The nursing staff and surgery center staff at North Pinellas Surgery Center were exceptionally…read morekind, attentive, and professional. Unfortunately, my experience with Dr. Anoop Goyal, who is a part owner of the practice, was the complete opposite.
Dr. Goyal was the physician I had previously seen in his office and the person who ordered my endoscopy and colonoscopy. Despite that, before I was sedated for these invasive procedures, he did not introduce himself, say hello, explain what was about to happen, or have any meaningful conversation with me. When a physician who already knows your case is about to examine your stomach and intestines while you are unconscious, basic communication and reassurance should not be too much to expect.
When I woke up from propofol, I was still disoriented and emotional. Dr. Goyal told me that he had taken biopsies but that it looked as though I "probably just have IBS." He provided no further explanation about what he saw, why the biopsies were taken, what they were testing for, or what would happen next.
While he was there, I asked him to please ensure that my work note included the previous day, when I had been required to complete the colonoscopy preparation. The prep involved drinking a bowel-cleansing solution that caused constant, urgent diarrhea and made working completely unrealistic. I explained that I had a new job with no PTO and that I could lose my job and health insurance without documentation. His exact response was, "No way," and then he walked away.
I left feeling dismissed, uninformed, and unsupported during an extremely vulnerable medical experience. The nursing and surgery center staff deserve recognition for how kindly they treated me, but that does not make up for the physician's lack of communication and compassion. I cannot recommend Dr. Goyal or his practice. If you want a physician who will speak to you before an invasive procedure, explain the findings afterward, and acknowledge the practical realities of medically required colonoscopy preparation, I strongly suggest looking elsewhere.
The star is for the staff but if it wasn't for them I'd rate this with a fat no star if possible. What kind of doctor won't give you a note, seriously?