Dr. John Rivas, MD

Dr. John Rivas, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care at his clinic in Hollywood, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), he is deeply committed to preventive 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. While currently not accepting new patients, inquiries about waitlists or future openings can be made by calling (954) 451-5932.

Dr. John Rivas, MD is a gastroenterologist in Hollywood, FL, with extensive experience in Liver Disease. He is affiliated with Memorial Hospital Pembroke and Memorial Hospital West. Dr. Rivas earned his medical degree from the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine and is Board Certified in Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, and Transplant Hepatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Rivas provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. John Rivas 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 Rivas 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 Rivas 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:

• Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Understanding your family history and personal risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding is crucial for proactive management and reducing your chances of experiencing it.
• Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic condition where an overabundance of eosinophils (white blood cells) in the esophagus causes inflammation and damage, and early diagnosis helps prevent long-term complications like scarring and difficulty swallowing.
• Mesenteric Panniculitis: Understanding your family history and undergoing appropriate screening can help identify and manage potential risk factors for mesenteric panniculitis, emphasizing the role of preventive healthcare in protecting your digestive health.
• Esophageal Motility Disorders: Protecting your digestive health starts with understanding esophageal motility disorders, which can disrupt food passage; proactive lifestyle choices and early detection help avoid long-term issues.
• Pouchitis: Pouchitis, inflammation of the pouch created during certain bowel surgeries, often responds well to early intervention; regular check-ups and adhering to your healthcare provider's advice can keep it in check and prevent serious complications.
• Primary Biliary Cholangitis: Early detection of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is vital, as timely intervention minimizes the risk of severe liver damage and improves your quality of life.
• Upper Digestive Tract Cancer: Early detection of upper digestive tract cancers through endoscopy and other screenings allows for prompt treatment, minimizing the likelihood of complications and improving the chances of successful outcomes.
• Heartburn: Don't ignore persistent heartburn – it might indicate a larger digestive issue. Early diagnosis and management can help prevent long-term damage to your digestive tract.
• Esophageal Varices: Protecting your liver health through a healthy lifestyle and regular medical monitoring helps prevent the development of cirrhosis, a major cause of esophageal varices, thus safeguarding your digestive system.
• Viral Hepatitis: Regular check-ups and proactive monitoring for viral hepatitis, especially if you have risk factors, can help ensure early intervention and better long-term outcomes for your liver and overall health.
• Congenital Anomaly Intestine: A congenital anomaly of the intestine means a birth defect affecting the intestines, and early diagnosis is crucial for preventing long-term digestive problems.
• E. coli Food Poisoning: Preventing E. coli food poisoning starts with safe food handling practices, ensuring early detection of symptoms minimizes complications like severe dehydration.

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 Rivas offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Liver Biopsy: A liver biopsy is a small procedure that helps doctors diagnose and monitor liver conditions early, allowing for timely treatment and better health outcomes.
• pH Probe: For comprehensive digestive health, a pH probe helps your doctor assess acid reflux, guiding treatment decisions and helping you avoid potential long-term problems.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Take a proactive step towards better gut health with a flexible sigmoidoscopy—a screening test that detects early signs of colon cancer and other digestive issues.
• Rigid Proctosigmoidoscopy: A rigid proctosigmoidoscopy is a brief procedure that allows your doctor to directly examine your rectum and lower colon for polyps, inflammation, or other abnormalities, helping to detect colorectal cancer early.
• Wireless pH Testing: Wireless pH testing is a simple procedure that helps detect acid reflux and GERD early, allowing for timely treatment and preventing long-term damage to your esophagus.
• Colon Cancer Screening: Colon cancer screening helps detect precancerous polyps and early-stage colon cancer, allowing for prompt treatment and improving your chances of survival.
• Proctosigmoidoscopy: Protecting your gut health, a proctosigmoidoscopy is a simple procedure to screen for colon cancer and other potentially serious conditions in your rectum and lower colon.
• Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is a screening procedure that allows doctors to examine your entire colon for polyps and cancerous growths, helping prevent colorectal cancer.
• 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 Function Test: Take charge of your liver health: a liver function test screens for liver damage or disease, enabling preventative measures and improving your long-term wellbeing.
• Manometry: Take a proactive step towards digestive health with manometry: this test helps assess the function of your digestive muscles, allowing for early detection and treatment of issues like acid reflux or swallowing difficulties, preventing future problems.
• Endoscopy: Invest in your well-being with a routine endoscopy; this vital procedure helps find and address potential problems within your digestive system 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 Rivas 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 family history and personal risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding, a family proactively reduced their risk and gained peace of mind, knowing they were taking steps to safeguard their health.
• By understanding the early warning signs of eosinophilic esophagitis and following a proactive management plan, a family felt empowered to reduce the risk of future complications and maintain a healthy quality of life.
• By understanding their family history and undergoing regular screenings, a patient proactively managed potential risk factors for mesenteric panniculitis, gaining peace of mind about their digestive health.

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 Rivas:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Rivas is a gastroenterologist, a specialist physician trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. They are experts in preventive screenings such as 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, those with a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors may need to start earlier. Dr. Rivas will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

Is the preparation for a colonoscopy difficult?

Many patients have concerns about colonoscopy preparation, but modern prep solutions are much easier to tolerate than in the past. A clean colon is crucial for a thorough exam, and the one-day prep is a small price to pay for years of peace of mind.

Are there non-colonoscopy options for colon cancer screening?

Yes, there are other options like at-home stool-based tests, but a positive result from these tests still requires a colonoscopy for further evaluation and potential removal of polyps. Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for both detecting and preventing colon cancer.

What is a capsule endoscopy?

A 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.

What are colon polyps, and are they dangerous?

Colon polyps are small, non-cancerous growths in the colon. However, some types can potentially develop into cancer over time. A colonoscopy is crucial to find and remove these polyps before they become cancerous, preventing the disease.

What is the difference between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis, is an autoimmune condition causing inflammation and damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), on the other hand, is a functional disorder causing symptoms like cramping and bloating without such physical damage.

What is the difference between a colonoscopy and an upper endoscopy (EGD)?

A colonoscopy examines the large intestine (colon) to screen for colon cancer, while an upper endoscopy (EGD) examines the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine to diagnose issues like heartburn, ulcers, or difficulty swallowing.

7369 Sheridan St Ste 300
Hollywood FL 33024
Phone: (954) 451-5932

Dr. John Rivas, 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): 1831412360

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 Rivas 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.