San Diego California Board-Certified Gastroenterologist

Heal From the Inside Out
& Transform Your Life

With Your Own Board-Certified Gastroenterologist

For individuals seeking virtual, expert GI care who listens deeply, advocates fiercely, and empowers you with knowledge—all from the comfort of home.
*Now seeing patients in CA, ID, AZ, and NC

Virtual GI Care · CA · ID · AZ · NC

See a Board-Certified GI Doctor Within One Week

If you live in California, Idaho, Arizona, or North Carolina, I can see you virtually and most patients are scheduled within one week of booking. No months-long waitlist, or being handed off to someone else.

Labs & Stool Testing

Comprehensive bloodwork and advanced stool testing, ordered and interpreted by your physician — not guessed at from a symptom quiz.

Imaging Studies

Ultrasound, CT, and MRI ordered when your symptoms call for a closer look, with results reviewed together.

Procedures, Facilitated

If you need an endoscopy, colonoscopy, or other procedure, I help coordinate it with a trusted partner near you.

45 minutes, one-on-one, with a board-certified gastroenterologist.

I'm Dr. Leybelis Padilla, MD FACG

Pronounced Ley-bel-ees

AKA Your GI Health Bestie

Hey there—I see you. You’re over being brushed off by doctors who don’t have time to fully tune in, frustrated by endless back-and-forths with insurance, or months-long wait times to see yet another specialist.

You want answers, and a doctor who cares about your health as much as you do. But more than anything, you want to feel like yourself again—to have the energy and confidence to thrive.

I’m so happy you found your way here, because I’m not like most doctors.

I refuse to let a broken healthcare system stand in the way of your healing.

Take a deep breath and let this sink in: You deserve to get complete solutions from your doctor and live the life you choose. You are more than a diagnosis. And you are not meant to suffer alone in silence.

I hear you. I see you. I've got you.

You’ve tried it all—diets, supplements, fads. Now you’re wondering, “What can I even eat anymore?!”

Your symptoms run the show. Cancelled plans, fear of public flare-ups—it feels like you have no control over your body. It feels like your body is running the show and dictating a life that is not what you would choose.

Conflicting advice is everywhere. Google rabbit holes, Instagram “gut health gurus”—who do you trust?

You want immediate, high-quality care without mega-long wait times and surprise bills that leave you questioning why you even have insurance.

You need a doctor who actually listens and can provide complete solutions. Someone who gets to the root of the issue for long-term, holistic healing. Your situation is your own and does not fit in a box.

I built my own 4M Framework to address the root causes of your GI challenges whatever they might be. Together, we will nurture ultra-personalized microhabits that puts you in control of your body and condition.

4M FRAMEWORK / 4M FRAMEWORK / 4M FRAMEWORK / 4M FRAMEWORK /

Medicine

Your health, your plan. Evidence-based, physician-led treatment made for you. No one-size-fits-all approaches—just the right tests, prescriptions, and expert guidance tailored to your body regardless of whether this is a new condition or one you have been wrestling with for some time.

Meals

Food as medicine. Your gut is impacted by what you eat—but you don’t have to live in fear of food. I help you find sustainable nutrition strategies that are delicious, heal, nourish, and work for you and your family.

Mindset

Your thoughts impact your health. Stress, anxiety, and mental health directly affect your gut. Together, we will explore if there are personalized mindset adjustments that can be developed to strengthen your personal situation to unlock joy and healing.

Movement

Move with intention. Your body is made to move to support digestion, revitalize your energy, and naturally reduce stress. Together, we’ll develop a personalized movement routine in a way that elevates every area of your life.

Physician-Led Care to Get to the Root Cause

No nurse practitioners. No physician assistants. When you work with me, you get direct, expert care from a leading board-certified gastroenterologist. I support the following conditions:

4M Journeys

High Performing Executive

A high-performing CEO came to me with chronic gas, bloating, and fatigue. He had been diagnosed with IBS and SIBO and wanted to truly optimize his health.

Using my 4 M framework — Medicine, Meals, Mindset, and Movement — we focused on precision.

Medicine: We ran labs and stool testing, then streamlined his long list of random supplements to what he actually needed. With a family history of dementia, we added brain-supportive nutrients like magnesium L-threonate and creatine, optimizing both gut and cognitive health.
Meals: His diet lacked variety and fiber. We reintroduced high-fiber foods gradually through smoothies and easy swaps, and replaced his nightly cooking wine with flavored water to reduce inflammation.
Movement: Already exercising with a trainer, he simply arrived earlier for a treadmill warm-up with a weighted vest and began using the sauna post-workout, plus short evening walks with family.
Mindset: As his symptoms eased and energy improved, his stress, sleep, and mood followed.

By aligning all four pillars, he resolved his digestive symptoms, lost weight, and improved fatty-liver markers — proving that small, intentional shifts can create whole-person transformation.

Busy Mom, History of Bowel Obstruction

A 42-year-old busy mom of four came to me completely overwhelmed. Between caring for her family, managing work, and trying to stay healthy, she was exhausted — physically and emotionally. Every time she went online, she was hit with conflicting advice: go gluten-free, try carnivore, avoid fruit, eat more veggies.

She also carried deep fear. Years ago, she’d had a bowel obstruction and multiple abdominal surgeries that left her with adhesions and chronic abdominal pain. Every twinge made her worry about ending up back in the ER.

Using my 4M approach — Medicine, Meals, Mindset, and Movement — we brought clarity and peace back to her health journey.

Medicine: We reviewed her labs and supplements, removing products that were hepatotoxic or unnecessary. Simplifying her regimen gave her body — and mind — a sense of relief.
Meals: Together, we rebuilt her diet around gentle, gut-soothing foods that minimized cramping and fear of obstruction. Smoothies became her safe, nourishing anchor — packed with fiber, hydration, and nutrients her body could easily tolerate.
Movement: To restore strength and flexibility, we introduced Pilates, which improved her core stability and reduced pain from adhesions. She also began using the sauna, which became both her physical and emotional reset button.
Mindset: Perhaps the most powerful change was permission. She carved out just five minutes a day for meditation, using sound-canceling headphones and an eye mask so she could truly disconnect — guilt-free — while her husband watched the kids. That small act of stillness became the foundation of her healing.

Today, she feels lighter — physically and mentally. Her digestion is steady, her pain is minimal, and she no longer lives in fear of another obstruction. By aligning Medicine, Meals, Mindset, and Movement, she reclaimed her health, her energy, and her sense of calm amid the chaos.

Fecal Incontinence & Fear

A woman in her late 60s came to me deeply embarrassed and discouraged. She had been struggling with loose stools and occasional fecal incontinence, forcing her to wear pads or adult diapers “just in case.” The fear of an accident kept her homebound and socially withdrawn.

She avoided going out with friends, her husband, or her grandchildren, terrified something might happen publicly.

Using my 4M framework — Medicine, Meals, Mindset, and Movement — we focused on helping her regain control, confidence, and joy in daily life.

Medicine: We referred her to a colorectal specialist for evaluation of her rectal tone, which led to targeted pelvic floor therapy. We also improved her medication compliance through an app-based reminder system that helped her take her blood pressure and blood thinner medications consistently.
Meals: We increased her fiber intake strategically to add bulk to her stool and stabilize her bowel movements. She began tracking meals and photographing food in the app, discovering new high-fiber ingredients she enjoyed.
Movement: We introduced gentle yoga to improve balance, flexibility, and confidence — especially reducing her fear of falls and hip fractures.
Mindset: With daily journaling reminders and inspirational quotes delivered through the app, she rediscovered her love for reflection and gratitude. Journaling eased her anxiety and improved her overall outlook.

Within months, her symptoms dramatically improved. Accidents became rare, her fear subsided, and she began going out again — to dinners, social gatherings, and even on short trips with her husband.

By addressing all four pillars, she didn’t just regain bowel control; she regained self-esteem, freedom, and a sense of joy she thought she had lost.

Living Well With IBD Through the 4 Ms

A patient with long-standing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) came to me seeking a more natural, lifestyle-based approach to complement their regular GI care. They wanted to reduce flare risk, ease anxiety, and feel empowered instead of reactive.

Medicine: After reviewing labs, we addressed low iron and B12 from a prior small bowel resection. With targeted supplements, their energy and focus improved. We also emphasized bone health after years of steroid use.
Meals: We introduced anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric, leafy greens, and omega-3s, and tracked meals to identify trigger patterns. They began eating with confidence instead of fear.
Movement: To protect bone density, we added simple weight-bearing exercises and daily walks — tracked with gentle reminders in the app.
Mindset: With journaling, mindfulness tools, and access to IBD-specific education and self-esteem content in the app, they shifted from fear to empowerment.

Within months, they felt stronger, calmer, and more in control — physically and emotionally.

By aligning Medicine, Meals, Mindset, and Movement, they learned that living with IBD doesn’t just mean managing disease — it means thriving with it.

Work With Me

Here's How

Start with one 45-minute virtual visit with me — $550. Open to anyone in California, Idaho, Arizona, and North Carolina, with no program commitment required.

Get expert guidance, prescriptions, lab orders, and real answers—all from the comfort of home.

If we decide together that ongoing support is right for you, your $550 is applied to my year-long program: physician-led care built on my signature 4M Framework, with dietitian access, app access, and referrals to a trusted network of integrative practitioners.

Not ready to book? Every other week I send evidence-based gut health guidance and my honest take on the topics everyone is arguing about, all filtered through my 4M Framework.

Free, no commitment, and open to everyone—wherever you live.

Work With Me

Get the In-Depth Deets

Most virtual or telemedicine practices pair you with a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, without ever directly seeing a physician. This is different; I treat my patients like family. I take the time to listen, understand your concerns, and provide the highest level of personalized care. With me, you're not just another appointment on the schedule—you’re a person who deserves thoughtful, expert medical attention.

One 45-Minute Virtual Consultation. $550.

Available in California, Idaho, Arizona & North Carolina — no program commitment required.

Forty-five minutes, one-on-one, with a board-certified gastroenterologist — your full history, your real questions, and a plan you leave with. You do not have to join anything to see me. No insurance roadblocks, no hidden fees, and HSA/FSA eligible.

The Year-Long Program Includes:

Onboarding consultation: A deep dive into your health history, labs, and unique goals.
Physician-led virtual visits every month: In-depth, one-on-one time with me — never a hand-off.
Registered dietitian access: Dietary counseling built around your labs, your symptoms, and your real life.
Private app access: Message your care team, track your microhabits, and keep your whole plan in one place.
4M Framework integration: Evidence-based medicine, plant-based nutrition, mindset shifts, and movement strategies to help you heal from the inside out.
Lab orders, prescriptions & referrals: Everything in one place, without the insurance runaround.
A multidisciplinary holistic network: Referrals to trusted integrative and holistic practitioners when your plan calls for more than one set of hands.
Wellness resource library: To support holistic health and sustainable habit change.
Discounts on pharmaceutical-grade supplements: The best fuel for your body.
HSA/FSA eligible: Making it easier for you to invest in your health.

$4,500/year

You don’t have to decide any of this today. The 45-minute consultation stands on its own — and it’s also where we talk through whether the year-long program is right for you. If you join, your $550 consultation fee is applied to the program.

Free Emails, Every Two Weeks

Not ready to book? Start here — free, and open to everyone.

Every other week I send evidence-based gut health guidance and my honest take on the health topics everyone is arguing about, all filtered through my 4M Framework. No cost, no commitment, wherever you live.

What You’ll Get:

Evidence-based guidance, every other week: Plain-English answers on gut health, backed by the research — not by whoever is loudest on Instagram.
My real thoughts on the topics that matter: What I actually tell my patients about the headlines, trends, and supplements you keep seeing.
The 4M Framework in practice: Medicine, Meals, Mindset, and Movement — small, doable shifts you can start the week you read them.

A good place to start if you’re not in one of my states yet, or you’re simply not ready to book. Unsubscribe anytime.

WHEN YOU WORK WITH ME

Gain Exclusive Access to My App

When you work with me, your growth doesn’t stop between appointments. Get exclusive access to my app, where you’ll receive expert guidance, daily actions, and bite-sized lessons designed just for you. Stay connected, track your progress, and celebrate every win—because real change happens in the small moments, every single day.

QUIZ

Unlock the Secrets of Your Gut Health & Discover Your Gut Health IQ!

Curious about your gut health? Take our quick quiz to discover how much you really know about your gut and learn how you can improve your digestive wellness!

Meet Dr. Leybelis Padilla, M.D. FACG

Leading Board-Certified Gastroenterologist | Lifestyle Medicine Physician | Mom, Wife & Your Health Bestie

For years, I played by the rules of traditional medicine, but deep down I knew something was missing. Patients were being dismissed, being told diet didn’t matter, and that stress had nothing to do with their symptoms. But I knew better.

I built my practice to break the cycle of frustration from a system that prioritizes profit over people. I’m a hell no to impersonal approaches.

For me, medicine isn’t just about treating symptoms. It’s about building the foundation for the life you want to live and the impact you’re here to make. As a wife, a mom of two girls, and someone who loves to travel, move, and challenge myself (Iron Man, anyone?!), I get it—you were made for big things.

Your health is more than a diagnosis. It’s the key to showing up fully for your passions, your dreams, and the people you love.

As Featured In:

EatingWell

A nourished gut is a resilient gut—and resilience starts from within,” says Leybelis Padilla, M.D. Here are seven gut-healthy snacks experts swear by.

Fox News Channel

Millions have cut out bread thinking gluten is the culprit—but a recent Fox News report featuring Dr. Leybelis Padilla explains that for many people, symptoms may be driven more by other factors.

GQ

Everyone poops. But how often? Given the fact that modern society has, for good reason, sequestered the ritual to isolation, it’s normal to wonder what it’s like—and the frequency with which it happens—for everyone else.

EatingWell

A nourished gut is a resilient gut—and resilience starts from within,” says Leybelis Padilla, M.D., a board-certified gastroenterologist and founder of Unlocking GI.

Here are seven gut-healthy snacks these GI experts swear by, along with the science-backed reasons they work.

Fox News Channel

Dr. Leybelis Padilla, a San Diego gastroenterologist and lifestyle medicine physician, said the findings reflect what many experts have long believed.

“These findings really just affirm what most of us in the gastroenterology community have been saying all along — that gluten isn’t the villain in most cases,” Padilla, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. “Gluten has been vilified over the years and somehow transformed to be the cause of all digestive health issues and overall body inflammation.

New York Post

Most people aren’t that lucky to have a bowel movement that comes on like clockwork,” Dr. Leybelis Padilla, a gastroenterologist and founder of Unlocking GI, told The Post. “But there are few key things that can set you up to having a consistent bowel movement regimen,” she said.

It all starts with your lifestyle.

“Having regular, more predictable poops are a byproduct of all of the lifestyle habits that someone has,” Padilla explained.

Podcasts:

EatingWell

A nourished gut is a resilient gut—and resilience starts from within,” says Leybelis Padilla, M.D., a board-certified gastroenterologist and founder of Unlocking GI.

Here are seven gut-healthy snacks these GI experts swear by, along with the science-backed reasons they work.

Fox News Channel

Dr. Leybelis Padilla, a San Diego gastroenterologist and lifestyle medicine physician, said the findings reflect what many experts have long believed.

New York Post

It all starts with your lifestyle.

“Having regular, more predictable poops are a byproduct of all of the lifestyle habits that someone has,” Padilla explained.

When you heal your digestive tract, you transform your life

No more guessing. No more being dismissed. No more putting your dreams on hold because your symptoms run the show.

I’m here to show you what real support from a doctor looks like—someone who actually listens and advocates relentlessly.

Are you ready to break free from GI issues, upgrade your health, and build a future of longevity, legacy, and impact?