Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery — Local services in East Lake

I have been a patient at Advanced Dermatology for the past 16 years, I have always seen Tim Shaner (who is phenomenal) but due to his fast filling schedule, I recently saw Stephen Warta for mole removal and acne treatment. BIG MISTAKE. Not only did him and his male nurse act unprofessional and belittle me, making comments about how much money this visit was going to cost and hopefully I had the money to pay for it. But Stephen Warta did not want to remove the 4 moles I requested to have biopsied (after my mom has had melanoma a couple of times and I have had 2 pre-melanoma moles recently removed and it's covered under my insurance, so why not right?) he reluctantly removed them, but doing so dug the razor so deep and so wide into my skin, also not cauterizing them leaving me in the exam room with blood dripping down my arms until I asked for someone to help me clean off before I left. Due to his negligence and lack of care while shaving (or I should say gauging) the moles off of my arms to the point where I now have 4 raised purple sore like scars (something that has NEVER happened to me before after mole removal) that are painful to the touch. Not to mention the whole time during the procedure, him and his male nurse were gossiping like a couple of school girls about colleagues in their practice. BUT WAIT, it doesn't end there! He prescribed me a topical gel for acne called Aczone, but refused to let me get it sent to my regular Walgreens and insisted I ordered through some 3rd party pharmacy that would call me independently and ship it directly to me. I tried to decline several times, and to his frustration he lied to me and told me I would have to pay $500+ out of pocket and that Walgreens wouldn't run my insurance and I HAD to get it from this out of state company he recommended. After going back and forth about it, he finally called it into my walgreens, which to my satisfaction got it for me the next business day for a cheaper price than he quoted me from that company. Back to the botched mole removal, I did make a follow up appointment with Tim Shaner, and after speaking with the office manager Gina who informed me I would have to pay again for another doctor to evaluate the damage done to my arms regardless of the circumstances, I cancelled my appointment and will be getting a second opinion from Palm Harbor dermatology prior to seeking legal advice. If you are wondering why I came to the reviews to explain my experience, it is because after contacting the practice themselves a couple of times, and no one apologizing or even wanting to help me with the situation it has left me with no other choice. I will be uploading some photos of my...

I have used this practice off and on for a decade or more. This visit I had a new PA. The PA I had a few years ago for many visits did a good exam but was warm friendly, listened with care and intent; I felt cared for as a patient, not rushed but yet efficient. This visit there was definitely the "I have 10 min boundary to take care of you." If I was rating this simply on did I get a thorough body skin exam I guess the answer is yes. But definitely rushed-- do it to get through it. I appreciated that she introduced herself. My constructive advice : 1.Relax, don't let the patient feel like this is owned by a corporation that says I am supposed to spent 10 mins or less with you." 2.When exiting, be "present" and not already mentally out the door. I was not covered up yet and you opened the door with me fully exposed. I could see everyone at the desk and so anyone could see me. YIKES! I showed her some aging spots I wanted taken care of. There was resistance. I would have been happy with some hydroquinone for the area, it was not offered. I have used it before so I know I can. I have had many skin check ups, usually performed standing, front then back. She had a method and I liked the method but she didn't explain; "This is how I like to do my exams" She likes to examine part standing and part laying down. Had she explained that I would have felt more comfortable. I feel like that obvious 10 min window left no time to inform the patient. At times she was a bit abrasive in tone. The PA did offer a $55.00 lotion for my face but I felt like I was being upsold and not necessarily cared for so I said no.

For the exam I give a 5 because though she rushed, sometimes abrasive she seemed to have really looked me over. For her care as a patient I give a 2-3. I'll meet the middle for a 3 as the review. This practice is in my insurance plan so when I go back I would ask for another...

I went to these guys for years. Their business has evolved into a high-volume turnstile-type business. Every time I return, I see a different person. The low reimbursement rates by the insurance companies force them to try to maximize thruput, and they can not control the environment they operate in. But they do control their scheduling and they overbook and then get behind. My final straw was today when I waited 30 minutes beyond my appointment time and when I approached the desk, they told me the doctor (Nguyen Thao - whom I had never met previously) was late. I decided to whack them after 15 years and gave them a lecture on the meaning of the word Appointment. An appointment is a meeting between two parties at a set agreed-upon time. They don't seem to get it. Do you think anyone called after I walked out? Heck no, as they don't really care. I am just another number on the sea of patients flowing through their assembly line. I will look for a more personalized DO that can schedule at a reasonable volume and hopefully, I will see the same person more than once. This used to be a good business when it was Dr. Albergo and a couple of other doctors, but it has grown into an impersonal beast. I suggest you look elsewhere if you are a new patient or don't feel like sitting around wasting your time well beyond your appointment time.

Update: Then they had the cajones to bill me for the visit and I spent 35 minutes in a run-around with their office getting a refund. I suspect they might bill the insurance company for the non-service and will I be sure to follow up with the insurance company. There are lots of good dermatologists in this area. Make the effort...