I honestly was hoping to have been one of the people who left 5 stars from an amazing experience but that has been far from the case. Last Monday I got a colonoscopy w/ Dr Carl Atallah from Advanced GI and 2 weeks prior we had a virtual consultation. This review is absolutely written with frustration and disappointment from my appointment. And I never received any clarity as to why my procedure didn't go as planned due to the doctor and doctor's office not responding to my request to speak to the doctor to give feedback and ask clarifying questions.
Now, I will say that everyone was very nice and hospitable last monday during my time there, which I appreciate, even when we felt rushed out after I woke up. But if NO ONE was going to actually listen to my needs, what was the point of this procedure and the 3 day sacrifices I made? My boyfriend and I took off for work and paid for 2 uber rides for this only to leave more disappointed than when I arrived.
When I had my virtual appointment I stated that I have been dealing with a chronic anal fissure since November of 2021. I stated that I have had a hemorrhoid for years now but for some reason last winter I got a really bad anal fissure that just NEVER healed. I stated that I have tried Prep H multiple times and it did not work. Prep H actually burns now when I use it, when it didn't before, as there wasn't an anal fissure present. I stated that I have done sitz baths and they have not worked. I stated that I had a prescription that only had 3 refills that helped with the pain but not with the healing because the hemorrhoid was stopping that. I stated that I wanted to get the hemorrhoid banded so that the anal fissure could finally heal as it keeps get reactivated when I move my bowels due to the hemorrhoid being an obstruction. I was very aware of my body and knew what I wanted/needed to be done in order to have peace of mind and get back to my normal routine of life. I have gone -80 sick hours at my employment due to calling out of work over the year from the agonizing pain.
Every nurse I spoke with I told them the same thing. I had very high hopes that I was going to be waking up on Tuesday morning pain free. I had very high hopes when I went into work the following day, that I would be able to for the first time in over 8 months not embarrassingly use my donut cushion to sit on all shift. I can barely sit right now at my desk to type this review as I am in burning pain.
My virtual appointment now feels very misleading as I was under the assumption that I would be having a colonoscopy with banding. As I gained more and more consciousness from the anesthesia, on my way home, I began to realize what happened, which was nothing. And then I recall as I was being discharged, not only was I being told I have a hemorrhoid but that no anal fissure was seen, but also wasn't being looked for was a whirlwind of confusion. For it to only be followed up with, "use Prep H, take a sitz bath...maybe I can get you a prescription...if the problem persists we can band the hemorrhoid". It was as if NO ONE heard or listened to anything I said. This has been a problem for over a year now and ALL of that was communicated. I also was given discharge paperwork with personal information and images of another random patients colon and I don't know if that other patient had mine. I called last Tuesday, the following day of my procedure and sent a follow up email on Thursday. It is now the following Monday and I have not received ANY communication from ANYONE. I find this whole process to be disgusting and negligent. I would NOT recommend this office nor Dr Atallah. NO banding and NO prescription. An absolute waste of my time but of course I'll be expected to pay any copay required for this unsuccessful and incompetent experience. read more