hi i think it is time for me to get a g.i. doctor in santa barbara cal..anyone out therefrom santa barbara???

my surgeon is in los angelis and is not easy to see and you never talk to him only his nurse unless you have an appointment..i need a caring,nice g.i. who has extensive knowledge of j-pouchers..my old g.i was the best in bedside manners and a dear throughout my colitus ordeal but i know he is not dealing with many j-pouchers infact i was his first here in cal.thanks rebecca

Dear Rebe,
I'm writing from LA, where I'm recovering from J-pouch stage 1 of 3. I know you want someone near you in Santa Barbara; anyone who needs a good GI doc doesn't want a long car ride. But the people at Cedars-Sinai are the best. I don't know who your surgeon is, but mine is Fleshner. He always responds to my calls or E-mails promptly. Also, Dr. Share and Dr. Ippoliti are there and they are both excellent GI guys. Ippoliti covers state-of-the art Remicade treatment, by the way. SB is a great little town, but great little towns don't have the big institutional hospitals that'll give you the best care for your disease. It's worth the trip. Good luck.

You can go to CCFA.org and look for a dcotr that has an interested in IBD.

That migth be hepful too.

I found Dr William Hahn was a very good G.I. doctor. Due to my job, I move around a lot; therefore, I have seen quite a few doctors and he is by far the best. Additionally, I found he has a great rapport with the surgeons within the Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Clinic located in Santa Barbara. I hope this helps! Greg