Dr. Lagatutta pressured me to get cortisone injections in my spine, which I did not want to have. When he thought I was out of earshot he asked another employee, "What is she, retarded?" I felt that this was very unnecessary, as injections do not always work for everybody and I have a right to turn it down. He refuses to keep me on my regular pain meds because I am 28, and he only "wants" to prescribe meds to people who are at least 30. I am NOT a junkie, I just have a bad scoliotic spine that causes me daily pain. Not once was he caring and seeing what worked for ME. I am trying to find another PM Dr.

Submitted Oct. 15, 2012

As a patient for over 2 years, I rarely saw the same doctor more than 3 times. As a cash paying, disabled patient, it was very expensive to have to see them every month, then pay for meds, too. The phone/message system is the absolute worst. NEVER, did I recieve a return phone call. Operators take message, say you'll be contacted, but it never happened in the approx. 10 calls I made in two years. My issues are with the office model, not so much the doctors. I think he gets away with the poor customer relations because he's the only one in the area (that I'm aware of). Thanks.

Submitted Sept. 26, 2012

This Doctor may see you the first time, but after that for 3 years it was nurses assistant that takes your blood pressure (and on several occasions the meter read error and they didn't bother to try again)Then They write your prescription,(and there not a nurse, doctor or PA) then a P.A.(And they last maybe 2 months each) comes in, signs the Script and out you go. for 3 years this went on without even a single blood test. Then DR. Lagatuda saw me, told me I had Dirty UA.....And when I tried to tell him it was from a procedure I had just had in which they gave me an IV med, HE said He didn't want to here it, whatever I was going to say was a Lie because "He has dealt with people like me for years" and he walked out. Leaving me to Detox from the Meds HE GAVE ME Cold Turkey. Which landed me in the Hospital. AVOID HIM AT ALL COSTS! You will find hundreds of story's like mine if you look around! He runs his patients like cattle....Overbooking and spending a total of 3 minutes per patient.

Submitted March 25, 2012

His Office Staff NEVER calls you back after I've left repeated messages for various issues. At present, I've been trying to attain my Medical Records so that I can transfer to another Pain Management Physician. I signed the Release Form over 6 weeks ago. At the time when I went to the office to sign this document, I was informed that it would take approx. 2 weeks. I still haven't gotten them to the next physician. I have chronic pain due to a severe arthritic condition. Not to have pain medication significantly limits my ability to function daily. I now have been without medication for well over a month. I have left repeated messages to request that this issue be addressed immediately with no response. I would advise anyone who wishes to locate a Pain Management Specialist to avoid this doctors many offices with all diligence!

Submitted Jan. 19, 2012

LAGS SPORT AND SPINE, WHAT A JOKE. I HAVE BEEN SEEN BY SEVEREL DOCTORS WITHIN 6 MONTHS. THEN TOSSED TO P.A.'S THAT WORK UNDER LAGS. PUT ON A MUSCLE RELAXER THAT CAUSES ME TO THROW UP BLOOD, AND INSTEAD OF DOING SOMETHING ELSE TO EASE THE PAIN THEY JUST INCREASE THE DOSE. HOW UNPROFESSIONAL FOR A P.A. OR A DOCTOR TO DO THIS. REQUESTED MY PAIN MEDICATION TO BE REAJUSTED. THEY ONLY DO ONE MED AT A TIME? DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT. NONE OF THE INTERN DOCTORS THAT COME AND GO APPEAR TO HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OTHER THEN I HEARD THAT IN MED SCHOOL, DON'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING ABOUT CHRONIC PAIN.THE ONLY ONE GOOD THING ABOUT HIM IS HIS OFFICE STAFF IN NORTH COUNTY IN SLO COUNTY, THEY ARE NICE AND RESPECTFUL. HOWEVER IF A PT HAS CHRONIC PAIN SHOULD BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY, NOT TREATED LIKE A DRUG ADDICT. VERY DISAPPOINTED. IF I COULD MOVE OUT OF THIS COUNTY I WOULD IN A FLAT SECOND FOR NOW I HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS CRAP. RETIRED LVN.

Submitted Jan. 9, 2012

The staff along with the Dr.'s in training (fresh out of school) are mostly uncaring. The Dr.'s change every year and most of them are not very compassionate but, there are those that are. Most come in knowing nothing about the RARE diseases I have. I end up training them! They switch my meds, that worked fine, to others that mess my system up internally and to pills that are more addicting and don't work as well on my body... which is very sensitive. They NEVER call you back when you leave them a message. Even in an emergency. In fact, I have been calling their office for 10 days straight! Even another one of my Dr.'s has called him to explain why my meds need to be changed back to what they were before this new Dr. came aboard. You think you would get a response after all that. I see 7 Dr.'s for all the different diseases I have and I don't have one single problem with them. It's just LAGS... I'm searching for another PM DR.

Submitted Oct. 22, 2011

Dr. Lagattuta is a wonderful doctor,he is a bit wierd but i have great respect towards him and respect his employees because they put up with him. He has helped me beyond belief and for that he will be in my daily prayers.

Submitted Oct. 16, 2009

Arrogant and unnecessarily mean toward his patients. There is always a lot of yelling and berating going on in his office between the doctor and his staff and his patients. One time called all his patients "a bunch of damn junkies". I thought that was unnecessary for a pain control clinic

Submitted March 6, 2009

To date Dr lags has been the one Doctor that has not passed me off nor does he hand out meds. My experiance with him has been positive. His plan includes management, knowledge and a life style plan. This also means no bars hold if you are over weight he is upfront. He perscribes a pt program and also has held classes to help eucate the patient. I have been with Dr. Lags for 3.5 years.

Submitted Jan. 12, 2009

I HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF WORKING WITH THIS DOCTOR BY WAY OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPT, WHICH "TELLS IT'S CLIENTS", THEY SHOULD BE "GREATFUL" THAT HE TAKES MEDI-CAL PATIENTS, rather then ask them how they are treated by physicians. This says he has: agreed by contract with the county, "to be paid to see", a certain number of medi-cal patients. They should report to their "primary doctors: "ANY PROBLEMS OR COMMENTS", they have about their visit's at these type treatment facilities, & about these type doctor appointments.

Submitted Aug. 18, 2007