Dr. Pawan Rastogi, MD

Yes, I’m one of those people who don’t typically do reviews, but instead discuss any issues with my doctor directly. In this case, my experience was so disappointing that I felt compelled to share. First, this doctor was recommended to me by a few people in a local facebook group I joined. Dr. Rasogi also has great google reviews. Hence, I was excited to see him as I had a truly rough journey this past summer experiencing stomach issues for over 35 days. I had a colonoscopy, endoscopy and even had to go to emergency for horrific pain and other symptoms for which they were unable to diagnose, but symptoms may indicate something called SIBO. When I called to make the appointment with his office, I shared my history briefly and was advised it would be very helpful if I brought my health records so the office didn't have to request them from the medical facility I went to. I spent several hours downloading data along with creating a quick time line for the Dr. Rastogi so he could use this as a reference with my records. When I arrived, I was greeted with a friendly and professional staff. They scanned my records, then the nurse took my vitals. After a wait, Dr. Rastogi enters the examination room wearing a mask with head down. In a low voice, he says "I'm Dr. Rastogi" and then lumbers to computer across room. No other greeting. Then he looks at computer and raises his voice, "How do you expect me to go through this? Why, why, didn't you bring these records in a few weeks ago?" I'm shocked! I thought I did a good thing? I honestly felt like crying, but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. I try to explain that the staff hadn’t advised me to do this, and again, I had a timeline to share quickly, which would enable him to refer to my records to substantiate what I shared. He retorts, "MAM,(as if he doesn’t even know my name) how do you expect me to go through this, I only have a half-hour appt with you, that's it." Meanwhile, I waited over a half hour to see him. Now I was upset and replied, "You don't have to go through it, I'll leave. I brought my records—which I consolidated--so you didn't have to request it. " Then silence! Dr. Rastogi asks a few questions and then advised me that he doesn't test for SIBO but will give me a number to call in NYC to schedule an appointment to get the test done-- and then I’ll have to transfer my care to the doctor in NYC. He doesn't give me the name of any doctor in the practice to ask for, nor advocate to help me get the SIBO test quickly even though I've been living with this condition for a year now. Later I received a notice in my patient portal that notes were added. When I looked, Dr. Rastogi wrote about my condition in terms of examining me, which he DID NOT: no listen to my belly or checking the extreme bloating I’m experiencing. Maybe something else would have been discovered? I say this because all other doctors, including my Primary, always do a health check to verify my symptoms and ascertain if any other ones are present. I don’t even think I got a half-hour appointment I was supposed to be allotted. Before I left, Dr. Rastogi tried to elbow pump me as if all is good now since he doesn’t have to do anything else to help me I wanted to give him a chance to apologize, So I said, "You know if you want records sent before patient's appt, then you should advise your staff to say this." He says, “don't worry. " I said, "I'm not worried because, again, I didn't do anything wrong." When I got home, I shared my experience with my husband and he said "I bet Dr. Rashogi wouldn't treat you like that if I was with you or if I went to see him as a patient." I agreed. Hence, my suggestion to all patients, if possible, bring another person with you for your appointment. Now, I’m sort of left in nomads land as I called the NYC phone number he gave me, and the earliest appointment to get the SIBO test is in April. I'm unsure what to do to find a professional, caring, qualified GI who truly cares about his/her patients and adheres to the hypocritic oath. Bluntly stated this was the worst first appt with a doctor in all my life; it made me truly appreciate my other doctors, the ones who care for me who have always been respectful, caring and professional with me.