Hi, It's good to be back with all of you. My pouch doc is Bo Shen at CCF in Ohio. I have multiple medical problems, one of which requires me to be on an antibiotic cocktail for one full year (unrelated to my pouch). YIKES! I haven't had a pouchoscopy in several years and need one. I'm wondering if anyone out there has good information on pouch-savvy GI docs in the Washington DC/Maryland area.
Thanks so much!
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I've heard that John Hoppkins in Baltimore has a great reputation for colorectal team
There is an amazing Doctor at Johns Hoppkin. Her name is Dr Joanna Peloquin Melia. She was my doctor in aboston and moved to Baltimore after getting married. She made me feel like I was her only patient, sometimes emailing me with test results at 11:00 pm. She really is amazing and I highly recommend her.
I live in the Bethesda area and travel to Baltimore to see a gastroenterologist and a colorectal surgeon. Both are affiliated with Johns Hopkins. I LOVE my GI doctor. Peter Belitsos near Lutherville. I like him so much I am willing to keep seeing him even though he is out of network for me now. BOOOO. He follows up after appointments and spends a lot of time talking to his patients in his office. He also does internal medicine so you can do it all in one 
He is also great about weekend emergency medications and such and trusts your judgement. I've had my scopes with the surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital and it was fine. I saw Dr Safar and he is nice and fairly easy to schedule with (for being a surgeon). I haven't had a surgery with him but he was recommended by Dr Belitsos.
Thank you, everyone for your thoughtful information.
I see Dr Obias (colorectal surgeon) and Dr Chandler (gastroenterologist) at George Washington hospital. I actually just went to Cleveland for a consultation with Dr Shen and he knows Dr Chandler. And Dr Obias actually studied at the Cleveland Clinic under Dr Fazio (he did my j pouch many years ago).
Thank you. That's very helpful. It sounds like GW has the best team.
@kc80 and @Joanne- Just found this old post. Have you all been happy with Dr. Chandler's care?
I had j-pouch surgery about 8 years ago, and get pouchitis about once per year, and am having a hard time figuring out which doctors know how to treat pouch patients. My old doctor just retired and I am currently healthy, so just looking.
Please let me know!
@blufnger03 - Honestly, I would absolutely recommend Dr. Obias for any surgical needs, but I can't recommend Dr. Chandler for GI maintenance. I had a really tough time and was not happy overall with his care. I now see Dr. William W. Immel in Springfield VA who I HIGHLY recommend. He is incredibly attentive, easy to talk to, and responsive. I literally started crying during an appointment because he was just so helpful and I had was frustrated for so long at the lack of empathy, attentiveness, and responsiveness from other doctors. He's helped me stay on track - works with me to modify meds and anytime I feel symptoms come up, he makes it a priority to get me in for a scope. Definitely look him up - I can't tell you how relieved I am to finally have a local doctor whose care I have confidence in.
