing her residency at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Dr. Birnbaum attended the University of Illinois College of Medicine for medical school. She is professionally affiliated with the University of Colorado Hospital and the University of Colorado Medicine.

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