Shawn R Bench, MD 13 reviews I had been suffering with abdominal pain for about 4 years, and in the last year or so had progressed. I spent time in ER diagnosed with Fibroids and then told I had superficial pain possibly GI related but no one really doing the effort to research. 4 years prior I had seen a surgeon but was left with no answer from a CT scan back then, and gave up, but as my pain progressed I sought help through my OBGYN which helped one issue but ignore this issue. When I finally got fed up and demanded an MRI due to still having pain then it is discovered I had some Abdominal Wall mass (Endomatria or Desmoid) but no clear answer, was only suggested to take hormone therapy and/or remove the ovaries (After already having a supracervical hysterectomy). I did not like this response. I also went to my primary physicians NP who suggested possible neuritis from nerve damage, tried Lyrica to help, but I had a reaction. I was referred to see a surgeon to look at my MRI and narrow down the diagnosis, so I called Dr. Bench's office where the previous surgeon had 1st seen me 4 years prior. Dr. Bench, is an amazing doctor/surgeon. He wasted no time taking care of me. My 1st visit he sat and LISTENED to my whole story and frustration, he felt the area I had pain and said it was physically clear I had a problem, and confirmed it has been ongoing. He immediately scheduled my biopsy/CT and when they said 5-7 days for results, his office called me after 4 days to schedule surgery and another visit so he sat and explained everything. It was comforting that he was so supportive and explanatory, and really knew what he was doing. So I have A.W.E. (Abdominal wall endometria) a mass which can be removed and NO HORMONES REQUIRED. YAY! He removed the mass, though it was the largest he has removed in this kind of case and a mesh was needed (similar to hernia repair) Unfortunately, I had fluid building up and after what seemed like a great recovery I was suddenly in horrendous pain. He saw me and urgently sent me to ER. I had an extraction and another CT. I had an infection that compromised my mesh. We had hoped antibiotics would help but it didn't yet he was with me every step and assured a better outcome. Explaining everything we get scheduled back onto another surgery, and though their was a change in my circumstances it may have been for the best. Removing the mesh it seems the open space I had had shrunk/minimized for unknown reason but with good possibility I may not need to have surgery again. After surgery (open surgery, not laparoscopic) I was in no pain what so ever. It has not even been a week, and I haven't even had Tylenol in the last two days. And all the nerve ending sensitivity I had for years on the topical area of my abdomen is gone. Also, he had a student shadowing most of my time with him, Aimee Levinson, who I know will be a great doctor! She was attentive and supportive through my whole trial in this. I am not an easy person to deal with at times, but they were patient and took care of me. This was all very personal to me and he didn't take that away. He is an outstanding doctor. I am 500% satisfied in his work and the outcome. I wouldn't want to choose any other surgeon over him. I do not know your beliefs Dr. Bench, but I believe you are a GOD SEND. He will use you to heal many in the medical industry and you will be blessed, by blessing others with your care. Thank you!

Dr. Bench's services were good until they weren’t. The consultations and initial meetings went great. He is an affable and seemingly well-meaning doctor. I went to him for a hernia repair. It was supposed to be a simple procedure. He performed it laparoscopically. According to Dr. Bench, it went perfectly with no complications and was “textbook,” but my body told a different story. I won’t share all the horrific details. Still, the short version of the story is that after the supposed “textbook” procedure, I ended up calling 911 because I passed out, was in and out of consciousness because of the pain, and ended up back in the hospital for five days to recover. I had to receive a transfusion of blood, which would indicate that the textbook procedure was, in fact, not textbook. Dr. Bench refused to accept that he could have made a mistake. He kept blaming it on my weight. Yes, I struggle with obesity, but I wasn’t the one operating. After giving him the benefit of the doubt that he was telling the truth, I developed what looked like another hernia or a reoccurrence of the same one he allegedly fixed. He had me do more ultrasounds because he thought it was a seroma or an accumulation of fluid at the sight of the original hernia. He said it would go away. It didn’t. I did another ultrasound and asked the radiologist what it was because I wasn’t getting straight answers from Dr. Bench. The radiologist said it was exactly what we thought was the same hernia or a deficiency in the repair. We attempted to resolve the matter amicably and avoid court. He refused to acknowledge he had made a mistake somewhere or somehow. We then tried to resolve it via court, but Dr. Bench’s malpractice insurance carrier outspent us. I later had to have the hernia that Dr. Bench allegedly repaired actually repaired by another doctor. That surgery went great. No complications. No calls to 911. No transfusions. No passing out from the pain. Little to no pain. A completely different experience. Even though the matter has ended, to this day, Dr. Bench hasn’t so much as offered an acknowledgment that he could have done anything wrong, much less an apology. I still have flashbacks. I get to re-live those events, the pain, and have the accompanying scars. I get to live with the consequences of his choices.

Dr. Bench acted childish by resenting from surgery when we asked to take things faster since appointments were procrastinated, their team were not responfing to phone calls, not calling back, whole process dragged for weeks. My dad expected to have gallbladder surgery, we came to his office for an appointment. His office personnel lost file that were sent from the clinic twice. He appeared unprepared asking "what's going on guys?" Half an hour later they were able to find lost by their office files but staff never admitted that they lost them even though I heard when one stuff member upon finding them said "...here it is". We spent signifficant amount of time (2 months) making different tests and scans with them, some of them twice because they didn't make the previous ones correctly. Eventually he declined to perform a surgery. His office assistant Sandra was not helping either, hard to reach, not responding to left messages, not passing the messages or files to the doctor. So after asking to get things faster he resented without any notice and found out only after calling their office two days later. We end up wasting signifficant amount of time, wasting money for all the tests and scans without getting the surgery done. Very dissapointed with such personal and unprofessional approach!!! Ridiculous!!!

I was referred to Dr. Bench for umbilical hernia surgery and had that operation on 5/13. Everything from my pre-op consultation, the surgery itself, to my follow-up appointment was amazing. Dr. Bench is not only a very obviously qualified and professional surgeon, his bedside manner is genuine and helpful. He was thorough in his description of the operation and explanation of different options for surgery, and was obviously concerned about my comfort as a patient and insisted numerous times before and after the operation that I should call him at any time, for any reason, should I feel that anything at all was wrong. He was very kind and sincere which made the process so much easier. His staff at his office, and the staff at the hospital I had the operation at were also very genuine and professional— they all had nothing but good things to say about Dr. Bench, completely unprompted, which made me more relaxed and confident than I already was. 2 weeks after my operation I’m feeling 100% again and had nothing but good experiences— I didn’t expect myself to be raving about a doctor’s office online, but I really felt I needed to share my experience because I was very impressed and extremely well taken care of. Thanks for everything Dr. Bench!! But hopefully I don’t have to see you again anytime soon... :)

The short version: I highly recommend this doctor. More details? Ok... Dr. Shawn Bench performed surgery on me twice. The first operation was a full-blown emergency, and he literally saved my life. I had perforated diverticulitis. ON THANKSGIVING. Thank GOD he was on call that night. I still feel bad that I interrupted his holiday! The second surgery was carefully planned for 9 months later due to health and safety reasons. Both are now completed, and I am very happy with the results. His bedside manner, confidence, polite candor, and skill are second to none. I felt cared for the entire time, and was repeatedly relieved with each of my interactions with Dr. Bench. He answered all my questions with patience as well. Look, health stuff is scary, and this is the surgeon you wind up choosing after carefully shopping around for a good surgeon. Dr. Bench - thank you again, good sir, for all you have done!

I am now scheduled for my hernia procedure this month, after having taken care of several other requirements through my primary care physician and my cardiologist. It’s been a lot of work to get this procedure scheduled, but Dr Bench and the office staff, especially Miriam. If it wasn’t for them working on my behalf, it might not have been scheduled until November or December. I have already been extremely anxious about this, and this hasn’t helped. Nevertheless, I now have a date!!! I still have a few questions about the procedure and am not sure who to ask, the doctor’s office or the hospital???

I had surgery in April 2021 and I must say that Dr. Bench was the best!! His bedside manner is what sold me! he was professional, caring, knowledgeable, not rushed! he was everything you would expect from a good surgeon. On the day of the surgery, he was not any different! he was not in a bad mood like many other surgeons. His bedside manner was the same throughout my entire surgery. He made me feel at ease and I was not nervous at all. He made sure I was comfortable. He even stopped by while I was still in recovery. If you are looking for an amazing surgeon, you are in good hands with Dr. Bench!!

Dr. Shawn Bench and his team are the best. This was my very first time having surgery and I was very lucky that Dr. Bench was my surgeon. He made me feel at ease about having the surgery on my gallbladder. I knew right away I was in good hands with him and his team I wasn't even nervous. I have to honestly say thank you to him and his team for everything that they have done. It was such a pleasure. Even the follow up appointment was great. The office staff were friendly, the office was inviting and the doctor himself was fantastic. Thank you so so much!!

This place wasted a month of my time. I went to the ER for a gallbladder attack and was referred to this surgeon because they said they took the ER medi-cal I was given. I called this surgeon’s office, told them my insurance situation again, and was told this was fine. I waited several weeks after that for an appointment and when I showed up was told, “oh I meant to call you, but was too busy. We actually don’t take your insurance and cannot see you.” Completely unprofessional and incompetent.

Dr. Bench greeted me as I entered the pre-op area. His smile and perky attitude says it all. He is there for his patients and he loves his profession. This is my second surgery with him and my confidence is as high as the first time. I am four days post-op, two days with no pain and doing well. I would recommend him to anyone. He is thorough and will take his time explaining everything. You will feel as tho you've known him your whole life.

Dr. Bench and his staff were incredible. From appointment, to scheduling surgery, surgery and then follow up. As efficient and proficient as I could ever ask for. Thank you for taking care of me. The BEST!

Dr. Bench did an excellent job with my basal cell skin cancer. He is an excellent surgeon. His office and staff are also very professional.

My name is Raouf . Dr Bench is the best , I can’t believe I’m doing so good after a month only on my Surgery ,, thank you so much