Robert Elson

I have never been to a doctor who is so considerate, timely and professional. After 6 years of not knowing what was wrong with me, Dr. Elson was able to diagnose my problem and give me actionable next steps. I never felt rushed or that my questions were annoying to him. He took the time to answer all of my questions and explain what was going on. His office staff was equally as professional and courteous. I highly recommend Dr. Elson.

i have been seeing Dr Elson for over 15 years. He is one of the finest caring knowledgable doctors I have ever seen. Dr. Elson saved my life 15 years ago when i was admitted to the ER .His expertise and ability to make the proper diagnosis is something that should be commended. I not only trust him in his field of expertise but rely on Dr. Elson for his referral to other medical specialists that were warranted. I personally have family members in the medical field and also work with medical professionals in my legal practice .I never write reviews on Unilocal but I believe a review of Dr. Elson is the least i can do for a man that I entrust with my life I highly recommend Dr. Elson to anyone who is looking for a doctor superior to most. Linda, Dr. Elson assistant has been of great assistance and support. For a busy office Linda has always made me feel like i was special as if I was their one and only patient.

My fiancée’s family has been going to Dr. Elson for years. They are die hard fans who love him for his thoroughness, kindness, and endearing bedside manner. During my fiancée’s last visit, Doctor Elson found six polyps missed by a previous colonoscopy performed by a different GI only a month prior!
And as for the frostbite I suffered in the waiting room, my bad: Believe them when they tell you to dress for winter.
Flip flops were a terrible decision.

Fantastic, caring doctor who helped me with my nonsensical GI symptoms and even gave me free samples of medication to try. He figured things out on the first visit, and didn’t make me waste money on unnecessary tests. I also appreciate that he never keeps me waiting; this is rare for doctors these days! Thanks Dr E!

I cannot comment on the doctor himself. I have never visited him.
This is for his secretary. I called to book an appointment and asked her to check my insurance but she refused to do that. She said I cannot verify it over the phone. Then I looked for him in my network and since I couldn’t find him in my network and because of his bad tempered and unhelpful secretary I decided to cancel the appointment and found another good doctor to visit. Everywhere else I call, they check my coverage over the phone… Dr. Elson may be in my network but I couldn’t drive all the way there to find that it would cost a huge bill! Also because of the attitude of his secretary I decided to cancel my appointment quickly!

I saw Dr. Robert Elson for a routine colonoscopy.
There were two issues. The lobby of the facility Dr. Elson uses is freezing cold. I was given good prep information except for a warning to dress for winter in their lobby. As a result, I went through an uncomfortable experience getting the IV inserted for my anesthesia. When your body is very cold, your veins become hard to get at.
The second issue was more disturbing.
The doctor gave me a clean bill of health as I left, including photographs of my results.
I was surprised when I got a bill for lab work to do a polyp biopsy.
I called the office and stated that I was surprised by this lab bill as I didn’t need a biopsy. I explained that I was told verbally in front of my husband as well as getting a print out of the results with a statement that there with no polyps.
As it turned out, Dr. Elson said that he forgot there were polyps. Then he remembered and created a revised results which was never sent to me. After my call and a discussion with Dr. Elson, the office finally sent the corrected results.
The tone of his conversation with me was dismissive — that it was no big deal, the biopsy was negative. No harm no foul.

I recently saw Dr Elson for some pain i was having that was so sever i could barely move. I was a new patient and he saw me on short notice. I was worried that my issue was possibly serious (the pain was so bad i could barely move) and braced myself for possible bad news.
He checked me out and after ruling out nearly everything that could be seriouslt wrong (as i didn’t have any of the symptoms), he referred me to thhe Imaging place down the street, who did an ultra-​sound. Turns out i waas gonna be alright and the issue was already correcting itself, which waas a relief. Dr. Elson asked me to call his office after lunch to check in (eeven though they would be aware of my results.). I actually got busy andd forgot to call and guess what, he called me to see how i was doing. That’s the experience i had and i wanted to share it. As a matter of fact, evveryone there in the office seem to be warm and caring.

I can not comment on this Dr as a physician since I was not able to even make an appointment, (weird) I called from Michigan in desperation to find a reputable GI Dr for my daughter who is interning in west LA, this Dr had many good reviews, well when I called to set up an appt., the receptionist informed me there was nothing this week because of remodeling, so I said ok next week will be fine, then she said well there is nothing available next week! Ok then when is your first available? I would prefer a Thursday if possible, «she says I can get her in 2 weeks on a Thursday but do not want to schedule her if you plan on canceling». Ok looks like I called the wrong Drs. office thank you anyways :-(
Btw I would not make an appt. and then cancel at the last minute not sure why she even suggested that .(the 2 stars is for the receptionist).
Really thought I may have found her a good long term Dr.
Sorry they could not accommodate, sounded as though a new patient was just asking too much at this busy remodeling time.

Dr. Elson has to be among the nicest gastroenterlogosits out there! I am the kind that is scared out of my mind when I have to see a doctor. Dr. Elson did a great job explaining, reasurring, calming me down and I really felt that I was in good hands. He is genuinely nice and compassionate and I felt treated as an individual not as just «the patient at 2pm». As another reviewer said, I have never felt rushed in his office, he carefully listens to any concerns you might have and is happy to explain questions. He is very experienced and takes all concerns you might have seriously.
Moreover, the office runs on time and Dr. Elson’s office manger Linda is great. She had to dedicate a considerable amount of time to dealing with some incompetent people from a lab where I had some tests done previous to seing doctor Elson and she was so helpful and nice about it:-)
I can only recommend!!!

Dr. Elson humor and attentiveness are good recommendations for him. My wife and I have used him for over twenty-​five years.
Add to that his skill and quickness saved my life, I think you’ve got all the information you need…

My husband & I have been patients of Dr. Elson for over 12 years and there is no physician we trust more. Speaking from the experience of many colonoscopies and an endoscopy, he makes these dreaded procedures less anxiety provoking and completely painless. He follows up personally with patients, and his level of caring is the standard all MDs should strive for. His office assistant Linda provides personal service and is patient with all the same questions she must be asked a thousand times daily. The staff at the surgical centers for the procedures put you at ease and make you feel well cared for. We spend much of our time in AZ lately, but we will always make the trip to CA for his care. I am constantly urging my friends who are terrified of the colonoscopy process to see him because they will forever more put their fears to rest and possibly save their life.

Dr. Elson stands out as one of the most thoughtful and considerate doctors I’ve had. I have never felt rushed in his office – each time I have been in to see him, he has addressed all my questions and concerns thoroughly. I’ve been to doctors who keep one eye on the clock and are already thinking of their next patient before they leave the exam room. Dr. Elson is not that kind of doctor. He’s also cautious and doesn’t schedule tests and procedures unless he truly feels they are necessary, which is considerate not only of my bank account but also of my time. I’m very pleased with him and with his office and would recommend him without reservations.

The world of health care needs more caring, compassionate professionals like Dr. Elson and Linda his office manager. I’ve a chronic stomach condition, and the two of them look after me like I was a family member. Knowlegable, precise and get this – good reading material in the waiting room, although the longest I’ve ever waited has been ten minutes – I kid thee not. Do not hesitate to consult Dr. Elson if you are experiencing any stomach issues. You will be treasted promptly and your mind will be at ease when you leave.

Although Dr. Elson has stellar reviews, I urge you to read this one and greatly consider whether or not you want this doctor to be your medical advocate.
Like you, my internist recommended I see a GI doctor to address my growing concerns with my stomach. Yes, I love food. Yes, I over eat. But I know that waking up at 4:00am with a severe stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and a fever on multiple occasions isn’t because I snuck in a brownie after dinner. I have a history of contracting water-​borne parasites, as I am a frequent traveler to underdeveloped areas. I know that my stomach has taken a real beating for it!
Like you, I immediately searched for the best doctor in my area. I knew that I wanted to be treated with respect, but moreover, with someone who truly cared for me as a patient. From the reviews on Unilocal,I was convinced that Dr. Elson was not only the doctor I was looking for, but went above and beyond my expectations. He seemed funny, kind and experienced — what more could you want?
After waiting two weeks to see Dr. Elson, one of the worst experiences in my life was yet to come. Upon looking at me, every question and comment I made during our meeting was met with hostility and doubt. He had no interest in hearing my story, as according to him, he knew the answer — I’m overweight. If blanketing the problem wasn’t bad enough, he went on to note that I am professionally un-​credible and am «a glaring example of the bureaucratic blind leading the blind.»
I admit, at just over 200 pounds at 5’7″, I am definitely overweight. But, does this mean that I don’t have real medical problems? Does it also mean that I am obese and undeserving of his time? I can’t say for sure, but surely, stating I should «get off my ass and exercise more» can’t be the correct comment to make. Further noting that my colleagues «all see me as morbidly obese, too» definitely isn’t appropriate. How is that even relevant to the diagnosis?
I contacted him to tell him how offended I was by the visit, and was met with a letter in which I quote above. His last words to me were, «Here’s some more sound advice for free: stop believing you’re a victim, stop blaming others, and stop feeling embarrassed and helpless. Get off your ass, exercise more, eat less and lose weight. Writing letters to me as the one you send me are a waste of my time.»
There are many ways to approach someone with your opinion — but unless you want to be verbally bashed, I urge you to look elsewhere. Thanks for reading, and hope you feel better soon!
Also — one should note — in the other reviews below, each of the Unilocaler’s have at most 5 reviews written, with an average of 2. Comes off as a bit odd.

What breath of fresh air in the medical field!!! I just opened a Unilocal account for something else and immediately thought I should tell the world about Dr. Elson! A very wonderful Dr, that has been helping me with ongoing issues with my stomach. Very professional, soft spoken and knowledgeable! I think my favorite aspect of him is he ALWAYS calls me back if I am in need or in pain. That from a busy Dr is almost unheard of!
Highly recommend him for gastro needs!
He also has a wonderful right hand lady, Linda at the front desk. She actually cares about you too? WOW:)

Just had my first colonoscopy and Dr Elson made it totally painless! At the meeting in his office, he put my fears to rest — he was so kind and knowledgeable, I didn’t feel trepidation at all.
The prep was so easy — much easier and less yucky than my friends had warned me about. His procedure/​recipe for the prep was easy to purchase, easy to do and easy on the body!
I just had the colonoscopy today and Dr Elson and the Surgical Center were perfect! I was taken in on time, prepped with kindness by Angie, the anesthesiologist was great and Dr Elson put me so at ease. All I remember before falling asleep was the discussion about new movies (helped to think about something other than the procedure). Then I woke up in recovery! And I had an easy day of recovery.
I can’t say enough about the professionalism and kindness of Dr Elson — this guy is great!

There are very few times in life when you find a service provider that is funny, caring, on top of things and that just starts with reception. Dr. Elson and Linda (his assistant) are the best. I was having all sorts of pain and they did whatever it took to get to the root cause — my gallbladder. Everything about this office is the way medicine should be — personalized for the patient and patient focused. I trust Dr. Elson and his staff with all of my gastro needs.

Dr. Elson is not only a fine doctor, but a very good person. He’s one of the very few doctors I know who is always right on time for your appointment. He has a highly professional and very gentle manner. As my gastroenterologist, he has performed two colonoscopies and an endoscopy. He made all three as easy as possible and certainly painless. I always feel as if his priority is my health and I can fully trust his diagnosis and his treatment plans. I very highly recommend ‘Dr. Robert Elson.
Allen Plone

I am a long-​term patient of Dr. Elson. His skill level and compassion sets the highest standards of patient care for his profession.
Dr. Elson has earned my complete trust and appreciation… he’s the Dr. Oz of gastroenterology!

Dr. Elson is a wise choice. I located him on my Aetna health services plan where they had given him essentially a 5 star rating, for cost and quality. They were right. Dr. Elson fully and clearly explained what my medical procedure would entail and was attentive and considerate in my pre-​briefing interview. I was very pleased.
Over time I have learned to be careful about doctors you select. It’s not unlike locating a car mechanic, except in this case your body is the car. I have seen doctors try to up-​sell me services and also overcharge for services that simply were not required. None of this is true of Dr. Elson. He is an honest, good man and I feel lucky to have discovered him. If he can handle the procedure you need, you can stop looking. He’s the one.