Dr. Vikram Shenoy, MD

Very thorough anesthesiologist. I’ve had 10 recent surgeries. He asked more questions and spent the most time with me of any anesthesiologist I’ve ever used. He was concerned about any past procedures, any nausea afterwards, and any previous heart tests. Nice doctor. Concerned about his patients.

I was unlucky enough to encounter his services. He walked in with a confident strut, I figured he knew what he is doing. The nurse sat me up and he started his work. At first it seemed like I was feeling the normal pain of epidural administration since I got one with my first born, but as he processed to insert a wire type thing into my spinal cord I felt pain like never before. I usually have a good pain threshold but I was in a lot of pain. I kept asking the nurse what is he doing? Can you make it stop . He asked me what I am feeling. I replied a lot of pain. I said I feel whatever you are inserting into my spin is towards the left side of the center and I feel is ripping through something. He said I am trying to find the right spot. He then stopped and administered more numbing medication. And he tried again to insert the wire type instrument. I felt that pain again and I told him to please stop. He then asked to tell the nurse outside to bring in more numbing medication. At… this point I was not mentally ready anymore. I told him I needed a break.. crying. He asked how long? I said at least 30 minutes I need to ready myself again. When he left the room I told the nurse that I would not like him to administer any more medication. He does not seem to know what he’s doing and I would like another anesthesiologist to do my epidural. The nurse went out to give him my message. He sent the nurse back saying he is the only Anesthesiologist available that night and then I would have to wait till the morning time for someone else to do it. I told the nurse that I’m willing to go through the pain of labor but I will not let him touch me again. After a few minutes he came back and letting me know again that he’s the only anesthesiologist available and that he could not find the right spot at the time. Almost forcing me to let him do it again. I delclined his offer. I am not a doctor nor am I an anesthesiologist but I do know that there might be a certain amount of times you’re supposed to try on a person before you understand that you cannot administer the medication and to get another opinion on it. I do understand that the spinal cord is the main factor in a persons mobility and I did not want to jeopardize that. In the morning time his chief dr Herrera came in to administer the epidural himself and it did not take him more than 15 minutes to get the whole job done. Apparently he knew the right spot. I would not recommend this anesthesiologist to anybody. Ever since I gave birth, I have lower back pain and I do have an appointment made with my spinal doctor to see if his incompetence resulted in me being in pain.

Dr. Shenoy was on call when I went into labor. I didn't want to get an epidural, but ended up being induced and the contactions were too intense. I was worried about all the horror stories with epidurals (being too numb to push effectively, only taking on one side, not working at all, not being able to walk after delivery, post-partum side effects), but none of that happened to me. I only felt a slight pinch when the needle went in and then the rest was sweet relief. Highly recommend Dr. Shenoy. I feel very lucky that he was on call that day! He worked very fast and effectively. Couldn't have been any luckier.