Dr. John Leibach, MD

Dr. John Leibach, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist practicing at Digestive Disease Associates - Newberry Road in Gainesville, FL. He is a dedicated partner in preventive health, committed to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), Dr. Leibach understands the importance of a personalized approach to digestive health. Your gastroenterologist is your primary partner in lifelong digestive health, creating personalized plans for prevention, coordinating crucial screenings, and managing the wellness of your entire digestive system—from esophagus to liver—to keep you feeling your best for years to come. He serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (352) 331-8902 to schedule.

Dr. John Leibach, MD is a gastroenterologist in Gainesville, FL. He is accepting new patients. He earned his medical degree from Ohio State University and completed an internship at the University of Florida - Shands Hospital, laying the foundation for his future clinical practice. Following medical school, he undertook residency training in Gastroenterology, specializing in the comprehensive medical care of all ages, at the University of Florida - Shands Hospital. Further specializing, he pursued fellowship training at the University of Florida - Shands Hospital, deepening his expertise in this critical area of patient health. Dr. Leibach is Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Our practice, established over 30 years ago, is committed to providing the highest quality care in a cost-efficient manner. Dr. Leibach offers consultations in Spanish.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. John Leibach is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. John Leibach can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. John Leibach provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Gastritis: Managing gastritis effectively, whether through medication or lifestyle changes, helps prevent chronic inflammation and potential long-term damage to your stomach.
• Intestinal Ulcer: Don't wait for symptoms to appear—proactive steps like regular screenings and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are crucial for preventing the development of intestinal ulcers and promoting long-term digestive health.
• Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Gastrointestinal bleeding, even if minor, needs prompt attention as early detection can prevent serious complications like anemia and shock.
• Intestinal Diverticulosis: Don't wait for symptoms: proactively managing intestinal diverticulosis through dietary changes and regular medical checkups can prevent serious complications like diverticulitis.
• Giardiasis: Giardiasis is a parasitic infection of the intestines, often preventable through careful food and water safety practices, ensuring early detection and treatment avoids long-term digestive issues.
• Colorectal Polyp: Colorectal polyps, even the small ones, highlight the importance of proactive digestive health. Regular check-ups can help find and remove these growths before they turn cancerous.
• Enteritis: Early detection of enteritis through recognizing symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain allows for prompt treatment, preventing severe dehydration and complications.
• Diaphragmatic and Hiatal Hernia: Understanding the risk factors associated with diaphragmatic and hiatal hernias, such as smoking and pregnancy, allows for proactive steps to minimize your chances of developing this condition and its associated complications.
• Diarrhea: Addressing diarrhea promptly can help prevent the spread of infection to others, promoting overall community health and well-being.
• Congenital Anomaly Intestine: Congenital intestinal anomalies, present from birth, may require ongoing care to avoid severe digestive issues, highlighting the importance of regular checkups.
• Dysphagia: Managing dysphagia effectively, often through lifestyle changes and medical intervention, helps avoid malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia, preserving your overall digestive health.
• Gastric Ulcer: A gastric ulcer is a sore on the stomach lining that can be prevented through lifestyle changes like stress management and avoiding certain pain relievers.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. John Leibach offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Proctosigmoidoscopy: As a proactive step in maintaining digestive health, a proctosigmoidoscopy involves a brief examination of your rectum and sigmoid colon, enabling the early detection of polyps and other health concerns.
• Duodenal Polypectomy: Duodenal polypectomy is a procedure to remove polyps from your duodenum, a part of your small intestine, helping prevent potential complications and enabling early detection of cancerous or precancerous growths.
• Liver Biopsy: To ensure the health of your liver, a liver biopsy helps doctors assess the extent of liver damage and guide treatment decisions, ultimately preventing further complications.
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Early detection is key! Colorectal cancer screening allows for the identification and removal of polyps, often preventing colorectal cancer before symptoms arise.
• Wireless pH Testing: Take control of your digestive health with wireless pH testing – a comfortable way to identify the source of your heartburn and acid reflux symptoms.
• Anoscopy: An anoscopy is a preventative measure to screen for various conditions affecting the anus and rectum, allowing for timely interventions to improve your overall digestive health.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a simple procedure that allows your doctor to examine your lower colon for polyps and other abnormalities, helping prevent colorectal cancer.
• Manometry: Protecting your digestive system starts with manometry. This painless procedure measures the pressure within your digestive tract to diagnose conditions affecting your esophagus, stomach, and intestines before they become serious.
• Colon Cancer Screening: Take charge of your gut health with a colon cancer screening: it's a proactive step to detect and prevent this serious disease.
• Screening Colonoscopy: Invest in your well-being with a screening colonoscopy; it's a vital preventive measure to identify and address potential problems in your colon and rectum before they become life-threatening.
• pH Probe: Taking a proactive step towards digestive health, a pH probe test helps identify the cause of your heartburn and other reflux symptoms, allowing for early intervention.
• Rigid Proctosigmoidoscopy: As part of your preventive healthcare, a rigid proctosigmoidoscopy offers a direct examination of your lower intestine, helping identify and address issues like polyps or bleeding before they become major health concerns.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Gastroenterology in Florida.

Dr. John Leibach is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By understanding their gastritis triggers and adopting a healthy diet, a patient proactively managed their condition, reducing the risk of future inflammation and enjoying a more comfortable digestive system.
• By prioritizing regular screenings and adopting a balanced diet, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing intestinal ulcers, gaining peace of mind about their digestive health.
• By diligently following a proactive screening plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, ensuring peace of mind and a healthier future.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Gastrointestinal care with Dr. John Leibach:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Leibach and our gastroenterology team are specialists in the health of your digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. We are experts in diagnosing and treating conditions, and performing preventive screenings like colonoscopies.

When should I get my first screening colonoscopy?

For average-risk individuals, routine screening colonoscopies are now recommended to begin at age 45. However, individuals with a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors may need to start earlier. Dr. Leibach will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, triggers damage to the small intestine. While gluten sensitivity may share some symptoms, a proper diagnosis from a gastroenterologist is crucial before starting a gluten-free diet. Dr. Leibach and his team can accurately diagnose and manage this condition.

Can hemorrhoids be treated without surgery?

Yes, most hemorrhoids can be effectively managed with lifestyle and diet changes. For persistent internal hemorrhoids, Dr. Leibach can perform simple, painless in-office procedures like hemorrhoid banding.

What is the role of diet in managing IBS?

Diet plays a crucial role in managing IBS. Dr. Leibach can help identify trigger foods and recommend dietary approaches, such as the low FODMAP diet, to significantly reduce symptoms like bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.

What are some common signs of liver problems I should watch for?

Common signs of liver problems include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), persistent fatigue, abdominal swelling, and unexplained dark urine. If you experience any of these symptoms, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Leibach for a thorough evaluation.

I have frequent heartburn. When should I be concerned?

While occasional heartburn is common, frequent or worsening symptoms (more than twice a week) warrant a consultation with Dr. Leibach. This could be a sign of GERD, which can lead to more serious problems if left untreated. Dr. Leibach can diagnose the cause and create an effective treatment plan.

What is a capsule endoscopy?

Capsule endoscopy is a modern, non-invasive way to examine the small intestine, an area difficult to reach with traditional scopes. A small pill-sized camera is swallowed, taking thousands of pictures as it travels through the digestive tract. The images are then transmitted to a recorder for review.

Digestive Disease Associates - Newberry Road
6400 W Newberry Rd Ste 302
Gainesville FL 32605
Phone: (352) 331-8902

Dr. John Leibach, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1104841840

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Gastroenterology like Dr. John Leibach are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your gastroenterology about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.