Dr. Mario T Plaza-Ponte, MD

He was very brutal in his exam. Was not nice in any sense of the word. Had no one in the room with us. Did not give me a robe...he just yanked down my pants and proceeded to insert a probe into me and hurt me considerably. He was relentless and kept pushing this thing in me. This is not what a good doctor does. He told me that UC always turns malignant within 15 years. Being I had this for 25 years (which it was only 23 at the time) that I should have had a colostomy 10 years ago. Why did I not have it yet? What am I waiting for? That is going to masticize. He insisted that the biopsies that my doctor/GI has done over the years is neither accurate nor reliable. He equated the colon actually being the same size in area as a football field and that my doctor pulled 1 blade of grass for a biopsy and since that biopsy was fine assumes it all is. He said you can’t tell from 1 blade of grass! I need to consider surgery. He seemed to give the perception that it is what is… necessary and that I probably already have cancer from the UC duration. THEN to top this off...he sent a letter to my GI saying what a nice visit we had and that I was in pretty good shape!! No mention to my GI that I needed surgery! This all happened 13 years ago. I still have my colon and no mention of any surgery ever by my doctors. Right now I consider myself in good health and relieved I didn't listen to this horrible doctor. Do not go to him! Cannot believe he is still practicing. Thankful he is out of the hospital system in my area.

My personal experience was not pleasant. I found the office to be in poor condition, and the cleanliness (or lack thereof) made me nervous. I found the doctor's bedside manner to be brusque and not as informative as it should have been. I regret not listening to my gut & I proceeded with the procedure, despite my reservations. The procedure was only partially successful, and was much more painful than I had expected, despite my questions to the doctor, as well as my independent research of the procedure. As a result, I needed to have the procedure repeated. I elected not to return to this doctor to have the procedure corrected, based on the aforementioned reasons. My second doctor used laser therapy - the results were much better & much less painful.

I would never go to this doctor again.