Department-of-Surgery
Lester Gottesman, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Medical Specialty

Colorectal Surgery

Specializations/Clinical Interests

Colonoscopy, fecal incontinence, constipation, anal sexually transmitted diseases, colon and rectal cancer

Board Certifications

American Board of Surgery, 1984, Recertified 1993 American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, 1993

Medical School

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 1978

Residency Training

Surgery, Roosevelt Hospital, New York, New York, 1978-1983 Surgical oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, 1984-1985

Fellowship

Colon and Rectal Surgery, Ferguson Clinic, Grand Rapids, MI, 1986-1987

Academic Appointment

Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

Address

425 West 59th Street, Suite 9A
New York NY 10019
Telephone: (212) 523-8417
Fax: (212) 523-8186

From the doctor

Dr. Gottesman is among New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors” for 2010 and has been included on this list for the last seven years. The New York Magazine list is excerpted from Castle Connolly’s annual guidebook, “Top Doctors: New York Metro Area.

Dr. Gottesman was named in Castle Connolly’s “Top Doctors-New York Metro Area,” 2009.

Dr. Gottesman's areas of expertise include all aspects of Colon Rectal Surgery, including inflammatory bowel disease, Colo-Rectal cancer, diverticular disease and functional disease of the anus, colon and rectum. In addition, a full diagnostic anorectal physiology lab is available through the division for complicated diagnosis and treatment of problems of constipation and fecal incontinence.

The offices are equipped with capacity for most lower endoscopies, including flexible sigmoidoscopy and total colonoscopy with polypectomy. In addition, most minor anorectal procedures, including hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulae, anal condyloma acuminata can be performed in the office, minimizing the amount of time the patient needs to be away from work for these procedures. Most acute anorectal emergencies can be evaluated and treated in an office setting.

The areas of research of the Division of Colon Rectal Surgery at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center include novel treatments for anal condyloma acuminata using interferon, expanding diagnosis of sphincter injuries in postpartum females, genetic analysis of opiate receptors in severe constipation, the use of membranes to diminish postoperative adhesion formation and participation in the NIH trial on laparoscopic surgery in colorectal cancer.

Meet the specialists
Nipa D. Gandhi, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery, Columbia University
(212) 523-8417
Lester Gottesman, MD, FRCS, FASCRS
Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery, Columbia University
(212) 523-8417
Richard L. Whelan, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Chief of Division, Colorectal Surgery and Surgical Oncology
Professor of Clinical Surgery, Columbia University
(212) 523-8172
Kathryn Baxter, NP
Nurse Practitioner and Certified Wound, Ostomy & Continence nurse
Fadi F. Attiyeh, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Clinical Professor of Surgery, Columbia University Surgical Oncology/ Hepatobiliary Surgery
(212) 307-1144

Richard L. Whelan,
MD, FACS, FASCRS

Minimally Invasive Colorectal Resection to Treat Colon Cancer
- April 27, 2010