Dr. Mark Burrell Bazalgette, MD

Dr. Bazalgette is a wonderful man and a very gifted doctor. He and his office staff were so pleasant and made the whole "doctor's office" experience much easier to face!

I don't expect anyone to be perfect, and find mistakes acceptable. What I can't abide is anyone, a surgeon in particular, berating other specialists then refusing to accept medical records and histories provided to improve patient care. I'd had 2 prior laparoscopies by a past president of the American Menopause Society, that included a partial bowel resection due to severe endometriosis. A prominent colo-rectal surgeon had been called in to handle that part of my surgery, but Dr Bazalgette refused to "read anything written by a gynecologist". I'd been referred by my PCP for a colonoscopy to determine the cause of 2 rectal hemorrhages NOT related to hemorrhoids. Dr B was pleasant enough initially, but threw the surgical reports back at me because they weren't written by Dr. Bailey, then failed to do a physical exam before suggesting he simply band and cauterize 2 internal hemorrhoids he saw when using a sigmoidoscope. As I left his office I said: "do you deal with rectoceles? I was astounded at his response. His face turned purple as he broke into a huge rage stating: "oh NOW you tell me you have a rectocele? " I've seen unprofessional behavior but non like this. He then said: "you need to go see a colo-rectal surgeon immediately then stomped away, refusing to answer any questions. His card said he WAS a colo-rectal surgeon, and what was going to happen to me ? I could tell something bad was going to happen, but he immediately disappeared, and put the "ole boy network" to work. I couldn't get an appointment to see ANY colorectal surgeons and had no way of explaining the potential problem. I had local radiologists refused to do procedures ordered; a gynecologist offered to try to help me but wanted a barium enema to see what he was dealing with. The radiologist had actually put his gloved hand around my cecum so it couldn't be seen (a big "no no" in radiology) and actually called the surgeon while I was in his office for my pre-op visit, saying there was nothing wrong with me, and that I didn't need surgery. Fortunately we could see obvious issues; even the Mayo clinic saw the intermittent partial obstructions that had been causing me so much pain and inability to pass food through my GI track. I've yet to find a GI surgeon who understands what Dr. B was so afraid of, except that he had in all probability caused two clots to form that embolized into my mesenteric vessels and caused an obstructed defecation, and multiple prolapsed thrombosed hemorrhoids. I was in horrific pain for years, so bad my friends were in fear I'd take my life. I was put on fentanyl because it was the only analgesic strong enough to make the pain bareable, but then inevitably, I was accused of simply being a drug addict. Dr. B knew he'd caused a catastrophic injury, and I could have coped with that IF I"D ONLY KNOWN what I was dealing with and could get help. But to instead be villified, and become drug dependent, dropping to 102 lbs and unable to eat was terrible. I lived on fluids for 4 years and am considering requesting a colostomy because anything is better than being hungry and staring at food, wishing I could eat, but fearing I'd become obstructed and die. I also wish I knew what the rumor was that he spread about me. Medicine has become defensive and electronic health records "weaponized". Doctors can put whatever they want in them and you CANNOT REMOVE THEM ! you can write an addendum and ask it be placed in the record but the provider doesn't have to comply. I've been baited several times now with the word out that I'm a "munchausen". I know Dr Bazelgette is probably an excellent an gifted surgeon, but he lacks ethics. He, and others like him will happily let patients die rather than risk having their errors discovered. I'm sure this will be removed from this website, but maybe just one person will see it who may be saved.We can't afford to have unethical cowards practicing medicine. I called his office for weeks asking for help, and they continued to say: YOU NEED TO SEE A COLOrectal surgeon. BUT, I replied, Dr. B IS a CR surgeon. Eventually they said his practice is limited to proctology. I don't know what more I can do. I'm fortunate enough to have the knowledge to save myself by restricting my diet to fluids, and hope some day to be able to eat and not be in fear.

Dr. Bazalgette is my new favorite doctor. He is caring, compassionate, kind, and funny! He truly put me at ease throughout the length of my care, and for that I am very grateful. His office staff are very welcoming and helpful as well. I highly recommend going to see him!

Dr. Bazalgette was very kind and professional. But beware that his office goes in and out of network with Anthem Blue Cross without notifying patients. By chance 2 days before a scheduled colonoscopy I checked in with Anthem Blue Cross and found out that Dr. Bazalgette had gone out of network and I cancelled the colonoscopy. When I contacted Dr. Bazalgette's office to find out why they hadn't contacted me about going out of network, their response was, "Sorry about that. We go in and out of network periodically and usually notify patients. Had I gone through with the colonoscopy, I could have had to pay for the entire procedure. Beware of Dr. Bazalgette's extremely unprofessional office staff and lack of communications regarding insurance coverage.

Couldn't have been better

I first started seeing Dr. Bazalgette about 10 years ago. I had a major reconstructive surgery after the birth of my first child that had been done by another physician about 10 years prior. I was worried about going to see a new Dr. as my case was very complicated. Dr. Bazalgette put me at ease, and assured me he could help me, which he did. I had surgery with him at Marin General and everything went smoothly (as can be expected). He truly makes one of the toughest and most embaressing experiences as pleasant as can be. His staff is top notch too. You are in great hands with Dr. Bazalgette.

I first started to see Dr. Bazalgette as a patient about 10 years ago and have continued to see him as necessary. This guy is just outstanding; he is certainly clinically talented, but has one of the most affable bedside-manners I have ever encountered. The office personnel are first rate and very professional. Bottom line, I really feel like I can trust Dr. Bazalgette.

I couldn't have been more pleased with every aspect of the visit, Dr. Bazalgette and the procedure (colonoscopy). Being in the health care field myself, I am very aware of all the possibilities. I would recommend Dr. Bazalgette heartedly.