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Consultation-only: Consultation Was Horrible! (25 Yo with Moderate Acne) - Brisbane, AU

ORIGINAL POST

I went to see Davin Lim to finally do something...

LilykaidMarch 2, 2015
I went to see Davin Lim to finally do something about my facial acne. It had been affecting my life for a decade, and had started to affect my career. Dr Lim was cold and unapproachable - the whole experience was actually demoralising. He asked next to no questions about my health status and previous medical history, and gave me one-word responses and seemed to want to get me out of there as quickly as possible. When I tried to ask him questions about my acne, he responded with "Look, I'm trying to fix it. Do you want me to fix your skin or not?" That sure shut me up! He had no interest in my health, no interest in the fact that the treatment he was prescribing (antibiotics) hadn't worked for me previously and had actually given me adverse affects. I was only in there for 12 minutes, in which time he told me to shut up, put up and take his bloody useless antibiotics. I followed his exact instructions to no avail - and that is the last time I will be giving a "specialist" the benefit of the doubt when they clearly don't deliver. Not only was visiting Dr Davin Lim a huge rip off, it was upsetting. Seriously consider going to any other dermatologist in Brisbane before going to him.

Lilykaid's provider

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended

Specialist Dermatologist

Replies (5)

Davster
March 15, 2015
Im sorry you had such a bad experience with me. 12 minutes was the time reception gave me to treat medical conditions such as acne. As a result Im pressured to get all the necessary medical history then prescribe your treatment. I am NOT a medical dermatologist, but a laser and aesthetic dermatologist. My time is dedicated to patients undergoing very complex procedures such as eyelid surgery, scar revision and mostly acne scars. This consultation process is COMPLETELY different compared to a medical consult. Fixing scars and mapping as well as photography, medical history, time off, laser and procedure selection and explanation, consents, costs, rebates and Q and As for these patients takes time. This is where I dedicate my time, because having a laser or surgical procedure is a major undertaking. Patients who have laser with me know that I take upto 45 minutes with the consults, and up to 15 minutes before and after the procedure. I am never rushed with procedural and aesthetic dermatology, and my feedback from all these patients has been excellent. Bottom line, your medical management was appropriate, however you should have been booked with a medical dermatologist and not myself. Regardless, prior to your feedback you fee should have been refunded. If it has not, drop me a line and I will personally see to it that you are reimbursed, and seen by a dermatologist who will talk about your acne. All the best. Dr Davin Lim LASER AND PROCEDURAL DERMATOLOGIST
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Janey44
March 15, 2015
It still sounds as if you were rude to this young woman. Your inability, or ability to treat her should not affect your professionalism in such a situation. More people should post negative reviews of doctors based on their behavior. Your degree does not entitle you to treat others baddly no matter if your pressed for time or not.
Davster
March 15, 2015
You are indeed correct Janey, actions have been taken so that I am not pressed for time. Rudeness is not an issue, as the majority of patients actually find me very down to early and easy to talk to. Unfortunately one person had a bad experience and admin has been notified not to book moderate cases of acne with me. I spend the majority of my time with patients seeking acne scar procedures, as I need to understand the lifestyle and expectation of these patents. Procedural work is much different compared to medical work. I think you are correct, patients should have reviews based upon their behaviour and talent. In fact, with your constructive comments, we will have ALL patients rate doctors as we find that patients that are happy don't usually leave feedback, whilst unhappy ones do. I think you are absolutely correct in your views. Thanks Janey
magicbindi
April 1, 2015
wow!! well that changes things for me then, thank you for your honest appraisal I was just about to spend about $6000 at westside, I think i'll look elsewhere now!
Davster
April 1, 2015
Thanks for that comment. Now, here is the counter comment to your feedback. I do not know who you are, nor do I know if I have seen you. IF you have a procedure with either myself or any of the specialists, we take the extra time to explain high end, high risk, high gain procedures. This usually takes 20-40 minutes, depending on the complexity of the problem. My comments below with give you an understanding of who to see, and what to expect. Medical problems like acne will (or should I say SHOULD) be seen by medical dermatologists, whilst procedural conditions by laser and aesthetic dermatologist. If you make that clear in the consultation booking , you will be seen by the appropriate Specialist. Medical dermatology is completely different to procedural and laser dermatology. I take pride in the later, as medical dermatology is not my specialty, however giving clients the absolute best result from laser, fillers, face lifts, eye lid surgery etc. is my goal. I hope you understand and see the distinction between medical and procedural cases. All the best, Dr Davin S. Lim Laser and Aesthetic Dermatologist. As a duty of care, if you want to look else where- try Image by Laser for your skin problems, or msg me for other recommendations. In good faith, Davin Lim
Davster
April 12, 2015
Agree with you Halyz86, reception really needs to communicate with us, if laser was conducted, it is my responsibility and Emily (head laser nurse) to sort our all post operative lumps and any potential complications. Once again I take particular pride in my laser work as that is my core occupation - namely a laser and procedural dermatologist. If this had been conveyed to me, I would have seen you ASAP, but it was not. As for the reception and invoicing, I ve got to convey to our head manager this is not acceptable. Thanks for your constructive feedback, really appreciate it. Dr Davin Lim
Haylz86
April 10, 2015
I also have had a very bad experience with the admin team at west side dermatology. I have had two consultations and laser treatment. Both times of my consultations I was rushed pretty quickly out of the consult room and the Dr was still writing up my script and the reception staff let me go without giving me my prescriptions and my invoice or receipt. I also paid $2,000.00 for laser treatment and have been requesting an invoice to be emailed to me as I paid directly into the bank account, so I can claim my $400 rebate and have received nothing. After my laser surgery I noticed there was a swollen or blocked oil gland on my face which has created a large visible lump, I called the reception and asked to speak to someone regarding treatment of this and have since been waiting 3 months for "Kristy" to return my call. This lump is still present on my face and my surgery was over 4 months ago. I did receive a return call 3 weeks later for an unrelated problem from reception staff saying that my follow up consultation had to be moved to another day as the nurse was no longer available on that day. By this point I was so angry I didn't even bother returning the call to reschedule my appointment. I have suffered from extreme hormonal acne for the past 12 years and undergone 5 courses of roaccutane from another dermatologist and Dr Lim prescribed me spironolactone on my first visit to see him which cured my hormonal acne. His knowledge and skill of treating his patients is amazing I'm just highly disappointed in the way I was treated by the reception staff. I live 1 hour away from the medical centre and can't just drop back in to get an invoice or script. I think there needs to be a better post treatment care or follow up by reception staff as my face was swollen for a week I looked like I had fallen off a skateboard and face planted into concrete, had spent a substantial amount of money on surgery and felt like there was nobody to speak to regarding any follow up questions.
poppy557
September 17, 2015
This sounds like a fair and balanced reply from the doctor.
chtistine
October 9, 2016
I agree.
Sparkles24
September 26, 2015
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