If you need a colonoscopy, absolutely run to Dr. Ian Lustbader. I had my colonoscopy yeterday and I could not have asked for a more skilled, knowledgeable, kind and sensitive gastroenterologist! Dr. Lustbader is a shining jewel. In a medical world that seems to center around profit and speed, Dr. Lustbader is a class act and a literal gemstone. I cannot say enough about how fantastic this doctor is in his sharp expertise and his gentle and playful manner. From the initial consult when he explained the colonoscopy process to me to the actualy procedure, he took his time answering my many questions and was thorough and attentive. Fast forward to the procedure: I have never felt so taken care of and at ease in a hospital setting. NYU Langone, you employ the best! My care team was just extraordinary. MY anesthesiologist Shawn took a lot of time with me, answering my questions and I felt so safe in his confidence and asssurednesss. His assistant Lisa was utterly kind as well and knowledgeable, putting any fears I had to rest. Thank you to the nurses Therese, Josleena and I believe it was Dolores who also supported me. Getting a colonoscopy can be daunting, but it's so important to screen for colon cancer. The faith I had in Dr. Lustbader made this experience not merely necessary and bearable, but one of the most positive and empowering medical moments of my life. Thank you, Dr Lustbader, for your immense knowledge and kindess and most of all, for keeping us all safe. read more

I've been his patient for many many years. At 73 I have some long term conditions and the normal added "fibrillations". Dr. Lustbader has guided me through all and kept me in good health consistently. He stays up to date on the latest medical developments and drugs. His referrals are always perfect, he consults with them, and he is never rushed when I have an appointment or call or text. For me, his greatest attribute is his empathy, concern, and comprehensive care. It's always a pleasure to see him, share some good humor, receive solutions, and know any follow up is guaranteed. He is simply the best physician I've ever known. I think of him as a good friend. read more

I can't thank Dr. Lustbader enough. He saved my life. I saw him with symptoms of palpitations and a little tightness in my chest. After checking me he recommended I take an echo stress test to see if there was a problem. I asked him if I really needed this echo stress test and he said go, you need one. After taking the test, it showed that I had blockages in my heart. I was immediately sent to take a cardiac catherization where the the doctors found a blockage in two of the arteries, one at 80 percent and the other at 75 percent. Immediately, two stents were placed in the arteries to open the blockage. Because of the wonderful advice from this caring doctor I am here today writing this letter. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Dr. Lustbader, you save my life. Steve Graff read more

Dr. Ian Lustbader is as good as it gets as a Primary Care Physician. In fact, he's better! He has been my PCP for almost thirty (30) years and his compassion and concern for my care and medical treatment has never wavered. His examinations are thorough, he takes time to listen to all your health issues, and he is as compassionate as he is knowledgeable. No matter what the reason for my visit, I always leave his office feeling that I am going to be alright. He even called me at home one evening recently over my fears regarding COV-19. Who does that these days? I can't even get my barber to call me back! There's a reason it can take a month or so to get an appointment with Dr. Lustbader. He is the real deal. read more

I waited six weeks for an appointment....I waited well over an hour in the waiting room. But, it was all worth the wait. I was a new patient so we had a lot to do. The office staff is alright. First I started with the PA to do the vitals, blood taking, etc. (can't remember her name but she was wonderful) , then Dr. Lustbader. He was just superb. I have an esophageal motility disorder so to have a gastroenterologist as my Primary Care Physician is great to begin with. He really took his time getting to know my history and immediately is ready to tackle improving my symptoms. He was easy to talk to about anything, and I wasn't afraid to answer any questions. (you know how some doctors just make you feel like you can't say certain things? not him....) . I had a prescription that ended up not being covered by my insurance at Walgreens so I called after hours to ask someone to change it to CVS in the morning, and they called me even though after hours and fixed it just 15 minutes after I called them. Pretty great. They are part of NYU so they have the NYU Patient Portal which is amazing. Everything is there, test results, e-mail contact, prescriptions, future appointments....very convenient. Listen....nobody likes to wait a long time for doctors....but, I'm learning that in his case, you're waiting BECAUSE he's wonderful and he has a lot of patients and keeps them. You're waiting longer BECAUSE he's thorough and takes all the time needed to care for each patient. So, if you need a gastro, or a new doctor in general try to get in....when you have an appointment, plan to wait....but also plan to be wowed, and plan to be taken excellent care of. read more

What a pleasant surprise! Actually two surprises (one not so pleasant). Surprise One: I did not know I there is a history of the occurrence of colon polyps from my mother and maternal grandmother. So when it was suggested that I should have a colonoscopy I hesitated. I put off the dreaded (in my head) procedure for a few months. But then I finally decided to be a big girl and do my research. I tend to be partial to doctors affiliated with NYU so I submitted a referral request for those gastroenterologist that take my health coverage. Surprise Two: Dr. Lustbader. I feel incredibly lucky that he was a suggested doctor. My consult with him turned out to be quite comforting. He has a wonderful 'bedside' manner and easy to speak to. His staff are very patient and kind. I feel safe and know that whatever the results I will be having the best of care. I'm still not looking forward to this probing but will relent that I am relived that I am in such capable hands. read more

About 16 years ago, I was eating at a resturant with my Mom and realized that I could not swallow my food! No, I am seriously.....had to run to the bathroom and force the food out. (don't want to be too graphic.) The next day, I ask my boss if she could recommend a doctor and with out hesitation, she recommended Dr. Lustbader. As he is a very good doctor, he is busy and as a new patient, it would take at least 3-4 weeks for an apt. I booked the apt., but decided to see other doctor's as I was terrified what had happened a few days ago, plus, continued to happen for days after. In the 3-4 weeks I saw 2 doctors, one of the did an internal procedure to see what the problem was, and neither of them where able to figure out what the problem was. Needless to say, I started to panic. As my apt., approached I became more and more anxious. Wondering what is wrong with me that none of those doctors could figure out. On the day of my apt., Dr. Lustbader was gracious, understanding, knowledgeable, and reassured me that everything would be fine. After conducting some blood work and a scheduled endoscopy, he told me what was wrong with me!!! FINALLY! It is a condition that some people suffer from, but is totally treatable and I have been going to him for all my other ailments ever since. 2 years ago I got married, and now my husband goes to him for all his medical issues. So, yes I have been going to Dr. Lustbader for 16 years now. Why 4 stars? Mostly because of his answering service and phone issues. The office hours are 8:30am but the office phone is not turned on till 9:30am. But, as a doctor he is wonderful. Even though today's doctors are severely over worked, he still finds time to be a good doctor to all his patients! read more

Have never even thought about doing something like this before but it's necessary if it can help anyone else from having a similar experience. Recently my (kind, compassionate, intellegent) internist of many years moved to Florida and, in a letter, referred Dr. Ian Lustbader to those of us left P.C. (primary care) free. It took 2.5 months to get a first appointment....I needed to establish a relationship with the new doctor...I needed refills on RXs and, oh yeah, I'm human and I have some physical issues that need to be addressed...you know, stuff you go to doctors for... I found Mr. Dr. to be dismissive, arrogant and not a good listener. I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt because many doctor's are over worked and are expected to see multiple dozens of patients,daily... No more excuses to validate the exceptionally bad , shockingly hurtful, unprofessional behavior of an this M.D. Not after today. Returned from a bussiness trip to China on 9/16 (Thursday)...got sick 3 days into a 2 wk trip. (think I have a parasite) Took a bunch of herbal remedies given to me by vendors while I was away but nothing helped. On 9/13 I emailed Dr. Lustbader's office explaining that I had been ill for many days (in CHINA) , was returning to NY on 9/16 and was hoping to see the dr. on the 17th (Friday) before the weekend. I was informed that 9/22 @ 2:00PM was the best they could do. I wrote back explaining that I was sick (in CHINA) and really was hoping to see the dr. before the 22nd. The next email i received revealed that the dr. wasn't in on Fridays and to, "call when you land"...I called repeatedly on Friday...got an answering machine telling me that no-one could get to the phone...that office hours were Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30...then it just rang...no one picked up...I was still feeling really sick, so I called Dr. Eng, a smart, personable, caring, Gastroenterologist who'd done my colonoscopy almost 5 yrs. years earlier and explained my problem. Without hesitation, I was given an immediate appointment. I needed a referral for Dr. Eng but still couldn't get anyone from Dr. Lustbader's office on the phone. Finally, the 'answering service' picked up and I left a message that I needed the Dr. to call in a referral... Still sick, today, Monday....going on 2 weeks, now...Dr. Eng wants to do a proceedure called a SIgmoidoscopy, this afternoon. I couldn't get through to Dr. Lustbader's office (called 6x...busy) so I sent an email asking him to, please, send the referral. Dr. Lustbader called me at home, angry...yelling at me, saying he did not know Dr. Eng and would NOT give me a referral. I explained that he had been unavailable to me...that I'd emailed his office from China...He continued yelling at me that he was available, that he would NOT give me a referral and told me to "get another internist"! Sick and, now, hysterically sobbing I sent him an email saying, "Shame on you" and that I was reporting him to Oxford...which I did. I filed a formal complaint... I then received a call from a flustered Dr. Eng.... Dr. Lustbader had called him and yelled at him, too...saying , "i don't know you and I will not give you a referral"...Out of line...unprofessional. Both Dr. Eng and I have never....NEVER....experienced anything (even) remotely like this... When I called Oxford (still sobbing) to file the complaint, they gave a referral for the procedure. Meanwhile, I need an internist, preferably an NYU Medical Ctr. affiliate. If anyone can reccommend someone, I'd be grateful. Just thought you should know. read more

I usually don't write reviews but felt inclined to after having a great experience with Dr. Lustbader. He is very thorough, yet personable and easy going. I really felt like I was in good hands. His office staff is great and also very caring. read more

Thanks for the detailed review, Diane. I actually also had the same PC doc as you (Artel) who moved to Florida, also referred to Dr. Lustbader. Had a pretty terrible experience with his staff when I first called (they were, inexplicably, REALLY pissed that I would even think to schedule an appointment with him). At that point I decided to just get my charts and get out. On further conversations, I found another person in the office who was much more professional (if brusque) and figured I might as well see how he is as a doc. So I have an appointment (regular checkup) scheduled for the first week of Jan. But based on your comment I am now extremely wary... In any case, I'll take the apt. and will post back w/ my experience afterwards. read more

I went to see Dr. Lustbader because of ongoing serious GI issues. He fit us in at the last minute because he knew the issue was urgent and I live out of town. He's been my dad's GI for many years now, so we already knew how capable and professional he is. He is consistently patient, informative, and extremely easy to talk to. He's understanding and always answers the TONS of questions I have with so much patience. At my visit, he looked at the "whole picture" of my health history and issues, and didn't simply address only my GI issues. He suggested other specialty doctors to see for my health issues in other areas. He gave a list of specific recommendations for his colleagues in the other specialties and that was extremely helpful. I feel very comfortable knowing that my care is being overseen by someone with so much experience and expertise. I would highly recommend Dr. Lustbader to anyone with GI issues looking for a new doctor! read more

Ian Lustbader has been my general practitioner for some 15 years, since my earlier physician retired. I can say, without hesitation, that I am a super-satisfied patient. First and foremost, I have complete confidence in his knowledge of medicine. This comes across when he talks with you about probabilities and alternatives. Moreover, he treats you as a full human being, not just a series of symptoms, not least because of his skill as a questioner and listener. If I've had a healthy life, I truly feel that his being my physician has played a major role. Dr. Lustbader is good natured and good humored, and never appears rushed, even as he honors his appointments schedule. read more

I usually don't write reviews, but had to in this case. I called into the office after experiencing stomach pain for a week. I got an immediate afternoon appointment that covered a battery of tests to figure out the issue. Dr. Lustbader was very good listener and had an immediate plan of action for me to take based on the results. read more

1st visit was great, subsequent visits sub-par, colonoscopy poor. I had a continuing gastric issue. 2 gastro docs were unable to help. I received a recommendation to Dr. Lustbader from a co-worker who had extensive gastro issues & loved him. The first visit (waited nearly 2 hours) was great he was attentive, listened, explained. The 2nd visit (waited 2+1/2 hours) he didn't seem to help. the 3rd visit (waited 1 hour- got smarter made it at the end of his day) he suggested a colonoscopy because he did not know the lab that the last biopsies were run at + therefore didn't trust it (I have had them before, had a colonoscopy 2 years before & a sigmoidoscopy just a few months before). the endoscopy place got my wristband wrong. he came 2 hours late. he said that they gave him the wrong time. I was scared, I began wondering how many things went wrong where Joan Rivers died. He told me that he had nothing to do with the mistakes at the clinic (he is part owner of the clinic). I thought about leaving but decided to stay for the test. big mistake. his staff suggested he use the same lab as the last test from the other doctor, he asked me why I was having the colonoscopy, he should have known why. I told him that he said he did not trust that other lab and wanted it done by NYU lab only. Results were the same. his description of where he took the biopsies from was none existent. my new dr is doing a sigmoidoscopy on me less than 3 months later because he needs the information of where exactly the biospsies were taken from that found the lympocytic and collagenous cells something dr lustbader did not put in his colonoscopy report. this is worse than sad and disappointing. I suppose if one is using him as an internist + they have no extraordinary medical issues that he would be adequate, which is why I gave him 2 stars instead of 1 star. read more

The best internist/gastroenterologist!! My family has used Dr. Lustbader for 27 years. He is smart, caring, listens, and the one person you want to call to guide you when you have an emergency. He takes his time to discuss with you your health and paths you need to take to stay healthy. I have all my confidence in his opinions and decisions. A fantastic doctor who also has great bedside manner!!! read more

Board-certified for gastroenterology & identified as a top doctor on some local lists. MD asks how you are, listens to that, writes into chart, looks at previous writing & actually considers situations over long-term. Seems invested in patients. Seems to like being MD. Also will accomodate emergency app't if during office hours, which vary, and accomodates rescheduling w/ enough notice. If colonscopy or endoscopy is scheduled at clinic shared with other doctors, app't actually starts an hour ahead of scheduled time, lockers are provided, it is clean, but an assembly line w/ a ridiculous release policy. MD has reputation at clinic for being thorough. MD also explains results to patients in-gown, w/ coloured pictures. Procedures tolerable. MD loses star b/c chronically off schedule, even at first app't, usually by way more than ten minutes & different every day, which tries patience of some patients & staff. read more