Oliver EvansRemember that horrible stomach flu you used to get when you were a kid?
The churning, the nausea, the feeling like your insides were tied in knots? Imagine having to deal with that daily or living with the constant discomfort of IBS or the bloating that makes you self-conscious.
For many people, gastrointestinal issues are normal. Unfortunately, finding a good gastroenterologist can feel like a gamble.
So, we did the hard work for you. We looked into the best gastroenterologists in Vancouver who’ll help you deal with even the worst gastrointestinal problems.
Here’s who we’d trust.
How much does it cost to see a gastroenterologist in Vancouver?
It costs at least 200 CAD to see a gastroenterologist in Vancouver for an initial consult.
This is just an estimate. The actual price will vary depending on if you need diagnostic tests, your insurance coverage and more.
1. Dr. Jack Amar – St Paul’s Hospital
Address: 1081 Burrard St
Contact Details: 6046822344
We absolutely love Dr. Amar’s holistic approach to luminal gastroenterology. He specializes in addressing issues affecting the lining of the digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and colon.
What sets him apart is the genuine connection he builds with his patients. He takes the time to empower those under his care, helping them feel confident in taking charge of their health.
Patients with Crohn’s disease, for example, have shared how Dr. Amar patiently helped them understand why certain foods triggered flare-ups. He offered insightful advice on adjusting their routines to improve their quality of life.
Some of the patients we talked to also praised his calming demeanor and clear explanations. He even details the visual findings during the procedure, which helps patients understand their condition more.
That said, we found the occasional scheduling changes frustrating. A few patients told us their appointments were cancelled last minute without any notice.
Very thankful for the amazing care over the years
“Dr. Amar has been my Gastroenterologist for over10 years and very thankful for the amazing care over the years. Credit him for being carefully over seeing my health and intervention in early diagnosis for Ampullary Cancer. Semi retired now and will miss him once he fully retires.”
Wonderful gastroenterologist with an excellent bedside manner
“I am at ease when I have my EGD and flexible sigmoidoscopy performed by Dr. Amar. I will be sad when he retires because he is a wonderful gastroenterologist with an excellent bedside manner. Also, his assistant, Pat, is a great communicator and she is always very pleasant over the phone. Thanks very much for your care and attention.”
2. Dr. Sarvee Moosavi – West Coast Gastroenterology Associates (Vancouver General Hospital)
Address: 5th Floor, 2775 Laurel Street
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 4 PM
We’re incredibly impressed with Dr. Sarvee Moosavi’s expertise in treating colon polyps and gastrointestinal cancer. We love how she takes the time to thoroughly explain everything, ensuring her patients feel informed and comfortable.
We also admire her focus on preventative care. Her holistic approach, which includes adjusting medications and suggesting ergonomic improvements to minimize pain, demonstrates her dedication to improving the overall patient well-being.
We also value Dr. Moosavi’s dedication to her patients. She meticulously reviews their medical history, conducts thorough testing, and listens patiently to their concerns.
Many of her patients also said they appreciate her proactive communication and willingness to adapt treatment plans based on feedback.
The one thing that didn’t do it for us was the long wait times for appointments.
She answered my questions in detail
“I found Dr Moosavi direct & professional. She answered my questions in detail if asked. Factual and to the point. I found her pleasant and generated an energy that she was happy working in the field of providing the health care answers we go to doctors to provide ..I had dealt with Maggie in the past but I believe Vivien is the office assistant I was in contact with this time. She was very helpful. I would recommend.”
Dr Moosavi is incredibly kind and compassionate
“Dr Moosavi is incredibly kind and compassionate doctor, she wanted to help me with my illness I’m dealing with. She got me in for upper endoscopy almost immediately and arriving she was incredibly kind. I’d give her a 10/5 if I could. Also her receptionist Maggie was incredibly helpful and compassionate couldn’t say enough good things about her practice.”
3. Dr. Eric Lam – Pacific Gastroenterology Associates
Address: 1190 Hornby Street
Contact Details: +1 604-688-6332
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 4 PM
We love Dr. Lam’s proactive approach to gastrointestinal oncology (cancers of the digestive system).
He doesn’t wait for advanced stages, which we really admire! Instead, he utilizes advanced imaging and endoscopic techniques like endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to catch things early.
Dr. Lam’s expertise with EUS is particularly impressive. He uses it not only for diagnosis but also for targeted biopsies and fine needle aspirations (FNAs), which significantly improves the accuracy of diagnoses.
This early detection allows for timely intervention, which is crucial.
Many patients also appreciate Dr. Lam’s speed in performing an Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD), which is a minimally invasive procedure to remove early-stage tumors.
The fact that he can completely remove the tumor without the need for extensive surgery speaks volumes about his commitment to providing life-saving, minimally invasive interventions.
However, some patients felt he could have provided more detailed information about follow-up procedures and what to expect after treatment.
He was so understanding, patient and professional
“Dr. Lam performed my first ever colonoscopy earlier this month. I was very apprehensive but he was so understanding, patient and professional that I was immediately put at ease. The procedure was quick and painless. I was given a clean bill of health. Many thanks to Dr. Lam and his excellent team.”
He’s truly one of the best doctors I’ve ever seen
“I have nothing but praise for Dr. Lam. He’s highly knowledgeable, works hard, professionally empathetic and committed to finding a solution, even with uncommon problems. He’s truly one of the best doctors I’ve ever seen.”
4. Dr. Nazira Chatur – Vancouver General Hospital
Address: 899 W 12th Ave
Contact Details: +1 604-875-4111
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
What we really love about Dr. Chatur is her dedication to research. Her ongoing studies on the use of small bowel ultrasound in Crohn’s disease aim to provide a less invasive alternative to CT scans.
We’re impressed by her innovative use of small bowel capsule endoscopy. This advanced technique allows for more precise diagnoses in cases where traditional endoscopy falls short.
We also love that Dr. Chatur helps you understand the root cause of your gastrointestinal distress.
Patients we interviewed suffering from chronic abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss appreciated her thoroughness. She meticulously reviewed their history and ordered additional tests before diagnosing them.
We’re also highly impressed with Dr. Chatur’s approach to managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). She takes the time to develop a treatment plan that includes medication management, dietary adjustments, and stress reduction techniques.
That being said, one area that could use some improvement is the front desk service. Some patients mentioned that the front desk staff are a bit rude sometimes.
She is so caring, takes the time to explain everything, excellent
“I love Dr. Chatur!!!! She is so caring, takes the time to explain everything, excellent in her field and has a great sense of humor. I have had a few colonoscopy’s by her and would never have it done by anyone else. Her staff is great, Stella is one of the best around, she is kind and very understanding as I suffer from panic attacks and I have had to cancel (within the time frame) many of times. I trust Dr. Chatur 100%. Keep up the great work on looking after all of us. Truly blessed to have you as a doctor.”
I appreciate how thorough she is
“Dr.Chatur has been a great doctor and I appreciate how thorough she is going through results and explaining things well. She’s very compassionate.”
