Dr. Andrew Stuart Wachtel, MD

I'm writing this almost four years later, because I'm finally being treated by another pulmonologist for the issue that was dismissed by Dr Wachtel. I had been suffering from tightness and pain in my chest after dental surgery. Dr Wachtel took a look at my CT, said I had some collapsed air sacs and that it should resolve itself. I tried talking to him more.because I ahd been dealing with this for months already but he rudely dismissed. I got my records when I went to a new doctor and saw that he said that I was overweight (I wasn't, I was slightly obese but have never been overweight). since seeing him, I focused on losing weight but that didn't help me. My new pulmonologist saw the same charts, diagnosed me with asthma and gave me an inhaler. I haven't had any pain since and I have also started running again! I have to mention that I am a woman of color, so he just made assumptions that lost me 4 years where I had multiple asthma attacks and issues breathing on hikes/in cold weather.

I had to see Wachel and he was PROMPT and thorough. There was no small talk, he had looked at my scan and the notes before he came to the room and he understood what was going on. It really irks me when Dr come in to the room and they are reading your chart there. I really appreciate the speed. I now have a treatment plan and directions to follow. I was a bit annoyed with the front office staff bc my appointment was set for 1115 (I took a screen shot of the app they use), they said to arrive 15m early so I got there a little before 11 am. When I got there it was changed to 1145 and there were other people with the same time slot. I got taken back after noon but did not wait long. That is why a star was lost.

Dr. Wachtel is one of the least compassionate physicians I have ever met. He has no patience, is unjustifiably arrogant, and severely misdiagnosed the condition of my family member. There are plenty of kind and qualified pulmonologists in Los Angeles but Dr. Wachtel is not one of them.

Was not comfortable trusting my health with this doctor-try someone else.

My favorite doctor bar none.

Didn't like him. Just gave me a prescription for an inhaler but I don't have asthma.

He is an amazingly compassionate, thorough and highly knowledgeable physician, whose precise diagnostic and treatment abilities are exceptionally good. He communicates what is honestly your health status, rather than fabricate problems for money. He has my unreserved recommendation as a lung doctor.

Dr. Wachtel spent an average of 3-4 minutes with me on each visit. Why I stayed with him for 3 years, I will never know. He had no interest in solving the cause of my problem, he only prescribed medications that were not accurate!

Did not seem interested in my problem