Dr. David S. Shields is recognized on the “Top Doctors” list and is known by many of his colleagues as the “doctor’s Doctor”.  Dr. Shields has expertise in Gastroenterology and specializes in colonoscopies.   Before opening his private practice he served as the Director of Endoscopy at Stanford University Medical Center.

David S. Shields, MD is a Board Certified Gastroenterologist with his private consultative office located directly across from Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, California.  He has provided quality medical care to the Bay Area community at this location for 20 years.

Dr. David S. Shields dedicates part of his practice to early detection and prevention of colon cancer.  He provides his expertise along with personalized and compassionate care.  And because it is so important with the sensitive nature of GI procedures, Dr. Shields maintains a commitment to a comfortable environment for his patients.

Dr. Shields utilizes the most advanced technologies in diagnostic colonoscopies that are available.  He does so within a warmth private office setting.  Dr. Shields, along with his caring staff, want their patients to know that they are important and well cared for.

Colonoscopy & Prevention

Prevention and early detection is key to reducing death rates.  Reducing the number of deaths from colon cancer depends on the detecting and removing of precancerous colorectal polyps, as well as detecting and treating cancer early.

Colon cancer can be prevented by removing precancerous abnormal growths, which can be present in the colon for as many as 10 years before invasive cancer develops.

When colon cancer is found and treated early, the 5 year survival rate is 90%.  Because screening rates are low, less than 40% of colon cancers are found early.

What is a Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a procedure used to see the inside of your colon and rectum.  Colonoscopy can detect abnormal growths, inflamed tissue and ulcers. The procedure is used to look for early signs of colorectal cancer and can help doctors diagnose unexplained changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bleeding from the anus, and weight loss.

Please visit the web site of Dr. David S. Shields at www.gastroenterologistpaloalto.com for more information and to schedule your colonoscopy today.

Our office Locations:

Main Office:

770 Welch Road, Suite #250 Palo Alto, California 94304 PHONE: 650-324-1020

Palo Alto Endoscopy Center:

770 Welch Road Suite #380 Palo Alto, California 94304 PHONE: 650-325-0391

Robotic hysterectomy uses a robot to assist a surgeon to perform a laparoscopic hysterectomy. Consequently, the benefits of minimally invasive surgery are similar including less postoperative pain, tissue trauma, blood loss, and scarring; as well as a faster return to normal activities, compared to a more traditional open, abdominal hysterectomy.  That is a good development for patient care. However, the reality is it takes an additional 45 minutes under anesthesia to set up the robot, costs the patient thousands of dollars in fees, and ironically does not eliminate an assistant surgeon. Despite the compelling marketing hype by many hospitals and physicians trying to recoup their multi million dollar investment, there really are no additional benefits:

Robotic Laparoscopic Hysterectomy:

• Operation Time – longer to set up robot assistant
• Pain – Same
• Recovery Time – Same
• Risks – Same
• Costs – Thousands More

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy:

• Operation Time – Faster
• Pain – Same
• Recovery Time – Same
• Risks – Same
• Cost – Less

Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH), where only the uterus is removed is truly redefining hysterectomy. LSH is a partial hysterectomy that preserves your cervix, and often your ovaries, removing only the diseased uterus. It offers the shortest, least painful recovery. Laparoscopic hysterectomy (including the removal of the cervix) is also an option for those women who need or prefer it. Few surgeons are trained to perform these advanced procedures. In fact, the gynecologic surgeons at Women’s Health Specialists of Freemont were among the first (over a decade ago) to perform them in the San Francisco Bay Area. Click here to learn more about Women’s Health Specialists of Fremont & Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

So why not simply seek gynecologists who are experienced, skilled laparoscopic surgeons?

Meet Our Physicians of Women’s Health Freemont

• Margie Aleman-Martin, M.D.
• Siobhan L. Calhoun, M.D.
• Scott Kramer, M.D.
• Christina Wong, M.D.
• Elizabeth Kurkjian, M.D.
• Stacie Macdonald, M.D.
• Alison Slack, M.D.

Women’s Health Specialists
2299 Mowry Avenue, Suite #3C
Fremont, CA 94538
Phone: (510) 796-7057
Fax: (510) 796-5198