Office review: Waste of Time If Not Spending Thousands

Provider Review

• 5 Jul 2017

I made an appointment for acne treatment. I have very mild acne, unresolved by the topicals I've been prescribed by a previous dermatologist, hyperpigmentation, and hair loss. When making the appointment I was told that the office charges a $100 fee for cancellation. Unfortunately, I was in a minor car accident on the first scheduled appointment. At this point, I did not have transportation to a follow up appointment. I was told that I must reschedule to prevent being charged the cancellation fee. I had to rent a vehicle and drive 45 minutes to the appointment. Upon arrival, I was given the "new patient" paperwork to complete (approx. 6 pages). On the last page, it asked to initial the following: one question stated that if you give a review on social media regarding the doctor or facility, they could respond using your medical information, I did not initial it. The receptionist explained that I could not be seen without initialing it. I said, "well I don't mind if anyone responding to my comments, but I do not want my medical information released on the web, that's a hipaa violation". She said, "well if you don't initial it, we can't see you today, it's our policy". I told her that they should explain that policy over the phone prior to patients choosing to drive their for an appointment. Long story short, I was escorted to the back by a lady. Who sat down with me for 5 minutes, then asked "what are you here for today"? My initial thoughts were, I just completed all of that paperwork, did you even bother to read it, or was it a waste of my time? So, I told her that I've been seen my several dermatologists and no one has help me resolve my acne issues. I pulled out the topicals that I was currently using (that she didn't even bother to look at). She pulled out her pen and started writing down on my paperwork the price for Halo Laser treatment. I expressed my concerns that laser would make the hyperpigmentation worse since I'm African-American (which I was told by all previous dermatologists). She was adamant that the Halo was a million dollar machine and this office had the only one in California? Also, it's safe and effective for everyone. She goes on to show me before/after photos (mostly non-ethnic patients) who's had treatment. Honestly, for the total price of two treatments ($3600) I didn't think the post-treatment results were amazing. Most patients had severe acne with dark spots, which improved, but didn't completely go away, it still looked pretty bad afterwards. I asked her for other options. She told me that there was really nothing else that would work since I already tried topicals. I'm disappointed because she failed to even examine my skin, overlook my history/paperwork, and when I requested other options she didn't give me any because of her realizing I wasn't going to pay $3600 for laser treatment, that could possibly make my skin worse. I had to literally beg, for anything that I could "try" that could potentially help. She then gave me a glycolic acid cleanser and pads. I had to "ask" should I use them with the current products I were using. No care instructions or anything else given. Basically, if you're not spending thousands on lasers or cosmetic procedures, they're not interested in helping you. And this is my interaction with the office manager named Lisa Amun. I never saw Dr. Khattab. Is it even legal that the manager is giving medical advice and doing consultations? I noticed Dr. Khattab on the way out leaving a patient's room (only recognized him from seeing his photo on his website). I had no idea who the female was I was speaking with until I went to her office and looked at her business card.