Stomach pain, heartburn, bloating, constipation — or need a colon check? Don't wait weeks for a response. Expert digestive care from Dr. Vikram Tarugu.
Do you have any of these?
If you're experiencing any of these digestive symptoms, don't ignore them — schedule a consultation today.
Why Choose Us
At Gastro in Florida, our team is committed to providing the highest quality medical care. We focus on your well-being with a human touch, proven expertise, and patient-centered service.
No long waits for care
Call us directly — we'll check your plan
Accessible & affordable
Expert gastroenterologist
Everything in one place
Dr. Vikram Tarugu is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over 20 years of clinical experience. He completed his internal medicine residency at New York Medical College in New York and his gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Mississippi, followed by advanced training in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) at the University of Montreal and in inflammatory bowel disease at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Since 2013, Dr. Tarugu has been the owner and sole gastroenterology provider at Akro Gastroenterology in Okeechobee — the only GI practice serving Okeechobee County — and an attending gastroenterologist at Raulerson Hospital, providing inpatient GI consultation and endoscopic care including colonoscopy, EGD, and ERCP. He also holds active privileges at Wellington Regional Medical Center and founded Wellington Digestive Institute, serving the Wellington and Palm Beach County community.
His practice spans the full spectrum of digestive health, from screening colonoscopy and upper endoscopy to advanced therapeutic procedures — ERCP, EUS, and complex colonoscopy — along with long-term management of inflammatory bowel disease and liver disease. Dr. Tarugu has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications in gastrointestinal health and has been recognized for consistently high patient satisfaction.
Our Services
Safe and effective procedures for diagnosing and preventing disease.
Evaluates esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine. A safe, quick procedure performed with sedation for your comfort.
The most reliable method for early detection of colon cancer. Recommended for adults over 45. Takes less than 30 minutes with sedation.
Complete evaluation and treatment plans for all types of digestive conditions using advanced diagnostic technology.
Receive your results quickly thanks to our in-office procedures. No waiting weeks for answers about your digestive health.
Combines endoscopy and ultrasound to obtain highly detailed images of the digestive tract and surrounding tissue and organs.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a specialized technique to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas.
A quick, painless liver scan that measures liver stiffness and fat in about 10 minutes — no needles and no sedation.
In-office ultrasound imaging of the liver and abdomen to evaluate fatty liver, gallstones, pain, and other digestive concerns.
A camera pill you swallow takes thousands of pictures of your small intestine — no sedation and no scope.
Removal of large or flat polyps and early growths during endoscopy — without surgery.
An advanced technique that removes early cancers and large lesions in one piece, so pathology can evaluate them precisely.
Patient Resources
Complete your new patient paperwork at home and read your colonoscopy prep instructions — available in English and Spanish.
Conditions We Treat
Digestive problems affect your energy, work, and quality of life. Protect your health today.
Acute or chronic stomach discomfort
Inflammation of the stomach lining
Bacterial stomach infection
Ulcers in the stomach or intestine
Persistent digestive problems
Difficulty with bowel movements
Irritable bowel syndrome
Inflamed veins in the rectal area
Preventive care & early detection
Stomach acid-related problems
Specialized diagnostic evaluation
Frequent digestive discomfort
Gallstones and gallbladder pain
Stones removed with ERCP
Complete liver care, including FibroScan
EUS diagnosis and staging
Endoscopic evaluation and staging
Patient Reviews
Don't just take our word for it — here's what patients say about Gastro in Florida.
"This was perhaps the most efficient doctors office I have ever been in. From the moment I entered and filled out the paperwork, I was immediately taken to an exam room for vitals and told the doctor would see me shortly. He was in within 3 minutes and took his time to answer all of my questions. He has a great bedside manner and was extremely thorough. I was super impressed and highly recommend this office and Dr. Tarugu to anyone!"
"I had an outstanding experience with Dr. Tarugu and their entire team! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with kindness and professionalism. Dr. Tarugu took the time to listen to my concerns and explained everything thoroughly, making me feel at ease throughout the entire process. The team was also exceptional—efficient, friendly, and always ready to assist. I felt genuinely cared for and confident in the treatment plan. Highly recommend Dr. Tarugu and his team for anyone seeking top-notch gastroenterology care!"
"Dr. Tarugu makes me feel very confident about having a colonoscopy. He listens to my concerns and gives me a sense of reassurance. His office staff is friendly, and Dr. Brown, the anesthesiologist, is very reassuring, too. The whole experience was very nice, and I would definitely refer my friends and family if the need presented itself."
"This is the BEST run office I've EVER been to. The whole staff are so kind and considerate. No one was pushy, they were efficient and I was never kept waiting. Dr Tarugu is excellent and very thorough. I am so pleased with my visit.
"I highly recommend Dr. Tarugu. He is professional and very knowledgeable, he cares about his patients, he is so nice. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Thank you for everything."
"Dr. Tarugu is a WONDERFUL DR. I drove from lake placid fl too Okeechobee, an hour away to see him. He is so caring and kind. He takes time to listen to all my concerns. I had my colonoscopy yesterday and his staff were wonderful, also his anesthesiologist Dr. Brown is wonderful. Very caring group of people who put you at ease. Highly recommend!!"
Have Questions?
Don't see your question? Call us confidently at (863) 824-3447.
Most patients do not need a referral — you can call us directly at (863) 824-3447 to schedule your consultation. However, some insurance plans, such as certain HMO plans, do require a referral from your primary care doctor before a specialist visit. If you are not sure what your plan requires, call us and our team will check before your appointment, so there are no surprises.
A colonoscopy is performed with mild sedation for your comfort. The procedure generally takes less than 30 minutes. You will need to follow a bowel prep the day before. After the procedure, you'll rest a few minutes before going home.
For patients without health insurance, we offer endoscopy or colonoscopy procedures starting from $600.
Preparation is simple: do not eat or drink anything for at least 6 to 8 hours before your procedure — most patients are asked to have nothing after midnight the night before. You may take essential morning medications with a small sip of water unless we tell you otherwise. Our office will give you written instructions before your appointment, including guidance on blood thinners and diabetes medications.
No. Both procedures are performed with sedation in our office endoscopy suite, and an anesthesiologist monitors you throughout. Most patients sleep comfortably, remember little or nothing of the procedure, and wake up shortly after it is finished.
No. Because of the sedation, you must bring a responsible adult to drive you home, and you should not drive, operate machinery, or sign important documents for the rest of the day. Plan to rest at home after your procedure — most patients return to work and normal activities the next day.
Your bowel prep is chosen individually for you. Dr. Tarugu's office uses Suprep, SuTabs tablets, or a MiraLax-based prep, selected based on your medical history and preference. The day before your colonoscopy you will drink only clear liquids and complete the prep exactly as directed — a clean colon is essential, because it lets Dr. Tarugu see the lining clearly and find or remove polyps. Our office provides written instructions with the exact timing for the specific prep you were given; follow them closely, and call us if you have any difficulty completing it.
Clear liquids include water, clear broth, apple or white grape juice, sports drinks, plain gelatin, popsicles, and black coffee or tea. Avoid anything red or purple, and avoid milk, cream, and juice with pulp, since these can interfere with the examination.
Most medications can be continued, but blood thinners, diabetes medications, and iron supplements often need special instructions. When you schedule, tell our team everything you take — including over-the-counter medicines and supplements — and we will tell you exactly what to take and what to pause.
The procedure itself usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and most patients are with us for around two hours in total, including preparation and recovery. Dr. Tarugu will discuss the findings with you the same day. If biopsies were taken or polyps removed, those results are usually back within about a week, and we will contact you with them.
It is a non-surgical, in-office treatment for internal hemorrhoids. Using the CRH O'Regan system, a small rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply; the tissue shrinks and falls away naturally within a few days. The procedure takes just a few minutes and requires no fasting, no bowel prep, and no anesthesia.
Most patients feel little or no pain. The band is placed in an area above where the pain-sensitive nerves are, so patients usually notice only mild pressure or a feeling of fullness for a day or two afterward, which responds well to over-the-counter pain relief if needed.
Yes. Because banding with the CRH O'Regan system needs no sedation, most patients drive themselves home and return to work the same day. We recommend avoiding heavy lifting and straining for a few days. Most patients need a short series of brief visits — usually one band placed per visit — to treat all of the hemorrhoids.
Mild fullness or pressure for 24 to 48 hours is normal, and a small amount of spotting when the banded tissue passes — usually within a week — can occur. Call our office promptly if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, fever, or difficulty urinating.
Get in Touch
1447 Medical Park Blvd Ste 405, Wellington, FL 33414
201 SW 16th St, Okeechobee, FL 34974
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