Dr. Flavio Leonardo Rocha, MD

I had been suffering from a small intestine blockage for several months due to healing from a bleeding ulcer’s scar tissue. The ulcer was caused from sepsis / food poisoning. I went through multiple attempts (with a different provider) to stretch the blockage open, with little result. My wife found Dr. Rocha at the Digestive Disease Institute at Virginia Mason. He saw us so quickly - a matter of a few days. We talked with him while he explained the options. He was very helpful understandIng the pros and cons of each one. We settled on an option that involved some difficult surgery which removed the blockage and moved my small intestine to my duodenum. This option avoided doing a bypass which comes with a life-long dependence on antacids and stomach related issues (called “dumping”) similar to ongoing diarrhea; with an ongoing restrictive diet. I was scheduled for surgery in less than a week. WOW! The surgery worked perfectly with the best possible outcome - I FEEL NORMAL… AGAIN!!!!! Recovery, which took about a week, was virtually painless. Dr. Rocha was a real find!

Dr. Rocha literally saved my life. Throughout a 3 month term of building my strength up to face an extensive repair. At all times, I found him to be pleasant, positive and professional, yet very personable. I will be forever grateful to him, and his staff.

transferred from another hospital 200 miles away. Transected bile duct from a prior surgeon. Dr. Rocha prepared me for the final surgery that has me now back to "normal" as I will ever be. was carrying a bile drain on one side of my body and a feeding tube on the other-ow I have a few changes in my appearance,and a few physical limitations, BUT I AM ALIVE!!!!!!