Avilla Emma B MD

Let me start off by saying Dr. Avilla is a very nice person BUT I do not suggest becoming her patient.
I started seeing Dr. Avilla years ago in my later teenage days, because she is my mom’s ob/​gyn doctor. From the very first appointment to my last appointment, I have always waited 1−2+ hours. So if you want to be her patient, be prepared to wait. Wait A LONG TIME. I used to request to be scheduled as the first appointment (at 9:00am) and I would still wait until 10:20am to be seen. Can you say POOR TIME MANAGEMENT.
Secondly, I feel that the medical assistants have a lot to work on. I’ve gone through 2 pregnancies with Dr. Avilla. The initial appointment to confirm pregnancy was bad to start with. I came to my appointment and the MA said «Did you take a pregnancy test? Okay, then you’re pregnant.» Like uhhh, I’m here because I need a doctor, DUH! So much for the customer service. Anyway, the assistant that monitored my vitals through out my pregnancy was taking my blood pressure wrong. I know this because it seemed as if she put the cuff on, inflated it and deflated it super fast. I asked her what it was, and she would say it was an accurate reading. I was also being monitored by a specialist twice a week, and the specialist office told me that my blood pressure was high (which ultimately led me to preeclampsia which is very dangerous). This was a big deal for me, I ended up being induced.
Lastly, I understand that she hears patients complain often, especially of pregnancy related issues, but she kept telling me «that is normal» or made me feel that is my fault. :(For example, I complained of a throbbing pain in my lower back/​butt that I thought was sciatica or a symphisis pubis bone dysfunction. I told her that it was so bad that I couldn’t walk, but she didn’t seem to care.
I hate to give such a poor review, as Dr. Avilla is a sweetheart. There seemed to be a serious of wrongful events. I think she and her staff need to work on running on time with their scheduled appointments, and actually being accurate. I’m actually glad that I ended up having to be sent to Kapiolani Hospital to be induced by another doctor. Now I know the difference between quality.

This is one of those times where I think to myself, «Why? Why do I continue to go back?» The answer is I’m tired of having to look for new doctors, and I don’t look forward to having to go on the search again. That being said, after sticking with Dr. Avilla for about 2 years now, I’m thinking that I’m going to be switching soon.
If you’re a female, you know that you’re supposed to visit your gynecologist once a year for your annual pap smear/​general check up. You only go more often if something is wrong, if you’re pregnant or if you’re trying to get pregnant. Nothing is wrong with me, I’m not pregnant, and I don’t plan to be anytime soon… and yet, I’ve gone to see her four times in two years. Why? Because she just likes doing check-​ups every 6 months.
Once a year, you get the actual pap smear and testing. That weird 6 month visit is just for her to make sure that nothing else is going on. I get that it can be helpful if you’re not one to check yourself out often enough (lumps, blood pressure, etc), but if this isn’t something you worry about, then that extra stop into the office just seems like a huge waste of time. You get the same wait in the waiting room, the same weight & blood pressure check, and then the doctor just asks you if anything is wrong. No? Nothing’s wrong? Ok, see you in 6 months. WHYYYYY did I just waste gas getting here and my time?
Anywho, that aside, I’ve had a few other personal preference issues. From my first visit, there’s just something about the way Dr. Avilla addresses me that rubs me the wrong way. I understand why she’s saying some things, but I just don’t like how she’s saying it. Example: «I usually tell my patients your age to start having children.» —- It’s because as women age, it’s harder and more dangerous to have children. I get that, but, uh… no. I’m not going to start on that any time soon. Another example: After my second visit, I gained a few pounds (I blame Unilocal lol), and she told me to «lay off the rice and soda.» — Anyone who eats a meal with me knows that I generally don’t eat rice or drink soda; too unhealthy and fattening. I just didn’t like the assumption about my habits, like I didn’t know that extra carbs and ridiculous amounts of sugar are bad for you. Yes, I gained weight, but not that way, so wth.
I don’t really know what else to say. If you look at my Unilocal profile, you’ll notice that I generally don’t give too many 2 star reviews… that should say something.