dermatologist

Thanks Veets ... Dr. Frankel recommended Dr. Soave, and I was able to get an appointment really quickly (he's on PPW and Union). If I don't like him, I'll keep Freidlander's name handy.

Truthfully, my derm is Zelaya and I really like him. I have severe SEVERE eczema (godawful horrific monstrous eczema) and also very fair skin that's prone to basal cell carcinoma (I chose my parents badly); Zelaya is great about addressing these issues. Yes, he's got a huge cosmetic practice, but that doesn't take away from the medical side, which has always served me well.

ljnd.. I am happy for you that you have such justified faith in Dr. Zelaya and not for a moment would I take away from the results you have gotten under his care.

Dermatology is a tricky specialty. It is very difficult to get a Residency in this area and it is most often the top of the class that has entree in to this specialty. The pull for medical students to go in to this specialty has much to do with the fewer hours in the work schedule. There are virtually no emergencies in this specialty.

What are common dermatological problems are easily recognized and treated and the time the physician spends with each patient can be kept to a minimum, allowing the doc to see many patients in an hour.

What also calls some people to this specialty is that certain problems are a "detective story" and only the most adept at diagnostic ability and craft can get to the bottom of certain conditions when they present.

Yes, and the potential income can be padded because of the sub-set of dealing with "cosmetic issues."

Unfortunately, I have had frequent bouts with eczema since I was a child and most often the treatment is "try this and then try that and if you get lucky one of those thises helps." Especially when I was younger the dermatologist that helped me find the IT became God to me. Makes sense that once you feel relief and feel comfortable in your own body the doctor that helped get you there would be elevated to diety status. .It ain't rocket science! Basal cell Carcinoma is a "common" problem and it is fortunate that modern medicine provides effective modalities for treatment.

The point that I am making is that a physician that practices this specialty on the level that Dr. Frankel does cannot be compared to someone like Dr. Zelaya. If I had had one visit with each of them I know I would have no right to go on and on but unfortunately, I have seem many dermatologists in my life and these two guys numerous times each. Well in the case of Dr. Zelaya.... toooo many times.... and then I got a lead to contact Dr. Frankel.

So I guess I claim a right to an opinion... and nothing more than an opinion. Sometimes arguments start on this forum out of nothingness statements. My opinion is a "nothingness" statement since it is only my opinion. So, I am not looking for an argument. Sometimes these posts are archived and people use them as resources. I would just hope that down the road if someone reads this thread they avoid the mediocre and call Dr. Frankel first.

veets, not having been to Dr. Frankel, I can't compare, obviously. And I'm glad you had a good experience with him. I'm just saying that I had a good experience with Zelaya, and as a patient of his, I wanted to voice that opinion as a counterbalance. That said, I wasn't looking to argue with you (or anyone else) at all - and I'm very sorry it came off that way.

vanilla wrote: for those without insurance or for simply a more natural approach, you might also want to try kamwo herbal pharmacy in chinatown. grand st. @ mott. the owner has a new line of herbal remedies for most skin conditions. they are like $10 each. i guess if you know what is wrong with you, that might be easier to buy the correct product - but if you have an issue, know what it is, and aren't getting results - this might work, too. they speak english & it's not like most places in chinatown.

I love Kamwo!

I went to Zelaya for mole removal. Nothing major and everything went smoothly. He's pleasant enough, but obviously overbooked. One of his assistants tried to sell me on Botox. "You have to start early!"

Yeah Chipster.. My point exactly!!!