Dr. Stephen Yoo, MD

What happened to my mother was the worst nightmare that could possibly happen to any patient undergoing surgery. Dr. Stephen Yoo performed multiple surgeries that ended in the most horrendous sufferings before her passing at Cedar Sinai Medical Center in 2015. It developed from just a single planned surgery to a series of surgeries for a 87 year old multiple myeloma patient. The condition for her surgery was diverticulitis, infections of her colons. My mother was quite frail at the time but nevertheless, this surgeon was confident that she should do okay as he puts it that the decision for the surgery was perhaps more difficult than the surgery itself. Her condition was serious but not critical. We initially opted for a more conservative course of antibiotic treatment but surgery was recommended by her doctors. After this doctor operated on her, complications developed that she required blood transfusions and additional surgeries just to keep her alive. She died three weeks later in the intensive care unit due to multiple causes including septic shock. It was an absolute nightmare to watch what she had to endure! After the initial surgery, it took days just to detect the mass hemorrhaging from her bladder. I had to call this doctor on a late Sunday night to demand the cat scan be expedited without delays. They detected the mass hemorrhaging and brought her back to surgery a few hours later. The hemorrhaging was severe and her belly was way too swollen to be sutured back. It was way too late as septic shock sets in! A couple days later they performed a third operation to remove the rest of her colons while she remained in critical condition. The trauma team of surgeons at CS subsequently took over the mess. They had to change the wound bag and do the washout of her open abdomen without general anesthesia. That protocol was repeated every three days for a 87 year old patient until her death! Her entire body swelled like a water melon from head to toe at the time of her death. What happened was beyond my wildest imagination! Finally they blamed the cause of the mass hemorrhaging on "diffuse bleeding" as something just naturally happened. Really? Had there be no surgery, would that have happened? Lots of questions need to be answered. There was no clear or acceptable explanation from this doctor on how something that dreadful could have happened to a patient! I had a long chat with my mother before the surgery. She appeared nervous but I told her to put her faith on this surgeon. What happened would haunt me for the rest of my life. Dr. Yoo was referred by the hospital. He indeed has great demeanor and is quite amiable which made me feel comfortable and earned my trust. There is absolutely no excuse to justify what had happened under any circumstances in this age of modern medicine. There is not one day that I didn't feel the pain and anguish after witnessing the brutal suffering and death of my own beloved mother. It was distressing trying to recollect the gruesome events while writing this review. I will never be able to get over the loss!

Excellent and empathetic bedside manner. Patient listener. Very understandable explanations

I originally went to see Dr. Stephen Yoo for two purposes. One purpose was to obtain a second opinion and the other purpose was to see if I wanted to change surgeons. I had been seeing a well respected colorectal surgeon who recommended surgery to perform an internal lateral sphincterotomy to repair a rectal fissure that I had been dealing with for over 7 months. I wanted a surgeon who was compassionate, talented and whose bedside manner provided me with a sense of confidence and compassion.In my 1st appointment, Dr. Yoo spent almost an hour with me explaining all aspects of my medical conditions. He also answered the many questions I had written down and brought with me. It was only after we spoke for quite awhile did he then undertake my examination. Following the examination he confirmed that surgery was my best option. I met with his surgical scheduling coordinator Charles Verona. Charles answered all of my questions as to insurance issues and the like and encouraged me to call him as needed before the surgery. He was always available and approachable.Dr. Yoos compassion is reflective of his quality of caring for me. Dr. Yoo was always available by pager and email. Prior to surgery and since surgery I may page him, write him or email him with issues or questions. He will call me back or respond with an email addressing my concerns.Dr. Yoo ALWAYS made me feel like my health issues were of paramount concern to him. It has now been two weeks since my procedure and I am recovering very well. Given the sensitivity of the procedure and its delicacy I highly recommend Dr. Yoo to anyone who is worried and needs the guiding hand of skill and compassion. I never felt like I was imposing on him nor did I ever feel rushed when we spoke or in person.Dr. Stephen is the finest most caring physician I have ever met. I remain poised with the knowledge and information provided me by Dr. Yoo with no unexpected surprises on my healing journey.

I would just like to report that it has been a lengthy recovery from the Sphincterotomy surgery to assist in the healing of my multiple fissures. Dr. Yoo, my very competent and reassuring surgeon observes that my condition is about 95% healed. I still some discomfort during the day due to either sitting or standing too long, a bowel expectation or a recent bowel evacuation, gas or stress but thanks to this procedure (crossing my fingers) there is no more intense pain. He is "The light at the end of the tunnel" and I'm so thankful that he has the guts enough to look up and heal an ailing rectum! Kudos on Yelp!

Very understanding, open to suggestions and helpful advice for recovery.