Larry W Bowen, MD FACOG

I don’t normally write a review, in fact, this is my first one, but it’s my civic duty as a human being, and as a NURSE to write this. My 79 year-​old grandmother started seeing him for a prolapse issue, and started almost two years ago. His manners FROM THE START, was rude, conceited, and pompous. We set it aside for the sake of my grandmother, and the need to get her this surgery. THEE ONLY thing I will say in their defense, and to be fair, is I couldn’t always make the appointments for her because I suffered my own health issues and hers at the time, and my grandmother is essentially wheel-​chair bound, and it’s JUST ME taking care of her.
Now, with that said, starting in April of 2014, she started having HORRIBLE INFECTIONS, and started what turned out to be a NIGHTMARE FOR US PHYSICALLY of endless infections a total of 35 – 40 (basically 1 – 2 a week for a straight 6 months to be exact) from April of last year to December of 2014. She was in and out of acute care hospitals, a rehab hospital, and numerous visits to SNF’s (skilled nursing facilities). The infections, I’m not blaming on him at all. We now know that she kept getting infections because of her CONSTANTLY RETAINING URINE, w/​an inability to expel all of it, and we are STILL in the process of finding out why. But no thanks to Dr. Bowen. HE ARROGANT. AND DOES NOT CARE HOW ANYTHING EFFECTS ANYONE.
My grandmother had her surgery about 5 – 6 months ago now. PLEASE bare in mind my grandmother is 79 & wheel chair bound basically, only able to stand & walk distances of 10ft or less at a time. TWO DAYS after her surgery he yells at my SWEET GRANDMA THAT EVERYONE LOVES WHERE EVER SHE GOES, and says «Why aren’t u walking?» Her reply– «I can’t, I have another infection», him– «Well, I’ve never seen u walk before so what makes u think ur EVER going to walk again?»… Me, my grandmother and the nurse at the hospital WERE HORRIFIED! He then proceeded to yell at me and say– «I just didn’t want to „DO MY JOB“ as a caregiver», he then said what horrible family I have because they weren’t willing to abandon their jobs and come up to help, even though they couldn’t. He then proceeds to yell at the nurse for something. I ran from the hospital in tears. I called the hospital back 3 hours later and they BEGGED ME TO REPORT HIM. They told me he is CONSTANTLY abusive to their staff. So, I was happy to oblige.
And luckily, my grandmothers been in all these places, so we haven’t HAD to deal with him until just recently. Back in Dec, she HAD to have a foley inserted because she was CONSTANTLY GETTING MDRO infections 12 – 13 total, that’s not counting all the regular and c-​diff infections she got, and this WITHOUT A FOLEY, since having her foley? 1 infection. And it was treated with ampicillin. She has had a Foley in since DECEMBER. This is thee LONGEST she has gone now WITHOUT an infection since April. That’s because I am doing such intense care in keeping her infection free. So now u all know WHY my grandmother HAS to have one. HAS TO. Without one, her life is at SIGNIFICANT RISK because she’s got other neurological issues down there.
You think Bowen cared? NOT ONE BIT. Out the foley came, well within ONE NIGHT she started retaining 300 mLs. They are concerned with 250mLs and above. Just 3 months ago it took her three weeks to start retaining that much. So, it’s getting worse. You think he cared? ABSOLUTELY NOT. He leaves me a SCATHING MESSAGE saying– (AND YES, THESE ARE HIS EXACT WORDS) «We agreed U would keep the foley out of her, I DONT CARE ABOUT SEDIMENT, I DONT CARE ABOUT INFECTION, I JUST WANT THE FOLEY OUT OF HER»
ARE U KIDDING ME??? A Doctor that actually ADMITTED he wasn’t worried about infection??? WHAT THE HELL ELSE ARE U WORRIED ABOUT IF UR NOT WORRIED ABOUT INFECTION. Her therapist, social worker, my parents and family had to ask or listen to the message 3 – 4 times to make sure they heard or asked right. That was IT for us. We are NEVER going back to him, and are NOW seeking another doctor to go to. Yes, thank u for the surgery, but NO ONE has to be treated with ABUSE LIKE THAT. We are also in the process of making a complaint to the medical board since that’s the ONLY way apparently U can make a complaint for him. Sutter won’t take it because he is «Sutter Independent Doctor»…
I should also note, that in November, when she was fighting one of her many Multi Drug Resistant Organism (MDRO) Infections, and this was her third time ALMOST DYING, his advice while I’m crying on the phone– «Well, UR grandmas always gonna get them, so maybe u should just face facts and walk away» Yah, a DOCTOR telling me– «HO HUM, Just get used to it, she’s gonna die».
PLEASE for the Love of God, DONT GO TO HIM. Who cares if he is a good surgeon, he belittles, and abuses patients, and his staff makes excuses for him. His PA admitted his bedside manners sucked, but said «people should just listen»… Ummm, NO, we don’t have to take that. PLEASE DONT GO TO HIM. PLEASE.

I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Bowen. I too, as previous review had major pelvic surgery, (cystocele (bladder repair), sling for incontinence, rectocele, hysterectomy, and hemorrhoids). My surgery took approximately 6 hours, a little longer than expected due to an enlarged uterus. I am 7 weeks post op, and I already feel amazing!
I have seen many Gynecologists, and Dr. Bowen is by far the best. I thought his bedside manner was great! Prior to surgery (after extensive testing) he sat down with me well over an hour discussing my options, answering my questions, and giving me his recommendations. He does take his work very serious, which he should. I appreciate that quality.
I would highly recommend Dr. Bowen if you have any of the above issues. My only regret is not finding him sooner.

I have never written a review before. But i have never had this shitty of service from a doctors office ever in my life. I read the Unilocal stories and they are so spot on, but my primary doctor recommened Dr. Bowen. So i figured why not. First initial meeting he was short with me and seemed annoyed that i was there. After that i was passed around from Doctor to Doctor, never sent to the same person twice. One practice doctor managed to mess up on a simple test that made it a very very painful experience. Then had to go back to re test. After rescheduling another test i waited an 1 hour and 10 minutes to finally see the doctor. What really broke the last straw is i made an appointment to go back in, they called to reschedule then called to re reschedule my appointment. Then called the morning of my and change it again. I am just cant believe it. I will never return to them again.

Larry Bowen is a great surgeon. He doesn’t have the best bedside manner, but who cares??? He’s a great surgeon. THE BEST. Bowen revised a crappy sling done by a very NICE surgeon in town. People should realize that a great personality means nothing if your outcome is poor. I give five stars to Dr. Bowen.

I have been a patient of Dr. Bowen since 2010. I had a major pelvic surgery ¹²⁄₂₀₁₀ (hysterectomy, bladder repair, rectocele repair and a sling for incontinence) that took about 5 hours. I have never felt better. The office staff and Dr. Bowen are extremely knowledgeable, kind and are very concerned for their patients and their concerns. Dr. Bowen has more than 30 years of experience and it shows. He is exceptionally meticulous, and organized in his thought process. He always makes sure he addresses all our concerns. He aims for perfection and it shows. I am so lucky that I was able to have him do my surgery and had an excellent outcome.
After my surgery I was nauseated fro 24 hours due to a side effect from pain medication. he did not rush me out of the hospital and let me stay another day until my nausea was resolved. 6 days after surgery I felt so good that I was able to attend a Christmas party.
I recommend Dr. Bowen to anyone who wants the best outcome from a surgeon with the most experience.
I regards to the comments below regarding Dr. Bowen. I found him to be very polite, educated and pleasant. He is very serious as he is trying to address all the issues that come up during the appointment. If you are looking for a best friend or a comedian, then maybe you should look somewhere else and possibly have a horrible surgery with lots of regret.

I would totally agree with the comments listed by Nichol of Sacramento (below).
I heard that this doctor is one of the best in the country, but… expect terrible bed side manners, no understanding (or caring) of what the patient is going through, yelling at the nurses, lack of respect toward the patients (and others?)…The list goes on and on with this guy.
I would not recommend this doctor (Bowen), and I am sure that there are better (or equivalent) doctors in the Folsom/​Roseville area that would offer a competent surgical procedure AND good (or at least decent) bed side manners! This doctor is out of touch with his patients.
If there was a way I could give this doctor no stars, I would.
BEWARE!

Terrible bedside manner. Terible! If there’s a complication, he blames the patient.
He’s rotten at prescribing pain medication. I don’t know if he doesn’t believe in them or what, but after you’ve been on the operating table for 5 hours, with your insides on the outside, you’re gonna need something strong.
He is not a nice person. Maybe he has a miserable life, I don’t know. His surgical technique is all right, I suppose, but there are others out there who do the same type of work. I’d try the others first.