I do not recommend seeing this provider.
If you have other options, I would avoid this doctor. My experience left me feeling dismissed and delayed in receiving the care I ultimately needed.
After my colonoscopy and endoscopy, I was given conflicting information about my results. When I woke up from the procedure, I was in severe pain. Dr. Hilbig told my mother and me that I would need to remain on a soft-food diet because it appeared my colon was being "choked," and he recommended that I see a general surgeon as soon as possible. Despite telling us this, no referral was placed, and no effort was made to help me obtain the surgical evaluation he said I needed.
Just four days later, I was admitted to the hospital because of ongoing severe pain and concern for complications following the colonoscopy.
At my follow-up appointment, instead of addressing my concerns or explaining my findings, I felt dismissed. I was told my weight was the problem and was advised to "read a book." I'm 5'8 and 150 lbs. When I asked questions about my procedure and what the next steps should be, I was told, "I've checked you for cancer and Crohn's--what else do you want from me?"
When I requested a referral to a general surgeon, he refused.
What concerns me most is what happened afterward. Even though he was not the physician managing my subsequent care, he continued adding comments to my medical record regarding my condition. Specifically, he documented that there was "no surgical follow-up needed for adhesions at this time." This directly contradicted what he had initially told my family after my procedure--that I needed to see a general surgeon urgently--and those comments were entered despite the fact that he had refused to refer me. Because medical records are relied upon by other healthcare providers, I believe those entries had the potential to influence or discourage further evaluation of my condition.
Fortunately, my gynecologist listened to my concerns and referred me appropriately. I also sought out a general surgeon on my own. Through their evaluation, I was ultimately diagnosed with Stage IV endometriosis involving my rectum and colon. That diagnosis explained the symptoms I had been experiencing and confirmed that there was, in fact, a significant underlying condition requiring specialized surgical care.
Based on my experience, I felt my concerns were minimized, my care was delayed, and my medical record contained documentation that could have discouraged other providers from pursuing the evaluation I needed. I cannot recommend this provider. read more
