I have had many maladies including 2 cancers where most hospitals in NY were pesimistic that I would survive I chose Sloane Kettering and I must say that is why I am still here. They all were wonderful. Yes, I made it and it is all because of all the good care I got from all of the staff. Recently I have had GI problems and have been in much pain. I was referred to dr. Simmons here in L.B. by m wonderful G.P Dr. A Shaudry.) The reviews on Yelp were not great for the staff at Dr. Simmons's office but I can say one thing and that is that whoever wrote it was very wrong or perhaps they had a different staff when it was written. When I called the first time Cindy answered the phone and was so so accommodating/pleasant it was like being in a VIP reception. When I came in for my appointment I was then taken to a room to meet Dr. Simmons. What a gracious and gentle doctor!!! Today I called and Brenda answered the phone. OMG yet another employee that was so so accommodating. She did not rush me off the phone but took her time and wrote down all the pertinent notes needed to give to Dr. Simmons. Again...Thank you to the whole staff!!! (Cyndy, Cindy, Sandra, and Dr. Simmons). I hope you realize the huge difference you make. Anna Salisbury read more

I want to start off by saying I was apprehensive in seeing Dr. Simmons after reading the reviews. Dr. Simmons is now in practice by himself his location is on Woodruff St in long beach. I walked in really not knowing what to expect. I was greeted with by the recpt who was very pleasant. All the girls behind the reception area stop to speak and they did so like they were happy to see me. Now comes the meat of the visit! Dr.Simmons was an absolute ROCK STAR! He was approachable, easy to talk with and detailed. I did not feel rushed he listened and then he gave me the game plan. I am looking foreword to my procedure because I know I am in GREAT hands. If you need a excellent and caring GI Dr., please call dr. Simmons and judge for yourselves. You will not regret it... he was SUPER DUPER and I will be referring to his office. Oh, and I did not wait long at all... read more

(I hesitated to give five stars because the caption by five stars is "woohoo! as good as it gets!" And, uh.....well, colonoscopy, that's all I'm saying. You know?) In any case, Dr. S.performed my colonoscopy this past Monday. I've had a number of these procedures and except for one, they've all been as pleasant as such a thing can be. That being the case, may I just say that Dr. Simmons was cheerful and kind at 8:00 in the morning, which is more than most of us can say. My preliminary consult with him also went very well. He took his time and went the extra mile with my case. I'm grateful, after my last extremely negative and potentially dangerous experience, to have found Dr. Simmons. A word on the office staff. I've needed to see a number of docs lately, so also seeing staffs in action. The one constant is that staff seems....uh...overburdened? They are certainly multi-tasking, and it seems to result in mistakes on many levels. I don't want to denigrate Dr. Simmon's office staff, as I don't do their jobs(s). It is possible that another staffer needs to be added, or responsibilities assigned in a more efficient and humanistic manner. read more

First off, you cannot reach the staff or the office. No one answers, vm's are not set up and the line disconnects on you after waiting. Finally got an appointment after several attempts. Then I waited 2.5 hours to see the doctor (i've never waited this long) who was lovely, but spent only 6 minutes with me before ordering 3 kinds of tests. They said the office would work with my insurance company for prior authorizations and it would be 3-4 weeks to gain approval. After 3 weeks had passed, I rang the office and they explained they had coded something wrong and therefore, nothing was submitted. They said I would have to wait another 3-4 weeks before I could even schedule my tests based on approvals. I just tried calling the office back to check on these approvals and I was hung up on twice...If I weren't required to see this physician, I would not. I recommend finding another doctor. read more

Never said a word to me before my procedure except "hello." I asked post surgery if he would come to talk me about the procedure and his findings. The nurse was more than surprised he hadn't said a word to me and went to the MD. Found out he was already performing another surgery and would call me at home. Never got that call. Called in a few weeks later and said the MD was never suppose to talk to me about his findings and the doc referring me to him was suppose to. So the doctor referring me to the specialist is suppose to talk about the findings of the procedure he did? Cool... doesn't make sense to me either. read more

After reading these reviews, I'm going to provide details about my experience at Dr. Simmons office in Long Beach for a preliminary colonoscopy procedure appointment. Office reception staff are horrible: not only in service they provide but in their overall demeanor. Although I had a confirmed appointment, I waited 75 minutes to be invited into an examination room. The experience in the waiting room was, well, like nothing I had every gone through. There were a variety of severely mentally deranged people in the room while I waited. One woman (I believe she was a spouse of a patient) talked at the top of her lungs. Incessently. Non stop. The office staff ignored the situation. When I met Dr. Simmons, he talked with me literally for 90 seconds. And when I got back out to the waiting area...The bat shit crazy was STILL talking shout! I was literally nauseous after being exposed to the insanity. Then, it took their staff another 20 minutes after I was sent back to the waiting area for me to receive paperwork with details about the upcoming procedure. I've made up my mind. I'm CANCELLING my 1/20/2020 procedure with this doctor. I had a bad gut feel about this medical provider at the beginning and it's apparent by reading other reviews, that I should trust my intuition. Scary stuff. Wow. read more

Waited 1 hr. 25 minutes to see Dr. Had colonoscopy Oct. 11....felt every polyp taken, vomited after the procedure....I had the same experience 5 years earlier with another Dr. & told Dr. Simmons giving him all the Dr. info & date of service....apparently no one checked with the other Dr. No greeting prior to the procedure & no talk after procedure.....cancelled follow-up appointment....never want to see this Dr. again!!! read more

Was in for a new patient appointment and despite arriving early to do all the paperwork, it was 2 hours after my appointment time that I was put in the exam room. The nurse's excuse was "the doctor likes to spend time with his patients" and the doctor's excuse was "out computers crashed today". The sales rep were having a good time back there though. read more

Coordinated with his office staff (Morgan) with no trouble. Met with the nurse practitioner for consultation and then Dr. Simmons for colonoscopy on day of the procedure. Follow up appt a couple of weeks later was with another physician on staff that reviewed my procedure results. My office visit was prompted by 50 year old wellness exam colon check, and all went well. My results were conveyed in a clear and concise manner... and I was out of there! Dr. Simmons was referred to me by a trusted source who had his procedure performed by Dr. Simmons as well. Happy to highly recommend. read more

The front office staff is horrible. I had to call 6-7 times to get them to fax my prescription refill to my pharmacy. I made a doctor appointment through the phone with Karen (front office staff). But when I showed up, she said that there was no appointment and that none of the doctors are there. Also, when they moved office, they failed to notify the patients. Extremely unprofessional. read more

It's simply this: I would not trust this doctor to perform surgery on me. I had an appointment at 3pm. When I arrived the only available parking was in the same building's parking garage. The rate was $2 for the first hour so realizing I had no cash, I quickly checked my ashtray for quarters. I had about $2.25. I thought for sure I would be out in time. When you walk into the office, the FIRST thing you notice is a hand-written sign on the receptionist's window that says "Do no knock on the glass." God forbid that their patients disturb them. After waiting for the glass to open and mighty and powerful Oz to beckon me, I asked if there was any parking validation. She literally laughed. I was asked to fill out a form--I know--shocker! I moved to the left of the counter of the receptionist window because I cannot fill out a form sitting in a chair without experiencing severe neck pain. I was TOLD to take a seat. I explained my neck dilemma and I was told that I HAD TO take a seat. I sat down and filled out the form. After about fifteen minutes a "nurse" about 14 years old called me. She was trying to act older and it would have been cute if the act was not accompanied by a condescending attitude. I explained the parking situation. She said the doctor would be back to the office in ten minutes and I was THIRD in line. He had an "emergency." By this time 30 minutes of my hour were used up and I asked if I should go and move my car. She said there would be plenty of time. At five minutes to four the doctor came in and I asked him if a one hour wait was reasonable. His response was "Absolutely!" I asked him what the hold up was and he blatantly said it was none of my concern and that he did not have to explain himself to me. I told him I HAD to move my car. He said I didn't have to worry and that they would "come up with something." After the ninety-second "consultation," I was instructed to go to the front counter. When I did, the staff member told me to have seat in the waiting room. I waited another thirty minutes and taking advantage of an "open-glass" moment asked what I was waiting for and how much longer it would be. She said "You're waiting to be discharged," and closed the glass in my face. After another ten minutes of Dr. Phil, since the glass hadn't opened I went ahead and knocked. I was scolded: "Don't knock on the glass!" It just so happened that they had finally prepared my "discharge." They gave me some info pertaining to my colonoscopy, and then I asked them about the parking. They said that my parking fees were none of their concern. I told them what the doctor had said but they just ignored me. When I complained to the office manager, she said, "We're not paying for your parking" loud enough for everybody in the waiting room to hear. I had to give my driver license # to the parking attendant and sign a "promise to pay." I will have to go (in person) back to the Long Beach location and pay the $5 or they will contact the DMV. These people are arrogant and rude and the doctor has a God complex. If you make an appointment here, be sure you will have to wait for hours in a room full of unhappy people. read more

I am a 56 yr old healthy woman but I have never in my life experienced such horrible service from a doctor and his office in my life. First it took 2 months to get a colonoscopy scheduled even though I was having problems. They gave me a Sat. early morning appt. in May which I cut short an international business trip to make. When I arrived the office was not even open. Called, they were sorry, gave me another appt the next week, no one was there AGAIN. Finally got the procedure but had to wait 3 hours in the waiting room. Now, 2 months late, no follow up appt. was given and I am having scary problems. Called, was hung up on, called again was put on hold 20 minutes, called again and now told I can't get an appt for 2 months and I should go to emergency room. This is uncalled for and I strongly suggest you DO NOT see this doctor. I planned on contacting the necessary medical boards to complain. Karen Watts read more

Couldn't get my first appointment for months after my original authorization; they kept cancelling and rescheduling on me. Same for my colonoscopy / endoscopy. Then went in for my follow-up visit after the procedure, only to be told that the Dr. was not there, and from what I could gather, they knew that when they made the appointment, but made it anyway. The front office staff (none of whom should ever be allowed to speak to human beings) informed me that I had been called about it. I assure you, I had not. They rescheduled me for three weeks out. They later called me to reschedule that appointment, couldn't fit me in for about a month. This would make two months since my procedure. I told them I would be seeing another doctor. After much wrangling, I got them to release my procedure records so that I could bring them to the other GI Doctor. Had my consult with the other Dr. yesterday; apparently my biopsy showed some pre-cancerous cells in my esophagus. He was VERY surprised that no one from Dr. Simmons office had bothered to call me about this. Stay away from this place at all costs. A horrible experience. read more

I was leary after having read the other reviews but my experience went well. Wait time was about 15 minutes. Dr Simmons was very Knowledgeable and had a good bedside manner. No pain and was in and out within two hours of arrival. The only problem I had was with the appointment manager. They forgot to send me the prep info & prescription and had to reschedule. The office staff were friendly and courteous. All in all it was a pleasant experience in the office. read more