yes.... we saw dr ostroff at ucsf he did a few ercps on my son but he was very carefull to do them him self....but he is known to allow his fellow to do them on others so I would not recommend him.....this is a good place however for the TP AIT with Dr. Harris.......but i f you just want a good gi ppll are recommending the other hospital...i think it is called pacific something??? good luck

Thanks, I usually see Dr Binmoeller w CPMC (he is the best in the country)-however he only does complex cases now. Im seeing Dr Mathy at UCSF for my upcoming scope, I certainly hope he doesnt have a student work on me. I suppose I should request this.

I have seen and am seeing many doctors in SF. I am one (if not the one) that lsjjm referred to as one that Dr. Ostroff allowed a rookie to work on unsupervised and he botched the ERCP. I'll spare you the long story but I'll never be the same and almost lost the tail of my pancreas as a result. Was scared to death to and never did go back to UCSF GI department. I call him Dr. Awestruck because that's the way he expected me to be whenever in his presence. He is very knowledgeable about ERCP, but buyer beware. I've talked to several women that have seen him and they've told a different story, not sure but maybe he likes females better. I have seen Dr. Binmoeller twice for EUS. Very smart and well-known GI but difficult to get a consultation from him. He is very specialized at diagnostics and I don't think he manages cases long-term. I went for the second EUS a year later for the same reason and had to be quite assertive with his nurse to inform him of what I needed the second time. He did listen to me on the day of the EUS, was responsive, and gave me the information needed. Highly recommend him for diagnostics. I am currently seeing Dr. Aristotle Mendiola for case management and after searching for four years and through multiple GIs, he's da' man for me! Also seen a surgeon that specializes in pancreas, kidney, and liver transplants, Dr. Hassan; best surgeon I've had the privilege of seeing and I've seen too many. Binmoeller, Mendiola, and Hassan are all part of California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC). Though I haven't had a hospital stay at CPMC, so far I like it much better than the GI department at UCSF. I've had back surgery and currently seeing the UCSF Spine Center for back issues; happy so far. Hope that's not too much. Send me a personal message if you want more info. I can't seem to get email alerts about posts on this sight.

Yep I was talking about you!! twoduct lol hahahah see I guess his ears were ringing!!! glad you chimed in!!

Thanks twoduct- I LOVE Binmoeller-have had 4 EUS with him-but he only takes complex cases now, and I only go for diagnostics. I went to Mathy once at UC-he seemed okay,but seemed to not know much about pancreatitis-ie INSISTED I do not have CP since my scopes are normal despite pain, elevated labs and everything else being ruled out-where Binmoeller said I likely DO have it. I see Mendiola as well, he is nice, orders whatever tests I want but doesnt seem too knowledgable with this either. Found its hard to find a pancreas expert out here-at least in cases where is minimal change/early CP

I have to agree with Sesser. I think they know a lot less about the pancreas than they want you to think they know and the earlier the change and milder the symptoms, the less you want them poking around in there, especially an ERCP done by a rookie (sorry I meant to say fellow.. same thing ;o) The rudest and most inconsiderate people I have ever met have been GIs. In the beginning, I had zero problems trusting doctors in general, especially so-called specialists. I thought they had my best interests in mind. Today, I have my best interests in mind and make sure they don't get taken for granted. Big lesson I learned, I'm the ONLY one that will do that and it must be done or patient care suffers. Keep looking for the one you feel comfortable with and get whatever available answers you can the least invasive ways possible first. If you don't think Mathy (or anyone) gets it, find another. AND DO make sure you understand the individual doctor's methods regarding interns and fellows (code words for rookies) especially at any teaching hospital. A big question for me would be why Binmoeller thinks you likely have CP. That might give some insight and a direction to look. My attacks and indications have almost always been connected to high lipase levels. Good luck.

Thanks twoduct. Binmoeller said due to my MILD lipase elevations and mild CA 19 elevations (have gone down too) that he thinks its recurrent episodes. Dr Mathy is with UCSF-he will do my EUS again (purely diagnostic not procedural) next wk-hopefully nothing to biopsy but in the case there is-Ill be asking that HE and not interns do this- Im terrified now!

Dont mean to hi-jack thread but if anyone knows of a good pancreas specialist in los angeles or orange county.

Also sesser, when you mentioned you have mild elevations of lipase. What are your #s and range? thanks

Always 20-30 points higher than normal-once it was double normal that was the first time and I had been in pain for over a wk