Dr. Sean Lai, MD is a top-rated gastroenterologist located in Santa Monica, CA. Double board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine, Dr. Lai brings over two decades of experienced in providing diagnostic services, treatment and disease management of issues involving the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and liver.
In addition to his technical skill, Dr. Lai is appreciated by patients for his willingness to answer questions and explain test results in user-friendly language.
In addition to his technical skill, Dr. Lai is appreciated by patients for his willingness to answer questions and explain test results in user-friendly language.
Reviews (17)
Nina Andrews
Jul 23, 2021
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Nancy Salem
Jan 21, 2018
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Jaja Huang
Dec 04, 2017
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Sam Dominick
Nov 22, 2017
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Anne B.
Oct 18, 2017
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DeYana C.
Sep 27, 2017
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I don't understand how he continues to practice. He is a horrible communicator, he doesn't show up for his appts.He doesn't answer calls or return them to other Dr's who may be on the a case? I have a aunt with a very chronic illness who is always in and out the hospital, so I know Dr's can get busy. He is down right rediculous!
John Baer
Sep 11, 2017
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Pete L.
Feb 21, 2017
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Ben S.
Feb 15, 2017
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Dr. Lai is a great doctor with a treatment philosophy I'm heartened by and agree with. He has seen me through the scary and surprising onset of ulcerative colitis, scary and surprising crap from insurance companies, and two colonoscopies (less surprising but no less scary); through it all I've felt fortunate to have him in my corner. Punctuality may not be his strong suit, as some other reviews have mentioned, but he's a wonderful and compassionate doctor with a friendly, helpful, and accommodating staff.
Elayne K.
Dec 06, 2016
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I first met dr lai when my mother went to the emergency at st johns hospital and dr lai was the doctor on call, in 1997. he was wonderful with my mother, and i have gone to him since that time, both as a gi specialist and as my internist. he has taken wonderful care of me and does what needs to be done effectively, effeciently and with care and concern. i recommend him to everyone.
Keemia S.
Oct 06, 2015
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I don't understand how this doctor continues to practice. He gave me a double whammy - the absolute wrong diagnosis, and the wrong medicine for that wrong diagnosis.
I did a colonoscopy with him, and he diagnosed me with a chronic disease - Chrohn's Disease. This was incorrect because the lab results showed that the cells were not having chronic inflammation, but they were flared up due to overuse of Advil (this was later confirmed by a doctor at UCLA - he actually took the time to read the lab results).
Going along with his diagnosis, he prescribed this medicine to me that I had clearly
I did a colonoscopy with him, and he diagnosed me with a chronic disease - Chrohn's Disease. This was incorrect because the lab results showed that the cells were not having chronic inflammation, but they were flared up due to overuse of Advil (this was later confirmed by a doctor at UCLA - he actually took the time to read the lab results).
Going along with his diagnosis, he prescribed this medicine to me that I had clearly
Michael W.
Sep 22, 2015
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(1) Poor communicator
(2) Extremely disorganized staff--also the main secretary constantly opines as though she has an M.D.
(3) Not compassionate or caring
(4) Does whatever he wishes even though there are better and cheaper medical routes--almost seems that he is either not knowledgeable about the better, modern medical paths or he simply wants to make more money by choosing the more complicated way.
In sum, AVOID this doctor if possible. You'll be saving yourself more time and money.
(2) Extremely disorganized staff--also the main secretary constantly opines as though she has an M.D.
(3) Not compassionate or caring
(4) Does whatever he wishes even though there are better and cheaper medical routes--almost seems that he is either not knowledgeable about the better, modern medical paths or he simply wants to make more money by choosing the more complicated way.
In sum, AVOID this doctor if possible. You'll be saving yourself more time and money.
Nick L.
Jun 11, 2015
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Cathy M.
May 14, 2015
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Plain and simple....Dr. Lai saved my life. His experience, knowledge, skill and ability to address your G.I. issues and create a plan to help you regain your health is priceless. As with any doctor, emergencies come up, but no matter how long the wait, he is "there" when it is your turn, and doesn't rush you, takes time to explain lab results, test results, procedures, et al. His staff is wonderful and as accommodating as they can be. I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Lai.
K. O.
Jul 23, 2014
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The procedure I received from Dr. Lai in the hospital seemed to be done well and I appreciated that he fit me in his schedule because it was kind of an emergency.
I didn't have much interaction with him at all and there was no follow up by him after, but it fixed the problem and seemed to be good work. My rating is really of his office staff and the way they run his office.
His office staff is really a major problem and caused me so much grief it almost undid the the work he performed on my stomach.
They told me that they would wait for my insurance to kick in and not worry about the bill
I didn't have much interaction with him at all and there was no follow up by him after, but it fixed the problem and seemed to be good work. My rating is really of his office staff and the way they run his office.
His office staff is really a major problem and caused me so much grief it almost undid the the work he performed on my stomach.
They told me that they would wait for my insurance to kick in and not worry about the bill
Pam R.
Dec 01, 2013
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What a frustrating experience! First his office staff said they would email me my records and test results. I asked Jenny three times and I never got them. I had to go straight to the pathologist who called me back immediately and answered my questions. Dr Lai made me crazy too. He didn't listen to what I was saying. He misinterpreted what I said. He was short tempered and lectured me on "herbs". He never returned my phone call when I had questions. I will never again let a hospital assign a specialist for me. Ugh! Horrible experience. Worst! Makes me mad the insurance company
Sylvie F.
Oct 16, 2013
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OK the most unprofessional office I have encountered.
I ended up canceling my procedure yesterday, after dealing w the office for over 3 weeks, hard to get a hold of, hard to communicate with and beyond frustrating .
Some of my calls wouldn't even go to voice mail it would just say call canceled.
but most importantly 2 days before my procedure I was asked by email mind you !!!!!
not by phone and at 4.59PM they close at 5Pm if i had gotten a blood test?
Well no I hadn't because I had no idea that the one e-mai attachment meant get a blood test and by the way where was I to go ? Who
I ended up canceling my procedure yesterday, after dealing w the office for over 3 weeks, hard to get a hold of, hard to communicate with and beyond frustrating .
Some of my calls wouldn't even go to voice mail it would just say call canceled.
but most importantly 2 days before my procedure I was asked by email mind you !!!!!
not by phone and at 4.59PM they close at 5Pm if i had gotten a blood test?
Well no I hadn't because I had no idea that the one e-mai attachment meant get a blood test and by the way where was I to go ? Who
