Good GI dr in NYC?

Dr. Daniel Present is widely considered to be one of the best UC doctors in NYC. He is affiliated with Mt. Sinai and has a private practice on the Upper East Side.

I was a patient of his for about a year. This was about 6-7 years ago. I assume that he still does not take insurance and you must pay before you leave the office. I did not feel that I had the same relationship I have with my current GI. I did not feel that we were working together to figure out how to get me better. I felt that the atmosphere in his office was impersonal and rushed. Maybe he has better people in his office now. He was able to get me into remission for a short while. But we did not have a good plan for dealing with recurring flares. I eventually found a doctor (outside of NYC) with whom I have a great relationship and who is amazing at working with me so that we've found what drug combos help me the most.

Another Mt. Sinai doctor who I met once for a consultation and liked a lot is Dr. Charles Gerson. He has an office on the Upper West Side. He has a more holistic approach, which you can read about on his website: http://www.mindbodydigestive.com Just in terms of office setting and staff, going to his office is a pleasant experience. I believe that they might take some insurance there. I can't remember.

Gerson's daughter is a psychologist who leads (I assume she still does) hypnotherapy sessions for people with IBS. That course of hypnotherapy (8 sessions) was one of the best things I ever did for myself and my UC.

If you see either of these doctors, I'd be curious to know what you think! They are both very knowledgeable. If you want a consultation and not on-going care, either would be great, I think. I just wouldn't pick Present for my on-going care.

While living in Massachusetts, I was referred to Dr. Present about ten years ago, in the midst of a terrible flare. I liked him a lot and I think he saved my colon. I was hospitalized and treated with IV cyclosporine. Since then, I have had only minor flares (knock wood).

I recently moved to New York and decided not to use him as my regular GI because he doesn't take insurance. I now see Dr. Leon Kavaler who I like and who takes my insurance. He is associated with Mt. Sinai and promised to refer me to Dr. Present, if a problem arises. I should add, however, that I have only had one office visit with him and a colonoscopy. He was recommended to me by a cousin who is a doctor at Mt. Sinai, but not a GI. Hope this is helpful.

M

I'd highly recommend Dr. Ronald Hoffman.

He's got a great, informative Web site:

http://www.drhoffman.com/

Ullmann is to be avoided, from what I've read, as he obsesses on colorectal cancer: wants to yank out colons at the 1st hint of dysplasia. Daniel Present disagrees with his approach & has debated him in several professional & public forums. Have you looked at the CCFA Website Physician Finder (NYC section), by the way? That would clue you in to the GIs subspecializing in IBD who are readily available for consultation. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 Colazal daily for maintenance of remission)

I have never been to Dr. Present myself, but I did receive literature from him on Imuran in pregnancy while pg with my son. Because of his research, I now have two healthy children! I too have heard that he is top notch.

I am currently firing my GI and making an appointment with Dr. Moishe Rubin. He's also on the CCFA doctor's list.

My brother in law had terrible colitis in his late 20's and he made the trek to NY to see Dr. Rubin and he really helped him!

So I want to see him because I am so dis-satisfied by the treatment I was getting from current GI.

Hello, :) -- one of the Mt. Sinai gastros you asked about was Lichtiger. There is an informative blurb about him if you click on the "On the Road Again" ad atop this Website. It's in the "about On the Road" section. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... etc.])

Just FYI - the doctors have to pay membership to the CCFA in order to be listed on their doctors list.  A better source of information on doctors is Castle Connolly http://www.castleconnolly.com.  There is no fee to be listed - and it lists America's top doctors in every field. 

Hat Tip to Old Hat - I can always rely on you for practical and prevalent words of wisdom, succintly. Thanks:)

Thanks for your opinion and informing about Dr. Rose and background info, another person to look into...

When we did a thread on Mt. Sinai/NYC last year, a member also wrote then praising Dr. Legnani. I think Dr. Agus was recommended, too, at that time. One detail I would find helpful in determining which gastro to consult concerns the c-scope arrangement. Does the gastro have an office-based facility where the procedure can be done? This is usually more patient-friendly than the hospital ambulatory unit routine. / Old Hat

thats why i decided against even thinking abt going to Dr. Present. Same with some other top names.
In this case, (mild UC) and bec. of this reason, the "2nd tier" doctors and their level of care are prob just as good or even better, bec they can give individual attention.

The docs are now being encouraged to convert patient "charts" (love the way they call 2-inch thick file folder a "chart") to online records. That is supposed to improve accuracy/security, but likely has caveats aplenty. My gastro went thru a period when office desk + 2 nearby chairs were stacked with charts, an amazing sight! / Old Hat





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