Stefan Willging, MD

I’ve consulted with Dr. Willging now for several years and have found him to be an excellent internist. He’s knowledgeable and ready to help with most every medical problem I have. In the event he can’t help me, his references are superb. Dr. Willging returns my calls or emails within a few hours, or sooner, if he can.
Just recently, I awoke with a painful stomach that wouldn’t quit. Dr. Willging diagnosed the problem on his email after a few lines from me, describing the problem. I was beginning to recover just a few hours after taking the OTC medicine he suggested. Dr. Willging seems to be more effective at treating my ailments each time I consult with him.

I can only speak for myself, but Dr. Wilging saved my life. When I went to him because I felt tired and a bit off he ran a series of tests and determined I had asthma. He was concerned that I would have asthmatic symptoms at my age and sent me to a heart specialist. If he had not done that I wouldn’t be writing this now

I am shocked by some of the poor reviews. Dr Willging has been my MD for over 7 years and I cannot say enough good things about him. I never feel rushed and always cared about. He has sent me out for referrals as needed and I could not ask for a better doctor.

I was looking up Dr. Willging’s office hours on behalf of someone, and was shocked to see the negative reviews. I can’t speak to others’ experiences, but I can say that my own experiences with Dr. Willging were wonderful. I’ve had horrible experiences in the past with other doctors, and finding him was like finding a ray of sunshine in the middle of a storm.
His demeanor is always compassionate and professional, I have never, ever felt rushed, even though I had several medical issues when I first came to see him. Each one was healed or became manageable under his care. After having many, many dr. visits for years under other doctors’ care, I haven’t even needed a visit in several years now — due in large part to his oversight and my following through with his recommendations.
He consistently took the time to patiently and respectfully answer all of my questions, and when referrals were needed, he selected really terrific colleagues. I have never, ever left his office feeling like I was just a number who was shoved out the door when my time was up.
I’ve recommended him to several people, all of whom have had experiences similar to mine. I can’t imagine what may have happened in the other situations, but I felt it was important to share my good experiences.

I am giving Dr. Willging 1 star because Unilocal does not have a selection for 0 stars. This is by far truly the worst Internal Medicine doctor to see. His office visits always feel rushed and make it seem as if you are on a time clock. If your questions are not in during that visit, you can forget about asking them at a later time as he does not provide that personal attention doctor/​patient relationship.
Not to long ago, I visited him for what appeared to be a growth under my left eye. He said not to worry about it, that it was just an age spot. He said it can be removed cosmetically but my insurance will not cover such a procedure. I told him I would like to see a dermatologist to get a second opinion. He said their is no need to. He also mentioned that I would be waisting my time and my copay on gaining information that would not benefit the situation. After several days, it was quite obvious that this «age spot» was growing.
I called Dr. Willging to mention this and was told by his assistant that nothing more can be done for me. After going into an unnecessary conversation with his assistant, I spoke with Dr Willging. He actually said «This is a waste of [my] time» and said «I have a problem.» I demanded to see a dermatologist for my growth. He again said, «If you want to waste your time, that is up to you». I will go ahead and write you a referral.
After seeing the Dermatologist, I was informed this was not an age spot. This was benign keratosis. A skin growth. Also I was told this can be removed in 5 minutes as an in office procedure. Once removed, it was sent to the lab for a biopsy. The tests did come back as benign. Though very, very few can come back as malignant. Either way, this was not an AGE SPOT. As a diplomat of Internal Medicine, I would expect Dr. Willging to know just what an age spot does look like.
I question myself, what if the tests came back malignant. What if this was something far worse than keratosis. I did call Dr. Willging back with results and an update from my visit with the Dermatologist. Not only did I express my feelings of anger, but I made it clear how he lacks knowledge and compassion for his patients. I mentioned to him that he lacks in customer service and over all patient care.
If you are with Dr Willging, I encourage you to find a new doctor. If you are not with Dr Willging, DO NOT BECOME HIS PATIENT.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND DR. WILLGING, HIS STAFF NOR HIS PRACTICE.

I hate giving 1 or 2 star reviews… but this is a must.
I have been Dr. Wilging’s patient for a couple of years and after I read the heartbreaking 1 star review, I felt I should put in my two cents. Although he is a very nice doctor and personable, he never took the time to diagnose my Arrhythmia. He constantly told me that I was in perfect health. It took 4 emergency visits from the paramedics to my home and my own online self-​diagnosis to figure out what was wrong with me. For those that suffer from this, you literally feel like you’re going to die when you wake up from a deep sleep in the middle of the night with your heart beating way over 110 BPM, to the point where you feel like you’re going to pass out. Almost every night, I had to find ways to physically and mentally relax to avoid the attacks but they would come like clockwork. Needless to say, I needed help and I needed help quick. When I went in for my final visit, I told him my symptoms yet again as well as what the paramedics had to say about my condition. He finally concurred. I was put on Atenelol after almost a year of attacks but was disturbed that he never fully took the time to diagnose my condition himself. After that, I had lost my insurance so I didn’t see him for quite some time.
Fast forward to today: my husband had gone in to see Dr. Wilging to avoid the hassle of searching for a new doctor. He had been experiencing severe chest pain and like me, was told, «Oh, it’s probably just stress» or «no, you’re fine». Despite the fact that my husband complained of pain and numbing on the left side of his body, Dr. Wilging’s diagnosis was always the same. «There is nothing wrong with you.»
Having to wake up in the middle of night every day to check if your husband is still breathing has been a constant ritual with me. You’d think for the amount of money we spend on medical insurance we would have the peace of mind of knowing we are in good hands. But no. We’ve since been on the search for a new doctor who will take the time to try and heal his patients rather than just earn a paycheck. I’m sure others might disagree with my review but I’m speaking from my own personal experience. If your experience was a good one, you are fortunate. For us, not so much.

Great bedside manner, cheerful & compassionate. Very professional & efficient.

I was researching doctors in the Bay Area, where I lived now and realized how helpful Unilocal reviews can be in finding a new doctor — especially when you just switched health insurance.
I find Dr. Willging to be super nice — he has excellent bedside manners. I never felt rushed and was always able to ask a lot of questions without hesitation. Very nice doctor.
I’m not sure what is up with the other one star review — but it’s always a good idea to follow up with your doctor if you’re not satisfied with your results, or if you feel worse after the visit — doctors can’t always diagnose things quickly when you have a very common symptom (aka, sore throat, rash, etc.). Sometimes when your illness gets worse, it’s a symptom of something more serious. You should always never be afraid to follow up with a doctor.

Wow I guess the wool can be pulled over peoples eyes by reading these reviews. So let’s start. My dad was 77 and very sick and Dr. Willging took over his medical care from his old Dr. who was moving away from San Diego. Aside from an initial visit to get to know my dad this guy «willging» did everything in his power to see my dad die. He couldn’t even diagnose a simple case of shingles on my fathers head he said my dad fell and hurt himself, funny my dad had no recollection of falling.
He never did fall. After the pain from the shingle got so bad I had to take him into emergency where the on-​call diagnosed him in 10 seconds with a very bad case of shingles. There is nothing you can really do about it and even more so when you let it go like Willging had done. He is non-​caring, evasive and doesn’t seem to know anything about medicine, TRUST ME!!! He was always trying to get my father to sign a non resuscitation form so in the case of a heart attack they would not try and save my dad. My dad was very sick but never to that point to do what «willging» did. Eventually while he was treating my dad and under his care, told me dad one Friday night while my dad was hospitalized that he would no longer be his doctor, my father died 8 hours later of a heart attack… You be the judge of what happened! and yes it upset my father very much we found out after wards…