John Wachtel's Online Review Report Card

HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT PATIENTS. The office told me I could do a virtual appointment due to COVID and the fact that I moved out of state. Once I get on the appointment he refuses to see me as a patient because it’s been too long since I had been seen in person, so he tells me to go somewhere else in my new state, we were on the call for maybe 2-3 minutes. Then he still bills me for a full appointment! ...

I began seeing John Wachtel in 1995 as my OBGYN. I was under his care during my second and last pregnancy in 1997. I was healthy throughout my pregnancy and I delivered a healthy baby boy. I required no particular expertise from Wqchtel. I continued to go to him for annual visits for next 17 years. I reported and Wachtel recorded that my father had breast cancer when I first started seeing Wachtel. I also reported this when asked at my annual mammograms done under his care beginning at age 40 Male breast cancer is strongly linked to BRCA mutation. Between 1995 and 2015, Wachtel NEVER referred me to a genetic counselor so I could be aware of my risks and allow me to reduce my risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. In 2015, I went to an internist for abdominal pains and she correctly diagnosed ovarian cancer. I have had 4 major surgeries and have been in and out of systemic treatment for 5 years. My life expectancy is poor. Wachtel's incompetence, ignorance of Gyn cancers has cost me my life.

Saw Wachtel for over 20 years. Reported my father’s history of male breast cancer. He documented in my chart but NEVER referred me to a genetic counselor. Male breast cancer is strongly linked to BRCA mutation. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer caused by the BRCA mutation and have been battling the disease for last 5.5 years with a poor chance of survival. I could have had prophylactic surgery when I decided to not have another child 20 years ago if Wachtel ever bothered to read my chart. His incompetence has cost me my life.

Worst birth experience! He delivered my son via natural vaginal delivery at LPCH in 2013. He demonstrated complete lack of respect for me and my husband, a stanford doctor, during the delivery and I felt as though I had to fight for my rights throughout the process. I still to this day have nightmares about this man's attitude and the undue stress my son had to be brought into because of his lack of respect for my wishes as a Mom and threatening nature in which he spoke to me at my most vulnerable point. I went on to have a wonderful natural birth of my daugther at UCSD and would do anything if I could have chosen a different clinic for my son. I know the experience contributed to the anxious personality he has now as a 3 yr old as well as the forced antibiotics contributed to his major food allergies and frequent yeast overgrowth.

Great doctor, great person, he helped me through very difficult times. Thank you, doctor Wachtel!

Dr. Wachtel and his assistant Fran are 2 of the most wonderful people ever. They were there for both of my son's births and saw me through all the days leading up to and following these amazing experiences. Dr Wachtel is so incredibly thorough and kind. I feel very fortunate to have found them and will go out of my way to remain with him for as long as possible.

Wachtel has delivered my 2 kids - now 7 and 3. He is awesome. I am a nurse pracitioner and he really listened to me and helped me with each of my c sections. My scar line is barely visible he is UBER gentle with his exams. I cannot say enough about him. I also work at Stanford Hospital and have referred so many friends to him. He is a skilled surgeon and I will only have him do my annual paps. You will love him.

My experience had to do with a gynecological issue involving discomfort, but not pregnancy. Dr. Wachtel was not too helpful in my case. I was referred to a sub-specialist who could help, but I think that damage was done before the referral. A quicker referral to someone more knowledgeable would have really helped. If your problems are simple or you are going to have a baby, it seems Dr. Wachtel is great.

Dr. Watchel was recommended by a very well respected surgeon at Stanford. I was considered in the higher risk catagory because of my age, therefore I wanted the BEST. Dr. Wachtel is brilliant, thorough and a very empathic, caring doctor. We had some potential problems with my first delivery and his expertise is what saved the delivery. I had such a beautiful experience that I turned to my husband as soon as the baby was born and said, " I want to do this again."! This was all because of the capable hands of Dr. Wachtel. I then had my second daughter 15 months later. He is still my Dr. and I would not go to anyone else. I suggest that when reading the one negative review that you read between the lines to get an understanding of what was really going on. Dr. Wachtel deserves nothing but respect and admiration for his contribution to the medical profession. His nurse is available any time with answers to questions that come up.

Dr. Wachtel is a great doctor--if only he delivered somewhere other than Stanford, I'd still be seeing him. He's quick with the exams (always a plus) and friendly and easy to talk to. One of those people who does a good job letting you know that he's really listening. I might even switch back once I pop out the baby.