Not sure if Dr. Terdiman read my review and so changed his behavior, if I caught him on an off day, or if he just does better when he has test results. (Of course, just so you make an informed choice yourself: he may also have been nicer because I posted the magical words "risk management" and "tenured law professor" - either of which cause doctors to shift their care. And I also got referred through the VIP coordinator due to my concierge doctor.) I had my colonoscopy done at Stanford, which is usually great, but the doctor didn't have followup til ... three months later! I sent the results to Dr. Terdiman, and he responded by email within a few hours with a detailed analysis. It was incredibly re-assuring, and he didn't rake in the big bucks that doctors get for procedures like the colonoscopy itself. My osteopath, Mathew Gilmartin, says he thought that Dr. Terdiman is very caring and responsive with his other patients. So I stand corrected in my earlier negative review. read more

Review is for Chris. She got her supervisor to reach out to doctor to see me despite his no longer treating my issue.

Dr. Terdiman is one of the best doctors I've ever had. First of all, his expertise cannot be questioned. My previous GI would often defer to Dr. Terdiman for advice with particularly difficult cases (like mine), and it became increasingly clear to me that Dr. Terdiman is the foremost GI expert in the area. Second, he is extremely responsive to his patients. One of the most frustrating things about many doctors is that they can be really hard to get in touch with. Dr. Terdiman readily responds to most emails (though he now uses the UCSF messaging system). Finally, many GI doctors are quick to dismiss natural remedies for certain intestinal ailments, often to the detriment of the patient. Not so with Dr. Terdiman. Though he has spent years researching the western approach to many of these diseases, he will not discount some of the popular natural remedies. For instance, there is a popular diet ascribed to by many with my particular condition, though unfortunately there has not been much official study conducted on its efficacy. Personal anecdotes abound about how this diet has been far more effective than many debilitating drugs often prescribed for these conditions. Many doctors dismiss it, not so with Dr. Terdiman. In summary, if you are fortunate enough to become one of his patients, you are in good hands. One word of warning, his schedule can get pretty busy, so see if you can get a recommendation from another doctor to get an appointment faster, or be prepared to wait a few weeks to see him (especially on your first visit). read more

I once agreed with Stephanie S. when she said that 'Dr Terdiman is a talented Gastrointerologist and a nice guy, but spends little time with you before he prescribes medication.' I've had several, very similar experiences with Dr Terdiman but after reading the comments by the last reviewer I decided to write him an email in lieu of making one of those 5 min appointments. Dr Terdiman responded to my email that day, in fact, he responded at 10pm later that night! He is a brilliant Doctor who is highly respected by his peers. I just don't think there is enough time in the day to teach graduate students, publish articles and books, perform medical procedures and see hundreds of patients with the bedside manner we expect from our family practitioner when were kids. read more

Dr. Terdiman has been nothing but wonderful since I have been under his care over the past year. I was diagnosed with IBD (Ulcerative Colitis) in 2001 and have been to probably 20 different doctors around the country over the last 13 years. Though I have come across some good or even great doctors in my 13 years of fighting IBD, Dr. Terdiman absolutely stands out as one of the best doctors I could ever imagine taking care of me. My case has never been an easy one to deal with, as I've had doctors debate back and forth for over a decade if I have Ulcerative Colitis...or maybe it's Crohns? Regardless, Dr. Terdiman reviewed all of my previous scans, scopes, bloodwork, and took an approach to look over and monitor everything himself and form his own professional opinion on my diagnosis. He is exceptionally knowledgeable and takes time to listen to your concerns. His bedside manner is wonderful and he really cares about making sure his patients are given all the answers they need. Getting in touch with him via mychart is so easy. He is one of the most responsive doctors I've ever dealt with! Any time I have an issue I am able to get in touch with him and figure out a game plan. Highly highly recommended! read more

Dr. Terdiman has helped save my life not once but twice in my 22 years of knowing him. My IBD Is Crohns Disease. He is highly intelligent and one of the best in GI. He shows his compassion in a unique way. He won't sugar coat things for you but will tell you what is what. Which I truly appreciate. I have found myself ironically working in nursing in GI for one of his mentors. I recommend patients to him who have IBD's and colorectal cancers. And the fun fact is his wife, Dr. Varma is my colorectal surgeon. She is amazing too. I am grateful and fortunate to have him as part of my care team. read more

Dr. Terdiman is an outstanding doctor who is one of the best experts in his field. I do a ton of research before selecting a doctor trying to find the best. This was especially important when I had to get a colonoscopy. I have e-mailed some questions and he got right back to me with very reassuring answers. The reason for only 4 stars: his staff. UCSF has many great things about it but one very disappointing part is that sometimes it is run a little like the DMV. When you call, you are not exactly treated with the utmost respect. But his nurses were terrific. read more

To sum it up, his nurses, office staff and answering service are the worst I have ever had to deal with. The people you hire and the people that work for you are a reflection of you. Medication I can get from any Dr. bedside manner, discussion and my calls return I expect from the Dr. This is not something you will get from him. I would go elsewhere if you can, I know I did. read more

Didn't realize Dr. Terdiman had a Yelp page though I've known him for nearly 20 years. Dr. Terdiman is a seasoned professional, among the the foremost experts in Gasteroenterology and above all, a wonderful human being. I went to him in 1999 having seen several doctors who tried many traditional treatments for my chronic illness with little effect. His knowledge of the latest and greatest treatments & research, really changed my life. He also explains the science behind such treatments when asked. He provided me with the best in class treatments as they were brought to market over the next 10 years. He predicted the effect of internal damage done to my body before coming under his care very accurately. After surgeries were done to repair those issues, he provided maintenance recommendations. He has always been there for me - even when I've now fully recovered and stayed healthy for many years. I was advised at one point when I was in my 30s to essentially quit working and go on welfare. But under Dr. T's care, I progressed to full recovery. Since then I've founded non-profit organizations & businesses plus been there for my family & kids. Every friend and family member I've referred to him or his colleagues have also reported TOTAL cure. I feel that it is divine blessing for me to have come across him. read more

It's true, Dr T will not spend a hour talking about your life. But, he's a great gastrointerlogist. He's got a reputation research-wise for being among the top doctors in this field in the US and the world, and he works in SF. He's on top of all the new medications (trials, pro's, con's) and he shares that knowledge with patients. Also, he is a very nice guy that cares. He's busy, and I actually appreciate how efficient he is. True, he won't spend a hour with you, but he also won't make you wait a hour to see him. If you want a doctor who will be your best friend, he may not be for you. But if you want a specialist who can heal and work with you, he's a great doctor. read more

I've never written a Yelp review for a physician, but I thought that potential patients might benefit from knowing about my experience. Dr. Terdiman came highly recommended by a physician that is outstanding in every regard. If your condition is clearly serious and falls into his area of expertise, then he will likely be phenomenal. In my case, I had indigestion to the point that it was difficult to find anything to eat and I couldn't sleep for more than a few hours at a time. I've never been a picky eater, so it was strange when I found that only a few foods didn't set off severe acid reflux. I've always been around average weight, but while I waited 5 months for an appointment with Dr. Terdiman, I lost 30 pounds. When I had a brief office visit with him, he didn't examine me. Honestly, he didn't seem interested. He prescribed a high dose of Zantac and an endoscopy. I tried to keep questions to a minimum, but I did ask about what new foods I might try in order to stop the weight loss. He recommended a food that I had already tried and had found to be especially difficult to eat. I told him that I had trouble with that food, and it seemed that he didn't hear me. The endoscopy was not worrisome, though a few issues showed up. At the endoscopy, he said one sentence to me and never followed up with me about it personally. Via email, he recommended one more test (not with him), which turned out to be normal. Then I never heard from him again. My stomach did get better over time, but it's been over a year and I still have indigestion that regularly makes sleep difficult. I'm very lucky that I don't have a severe condition like Crohn's disease, and I believe wholeheartedly that people who suffer from such problems need to have access to the level of expertise that exists at UCSF. I also believe that it's unfortunate when those who have relatively minor problems take up Dr. Terdiman's time, making it more difficult for those with life-threatening diseases to get appointments. The problem is that you don't know if your situation is serious. At the time, my severe indigestion and the resulting inability to sleep and weight loss seemed serious to me. It's all relative and hindsight is 20/20. But I certainly did feel dismissed. Perhaps Dr. Terdiman should have referred me to someone who would have had more time to explore my symptoms. Even though digestive problems continue to impact my life significantly, it's likely that they aren't life-threatening. But my experience with Dr. Terdiman makes me hesitant to see another doctor. Without question, he appeared to believe I was wasting his time, and I don't see why that was necessary. No matter how venerated a doctor or institution might be, if someone who is feeling ill and perplexed comes to you for help, a little bit of humanity goes a long way. read more

Dr Terdiman is a good doctor, although when I go, I always seem to get his nurse practicioner or a student he is mentoring. i know hes a busy guy; I guess my case is not terribly interesting or publication-worthy. His NP is super-nice so I dont mind seeing her at all. The reception staff are terrible. Its a major reason I have not been back in 2 years. Calling the office is less fun than a root canal. Just today I had to call back four times because I was hung up on three times. On the fourth time, I had to wait 20 minutes to spend 30 seconds making an appointment for March (that was first available) And when you get to the office, they won't even look at you or speak to you as a human being until your insurance and co-pay is processed. I understand these things are important, but a smile and "hello" goes a long way with sick people. If you're an IBD patient with serious issues, he's a great doctor to see. UCSF has great facilities. and his wife, Dr Varma, is a most excellent colorectal surgeon. (most people dont even notice my tiny scars) but if you're just a mild to moderate case, go in with low expectations to avoid disappointment. read more

I haven't met Dr Terdiman yet but after reading the terrible reviews the office staff has received I was hesitant in even phoning up for an appointment. I had to get a referral from my general practitioner and after reading the reviews I thought I would really be given the bums rush. It was such a comfort when Tracy Steward answered their phone. She assured me that I was in the best of hands with Dr Terdiman then went above and beyond to help me get all the proper referrals and medical records that were needed. She was pleasant and patient I can't say enough about her. read more

Dr. Terdiman is a very bright and discerning GI. While some might debate the amount of time he can spend with you at an office visit, one thing that is not up for debate is that he shows he really cares about you as a patient by being extremely responsive and persistent in his care. If you have IBD (Crohn's or ulcerative colitis) and you want to be seen by a GI that treats a good number of individuals living with IBD, ranging from moderate disease to the most severe, Dr. Terdiman is just that GI. Dr. Terdiman knows all the current medications that are available and those that are in the pipeline. He will let you know the pros and cons of each medication and what he thinks will get "your disease" under control. Personally, Dr. Terdiman has taken care of me through a severe flare of colitis and was the only doctor after many visits to numerous specialists that sent me directly to the ER to be seen for something that was unrelated to GI, but was concerning enough to him considering my other medical condition and medications. Intelligently, he had me seen by an infectious disease physician, admitted to the hospital and because of his sound medical judgment I received a diagnosis and was on my way to a full recovery. I will be clear, there are often and unfortunately no miracles that can come from a physician when you're living with a chronic and debilitating digestive disease - and it's a very hard road at times, but I personally feel that traveling that road with a physician, like Dr. T, one who is knowledgeable of IBD, is very responsive to an inquiry via email and phone, and on-top of the latest developments is a good medical partner to have on my journey with IBD. Of course, who you select as a medical provider is a very personal choice, but he's been a very good choice for me! read more

Dr. Terdiman has been my doctor for over ten years. I have had Crohn's disease for over 28 years and he has been the only GI doctor that has been able to keep me functioning almost full time with a stressful job. He listens, has read the chart BEFORE he comes into the exam room, and always has a list of things to try. If something doesn't work, he doesn't just dismiss you, he always has a plan B,C and D until your quality of life improves. The most amazing thing is that he answers your emails, often within an hour. I have seen him emailing from his I-phone in between colonoscopies and he also cc's his staff to follow up on appointments or medications. If you have tricky bowel disease, he is your doctor. read more

A big reason I signed up for Yelp was so I can write a review for Dr. Terdiman. I don't know if the experience of the earlier reviewer was a one-off case or if thats how Dr. Terdiman is with other patients, but I personally had a very very different sort of experience with him. He helped me through two very difficult years, always willing to listen to me (and hear out my amateur research) and always explaining my options for treatment. He has a stellar reputation among his peers and from my experience, deserves it. He is a very busy doctor too, but I've found always finds the time to reply to your email. As a person too, he's a really nice guy. It's a possibility that my experience with him was so positive because he treated me over a period of time. I remember having been happy with his treatment (and attitude) from the very beginning though, and that seems to negate the possibility that he only treated me well coz he knew me. I would definitely recommend him very highly. read more

I have experience with Dr Terdiman both as a patient and spouse of a patient. As a patient, I called for a colonoscope (I am of that magic age) and with that one phone call I had the date set and information sent for the prep. Dr T talked with me before the procedure and after-- was open to my questions and easy to talk with. My interaction with his office staff was excellent. As husband of a patient, I have found him to spend as much time as necessary to work out the history and short-comings of past treatments for my wife's condition and work on new treatments. While his time is not open-ended with us, I have not found him to come in, prescribe a pill, and leave as others report here. Granted other diagnoses require different approaches, but my experience with my wife has seen him take as much time to deal with our questions as we needed. He even took time to review the previous MD's reports and point out differences in opinions-- something that MDs are not too anxious to do these days. I have put calls in to his answering service and been satisfied-- certainly every one can have a bad day and I don't know whether he hires the answering service or UCSF/Mt Zion does, so I can't say how much control he has over the service, but rudeness has not been my experience. read more

Terdiman is a busy busy man but straightforward and to the point. I am in the wealth management business and see many clients a day for portfolio reviews. Having enough time and energy to balance many appointments can be challenging. He is crisp and to the point. I like that about him. He is an excellent doctor. He cares about his patience. He did an excellent job answering my questions. I feel very comfortable with him. Great doctor read more

He came highly recommended and I understand why. Very nice bed side manner and I felt at ease with him. His team was wonderful and I would go to him again in nanosecond. I enjoyed talking about the Warriors before the procedure making me feel even more at ease. I wish I had his email to thank him as I am sure most don't. read more

I can not rate Dr. Terediman highly enough. I have seen many gastros. Dr. T is exceptionally knowledgeable - but most importantly, beyond his abilities is talent. He successfully performed a very delicate procedure on me that saved me from having surgery right away - other gastros would not even try since it was so delicate. He thoroughly researched my condition and gave me all of the options and great advice. He has a reputation for being skilled at handling other gastro's "impossible" cases. He was recommended to me by 2 different specialists at Stanford at Harvard. If you have a serious or unusual condition - he is without question the person to see. If you need more time to talk with him, make an appointment specifically stating your need. He is a kind person but not a hand-holder. I have those kind of docs and it is a great luxury when that can be your priority over talent in diagnosis, research, and technical skill. read more

Do not go there! I went for a routine upper and lower endoscopy. I didn't receive any service from them however I ended up paying $500 for nothing. First of all I was in the room with the nurse for 15 minutes before they could find my medical reports that I previously faxed to them as per their request. In the meantime the nurse was just checking me in to schedule the procedure. She did all the job needed. Then Dr. Terdiman showed up without addressing me by my name since he didn't even looked at my personal info. I told him was my 4th check up routine after 14 years surgery. He answered to me that he didn't mind at all of what was done prior his procedure. Thanks a lot...kind of arrogant huh? The whole visit with him was about 5 minutes. Since the impression I had was very negative, since I felt treated like a number and just a source of income for the doctor, besides receiving complete lack of attention, I decided to go somewhere else where I received attention, compassion and respect. read more

I received Dr. Terdiman's name from a dear friend of mine who is an exceptional doctor. When Dr. Bob said he would have a colonoscopy through Dr. Terdiman, that was a good enough endorsement for me. Dr. Terdiman was great. He was extremely professional, straight-forward, and thorough, as was his assistant doctor. I had to have a colonoscopy and the care I received during the prep, procedure, and recovery process was terrific. The staff was excellent. I would highly recommend him, even though this ain't much fun to go through. I would strongly recommend him. read more

Dr Terdiman is a truly extraordinary doctor. He took me down the right treatment path after I had gotten not so good advice elsewhere. He is amazingly quick in responding to emails. IBD is not fun. If he is willing to take you as a patient you should count yourself as truly lucky. read more

Dr. Terdiman is the BEST gastroenterologist in the Bay Area. Trust me, I've been to many GI doctors because my family has a hereditary polyp condition. I drive two hours (four hours round trip) to have him perform colonoscopies. It's a huge hassle but well worth it. I should also mention that I work in a field which involves strong knowledge of medical conditions. I do my homework and shop around for my physicians. Terdiman is the best doc around although I cannot say the same for his staff. But I hold him in such high regard, I let the staff issues go. Also, I have emailed him before and he is very responsive. He has a good bedside manner too. Terdiman has performed eight endoscopy procedures on me so I am coming from a place of experience. read more

Dr.Terdiman is not the God people say he is, he completely missed my husband's dying gall bladder in the MRI films, which was especially painful for him to go through 36 hours of agonizing pain before we were able to get him to a Very Competent Surgeon at John Muir. My husband has suffered from IBD for over 12 years now, and the last time he saw Dr.T was in 2007 when Dr.T told him there was Nothing more he could do for him ,that he would have to see a Pain Specialist for his discomfort. And every time he saw him he belittled his symptoms every time. His bedside manner was one of the worst I ever saw. As for his staff,that phone system is the worst and then if you do get through ,the 'guards' act as though they are doing you a favour by making an appointment for you. I wish you luck with this MD, He appears to be more interested in publishing and asking for money for his new 'clinic'. His office had the audacity to send us a brochure asking for donations for his New 'Crohns' clinic after he told my hubs he couldn't or wouldn't do anymore for him! read more

I worked with Tracie Stewart on the phone to get a prescription approved from my insurance company (NOT an easy feat as most everyone knows). She got the request from me in a panic because I was leaving for a 3 day weekend with only 1 day of meds. She didn`t have my new insurance on file because the last time I had been in was 2 years ago, and she was put on hold quite some time by the insurance company. She had to go back and read through all of my messages in the past 8 months to determine which medications that I`ve already tried (request of the insurance company) and plead for my case, emphasizing that no other medication was going to work - that I had to have this particular one. She was then super helpful to help call in the prescription right away and even helped me find a pharmacy that had it in stock (considering that I had to leave the same day for a trip). Excellent service! Also, Dr. Terdiman, while he doesn`t have a lot of time, is VERY fast to respond to emails and has always been incredibly helpful to get me the medication and the attention that I need for my condition. read more

Dr Terdiman is the BEST GI Doctor. He saved my colon. He is giving me the best treatment. His staff is incredible. I could go on and on. I feel very fortunate to have found him. read more

I had a great experience under Dr. Terdiman's care. The nurses at Mount Zion were competent and very friendly. Most importantly, my colonoscopy went smoothly and everything was explained thoroughly. Dr. Terdiman is very professional and an outstanding doctor. Office staff aside, I recommend him to anyone who wants a knowledgeable, intelligent, and highly respected doctor. read more