Texas Dermatology - Alamo Heights — Local services in San Antonio

Just to put things in context....I had 7 appointments with Dr. Miller, and 3 appointments with Dr. Gaines.

It has taken me years to recover from skin issues I had on my scalp, and within my hair shaft. My experience with TXDLS was very unnerving to say the least and has led to my absolute loss of trust with any Physician. Dr Miller diagnosed my condition as "Alopecia", a genetic disorder. I expressed my concerns about other potential diagnosis, and was ignored. After being blatantly ignored, I was also treated unprofessionally. Dr. Miller stated he "did not want to be dragged into" my situation, and refused to explain and elaborate on his diagnosis. The treatment was limited to topical medications, that did not suffice. I insistently asked for other treatment options, where he told me there was "basically nothing I could do". Two days after my last and most uncomfortable appointment, Txdls staff called me to inform me that Dr. Miller was no longer accepting Medicaid patients.

For these reason I requested for a second opinion and to be seen by a different doctor with Txdls, Dr. Gaines. Dr Gaine's initially was eager to help correct the situation. I was prescribed a antibiotic called "Doxycycline", which was the proper treatment.

A couple of months down the line, she insisted that I stop taking the doxy and start taking "Olumiant", which treats Alopecia. I told her I didn't think that was the right course of treatment. I was again ignored for the second time at this practice.

The dermatologist that followed after TXDLS has had me on the doxycycline for over a year, and am still currently taking for the next 2-3 months. My hair has completely grown back, thick as it ever was. I lost my hair starting in 2020, my hair barely grew back Feb of 2024.

My scalp was in excruciating pain the entire time. Not to mention the severe effect on my mental health.

I asked both Dr's to elaborate and further explain how they came to this diagnosis, and was denied any further discussion, by both.

Even after I called and tried to bring these concerns to "who ever" the correct person would be. I never even received a call back.

Also, when I went to request medical records with photos that was taken during each appointment. There was only 2 under Dr Millers chart which I found to be very shady. Among other things.

HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE! I guess as long as they were getting paid for the appointments I had, they didn't care one bit about...

Do not get any Potenza treatment here- staff has no idea what they are doing! I am a faithful customer at the Dominion location however had to come to the Alamo Hts Med Spa for more treatment. I did my due diligence and had a consultation with Stephanie (that cost $50). I asked questions about the process, before during and after. I explained my sensitive skin, how I'm a diabetic and concerned as this Potenza utilizes heat. I was reassured by her this is a simple procedure and within 3 days I'll be back to normal. After doing some research and asking my Endo I choose to go ahead. My first red flag is when they asked me to administer my own numbing cream. I declined and said they- the professionals - should do it in office. The day of they didnt apply my $50 consultation fee as promised as I purchased the special of 3 treatments. The Potenza hurt like staples going into my face-Stephanie said thats normal discomfort I should have stopped her but shes the 'professional' so I bared through it. Went home in pain, given a pamphlet to use ibuprofen and moisture with their creams and nothing else. Saturday my skin was raised, tender and bright blood red. It wasn't until I woke up at midnight in pain and swollen lymph nodes that I frantically called Texas Derm for help. I was not given a number to call or noone called to check on me at all during this process. After leaving a message with after hours line- it wasnt until Monday a PA Salinas called me. Even she remarked this wasnt normal! After speaking to an office manager Alicia she asked for pics of my skin- not even making or offering me to come in! I had to call to ask for a same day appt to see my derm PA who finally gave me reassurance and steroids to help calm my skin. Ball dropped again and proves this place does not care once you've already paid. Its 3 days later and after promised callbacks are not made I am still beet red with injured skin. I am ready to fight them for a refund for the 2 treatments i did not receive as they believe I should come back. I am never coming back here nor uses their services ever again! This place only cares about taking your money- not about a patient's wellbeing or skin. I keep getting told a call would be made to me but nothing has been done and still no resolution. Please go somewhere else for your skin needs as the staff- Stephanie W., office manager Alicia Smith nor clinical whatever Yesenia care about you once they set you up...

Three words describe our visit...awful, disrespectful and humiliating...My wife had an appointment at 8am with Dr. Emily Becker. We arrived at 7:55am. We were asked about our insurance and identification (provided, no issue there). First the lobby/waiting area was freezing or just a little above freezing. We were not the only ones to notice other people were also very cold. The receptionists actually were wearing a light jacket. 20mins after my wife was called in. 30mins later my wife texts me that she has been waiting now for 30mins in a paper robe and that she is freezing and the doctor is still not there. I asked the receptionist what was going on and asked her to check where doctor Becker was. She came back and told me that the doctor was with my wife. One hour later after waiting in a freezing room in a paper robe was just too unbearable and we decided to call it quits on the torture. She got dressed and came out to the lobby crying...doctor Becker never showed up. They made us wait close to an hour and a half in a freezing office, made my wife wait in a paper robe for close to an hour while she frooze without explanation only to be told that she was "next" when she inquired when would Dr. Becker be coming. Needless to say it is my belief that this office and Dr. Becker showed high disregard to her patients time and comfort, exhibited a high degree of disrespect to other people's time and I would venture to say that if this is a reflection of how timely care is to be given I have serious concerns as a patient.

As a balancing statement I will say that I would have understood waiting had there been an honest attempt at explaining the tardiness; even if it was that she stopped to get some coffee...that would have been better than no explanation then a lie that she was attending to my wife when she wasn't.

My advice for a better experience: take responsibility for the comfort of your patients in your office; I understand that cold temperatures prevent bacterial growth so perhaps a little sign explaining this would help; be honest with your patients they are "patients" because they need your expert and professional care not because they need to be made to be "patient" and wait for you unreasonably. We come to your office with trust, don't break it, build on it and you will have a limitless amount of referrals; do the opposite and your potential will always...