Austin Gastroenterology

I’m updating my review and adding another 2 stars after seeing Dr. Willeford again today. He was much more happy and helpful this time around. I couldn’t believe it! It was a pleasant experience, and I did feel as though he was much more attentive and caring at today’s visit. Maybe he’s more of a morning person than an afternoon one. I don’t know what changed since my last appointment, but I’ll take it!

Five stars for Dr. Ridgeway, she is a great and caring Doctor! Since my cancer and a screening for other cancers turned up a Lynch syndrome diagnosis, she has had my back!
I would never go to anyone else! she takes you seriously, not wasting your time or hers.

What an absolute mess.
I needed to see a gastroenterologist due to persistent lower right abdominal pain. Making an appointment here was easy and fuss-​free, but the actual event was a waste of time.
Dr. Alcocer was pleasant, but utterly unhelpful. He seemed to take my pain seriously until I told him that I had suffered from an eating disorder in the past (I had to tell him in order to explain a colonoscopy that I had as a teenager — I had some digestive issues during recovery). After that point, he slapped an IBS label on me and told me to go on an extremely restrictive diet (which is a pretty terrible idea for a recovered anorexic, if you ask me). I tried to stress that the pain was not general and had been in one particular place for three months, but he said, «You could come back here next month and tell me it’s in a different place.»
To top it all off, the check-​out person/​scheduler is hideously rude. I told her that I had just seen Dr. Alcocer and was told to come back in a month, and she said, «We’ll see about that.» Making the appointment was a nightmare, and when it was finally done, she asked, «Do you wanna get your phone out or do you need a card?» I said that a card would be great, and she grumbled, «A card would be great.» as if mocking me. Then she shoved the card into my hand and said, «Can you read that?» I could certainly read it — but I won’t be needing it, because there’s no way I’m keeping that appointment. I paid through the nose for an ER visit this morning, and it was worth it just to keep me from having to return to Austin Gastroenterology.

I would like to start by saying I have never had a physician treat me the way Dr. Dabaghi and his staff did! I have a rare disease called Achalasia and it took him forever to get it together enough to diagnose me.
He let his PA talk to me like a dog and she gave me completely wrong information. When I addressed this with his Administrator the Doctor called me on the phone and screamed at me.
I immediately found a capable highly recommended Doctor and I fired him. The funniest thing was that I received months later in the mail a document from Dr. Dabaghi indicating that he could no longer support me. He was so arrogant he didn’t even realize he had already been replaced!

I saw Dr, Ridgeway a few months ago due to some GI issues. On the 1^st visit she seemed rushed and hardly gave me eye contact. I was very disappointed because I waited for this appointment for a very long time. WARNING. .because she is the only female doctor, she’s very much in demand by female patients. I don’t consider myself a needy patient so I gave her the benefit of the doubt and followed up with the tests she requested. Those thankfully came back normal but I still had the issues I initially saw her for. I was disappointed that no one followed up with me. She should have been more attentive. Thankfully my OB/​GYN has been caring and very concerned about my issue. She sent me for more imaging testing and recommended I follow up with a GI specialist. No way I would go back to her!!!

I can’t write for the other GI doctors here — just for Dr. Mona Lin Ridgeway. This is a large group of doctors so who knows how they are in an appointment. I have seen Dr. Ridgeway 3 times, each time worsens. She hands out prescriptions like candy before letting me talk about my concerns. She is brusque, blunt but non-​explanatory for why she is doing things (like prescribing medication and procedures). Digestive/​GI issues are often complex, have multiple things going on and very personal — all of which she has NO interest. I almost left in tears she was so dismissive and I am not like that usually. All I ask is for the doctor to maybe get some background info on what’s going on, listen, and give thoughtful medical advice. I asked her for lifestyle changes besides medication and she said she’s not the doctor to talk to for those! Yikes!
The staff was quick if that is helpful… if anyone has great suggestions for someone to see, message me!

My experience is similar to those of many writing a less than stellar review. I need to go back, but dread the thought. The staff is rude, the wait is long, and when the nurse manages to call back with test results — over 10 days later — the first 5 minutes of the call are taken up with her complaining about how busy she is. Argh. When I had the audacity to call the office and ask about results before the call, I was told «If it had been something important, you’d have gotten a call.» Presumably. However, one negative test result does not mean the patient is not still in distress.

1 star seems pretty accurate. I don’t have direct experience with the doctors here; I only have experience through my boyfriend, who was diagnosed with gastroenteritis by a GI when we lived in Houston. Our experiences with this facility can be summed up by the phrase «hurry up and wait.» It is VERY hard to speak with a person on the phone. The automated phone screening method is highly inefficient. When you do finally get a person, scheduling an appointment isn’t too difficult. But as the other reviewers said, you do A LOT of waiting for your appointment in the waiting room. They take you back and then you wait another 15 – 20 minutes for the doctor to see you. Then the doctor sees you for a rushed 5 – 10 minutes. Great patient care! (note sarcasm)
The worst part of this place is whoever/​whatever organizes the paperwork. Boyfriend has tried for MONTHS to get his medical records sent from Houston to Austin GI, and they STILL do not have them. Houston has faxed his records multiple times, and has reported to us that they received confirmation that the fax was received, but apparently faxes enter into the abyss at Austin GI. Same with phone calls. Boyfriend has left multiple voicemails that go without response. When he gets a prescription written, it takes forever for them to get it to the pharmacy. And if the pharmacy contacts them by phone, they never hear back. Does Austin GI just press «delete» on all their voicemails without listening to them?
Not at all impressed with this place. Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult to switch to a new doctor. And lord knows Austin GI wouldn’t be able to send records to another facility.

family members went to 2 different GI’s at 38^th St. office. Wait was horribly long. 1 doctor was very rude to 1 member of the family. The other doctor just ordered way too many tests. I was glad to transfer to Shoal Creek location and found Dr. Z and his p.a. who are the only reason I gave this site a 3 star. Dr. Z’s p.a. deserved 10 stars-​I did not need to see Dr. Z yet, but will when I need to. I regret having seen the other 2 established MD’s at 38^th St.

I have an unbearable burning sensation in the back of my throat, but am not experiencing heartburn. Sometimes, the pain is so bad my ear canals burn. After extensive research on whether I need to see an ENT or gastro, all signs pointed to gastro. When I called to schedule the apt, I explained my symptoms and asked if I was in the right place or if I needed to see an ENT. The lady assured me that I needed to see a gastro. When I arrived30 mins before my apt, Dr. Poreddy’s waiting room was FULL of patients sitting in torn up, dining room chairs; he walked in the office 10 mins before my apt. A woman showed up 45 mins late and they let her go right back to a room. Really? When I finally got to see him, he never reviewed my chart or asked me questions. I basically interviewed him; if I hadn’t, we would have sat in silence. After I told him that all acid blockers and anti-​acids weren’t helping and I was experiencing these symptoms for 9 days, he said, «Only 9 days?». All sources say to seek immediate medical attention if it persists for 2 weeks, but the pain was so bad, I couldn’t wait any longer. He said he’d write an Rx and handed me a bag of samples w/​o telling me what it was or how to take it. I asked him and he was hesitant to answer. I asked about medication interactions and he said I won’t have that problem. Turns out, the meds interfere with my other meds. Then, he tried to end the apt w/​o looking at my records. My mom had colon cancer, which is an ailment that gastro doctors specialize in; he never asked me about family history or meds I’m currently taking b/​c he never cracked open my file. I asked him to look down my throat and he told me to go to an ENT. WHAT!!! He could of at least humored me and shined a light in my mouth or something. Dr. Poreddy didn’t examine anything and after he was in the room for 6 min, he was quick to move on to his next patient. I just found out that I’ve been suffering from GERD for a while w/​o knowing and was told that Dr. Poreddy should have done a full examination, since it could lead to scarring of the esophagus, ulcers and other sever damage. The worst bedside manner I’ve ever experienced. Waste of time and $, for sure.

Dr. Ridgeway would get 4 ½ — 5 stars. She took time with me and listened to my concerns. This practice group has EXCESSIVE waiting. I reluctantly accept waiting for the doctor. You wait for everyone here, especially the scheduler. That wait took the longest. If you need to reschedule, it takes days. She does not answer the phone and she calls back 2 – 3 days later. The call tree is ridiculously long and repetitive. It’s hard to remember the 10 things they ask for by the time you get to voice mail. Dr. Ridgeway is worth it, but this practice group has little respect for a patient’s time.

I had a very bad experience with Dr. Sperling. He will not take time to figure out problem. He told me it was all in my head & wanted to put me on anti-​depressants since I was a women. He did an endoscope on me took little or no time & hurt afterwards. I told him I had thrown up yellow bile the day before & he did not believe me. He told my husband after procedure he would figure out my problem but when I saw him blew me off. You could not pay me to see him, run fast run far especially if you are a women.

I don’t understand the negative Unilocal about this place! They are busy, they probably don’t have time to be your new best friends but I got really wonderful care from Dr. Sperling and his PA; Elizabeth. They both seemed interested in what I had to say and addressed my fears immediately. Overall my experience with the office was pleasant. All the staff I talked to were friendly and helpful. The facility on Shoal Creek, where they did my procedure was top notch; I would not hesitate to go there again. My last experience with a colonoscopy was horrible and I swore never to have another but the Dr. suggested Propofol and Wow, that made all the difference in the world! No pain, no side effects.

I have lived in 3 different states and experienced many different GI doctors and I would place Dr. Mona Lin Ridgeway up there with the best. Dr. Ridgeway is considerate, her staffs (especially Lisa) are superior and the care level is fantastic. I have had a few flare-​ups and staff’s response is incredibly quick and thoughtful. I have to get monthly lab work and Lisa always contacts me shortly after my lab work with the results. Lisa has even called me on a Friday evening after 7:00PM to make sure I was doing okay during a bad episode, I have never had a doctor’s office care as much.

I had a good experience here, and the only deduction is for the wait to actually see the doctor. It was 45 minutes after my appointment time before his visit. It’s a busy practice, and there are lots of variables that affect the wait time, but one should not have to wait that long.
However, Dr. Alcocer was great — polite, attentive, and thorough. If you can find a doctor who allows you to speak, it’s a rare find, and Dr. Alcocer is certainly that. The flip side is that a patient should be as prepared as the doctor, and get to the point and describe symptoms clearly.

My first appt with Dr. Sperling was this week. The office staff were super friendly, so big plus there. After waiting 20 minutes, I met with both a PA and Dr. Sperling. They both asked a lot of questions, but I could tell they were in a hurry. While I was OK with their hurried demeanor, I can completely understand why some people might think them rude.
I am also still unsure if my initial diagnosis is accurate, but time and testing will tell…

The following sums up my personal experiences at the 34^th St. location: Patient UNfriendly. They seemed to have an anti-​patient attitude and relish it. Very rude, *snarky,* condescending staff with POMPOUS, cold, indifferent attitudes. As an acutely ill patient at the time, they treated me like a lowly form of life, undeserving of common courtesy or respect.
Every staff member I’ve interacted with there, from front desk on back, acted as if MD stands for Medical Deity and as if «patient» is a vastly inferior life form. The attitudes I experienced from the staff at A.G. (medical and non-​medical) were self-​aggrandizing to the max.
I had bad to awful experiences with the doctor I saw there and they do *not* allow patients to change doctors within their practice, which is something I’ve never heard of before. The doc you saw initially is the one you’re stuck with, like it or lump it. It’s their way or the highway. Sadly, no one at AG on 34^th seems to care if they drive patients away with their awful anti-​patient attitudes and draconian policies.
As a person with ill-​health, I’ve been to many medical facilities and unfortunately AG on 34^th St is a prime example of everything that can go wrong with big box, institutionalized, monopolizing, ‘too big for their britches,’ conveyer belt medicine.
Based on my experiences, it’s well worth the effort to find a G.I. doc in a smaller, private practice not affiliated with A.G., who actually prioritizes patient quality of care and basic common courtesy towards the patient, even if it means a longer drive or going out of your way to do it.

I just wrote up my review of Dr. K. Ellis who is a part of Austin Gastro. I have been a patient for over 5 years and put up with a lot. Some visits were great, but more and more it was like I was bothering them by coming in. Staff is rude, waits are incredibly long, and Dr. Ellis runs in and out so fast it’s not funny. I think I only got as far as I did in treatment because I learned to speak up and flat out ask for an answer…
BUT — today was the last straw — I called in for an appt with Dr. Ellis for my chronic condition which just took a severe turn for the worse only to be told I COULD NOT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT with the Dr. only with the PA!
So enough of feeling fortunate and lucky that they will allow me the privilege of paying to sit in their waiting room and being treated poorly. I’m not sure where I’m going next, but it’s time for a change.

If you’ve got an appointment here, be prepared to schedule 2 hours out of your day so that you can wait in the waiting room for an hour and a half, then talk to a nurse for 10 minutes, wait another 15 for a doctor to see you, then talk to the absentminded doctor for 5 minutes before he writes you a prescription for something and tells you to come back in a month.
I don’t feel welcome here. I feel like these doctors overbook their days and inevitably run long on previous appointments, so if you get here in the early afternoon you’re SOL and have to wait and wait and wait. And since they’re already running late, they spend a few minutes looking at your chart and talking at you before approving what the nurse suggested and jotted down as a course of «treatment.»
For what it’s worth, the prescription provided to me has been somewhat helpful, though not effective ENOUGH… but I think there’s more to it than just taking a pill and hoping that it’ll go away. I would like to explore more options, but I hate this place and can’t stand to go back, waste my time, and feel like one in a herd of cattle.
EDITED to add: I ran out of my prescription and called the office to refill it. An automated message informed me that I needed to send a fax through my pharmacy to request a refill. I had my pharmacy request my refill TWICE via fax and it’s been TWO MONTHS and no response. So I’m not taking any medication for my IBS anymore. And I’m definitely not going here again unless I need a colonoscopy or something (doubtful, for many years at least).

My two stars are very generous. I do agree with the other Unilocal review that they are the mafia of GI doctors. They are centrally located, that gives them a star.
Cons: — very hard to make an appointment
— My doctor «S» was very rude, and talked down to me (since I am not a doctor I must not have a brain).
— I have heard good reviews about other doctors in the group, when I tried to change doctors with in the group (which is a no-​no, so make sure you look into your doctor before making an appointment with just any guy), is still in the process of changing and takes around 2 weeks to get the «approval» to switch docs…
Very frustrating. I am in the search for a good gastro not in this group, I am tired of waiting for my «switch» of doctors!