Bobby David, MD, FACS in Baltimore: General and Colorectal Surgery with Established Referral Pathways
Bobby David, MD, FACS is a general and colorectal surgeon practicing in Baltimore with a focus on benign and malignant colorectal conditions, hernia repair, and acute surgical care. He operates within the Baltimore medical system as a referral surgeon, accepting patient transfers from primary care providers and other specialists rather than accepting new patients directly through a walk-in or self-referral model.
Surgical specialties and procedures
Dr. David's practice centers on colorectal surgery, the most time-sensitive component of his work. Common procedures include colon and rectal cancer resection, inflammatory bowel disease surgery, diverticular disease treatment, hemorrhoid management, and polyp removal. He also manages acute appendicitis and perforated viscus cases, conditions requiring emergency surgical intervention. Hernia repair, including ventral and incisional hernias, rounds out his general surgery scope. For colorectal malignancy, he typically works within Baltimore's cancer care infrastructure, coordinating with oncology teams at major institutions.
Most of his practice consists of elective procedures scheduled weeks or months in advance. Emergency cases, however, move through the acute care pathway and can be performed within hours of diagnosis.
How Dr. David compares to other Baltimore colorectal surgeons
Baltimore has several colorectal surgeons in private practice and within hospital systems including University of Maryland Medical Center and Johns Hopkins. The key distinction is referral model versus direct access. Dr. David operates as a referral specialist, meaning your primary care doctor or gastroenterologist must initiate contact before an appointment is made. This contrasts with some practices that accept self-referrals directly from patients, which shortens the time between a patient's decision to see a surgeon and the actual consultation.
University of Maryland Medical Center's colorectal surgery division operates similarly as a referral service within the hospital system but may offer shorter wait times if you already receive care at their other facilities. Johns Hopkins' colorectal surgeons also work primarily through referral but often see complex or cancer cases. Private practitioners in the Baltimore area vary; some have shorter appointment wait times because they carry smaller patient volumes, while others maintain longer books because they have established oncology and gastroenterology referral networks feeding their practice.
If you need urgent colorectal surgery (acute appendicitis, diverticulitis with complications), Dr. David's availability depends on your hospital affiliation at the time of emergency, not advance referral.
Who is suited to Dr. David and who is not
Dr. David is well-suited for patients with diagnosed colorectal conditions requiring surgical expertise and those referred by their primary care doctor or gastroenterologist. If your gastroenterologist has identified a colon polyp requiring surgical removal, a case of diverticulitis that has recurred, or a mass requiring resection, your doctor can refer directly.
He is not suited for patients seeking same-day appointments or those without a referring provider willing to initiate contact. If you are looking for a surgeon you can call directly as a new patient, you will need to contact your primary care doctor first or seek a colorectal practice that accepts self-referrals.
The referral and first visit process
A referral to Dr. David begins with your primary care physician or gastroenterologist. They complete a referral form including your diagnosis, relevant imaging (CT scans, colonoscopy reports), and clinical history. The referring provider sends this to Dr. David's office. His staff then contacts you to schedule an appointment, typically 1 to 4 weeks out depending on urgency and surgical schedule.
At the first visit, Dr. David reviews your imaging and history, performs a physical exam, and discusses surgical options. He outlines the procedure, recovery timeline, risks, and non-surgical alternatives if they exist. For colorectal cancer, he may recommend staging scans (CT chest and abdomen) if not already done. You will discuss bowel preparation and anesthesia details if surgery is planned.
Hours, location, and logistics
Dr. David's office operates during standard business hours. Confirm hours with the office directly, as surgical practices often vary scheduling. Parking depends on the facility location; Baltimore's hospital-based and medical office buildings typically offer dedicated parking or validated options for patients.
Pre-operative visits sometimes occur in an outpatient office; surgery itself takes place at an affiliated hospital operating room, typically at a Baltimore hospital system facility. You will receive separate information about where your surgery is scheduled and parking details there.
Why Dr. David fits Baltimore's surgical landscape
A specialized colorectal surgeon with established referral pathways serves Baltimore's primary care and gastroenterology networks efficiently, reducing wait times for complex cases and ensuring patients with acute surgical needs can be triaged appropriately through the hospital system rather than clogging office-based practices with emergencies.
