Lakewood Orthopaedic Medical Group

My physical therapy was delayed because the office handed me a referral with no explanation. I was told by the doctors PT would be put into my insurance. I called the insurance and they said no authorization was given to them. Called doctor office. and I was told that it was a direct referral, and didn’t need authorization. I never was told that.
I asked for the referral to mailed to me, it was, no information where to take it, no explanation.
I called my one provider my IPA has. And they can not accommodate me. I am stuck one month post op, no PT, no care and substandard support from this office.

This was my first visit here. My rating may change as I go back for follow ups. I saw Dr. Elias and had no issues with him or his nurse. The waiting room gets crowded fast. The desk staff doesn’t seem to be the best trained. I had to sign in, then sit then go and get paper work to fill out, then sit down and then go back to pay my co-​pay. Luckily I was there for my hands and not my knees or that much up and down would have been a big deal. Also noticed the one time I was called up to the desk I was ignored for a while while a few of the ladies were arguing over where a report came from in someone else’s file. Parking was horrible, nobody seemed to understand what a compact car is and parked their big SUVs in the compact spots making fitting in spaces hard or getting around them difficult. Also people speed and ignore that it is two way traffic, be cautious when parking. Also the parking structure elevator was very slow. Exam room was kind of boring while waiting for the doctor, just plain walls.

I am a patient of Dr. Wassef and couldn’t imagine going to any other doctor. It makes me sad that some people have bad things to say about the staff because they have been a godsend to me regarding paperwork and anything else I might need. I had terrible orthopedic problems from an old auto accident and now 20 yrs later and thanks to Dr. Wassef I am walking, bending my knee and most important pain free. I can’t nor do I have anything bad to say about his office. I have very seldom been in his office more than an hour total. I have never heard his office disrespect anyone either. I’m sorry that some of you had bad experiences, but take it from a loyal patient I will never treat with another orthopedist. I have moved back to Fresno, but am choosing to keep returning to Dr. Wassef.

Mary. Mary. Mary. You’re the worst office manager. Terrible service and no listening skills. Your front desk staff is clueless too! Do you train them to not pay attention? It’s too bad for the doctors that you’re there. It brought down this rating from «so-​so» to «never go!» Dr. Wassef was a nice guy and seemed like a great doctor, but he’ll never get my business again on account of how you treated me. I hope the doctors read these reviews and put you in your place. They’re losing business because of you! Three words for you Mary: Learn. People. Skills.

What’s the point of having an appointment if all my Grandma and I will be doing is wait over an hour, anyway? The wait time is just ridiculous! It’s a waste of your whole day it seems like and it’s depressing in there! We could’ve literally watched an entire movie and we would still be waiting.

Rude and nasty!
Last Wednesday (9÷9÷15) I had the most unpleasant conversation with office manager Mary. I was actually trying to talk to Dr. Elias but wasn’t allowed to.
She was condescending, dismissive and challenged everything I said (e.g. «How do YOU know that?»). At one point she said she would look for my X-​rays then told me she couldn’t find them. When I said I had the account number she said it didn’t matter, took one more parting shot at me and hung up.
Nobody deserves to be subjected to her tone, demeanor and uncaring attitude, especially someone suffering from a traumatic injury.

Dr Wassef did surgery on my wrist and I would not have gone anywhere else. Yes the wait times can be a little long but I would wait forever to see a doctor I know I can trust and that can fix my wrist like he did. It was crushed in 5 places and after a long recovery, I can still use my wrist fully and do everything I could before my accident. I’m so thankful for the outcome of my surgery and for Dr. Wassef.

The wait time is horrible. I was told my appointment was at 1:15pm I arrived a day apparently it wasn’t until 1:45 it’s after 2:15 and I am still waiting. Let’s not mention their receptionists are rude.

Dr. Elias is the rudest doctor I’ve ever dealt with! First of all we get to his office and it was packed. I mean absolutely nowhere to sit. My appointment was at 1:45. I didn’t get in until around 2:25. Once I got in I still had to wait on Dr. Elias. When he finally came in (mind you his office is beyond full, so he’s trying to be as quick as possible with you to get the next body in) he asked how was I? I told him better. He then asked was I going to get the surgery? I told him my physical therapist suggested, (he interrupts and says «for you to get the surgery?») I say no, that I not take a cortisone shot (which his brother gave me at the last visit and told me to «avoid surgery at all cost») and do another month of physical therapy to see if my torn meniscus is actually healing. He then scribbles something down and says physical therapy, alright and starts to walk out the room. I’m dumbfounded, and like is that it? I asked are you going to extend my disability? He then walks back into the doorway and says «no I’m not going to extend your disability you’ve been off of work long enough (mind you I have a very physical job and my meniscus is still torn) I’m not going to keep playing around and giving you physical therapy either you’re gonna have the surgery or not. He then walks away. I could not believe it! My son was in the office with me and we both just gazed at each other in disbelief. The same day I spoke with another professional (who is not in his office and not even a doctor, but took the time to explain some things to me). I’ve decided to have the surgery, but not with Dr. Elias! Instead I’m going to Dr. Timothy Gibson in Huntington Beach (as I would suggest all of you do). I would NEVER let Dr. Elias preform any procedure on me! Nor would I EVER recommend anyone to go to him or this facility. It’s only a matter of time before enough people realize how rude and unprofessional he is, and he’ll be out of practice. 0 stars!!!

Parking is horrible. it is shared with the hospital and various other medical offices. Get here early save yourself the grief

We checked in at 1:05pm. Our appointment was at 1:30pm. We got seen by 01:35pm. Out and done by 01:50pm, cause we needed to be seen by two doctors. Staff were nice and courteous. Facility was clean

Ive nothing bad to say about the girls at the front desk or the back office. But the wait is horrible! Every time I’m here im waiting at least 30 minutes with my father. This is my 4^th time here I’ve been waiting for 45 minutes now and haven’t been seen. I asked the medical assistant where the doctor is at and he’s at his fucking office!

They are busy, Front desk personnel could use a lot of customer service training, but Dr. Elias is great. Just get here early and go on your phone or read a magazine.

I will NEVER go to this Dr. office again. EVER. I went in to get my knee checked and the Dr. ordered an MRI and to this day I still have not heard from them regarding my follow up and MRI. I called to talk to a nurse to tell them my knee was bruising and the nurse told me that I need to simply ice it and keep off of it. I told her that I work and go to school and I asked if I should be on crutches and she told me that she couldn’t get me off work or out of school. I told her I didn’t ask her to do that, I simply wanted to know if I needed to come in and be on crutches and she told me that they can’t see me until I get the MRI and I need to ice it and stay off of it. This office is terrible… in addition to the 2 hour wait before I even got into a room.