When it comes to your health Dr. Marc A. Edelstein has the knowledge, the empathy and the honesty that you need in a physician. I am very grateful to him and his staff, -a friendly and reliable team.
His clinical expertise and professional ethics prevented me from having what appeared to be an unnecessary colorectal surgery.
I went to his office to see if I was going in the right direction because I had gone to different surgeons who concurred with my GI Dr. Benjamin Garrett- who had sent me to surgery to resect a part of my intestine.
This GI had me going to a total of 5 colonoscopies for the diagnosis and removal of a very difficult polyp located in or near the ileocecal valve. I am very thankful to Dr. Garrett, because he discovered it, and tried, but he apparently did not have the expertise to resolve it.
In general, colonoscopies are uncomfortable, but in my case even more because of my clinical history. I had multiple surgeries due to other different medical conditions-So every colonoscopy for me was a double burden as having to be done at the hospital requiring additional blood work, EKG, etc.
I had a concern as to why many colonoscopies and why he kept me going back when every time he claimed the polyp was resected. He said it was the guidelines and he wanted to make sure.
Every time he said he removed it all, and that he sent some tissue for biopsy. I also asked him more than one occasion if he knew of a more advanced technology for this type of difficult polyps. "Nothing" He always said.
On the third colonoscopy the anesthesiologist at Providence St. Joseph wasn't attentive to tape my eyes or kept them close during the procedure and they became dry and I couldn't open them for two days, were swollen and I was required to take antibiotics.
On the last one on 8/28/18, he said he couldn't remove it. Removed what? It was gone before...but he said it grew back again. He explained that I needed surgery to remove the part - including the valve , that because of so much scar tissue created by prior procedures, another colonoscopy was dangerous.
He didn't attempt to resect it this time but once again sent tissue sample to pathology, and all came back benign. I was confused, and I questioned him as why removing a piece of intestine that was working. "You don't need the valve," He said.
I was terrified at this perspective of another surgery having had so many in my life, but he informed that 'nothing to worry about you have good insurance'.
I was extremely stressed out for months yet I was researching on a procedure called EMR that promise removal of difficult polyps. I discovered a clinic run by Dr. Binmoeller in San Francisco the guru of removing complicated adenoma and to avoid surgery.
In all, and because I found some inconsistencies with these 5 colonoscopies and some lack of concern for my wellbeing, I went to see Dr. Marc Eldestein in Beverly Hills after researching for a good GI.
I walked into his office and I was literally shaking, but his relaxed manner calmed me. I was impressed with his competence. He examined me in detail and reviewed my entire medical history. He saw me as a whole and not as a part.
He reviewed all five colonoscopies reports and looked at me and said that he knew my GI that he did a good job but I did not need surgery. Dr. Edelstein weighed the potential benefit against the risk of surgery. I was so happy to hear that, and to have found a physician with compassion and courage.
He did explain a methodology called EMR done at Cedars- Sinai Medical Center. Then referred me there, which was precise and in consistency with the research I have been going about.
I didn't even dream I was going to find it here in my City, and be a candidate for this EMR. Then after some time not having heard from Cedars yet I went back to see Dr. Edelstein and once again he was supportive and told me I was in good hands. Then I said but what about the scar tissue formed, making the resection difficult, a hemorrhaged of sort or something "We take care of that" His reassurance, and confidence penetrated my tired being and I was ready. Finally, the day came to the EMR Colonoscopy. The treatment I received at Cedars - Sinai and the EMR performed by Dr. Symond Lo and his remarkable team of physicians was excellent. A difficult but successful resection was done in 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Thinking back and having gone to Dr. Marc Edelstein earlier probably I had prevented so many difficult moments and unnecessary suffering by receiving a more adequate treatment at once.
Simply Dr. Marc Eldelstein has the knowledge, the humility, the passion and the work ethics to sort through data, compassion, and reason. read more
