James T Badger, MD

Dr. Badger repaired a ventral hernia for me two weeks ago, and I really can’t praise him enough, He’s a very fine surgeon, the procedure has been really transformative for me, and I feel fantastic. I’m so very grateful that I met him. He carefully explained the procedure to me and made me feel entirely comfortable. I had the surgery early on a Thursday; by that night I was able to take a short walk to the local store. I was off the prescribed pain meds the next day, driving again on Saturday and back at work on Monday. I felt 95% fit in 7 days and 100% in 14. Really nice guy also, and his assistant Nina was really sweet and helpful.

I am posting this review of Dr Badger following my surgery for a double inguinal hernia about 9 months ago. The outcome is as good as I could have hoped. Dr. Badger is an excellent surgeon. He is very experienced and came recommended for the procedure by multiple sources I contacted. That said, after researching «open» hernia operations online I was concerned about the recovery period and possible complications. When I met Dr Badger he was straightforward, and accurate in describing what to expect as well as having confidence about the outcome. His office was accessible and professional in the days leading up to the surgery and provided all of the necessary paperwork. The day of the surgery everything went as planned and within the day I was able to walk. I was off pain medication within 3 days and recovered well enough for moderate exercise within 3 weeks. Since the operation I have resumed all of my normal routines and exercise with no discomfort or complications. I would recommend Dr Badger for anyone considering a surgical procedure.

I had an excellent surgery experience with Dr. Badger. His patient interface skills are superb. He takes the time to explain things carefully and gives great answers that are very understandable. He makes drawings on a whiteboard which really helps in understanding the relevant anatomy. I was very impressed with how clean the incision was. Recovery and return to work was much faster than I expected. My experience at the PAMF Surgecenter was fantastic. My anesthesiologist and nursing staff were outstanding. Follow-​up was great. They called me several times to see how I was doing. There was always a doc on-​call in case I needed anything. I highly recommend Dr. Badger and the PAMF Surgecenter.

Last year, 2014, I had a very bad experience with incompetent surgeon for hernia surgery. He was in a hurry, evidently, and did not realize how bad hernia was and I had it for 8 years, but he did Surgi-​Center, In and Out in hours, and sent me home. I had severe swelling and pain, but this surgeon said to be expected and wouldn’t even see me. The swelling grew big, not smaller as time went on and caused pain. My wonderful gastroenterologist in San Carlos, who is not a specialist in that area, was concerned and called the surgeon twice about swelling, but the prima donna surgeon ignored his calls. I ended up at Stanford E.R. since hospital in Redwood City is connected to bad surgeon. Gratefully, Dr. Badger was at Stanford that night and had me admitted that day, as it was so serious. I am 64 years old and on disability for other health problems, so Dr. Badger had concerns that my health was already compromised. He said I needed surgery immediately, and not in and out same day, but to stay in hospital for five days. He did excellent repair and saw me for several weeks to drain fluids other surgeon ignored that had been inside of me for a long time. Dr. Badger is a great guy and wonderful surgeon. If you need surgeon, please call him and get perfect and professional surgery and after care. Dr. Badger and/​or his nurse always call me back within few hours to this day and this was months ago. I recently had pain in the area of hernia surgery and Dr. Badger fit me in the same day I called and listened to me, treated me with care and respect, offered to see me again and kept on top of things for a week. As it turned out, my problem was not related to hernia, but Dr. Badger never dismissed me or my fears, or ignored obvious pain and discomfort. He is kind, funny and easy to work with in patient/​doctor relationship. He said had the hernia gotten worse and fluid collected, not drained as he did for weeks, I could have had much more serious problems and he too seemed confused as my gastroenterologist who tried to get first surgeon to see me. If not for Dr. Badger being so on top of things and wonderful, gifted doctor, I have no idea what would have happened to me. Dr. James Badger deserves my highest praise as an excellent M.D. It is sad for me to say, but only two doctors in last few years have been really good – listen to me, help me and saved my health and relieved my concerns that I was wrong and that other surgeon was right. He ignored me, but Dr. Badger listened, did tests and saw hernia not correctly repaired or drained properly from first bad surgery. Thanks to him, I have no problems with hernia. My highest praise to James Badger, M.D. FACS at Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

I’ve known Dr. Badger for many, many years. He knows me inside and out — literally. He’s the finest surgeon in the Bay Area and any time someone says they need a surgeon I insist they see Dr. Badger. I trust him with my life and you can too.
He’e extremely intelligent, thoughtful and thorough. When you go to his office, he uses a white board and explains your options to you in detail. He answers every question and if he doesn’t know the answer he’ll find it out for you. He is reassuring before surgery and checks up on you afterwards.
A funny story about Dr. Badger is that my husband went in for a hernia surgery and when they were going into the operating room, he was telling him when he could be active again and I asked about jet skiing the next weekend. Dr. Badger said he had a jet ski for sale and, ultimately, we bought it from him. We didn’t get a discount on the surgery, but we got a pretty good deal on the jet ski.