Patient reviews

In November 2023, I underwent surgery to have a torn labrum repaired. At the time, I saw the doctor for months before and she was covered under my insurance in-network. When we got ready to do the surgery, they checked my insurance and I was required to pay prior to the surgery what I owed. Six months later I get a bill for almost $3500 for a separate charge for the surgery center, which apparently was considered out of network according to my insurance. I would have never proceeded with this elective surgery if this charge would have been disclosed to me. To even give me a ballpark amount of what to expect. There was no indication. When I called to inquire about why I received this charge and why it is so late after the procedure, I got the most asinine answers followed by a commitment to call me back, which they of course did not. They told me they dont know what my insurance will cover. Okay fine... I'll follow that line of logic. Well then, why didn't you disclose the cost of the surgery? How is it possible for people to make decisions about their Healthcare and financial health when you have medical professionals and offices that function like this?! It's abusive. It's unethical. Now, I plan to dispute this through the official process, and possibly legal action and I'm going to send this new invoice they send me to the media along with the paperwork, that didn't disclose these costs I would be charged nine months after the process, but I wanted to let everyone know not to do business with this office!!! The bad reviews are very much justified. Go somewhere else. I plan to put this review on every single platform to prevent others from going through this. This is an example of how our Healthcare system fails us everyday. PS. I did not give it one star because the surgery went well. But like I said, if they would have been transparent about the cost, I would have never had this surgery.

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Allyson Estess, MD

Staff was nice. Unfortunately Ms. Estess just made me feel like nothing I said mattered. Even though my MRI showed a Labral tear she told me in no way is that causing my pain. I had surgery 16 years ago to repair the same injury by another surgeon and he was the only one that believed me. Even my spine surgeon believed me and she does backs. I was told by Ms Estess that steroid medications and cortisone injections along with physical therapy would be enough. I already am getting physical therapy and its not fixing it. How many pills and injections will i be put through before they finally decide to fix it because its not going to fix itself. I didn't feel like I was listened to..just told this is how it is. I don't like surgery but pills and shots only do so much. I already take enough pills. Feeling very discouraged.

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Allyson Estess, MD

Randomly found out my appointment was cancelled after sending me an email 3 days ago as a reminder with intake forms...cancelled work for this and now they tell me costing me money. Very irresponsible system management

Allyson Estess, MD

I saw Dr. Estess in January 2025 for an elbow injury and it was completely misdiagnosed by her. Instead of recommending me to have a MRI exam, she prescribed physical therapy which has made my injury and pain worse. I don't live in California and was travelling, so I needed reliable medical advice on how to recover. The PT has made it worse and I'm experiencing significant pain every day now. I requested them to order a MRI for me 2.5 months later after many PT sessions with no improvement and they couldn't be bothered to call me about the results after the MRI report was faxed to them. They still won't call me for how to treat my injury because I can't come into their office and probably because they can't bill my insurance for a phone call. The MRI report indicated a complex injury (including synovitis, joint effusion, tennis elbow) that stemmed from a grade 2 UCL sprain. I needed to drain the excess fluid in my elbow, take anti-inflammatories, and rest. Been dealing with this injury for 3 months now that doesn't require surgery. I would've been better off seeing a doctor that is flexible with video/phone call appointments and I regret coming into this office.

Allyson Estess, MD

They were closed and kept reminding me about my appointment

Allyson Estess, MD

Choose someone else. My father had his surgery April 6, 2022 - he tore his bicep tendon. On his follow up 4/11/22 the doctor commented why does your arm look that? She botched his surgery - literally looks like Popeyes arm. She then said never mind it’s fine, as long as you can bend it… we came to find out she did not do an MRI before surgery, this doctor ASSUMED what needs to be done and ended up not fixing the problem. What doctor goes into surgery without getting MRI done and checking everything? I’m telling you, choose someone else to get your family member or yourself surgery over her. This all went through workers compensation and it’s been a nightmare. It’s been one year and my dad’s arm is not fully functional and it even looks botched.

Allyson Estess, MD

Very quick and impersonal care that seemed rushed. Didn't provide any additional care or information over what was already done at the ER over a month ago. For issues she only gave a short list of possibilities quickly, didn't elaborate much on them, and didn't offer any assistance in further steps or tests to find correct solution. Was not offered physical therapy recommendations for a broken bone, I had to actually ask for it. Very standoffish and rude when it came to discussing disability insurance. I will never be going back.

Allyson Estess, MD

Went to dr Estess for elbow pain and was referred to occupational therapy, which did very little to help over the course of 3 months. She did not care to review the reports nor to take time to examine me after the very first visit, although I went back to her multiple times complaining of worsening pain only to be dismissed after 5 minutes every appointment. I had also seen her for heel pain and loved the PT she referred me to so I asked for PT for my arms instead. After a few sessions, the PT told me I was having issues she wasn't able to help me resolve. Only then did Dr Estess order a nerve study for me, after 4-5 months of excruciating and worsening pain while performing my job and most activities of daily living. She continued to tell me that I can work through the "discomfort" and basically told me I was being a baby. According to her, I have a cushy desk job and get to work from home so I should be able to get things done even if my body was urgently warning me not to move my arms. I got fed up and switched to the hand doctor at the same practice, who actually spent time doing tests and giving me a diagnosis, and has finally fixed me up after many months of suffering. TL;DR: this doctor has no compassion and needs to learn to listen to her patients and to hand them over to appropriate care when she's out of her depth.

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Allyson Estess, MD

Horrible Horribleee Horribleeee Hate the fact I ended up coming here & totally regret it. I hate this dr really don't recommend no one to go with her. After my injury & complaining over & over Slowly everything got WORSE Only thing from this clinic in Long Beach is that the nurses are very nice & friendly but the dr is just something else. The more time I spent being hurt the worse it kept getting Had to go seek help from other drs because of the pains. Till this day I'm still hurting because I'm still injured and this shit sucks but if this supposedly dr iffff she would have onlyyyyy tried helping me & notttt ignored me Maybe none of this would've continued & maybeeee I would've been better in a way who knows because I'll never know. I'm not sure if she's a racist or what the hell but it f-n sucks the way how she treated me. Now I'm being told by other drs that they might do surgery which I'm scared But praying But all of this has been very stressful for me because of my pains. Me suffering & crying it's all stressful Again if this dr would've at least tried to help i wouldn't be going through so much But thanks for messing it up more for me

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Allyson Estess, MD