Dr. Michael Rao, MD

First doctor I saw that knew exactly what to do. Very kind. Expert level and compassionate. Alan his nurse assistant and his front office were also informative and caring. I will have a follow up in a few weeks and am happy I’m seeing him.

Doctor Michael Krishna Rao is the only minimally invasive colorectal surgeon and proctologist in Hawaii. With Dr. Rao, you will receive the best treatment possible since he has an unparalleled surgical and treatment advantage as an advanced endoscopist. Imaging from a colonoscopy will always trump a MRI when it comes to the accuracy of staging cancerous tumors. Rao, MD came highly recommended by several of my most trusted longtime doctors who are widely respected in the medical field as Castle and Connolly’s “Top Doctors.” I was impressed that this prodigy of a doctor was already part of the “old boys network” here in the Hawaiian Islands. Birds of a feather flock together and the best only recommend the best. After doing extensive research and seeking multiple opinions, I’ve found Dr. Rao performs the highest volume of rectal surgeries in the Pacific. This is essential due to the complexity of rectal surgery and the associated complications which involve many essential functions that can severely affect one’s quality of life. It is clear that patients are likely to experience less complications with high volume surgeons since they have acquired the necessary muscle memory to meticulously dissect tissue near vital organs within tight margins and through intricate nerve pathways as in my case with my successful mid-lower rectal tumor removal. Dr. Michael Rao is the only colorectal surgeon on Oahu that is well versed to perform surgeries both robotically and laparoscopically. His successful surgical outcomes are from his diversified training across the nation in high volume clinics from exceptionally talented mentors. He is also skilled at performing many other minimally invasive rectal and colon procedures so that your recovery time will be a lot quicker and your scars will be the smallest as surgically possible. This is essential to prevent hernias if operated on in the abdominal area and if you are concerned with overall aesthetics post operation. While I was in Kuakini hospital recovering from rectal surgery due to a cancerous tumor removal, Dr. Rao checked up on me daily. On my worst days, he even checked up on me twice to see how I was doing. Whether in a clinical or hospital setting, his visits are never rushed and he takes the time to educate you and address all of your questions or concerns that you have. He will even provide you with printed handouts as supplemental information. If you are lucky enough to get accepted as his patient, you can message him directly through his online portal. This extra service can be a rarity these days since a lot of doctors don’t participate in direct message response due to time constraints. Doctor Rao’s Da Vinci robot uses 3D imaging technology and provides the best camera views strategically essential for minimally invasive procedures. His robot located at Kuakini hospital has spared all of my nerves that control many of my essential functions during rectal surgery. Mid to lower rectal surgery in my opinion should only be performed robotically with a skilled, experienced and high volume surgeon like Dr. Michael Rao since it involves meticulous dissection of tissue to get to the rectum without damage to essential nerves that cradle the rectum. As a resident of Honolulu, I’m so glad I decided to not get this procedure performed on the mainland and chose to stay in Honolulu so that Dr. Rao could perform this very complex surgery on me. Since my surgery four months ago, I have had no complications regarding essential functions. Best of all, I am amazed how small my scars are in my abdominal area from the many incisions that rectal surgery comes with. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Rao, MD, MPH as a colorectal surgeon, proctologist and an endoscopist if you can be on Oahu, Hawaii. He is compassionate, extremely likable, comes highly recommended, well-versed and a master at minimally invasive procedures. As a stage IV cancer patient, Dr. Rao has gone above and beyond his call of duty to actively participate in my care corresponding with my oncologist and other doctors that are part of my cancer treatment team. Dr. Rao has impressed me with his knowledge with oncology, his attention to detail to follow NCCN guidelines and how he integrates a treatment plan tailored just for you. He also gave me non-surgical options to treat my cancer which proves that he really has you in his best interest and wants to provide you with all options and possible outcomes so that you can make the best informed decision that aligns with your values. Thank you so much Doctor Michael Krishna Rao for accepting me as your patient. I am forever grateful that I am under your care which has provided me with the ultimate peace of mind.

His a good doctor

After seeing several doctors, t ended up at Colorectal Associates. Dr Rao was absolutely amazing. I had specific concerns that he was very understanding of. Post surgery I am better than I even expected. I am very grateful to Dr Rao and highly recommend him.

Dr Rao was kind, compassionate and very knowledgeable. He explained the surgery very thoroughly to me before the procedure and made me feel a lot less anxious. I felt that I was in great hands on the day of my surgery.

Everything was great from beginning to end. Great customer service and really helpful. Amazing doctor!

Very informative and answered all my questions and concerns.

Dr Rao put me on his surgery schedule and changed my life. After months of waiting and uncertainty about how my cancer should be dealt with he took hold of the reins and guided me expertly through the solution. My surgery was 100% a success. Everything from pre-surgery travel and lodging to post surgery care and travel home was overseen by him in the kindest, most thoughtful manner. I am eternally grateful.

This was my 24th surgery meaning I've spent my fare share of time with doctors, surgeons and in hospitals. Dr. Rao was amazing. From start to finish, he was clear in his explanations, didn't brush any concerns or fears off, his positive attitude and his wanting to truly help you be better all shone through. He was present every step of the way on our journey together. I never felt like a body part but a living, breathing, person and some might know what I mean by that. I'm so glad I was referred to him, thank you, Dr. Rao!

He responds right away when I have concern

Easy to ask questions, fast follow up.

Doctor Rao took me and my wife through a very difficult journey. Once I was diagnosed with a tumor action was required immediately. However there were still a lot of questions that I needed to resolve. Dr Rao had a plan for my wife and I to follow: pre-op, post-op, follow up. We worked hand in hand with our Oncologist so that the progression of treatment was seamless. While the removal of the tumor was a priority I had other medical conditions (such as heart failure, AICD, etc) that needed to be coordinated. Needless to say access to Dr Rao was amazing and my wife and I will be forever grateful. We continue to follow Doctor's orders.

My doctor was kind and good to me he explain the surgery very well and he did a good job. I am doing much better because of him.

Easy to talk with, explained every thing , skilled surgeon, recovering well from surgery!

With a traumatic childbirth injury, Dr.Rao has changed my life around for the better. He has been very supportive from my initial visit. Both in person as well as off island. Overall, made me feel comfortable to be myself all the time. Very awesome experience!!

Dr M K RAO was very responsive . Kind, cheerful and very respectful also Very helpful . I was scared before my surgery but he made sure everything will be ok . And, after he explained the procedure he made me feel a lot comfortable. I recently had my gallbladder removal and, he explained everything I needed to know and more . He also did a great job on my surgery! Thank you Dr RAO!

He was very solicitous and very knowledgeable. He exuded confidence without arrogance. I could not ask for more.

I was a little scared and hesitant on dealing with my fistula and it’s surgery. However once I was examined, Dr Rao was very informative and helped to walk me through what needed to be done step by step. He reassured and calmed my nervousness about the procedure. It was not just the pre surgery visit that was that amazing, it was also the surgery and post surgery that was also just as thoughtful and outstanding. The fact that everything went smoothly made me think to myself why didn’t I get this procedure done sooner. I’m so grateful and lucky that I had Dr.Rao as my surgeon.

He’s awesome! Very thorough from the beginning of my checkup to the end of my recovery! I totally recommend to all friends and family!

Trusting your life with a pleasant and experienced specialist is indeed a blessing. Simply waking up from a tedious task that he did on me was a joyous feeling. Mahalo to Dr. RAO and his team for their sturdy and guided hands and eyes that enabled them to treat my colon the way they did. Indeed grateful for a marvelous work. I thank my Heavenly Father for them all and may they continue to be blessed in their career in serving Hawaii with their medical expertise. They are definitely superb!