Jeffrey A Sternberg, MD

You are in good hands with Dr. Sternburg. He will take care of you and he has no problem answering questions. I have called him and he gets back within the day. Always greeted with a bright smile. His confidence made me feel comfortable that I was being taken care of by the right person. I’m really thankful for his expertise and most of all his friendly professionalism.
Come a little early for your appointment and expect some delay as he is a doctor that is in high demand. If someone comes in for unexpected urgent care due to surgery, of course he will need to attend that person first and others will be pushed back so don’t come if you are in a rush. He has two offices so make sure u know which one and like I said come early enough to find parking.

Dr. Sternberg is OUTSTANDING! He is professional, patient, comforting, and an excellent surgeon! I found Dr. Sternberg online and was hesitant at first to travel from New Jersey to California for a pilonidal procedure. A local rectal surgeon had recommended that my son (age 22) have traditional surgery, due to ongoing pain, infection, multiple «pits» and draining. He told us that the condition was due to ingrown hairs (not true) and he would have to shave or wax the post-​surgical area so the problem would not occur again (untrue). I read a number of online, horrific stories about surgeries and post-​operative healing and questioned several doctors who «specialized» in pilonidal disease/​surgery; all the doctors I spoke with were not well-​versed, and many had no idea about Dr. Sternberg’s procedure; further, many provided misinformation to me! After visiting
, doing more research, and speaking with Jan (multiple times) as well as Dr. Sternberg, we decided that Dr. Sternberg’s procedure was the best option to deal with my son’s pilonidal problem. The surgery was performed June 16^th at the Presidio surgery center (excellent staff and experience) in San Francisco. The post-​operative care (performed by me after training from the staff) was only 10 days and did not require any packing of the wound as the wound was closed with exception of a small opening at top and bottom of the sutured incision area. My son reported minimal discomfort after two days, and ONE month later, he was back to doing EVERYTHING he did before the procedure — Pain free, without the need to return to California for suture removal. Currently he has NO pain or discomfort of any kind, and none is expected in the future. We believe he is «cured.» Dr. Sternberg was personable and attentive to us — he personally called the day after surgery to see how my son was doing and if I had any questions; he called again two days later following a message I left at the office, concerned with how the wound looked; he could have had a staff member call me with the answers, but he did it himself. After returning to NJ, I was concerned with how the incision looked; I emailed some photos and Dr. Sternberg called me to ease my concerns and advise me on continue post-​operative care. We are absolutely thrilled that we found pilonidal expert, Dr. Jeffrey Sternberg, and decided to travel to California to have this procedure performed by him. ANYONE DIAGNOSED WITH PILONIDAL DISEASE SHOULD CALL DR. STERNBERG.

I was referred to this Doctor as a 2^nd choice from my main Doctor as I had a few uncomfortable warts that needed removing. 3 times in a row over a 3 month period I’d go in, wait in a dark, cold room for 15 to 30 minutes, and when I finally got to see the Doctor he’d look at me for a couple minutes and then just prescribe me to take the same medicine. After the final appointment he finally agreed to do something about the warts and we scheduled an appointment to remove them; the only problem was I was moving out of town. Since I wanted to get this over with, I booked a 4 hour flight and hotel room in San Francisco just to see the Doctor for my surgical visit. When I was on the way to the Doctor’s office, I got a phone call that the Doctor had cancelled my appointment and the soonest I could get another was in 2 weeks. I understand things come up and despite my disappointment in him cancelling our Appointment and me losing 2 days of my time and almost $ 1000 on my flight and hotel, I’m still giving him 3 stars since he might have done a fantastic job; unfortunately I’ll never know.

My urologist had referred me to Dr. Sternberg when it was confirmed that I had a colovesical fistula as the result of a complication with diverticulitis. I was assured that Dr. Sternberg was the best around and he did not disappoint. During our first appointment, he walked me through my condition by showing me images from my CT scan and explained everything in way that was easy to understand. He was very accommodating and allowed my mom to be conference called in while he conducted his assessment – no easy feat given the number of questions my mom asked. He emphasized the fact that he’d take good care of me and do everything he could to speed up the process. This was especially important as I wanted to make sure that surgery did not impact my upcoming wedding this summer. Dr. Sternberg understood this and moved his schedule around to fit me in for a colonoscopy the next week, which was a cautionary prerequisite to surgery. His schedulers worked with me very quickly after the first appointment to select a date for surgery, which helped me set recovery/​out of office expectations at work.
The colonoscopy and surgery went according to plan with no complications. With surgery on a Wednesday, I was originally projected to stay in the hospital through the weekend but everything went so well, I was sent home on Friday afternoon. I could not be happier with my experience with Dr. Sternberg and his staff. When it comes to bedside manner, professionalism, and expertise, he exceeded my expectations.

Office was dimly lit.
Doctor kept me waiting 40 minutes past appointment time – same for many others in the waiting room.
Staff was unapologetic.

I met Dr. Sternberg in 2010 after I developed a stricture due to Crohn’s disease. I was entering my final semester of college, and with graduation just a few months away I wasn’t too excited about the prospect of having surgery. Even so, Dr. Sternberg was able to ease my fears about the procedure, taking time address all of my questions and concerns. In addition, he worked my gastroenterologist to develop a treatment plan prior to surgery in order to minimize the amount of bowel removed. In December 2010 I had a primarily laparoscopic bowel resection to correct the stricture. To my surprise I was back on my feet within a couple weeks, with no bruising and minimal scarring. I’m happy to report the surgery allowed me to finish my senior year without complications.
In 2013 I had a similar issue arise, developing a second stricture at my ileocecal joint. Once again I consulted Dr. Sternberg about the issue. Before resorting to surgery he discussed all possible options with my gastroenterologist and I. I truly respect Dr. Sternberg’s minimally invasive approach and attempt to conserve as much of my bowel as possible (haha I only have so much to go around). I had my second resection in Jan 2013. Dr. Sternberg avoided creating new scars, reusing port sites from my prior surgery and I was back at work within 2.5 weeks –again without any complications.
This past September (2014) I learned my colon had developed a significant amount of scar tissue and would need to be removed. This has been, by far, the most difficult disease flare I’ve dealt with. In the weeks leading up to surgery I was hospitalized and placed on TPN to ensure I would be strong enough for the procedure. Even though he didn’t have to, Dr. Sternberg visited me during my hospital stay to track my progress. In addition, he connected me with vital ostomy resources prior to surgery to help with the transition. In October Dr. Sternberg performed my total colectomy and ileostomy surgery.
For now I’m disease free, and possibly the happiest I’ve been in quite a while. I feel extremely lucky to know such a wonderful healthcare provider and would highly recommend Dr. Sternberg to anyone in need of a general or colorectal surgeon.

I considered creating a new Unilocal account to post this review, but screw it. Most people I care about already know I’ve had pilonidal cyst surgery so WHATEVER.
Pilonidal cyst surgery is no fun, but somehow Dr. Sternberg made it bearable. He’s an extremely personable doctor (especially considering he looks at hairy butts all day) and did an incredible job. I was back in the gym in less than a month with no setbacks. I can’t thank Dr. Sternberg enough for the flawless procedure and post-​op care.

I saw Dr Sternberg in September 2014 to remove my gallbladder. He barely spoke to me while in the hospital. I was told that I had acute pancreatitis, but received no treatment for that. When I went to the post-​op checkup no one took my pulse, blood pressure or weight. And when I told him that I had a few questions, he said that he didn’t have time and left. My visit with him couldn’t have lasted more than 30 seconds. So he and his staff have no info on my recovery.
I still don’t feel well from the surgery and am seeing another Dr now.
If you want a Dr that doesn’t make time to answer your questions, and who fails to do the required post-​op work, then he’s your man.
He seems to enjoy surgery, but is profoundly lacking in human interaction skills.
I was VERY disappointed.

I had a procedure with Dr S that went fine but when I wanted to ask a few questions on the report I received afterwards, all what I could get was a 10-​second dismissive phone conversation with him. One would expect better given the cost of the procedure. Some doctors tend forget who is paying them… So I went to see another specialist.

I was diagnosed with a perforated appendix in last October. Dr Sternberg took my case. He finally removed it this January. Throughout the process he has been extremely easy to work with. He made some excellent diagnostic decisions which proved to help immensely with my prognosis and recovery. I couldn’t recommend him more highly as an accomplished surgeon and no nonsense healthcare professional. And, he’s got a good sense of humor to boot!

One of the best surgeons for an uncomfortable situation. The highest of recommendations !!!

Dr. S had it all figured out before he even met me, disregarding the recommendations of the doctor who knows me for 17 years, who did the colonoscopy and saw my colon. Dr. S was sure I did not need surgery and recommended treatment that my gastroenterologist said we know makes things worse. When I finally had the surgery, my colon was totally blocked, a perforation to my uterus, colon wrapped around my bladder, and so much infection that I spent 2 months in the hospital where my survival was touch and go. This doctor is so arrogant that even after being proved entirely wrong, he still maintains he was right.

Any doctors appointment may cause apprehension, but you know when someone’s going to stick their fingers up your butt on the first visit, you want a better than good doctor. I’d long put off dealing with an annoying anal papilla. Dr. Sternberg was recommended by my (also awesome) GP, Dr. Kalshan.
Dr. Sternberg was on time (a rarity these days) and answered all of my questions. Sadly it could not be dealt with in an office visit and he performed surgery a couple of weeks later.
He has a great bedside manner that is respectful and unrushed. I saw him again this week for a colonoscopy (go family history), and he again was wonderful. I appreciate a doctor who calls at the end of the day to see how you’re doing.

I would not recommend visiting this doctor to anyone and if you must don’t visit anywhere near the end of the day, as he apparently must leave his office at some exact moment and will forgo your care to make that deadline. The good Dr. performed a procedure (one I admittedly needed and would have agreed to) w/​o discussing it with me. He never asked if I would be able to afford the procedure, nor did he bother to inform me of the chemicals he injected into my body, even when asked directly.
After the procedure I was in extreme pain and was forced to rely entirely on the internet to learn what procedure had been done to me, what to expect as far as after care, and whether or not the severe pain I was in was normal.

Dr Sternberg just performed my second colonoscopy last Thursday. Although I am only 33, there is a high rate of colon cancer in my family so I needed to begin screening at age 30. He removed polyps both times (first ones were benign, waiting for results on last weeks). Dr. Sternberg is knowledgeable, professional, and caring. He really puts you at ease in what is a very uncomfortable and compromising position. He calls you later in the day (once the meds have worn off) to see how you are feeling and discuss the procedure. I highly recommend Dr. Sternberg.

The best of the best; that is what I rate this surgeon. If you are reading this you may be facing a surgical procedure in your future-​not a comfortable place to be. I know this because we were in this circumstance a few months ago with our close relative, who suffered from pilonidal disease. We were fortunate to have found Dr. Sternberg.
As we soon found out, the problem with pilonidal disease is that this is an overlooked disease in medicine. There has been little research or improvements made, although people suffer from the disease and it is fairly common, just not talked about. Dr. Sternberg is one of the few doctors who specialize in this disease and has improved his patients’ outcome. He has made a significant contribution to improving the surgical procedure for pilonidal sufferers. Our relatives’ surgery went stunningly well. He had an advanced and complicated condition so a quick and smooth recovery was so refreshingly appreciated. What most other surgeons offer is a brutally painful and slow recovering surgery, in contrast to my relative having had minimal pain and recovered in just a few weeks. This smooth recovery is partly due to the surgical procedure and partly to Dr. Sternberg’s practiced skill at performing this surgery. It was also comforting to know that this doctor has a very caring bedside manner. You are not left feeling like you are just another surgical case. This is a very skilled and knowledgeable surgeon in a «100 Best» surgical group. I believe he would be excellent in all surgical procedures for which he is qualified. Hence, the best of the best! And if you are reading this because you are in need of a surgeon, I wish you a healthy recovery.
If you are suffering from Pilonidal disease, learn as much as you can, because the medical community as a whole has ignored this disease. It is very important for patients to become knowledgeable. See
, Dr. Sternbergs’ website where the disease is explained clearly. This site will also link you to other pilonidal informative sites.

Dr. Jeffrey Sternberg treated our son for a pilonidal condition. We highly recommend him. Make the trip to SF even if you live far away and need a consultation before having any surgery. Dr. Sternberg treated our son after three failed and painful surgeries. We had gone through the traditional standard of treatment performed by most general surgeons. Dr. Sternberg’s technique is better suited for pilonidals and you can avoid lots of discomfort if you try this approach first. His bedside manner was excellent, even opened his office on thanksgiving day to see our son. We were thrilled to have finally healed after 2 painful years and 4 surgeries. If you have this condition, look him up!

This dude is a pilonidal expert. For those that don’t know what this is, it’s this really annoying cyst in your butt crack that makes it hurt to sit down. IT’s like having a zit /​bruise on the end of your spinal cord. This doctor always relieves my pain and is a very nice person. He makes it so sitting down is not a pain in my ass. Thanks for this!

After discovering I had gallstones last year, Dr. Sternberg removed my gall bladder. Several months later, I felt a bulge at the point of incision, went to follow up with him, and he informed me that I had a hernia, which would require another surgery to repair. I had not done any heavy lifting or engaged in any other activities that I can conceive causing the damage.
I just had the hernia repaired by another doctor, who informed me that this type of surgical repair in the wake of gall bladder removal is extremely rare, necessary in 1−3% of patients.
In my handful of appointments with Dr. Sternberg, I found him to be cavalier and rather condescending.
I can’t conclude that Dr. Sternberg is to blame for my hernia, but the whole affair left me feeling pretty poorly served by him.

Fantastic surgeon with a lot of knowledge, patience AND great bed side manners!