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papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 493
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 10:31 am: | 
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Forgive me for asking this when i know i can find lots of suggestions in the archives. I've tried searching numerous times today, and i just can't get it to work.
For the past couple of years, i've been going to Dr. Liftin, per some high praise here on MOL. I liked him well enough until the other day. I brought my 19 month-old son in for the first time due to a skin issue that 3 peds have told me was 2 different things, and frankly, he pissed me off. After spending a good amount of time with his PA, who gave me her best guesses as to what it was or was not, Dr. Liftin came in, and in 15 seconds, he took a look at my son's arm and cheek and said "it's eczema" and began to walk out. I literally had to chase him out the door to ask him another question, which he spent another 5 seconds answering before walking away again, leaving me hanging mid-sentence. Then i had to pay $30 on top of my visit copay, plus the CVS copay for what he prescribed, to buy his special soaps, and i have to come back in one week, when i can barely swing getting in during his limited office hours as it is.
He may be a good doctor, but i'm still pretty angry at not having an opportunity to ask him why he gave me a diagnosis that none of the 3 peds had given me. And I have no problem with physicians assistants shadowing doctors, or doing a pre-screening, but i selected and made an appt with that specific doctor for his experience and track record, and that's not what i got. So i'm in the market for a new doctor.
If anyone has a good dermatologist in the area that's NOT like this, can you please tell me who it is, and specifically why you like him/her? Often i see recommendations for doctors, contractors, etc. here on MOL, but without some context as to why they're being recommended, i'd still feel like i was shooting in the dark. Thanks... and sorry for the vent. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12281
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 10:35 am: |
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I very much like our dermatologist:
Dr. Daniel Groisser
60 Pompton Ave
Verona, NJ 07044
973-571-2121
http://www.thedermatologygroup.com
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happyman
Citizen
Username: Happyman
Post Number: 410
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 11:19 am: |
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Papayagirl-
Please take no offense here but I believe you should have said what you wrote....
" ask him why he gave me a diagnosis that none of the 3 peds had given me. And I have no problem with physicians assistants shadowing doctors, or doing a pre-screening, but i selected and made an appt with that specific doctor for his experience and track record, and that's not what i got."
I think he would have turned around and given you all the time you wanted.
Granted, he is a very "hyper-guy" but he is also a very good dermatologist. I think, based upon what you have written, he was abrupt...but take the opportunity to verbalize it then. Even if it is while you are paying the bill and another question comes to your mind. Just stop them and say, "You know, I have a few more questions, can I see the doctor for a few more minutes." I think they would be fine with it...and if they are not, who cares it is your child.
Anyhow, communications is best done face to face!
Good luck...
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Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 375
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 11:28 am: |
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My son also has eczema and I find that Aveeno oatmeal bath soaks, for 20 minutes in warm water, really help his skin! We do a soak once or twice a week, but you could do it daily.
No soap, just gently wipe with a soft cloth after the soaking, drain the water, pat dry the skin and put lotion on right away before the moisture absorbed from the bath evaporates. (I use Cetaphil, but have heard good things about the Aveeno lotions as well.)
Good luck! |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 982
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 11:36 am: |
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I recommend Dr. Gail Mautner, on Millburn Avenue (973 376-8500) and also Dr. Emily Altman on Northfield (973 992-0550).
Dr. Mautner has seen my daughter (not for eczema) and was very thorough in her approach, and non-aggressive, which was appropriate for the situation. I have also been a patient and I was happy with the approach she took and the results.
Dr. Altman has worked wonders, and she is also very thorough and patient.
I would feel confident in either one of these doctors. |
Crazy_quilter
Citizen
Username: Crazy_quilter
Post Number: 147
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 11:49 am: |
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I really like Dr. Silos. She is in the Atkins Kent building at St. Barnabas. She just started her own practice. She has two young children. My pediatrician had diagnosed my son as having Seborrhea, and she said, no it was eczema. She spent a long time with me and was reassuring. She returns my phone calls promptly and calls to see how he is doing.
i think it can be important to go to a pediatric dermatologist with a child. |
Rick B
Citizen
Username: Ruck1977
Post Number: 976
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 11:58 am: |
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We just took our son this week to see a pediatric derm. Dr. Bukka, and he is part of the derm group that Dr. Groisser is in. They are located in Verona.
The office is very high tech, and has a feeling of pushing you through like a herd of cows, but I found both doctors (Groisser and Bukka) willing to answer any questions that I had. You can print all your forms online and fill them out before you arrive, also they have odd hour appointments.
I will say that Dr. Groisser did try to sell me a number of skin product, even though I went there to get a sunspot checked out. In his defense, I did complain about some dry skin though.
Dr. Bukka was very good with my son (11 mos).
Neither of them did anything spectactular, but I liked them both. |
dave23
Citizen
Username: Dave23
Post Number: 1306
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 12:23 pm: |
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Dr. Zirvi at the Summit Medical Group (Short Hills office) was great. I don't know how he is with kids, but he was very nice and was very good about reporting things in such a way that would maximize insurance coverage. |
Jason
Citizen
Username: Jason
Post Number: 57
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 1:48 pm: |
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I have been pleased with the service from my dermatologist:
Dr Nathan Dorman
743 Northfield Ave
West Orange
(973) 736-9650 |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 494
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 3:52 pm: |
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Thanks everyone for the recommendations so far. I do think a pediatric dermatologist would be preferable for my son, but i wasn't sure if such a thing even existed when i first thought about making the appt, and most people i asked advised me to just ask my regular derm if he also saw toddlers as a first step, and his office said they did. For my son, i think i'll seek out someone that specializes in children if his issue doesn't clear up with what Dr. Liftin recommended, but after my experience, i'm interested in eventually switching to someone else for my own care as well.
And happyman, i beg to differ. Dr. Liftin has always been pretty good about answering questions in the past, but this time, he was flat out RUDE and the one question i did get to ask him was half-answered in a condescending tone, with one foot out the door. I was still stunned as i was paying, and i know that if i do say something about situations like this (and i'm usually not shy about doing so), my feedback is always more constructive when i step out of the heat of the moment. It's been a couple of days and i'm still angry. Maybe when i go back for a follow-up, I'll see how things go. |
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