Gastroenterology Associates

I can back up Josey’s comment about the wait, it does kind of suck. That’s my only gripe with this place aside from having to go here.
I was referred here by my primary care provider due to a GI issue. My first appointment was with Patrick Williams, one of the PAs in their office. He was very professional and knowledgeable, and recommended a sigmoidoscopy, so I reluctantly scheduled it for their earliest opening which was two months out.
Since it was two months out, I had plenty of time to dwell on that decision (I’m in my early 20s, this shouldn’t be happening). Ultimately, I’m glad I followed through with it. It wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. The procedure was performed by Dr. Kristine Zhang, who was nice, professional, and gentle, although she seemed rushed. It was quick and painless, which surprised me. I was expecting some discomfort at least. For most of those procedures performed, they don’t sedate you. It would take longer to do than to just do the procedure, which I seemed like it was 2 – 3 minutes for me.
I just had my follow-​up with them today. I still have a couple of things to be taken care of in October and November (that scheduling delay again) with another one of their doctors, but after that I should be done. Ultimately, if you can wait a while for appointments, I’d recommend this office. Everyone I’ve encountered is nice, professional, and understanding.

Dr. Katherine Wagner is awesome! I have crohns disease and have seen Wagner for over 10 years now and have nothing bad to say. This woman has made it so I can live a normal life. I read nightmare stories about colonoscopies, I have had my fair share colonoscopies with Wagner and though not fun, never painful. Doc has visited me in the hospital and coordinated with other physicians to ensure I receive the best care. I give this rating of 4 instead of 5 as there is long waits when scheduling appointments. Plan on at least 2 months out if not longer (in a non-​emergency situation), which is my only gripe.

I had my appointment there today. I was told I needed a sigmoidoscopy. When I asked about sedation, I was told it was standard practice to not use sedation of any kind during this procedure. I was then told the earliest I could have this done was March of next year. Needless to say, I found that to be unacceptable. I am looking for a new doctor.

I had to have a colonoscopy done at Gastroenterology Associates. It was an awful experience. When I went in for the procedure, the doctor decided she wanted to keep me «as alert as possible» through it. I expressed concerns about this approach. She assured me I would be kept comfortable. I wasn’t, to the point that every night for ten days thereafter I woke up at 3 or 4 in the morning with nightmares and reliving the worst parts of the procedure (in contrast to everyone else I know who has had a colonoscopy, none of whom even remember the procedure).
When I wrote to Gastroenterology Associates to express how upset I was, I received a reply that stated in part, «You always have the choice to decline or stop a procedure. You did not indicate to the nurses or Dr. Wagner that you did not want the procedure and/​or that you wanted it stopped.» No, I went ahead based on the reassurance I would be kept comfortable. Apparently though, as I was lying on the procedure table with an IV in my arm, partially sedated, and a tube several feet up me, according to Gastroenterology Associates, when it got really bad I could have just got up and walked out. How realistic, let alone how caring, is that? What I stated above is an exact quote that I have in writing in their letter. Decide for yourself if a medical group that responds like that to putting someone through a nightmarish experience is the medical team you want doing your colonoscopy.