Dr Lin is very informed and helpful and also a good communicator and caring person. I used to work w a GI in the same field at Stanford and Dr Lin is so much more helpful, organized and caring too. And she is also more educated in SIBO/IBS than her counterpart at Stanford . So highly recommend her. The main problem is of course getting to work with her on an ongoing basis because she is so busy. The health care system is broken thanks to the insurance companies and lack of planning to accommodate more doctors decades ago so now the system is broken and the management of these so called health care systems care more about money than care. read more

Unresponsive, unorganized front desk. Long phone lines. I will not be going back to this practice. It's it simply the most frustrating experience. read more

UPDATE: To my previous review where I said the phone service is horrible and there are reviews on yelp dating 3 years back with same problem. You (sutter health) wrote me a reply that I should contact you to further discuss. There is nothing more that I want to do for you. You can pick up your own cell phone and call that number. See how difficult it is to reach someone. Leave a voicemail and you will see the problem yourself. If you are getting a colonoscopy here be WARNED! It's ridiculous expensive. They will not give you even a minimum estimate which is ridiculous. Clearly every business has a minimum charge. Here is what their minimum is because my colonoscopy was smooth according to them so they didn't need to charge extra $7600. If any complications, it goes up and who knows how high. I paid 10%, $760. Why??? A beautiful short flight to Mexico where you can take a 3 day vacation and you can have same professional doctors do it for cash without insurance starting $350. I've had 20 colonoscopies in my life. Had them in other countries. I was barely able to understand anything at my arrival because of no food or water. I was given about 10 papers to fill out. WHY? I'm a sutter patient and you have everything. Anything you need, MUST be sent prior either online or in mail. This is what they do in interrogation room, starve people and make them confess to anything they want. In my case, I said I'm not signing this one page that said there was no estimate at all. I told them to run it right now and figure out a minimum. They refused. Said they can't do the procedure. I asked them to pay for my suffering having to deal with them and preparation for the appointment. They had the nerve to laugh. To make things worse they send you to some small clinic on Geary BLVD to get the procedure which isn't equipped in case something goes wrong. So you have to sign a paper for that, and they will transport you to a real hospital. The colonoscopy is without a dye. 7 years ago doctors started using dye because it's a day and night difference. Without dye, some abnormalities can hide and patients would find out in as little as a month later that they have cancer. Always look for a place that uses dye. I wish they told me prior so I would have went elsewhere. They told me to test for covid or I can't go. Covid cases are rising. I asked where do you see this? I'm looking at official website about San Francisco and only 2 people out of 100,000 had to be hospitalized. I got no answer, just something they made up over the phone. Chances of you dying from choking on your own food is higher. I went to the sutter building because they wouldn't let me test at CVS. Nobody wears a mask, except the wrong one for the person doing the screening. Person came to give me an IV had no mask. A nurse at desk no mask. Construction workers walking through without a mask. I have NOTHING good to say about this as I have 30 years of experience. I got diagnosed young. I get colonoscopies sometimes every year. I travel a lot so I get them at other places too. This is a bottom for a place that charges $7600. As I awake, I am told to sit on the chair so I can change clothes. Nurse walks out of the room. What if a patient falls from the chair and hits their head??? no rails on the chair. No restraint. I was fading in and out. Nurse knew that and walked away. read more

Although there were some positives of my appointment with Dr. Lin yesterday, she didn't inspire trust to make me feel comfortable having her as my doctor. Two doctors and a patient with a complex medical history at work highly recommended her. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The positives: 1. Complimented me on doing my research about different medications and treatments. As a non-traditional premed who works in healthcare, I want to learn as much as possible about causes of my symptoms and possible medications/treatments. 2. Didn't push me to take medications for my condition I either had a bad reaction to or would make me stop my current antidepressant. 3. Seemed nice enough - not the warmest bedside manner but I've seen way worse bedside manners. 4. More knowledgeable than my former GI doc. The negatives: 1. Lack of investment in me as a patient: at the beginning of the appointment, she told me I needed to have a local GI doc in addition to her. Having two doctors in the same speciality is unnecessary in my opinion! I get that as a sub specialist, she has limited availability. Also, I don't have time to go to SF so I need a GI doc in/close to Walnut Creek. I told her the reasons I'm in the market for a new GI doc closer to home. 2. Dismissive of my concerns over finding a new GI doc: I asked her if she could recommend a GI doc in/near Walnut Creek with a caring bedside manner who is comfortable with complex cases. I've seen more GI docs than I care to count since I was 23. Great GI docs are hard to find and I've seen A LOT of bad ones. My medical issues are more grey than black and white. I've been suffering since June 2021 and I don't want to waste time with another doctor who can't get to the bottom (pun very much intended) of my symptoms. Dr. Lin said I shouldn't look for a doctor who can handle complex cases because I'm seeing her for gastroparesis and I only need "general GI help" from a local doctor. My now former "general" GI doc in Walnut Creek told me last month she doesn't know what's wrong so clearly I need a GI doc who is able to think outside the box. I also have PTSD from upsetting experiences with some male doctors (and my former GI doc who is female). Even though I have an amazing therapist and psych DNP, I still want my GI doc to be to care about me as a person, not just my symptoms. As someone who is applying to osteopathic medical schools next year, I am a firm believer in the osteopathic tenant of treating the whole patient. I believe that a doctor has to know their patients as people before treating the symptoms. 3. She did not express concern about my 27 lb weight loss in 5 months! My former GI doc was not concerned enough about my weight loss and that's one of the reasons I stopped seeing her. I explained to Dr. Lin that I've never been overweight or lost this much weight in a short amount of time. Although I've tried to exercise more for non-weight related reasons, I definitely did not do it with the intention of losing weight. I also told her I've tried increasing my caloric intake but I can't seem to gain enough. All she said was to eat more. 4. After telling her about my former GI doc's misdiagnosis of constipation and how I don't have any symptoms the American Gastroenterological Association lists for the condition, Dr. Lin said, "I think you're more constipated than diarrhea" (we were discussing digestive enzymes). I even said when I was discussing the misdiagnosis was that, "if I truly had constipation, Miralax would have helped and I would not be seeing you". I am very disheartened that I've encountered another GI doc who doesn't seem concerned enough about what I - and my other providers - consider serious symptoms. Weight loss is a symptom a GI doc should take more seriously, especially in a patient who has never been overweight in the first place! I need a GI doc who acknowledges I'm right to be concerned and has a concrete plan of helping me get better. More importantly, I want my GI doc to care if get better. Sadly, I did not feel this way about Dr. Lin and will look elsewhere. read more

As I read the last few negative reviews for Dr. Mimi Lin I have to say I'm in full agreement. My experience was also very negative and yes I do understand she must be very busy but we all chose our craft and in her case it's a very specialized one. My personal disappointment is that I came to Dr. Lin desperately seeking help for an ongoing gastrointestinal condition and she showed no interest in treating me. From our first meeting I felt that Dr. Lin was not listening to me. I felt rushed and got the notion that she just wanted to get the referred procedure completed and not follow through, which is what happened . The first procedure did not work so we had to do it again. I originally asked the doctor if she could take me as a patient and she proceeded to tell me she was not taking any patients and she was only going to perform the procedure, on her Sutter health profile it states "accepting new patients". The second procedure did work and here is where my disappointment increased. I received the results in writing and really wanted her to explain the complicated medical terms and give me her specialized opinion on how to proceed. That never happened even after repeated calls she could not take a moment and call me back. I went back and forth with Sam who is part of her team and a very attentive person but the doctor refused to call me back. I had to google what edematous and erythematous were myself and left in the dark as to what it meant for me and my condition. I truly feel that when you choose to be a physician you have to take care of the patient at the end of the day and I felt this was not the case with Dr. Lin and myself. So now I'm left with a dozen questions and trying to diagnose myself. I felt let down as a patient and that not right. read more

Mimi Lin, M.D - Gastroenterologist Near Me - San Francisco, California

I have a very complex GI issue that no one has been able to solve so I came to Dr. Mimi Lin for intensive diagnostics. I had to cancel the procedure 2 times prior because of other health related issues. When I spoke with her, she was very calming and assertive in addressing my concerns about my neck being propped up during the procedure. She also asked how my son's surgery went a few weeks ago (one of the appointments I had to cancel). Afterwards, I was in the room with a nurse for this very long procedure and she was in constant communication with Dr. Lin and other members of the team. I appreciate how kind and attentive the whole team was. Its a real crackerjack team of women! read more

I received a referral to Dr. Lin's office on 3/3/22 & was told I could call and schedule an appointment! When I did, I had to leave a message, so I did. The Assistant promptly called me back the next day to schedule, but I wasn't able to answer the call, so she left a message. When I called back, Mauricio answered & stated that Dr. Lin would need to "review" the referral before scheduling me! She has seen me once before in the past(a couple of years ago) & she wasn't very nice then! So I say OK & wait! It is now over a month since her office received the referral & do you think anyone's called??? NOPE! Her sense of urgency is non existent & she doesn't know what bed side manner is either!!! Not sure why she's in the medical field! I'm really sick & she knows! read more

She ruined my life in many ways recently....this is a draft but horrible manner, doesn't listen, wants to lecture, impossible to get ahold of AT ALL, EVER, and her staff are there to talk to if you call 15 times in one day you might get someone on the phone to be rude to you. read more

I went to see Dr. Lynn on a Friday and had a very pleasant visit with her for what she prescribed Linzess. For the first couple of days everything seemed fine and and everything seem to be coming to a conclusion with IBS and ideopathic constipation however after the first two days I was fine until the third day I quit taking it due severe cramping I have not had a bowel movement in several days and the constipation cramps are killing me ready to take me to the hospital I don't know I have called the office and no response no call back nothing.At this point I feel like I'm ready to go to emergency to have an some assistance on this matter I do not recommend Dr. Lynn's office if they can't get back to me on a serious nature like this then what can I do when you have a finger cut? read more

I give Mimi Lin as a doctor 5 stars..she saved my life and is the best there is. However, I have called so many times and left messages without a call back. I do not feel comfortable putting my number out there. But I am an old patient with several messages on the answering machine. Please call back. My doctors back south (obviously not motility) all speak highly and my Hepatologist and other specialists went to school with her and agree with the praise. read more

Went to Dr. Lin for a second opinion. She looked over all my paperwork and agreed with my previous doctor for the most part. She listened intently, and was helpful, asking lots of questions. I didn't walk away with a new diagnosis, but I did get peace of mind that something big wasn't missed. Update: I had a billing issue, and a member of the staff cleared it up to my satisfaction. read more

Dr Lin was extremely dismissive and condescending towards me. I was in there after years and years of breathing and gi complications. My pulmonologist had a hunch from a ct scan result that my breathing issues were related to GI problems of mine. I waited over two months to get into the appt and was very excited to finally figure things out. When I arrived, immediately I was shut down in all that I told Dr. Lin about. She cut me off several times stating "that's not objective", seeming to get annoyed with my subjective statements around my health. Even when I was explaining how my quality of life has been affected by these symptoms, she responded with "that's subjective". I'm sorry if I don't come into a doctors office ready to discuss only facts and figures, and objective knowledge. I am a human being with a unique experience around my symptoms that I should be able to explain to my doctor without judgment. If you ask me what's going on, I'm going to tell you from my experience. I'm not the doctor. It's then her job to figure out the objective components necessary in moving forward. I felt put down and completely uncomfortable. She also corrected almost everything I said by stating "well it's actually this" or "in the medical world we actually say this". I was not in there to be lectured. I was not comfortable with her enough to trust her moving forward with future appts and procedures as she seemed to lack the basic minimum of interest and care that I expect to be necessary in helping me figure out my health concerns. This visit was in January. I then recently received a bill in the mail for 700 dollars for this visit which was a bigger blow since it was such a horrible experience where nothing was actually accomplished. I'm confused over it since this was simply a consult that my insurance was supposed to cover. I don't know what was behind the charge, whether it was from my insurance or the doctor, and I'm still investigating, but it just brought all this up again for me. It's been months and I have avoided doctors due to this treatment I received from her, feeling hopeless about doctors after this. but I'm now in a better place, in search for a new doctor to help me out and been meaning to write this review when I was finally in a better place emotionally to write it. read more

Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to meet Dr. Lin as I have had the worst experience with her staff that kept me from an appointment with her. I understand that the Dr. is busy, but I have been suffering from symptoms that have kept me from sleeping for months, and she was one of two doctor's that my ObGyn recommended. When I j initially reached out, it took her office two weeks and three follow up phone calls from myself in order to even get to the scheduling point, even though I had a referral from my Doctor. Once finally trying to schedule an appointment, I was told that that Dr. Lin's earliest available wasn't for 1 month and a half, but I was so desperate and in such discomfort that I made the appointment anyway and tried to wait it out. I received a phone call yesterday morning by her staff saying that my upcoming appointment had been cancelled and my next option was Nov. 25th. Because my appointment was near, now my second recommendation from my Dr. is also unavailable until late November. This office obviously cares little for patient's who are in search of care, even though it says that Dr. Lin is accepting new patients. The woman that I spoke to in all of this left me feeling unimportant and helplessly frustrated. read more

It has been very frustrating trying to communicate with this doctor/office. I was referred by another doctor for a procedure which I was able to schedule with Dr. Lin's office. At no time was I told that this procedure would be billed as outpatient hospital surgery until I finished 5 of the 6 procedures and started getting billed $100 copay for each one. I have been given the biggest run around by my insurance, Sutter Health, and this doctor's office. My insurance tells me that they have no idea about the billing claim amount until the doctor sends the bill. This doctor's billing claims that they have no idea what my copay will be in order to inform me but my insurance says that is not true. The doctor's office checks the patient's insurance to see if it is covered and knows exactly what is covered then. I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THE CHANCE TO SEE THIS DOCTOR IN PERSON!! I will be filing a complaint with all agencies that will take my complaint. This doctor needs a better communication system for her patient. If you are a patient, beware of your costs. read more

I am sure Dr. Lin is very knowledgeable in her field but she was evasive when it came to answering my questions, did not address my concerns. After she prescribed some medication for me, I had what I was concerned was a bad reaction to the medicine and tried for weeks and weeks to talk to her about it so I could decided whether to continue on the medication. I also wanted to ask her again the questions which she did not answer when I met with her. I wrote to her. She asked me to schedule an appointment. The next available appointment was 3 months away. I tried over and over--writing to her, leaving messages-- to find a way to get her to answer my questions so I could figure out what to do. Mostly no one ever called me back. Working with her and with the office--the only people you can talk with our schedulers who are woking from home; there's no way to speak to anyone who is actually in the office--was very very stressful. I don't want to sound dramatic but it really has been a bit of a nightmare. read more

Dr Lin exceeds my expectations. I have been seeing GI drs for a very long time and she has been the best! She sat with me for over an hour just talking about my general health and truly seemed to care. she also ordered almost every test out there in order to rule out anything very serious. No other dr has really tried to "think outside the box" like that. read more

Great Doctor - the office is busy, but this should not take away from the fact that Dr. Lin is a great doctor. I somehow found myself over 50 and needed to have a colonoscopy and endoscopy. Preparation was the hard part, the procedure was fast and I was on my way home in 90 minutes. read more

Dr Lin was great. The problem was I hardly ever got to see her and only had her for one time. Other than that they were going to give me a medical assistant, so only one appointment with her over a period of about 2.5 months. So I'm going elsewhere. If they've straightened up the lack of contact with her, go but otherwise ... You decide! dougkast@hotmail.com read more