The Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center + Laser Hair Removal Raleigh

07/08/2008 Posted by phillipsgal

I went in to get my moles checked and get a mole removed. While I was there, I asked Dr. Matheis about another skin problem. She informed me that my appointment was scheduled for a mole check and if I would like to discuss anything else I would have to make another appointment. I told her that it would be another $30 copay for me to make another appointment. She responded again that she didn't have enough time so I would have to make another appointment. I have never been to a doctor whe refused to discuss health questions with a patient on the grounds that the patient didn't tell the receptionist every little detail when scheduling an appointment. Most doctors take the time to ask if there's anything else that their patients need. My huisband went to see Dr. Challgren and he took the time to discuss multiple issues with him. What's the deal with Dr. Matheis?

Pros: on time

Cons: won't take a spare minute of her time

06/15/2008 Posted by turkishtk

I'm not here to rate the practice, but I wanted to correct another user. The date that is hand-written on a vial of botox does not indicate the date it expires (that is type-written). It is used to note when it was placed in storage, and is good for 2 years if kept frozen. If it was mixed in front of you (the saline was injected into the bottle), then it was done correctly.

06/05/2008 Posted by ematheis

Sorry that others have had such experiences at this office. I know they try very hard to help a lot of people.

05/28/2008 Posted by zanicole

My husband has suffered from chronic uticaria for a year. Because we didn't have health insurance until this month, he has "sucked it up". On May 6, we had to visit urgent care, who referred us to this clinic. Our appt was at 2:10, and we prepared a journal documenting the problem, photos, and a long list of questions. My husband also is plagued by two other skin issues that we needed to discuss with the doctor. (We'd also discussed them at urgent care). At 2:55 (45 minutes past our appointment) we were still sitting in the waiting area. When the nurse called us back, we discussed his 3 skin issues. The doctor entered several minutes later (I'd estimate at 3:10) and was very kind. She was, as all doctors are, a bit rushed. However, since we had waited for an hour (and a whole year to have insurance), we expected to receive thorough treatment. She discusses the chronic uticaria, though declined to view the pictures, because she "already knows what it looks like". However, we did not describe the body parts, appearance, nor pain/itch level. How did she know that it was uticaria (other than that was the diagnosis at urgent care)? She began to wrap up, and I asked her if she was leaving, because we had two more issues. She said she was leaving, and looked quite distressed as we basically forced her to look at our 2nd issue. With one glance and 2 questions, she wrote out another prescription for the 2nd issue. She did not address the purpose/use of this medicine. She said good-bye & we basically forced her to look at my husband's 3rd issue. She looked at me and noted that he has yet a 3rd skin condition, but said, "time has run out" (which she'd said several times at this point). She instructed us to make another appointment, because she didn't have time. We were charged for a 99203, which is a detailed visit of 30 minutes in length. We waited an hour for ten minutes of poor treatment. This is the worst treatment that I've ever received.

Cons: Long wait time, short office time, inattentive doctor, poor service

05/06/2008 Posted by fsb3

My husband has been there at least 4 times in the past 5 weeks because of a ulcer that needed to be biopsied. Besides wrong instructions on care, not letting us know he'd be out of work for over 5 weeks, and not prescribing pain pills on a wound 3 inches by 2 inches, the nurse today dressed his wound with the dirty gauze he came in with. We will never use them again.

05/06/2008 Posted by Sherrylee863

Front desk staff are not nice at all. I made an appointment at two weeks ago, I did not receive the reminder phone call. I called them to comfirm the appointment at two hours before the appointment time, I was told I missed the appointment. I am sure they made the mistake, they messed up my schedule. The front desk staff is not friendly at all. I am very glad I "missed" the appointment.

Pros: Unfriendly staff

Cons: Poor communication

05/01/2008 Posted by edgeman1

I do not know what TerryM is talking about. My mother-in-law had a skin exam by a kind and friendly doctor. The doctor found a concerning mole and did a biopsy. We were called by her doctor the next day and she had a diagnosis of a malignant melanoma. She was quickly worked into the doctor's schedule and had an easy experience with her sugery. The entire staff was helpful and understanding when we had questions or needed extra help. The doctor even gave us her phone number in case we had any questions. We were very worried, but all her care has been professional and exceptionally caring. We highly recommend this practice and feel like the doctor saved the life of our family member.

Pros: knowledgable, kind, caring

Cons: none

12/18/2007 Posted by terrym47

I first went to this practice for a basic skin check. The doctor(who I later found out was subbing for another doctor in the practice) said I had a suspicious mole which she biopsied. She called me two days later and told me I had a malignant melenoma which needed to be removed immediately.Naturally I was terrified and made an appointment the next week. The doctor said it would be an office visit and I could drive myself and be back and work the next day and healed within a month. I decided to be safe and had a friend drive which was wise because the procedure took two hours and the local anesthetic made me dizzy. The next day I could barely sit up and when I called, the nurse said it was impossible for me to be having aftereffects from a local anesthetic and I should call my "regular doctor". These symptoms lasted 4 days and I got no help from anyone in the practice. The wound became infected and the antibiotic cream made it worse. I saw every doctor in the practice for months from complications from the surgery and bad reactions to medications. None of the doctors and nurses were willing to listen when I tried to tell them of my sensitivity to medications. They seem far more interested in pushing cosmetic surgery than in treating patients with skin diseases. When I described my ordeal to my internist, he was shocked at the treatment I received. Money is definitely the top priority of this practice. Everyone looks like they should be television doctors but patient treatment is seriously lacking.

Pros: nice furniture

Cons: doctors and nurses are inept and uncaring

10/18/2007 Posted by gt705

I was impressed by Dr. Challgren's professional demeanor and thoroughness. My visit was for an overall skin check just to be certain that I had no beginnings of a melanoma or anything else serious. He was very patient and glad to answer my questions. I also asked about mole and age spot removal, and he did not in any way try to "sell" me additional services. I truly admired is objectivity. Also, a small mistake was made with the filing of my insurance claim. When I called and brought it to Jan's attention, she was happy to make the corrections. This practice has won my loyalty.

06/20/2007 Posted by edgarzmyboy

I saw Dr. Wilmouth about acne scars and I was very open to all options. He recommended the Smooth Beam laser and said it was the "gold standard." I was told that 2 treatments would be enough to see good results and visible improvement. Dr. Wilmouth was professional and knowledgeable, but I would not describe him as friendly in any way. He rarely smiled and actually only completed one of the treatments- the other one was done by a lady who he taught right then and there. I really value friendliness in any service and I feel like it can turn an okay experience into a much better one. I was disappointed that I was not told in advance that a doctor would not be performing all the treatments, especially my first visit. The reception staff were a let down too- they all seemed to have an "I have better things to do than talk to you" attitude. The biggest let down? The treatments did absolutely nothing for me. To be fair though, I do believe that everyone's skin is different- this type of treatment may work for others.

Pros: Lots of services

Cons: Unfriendly staff, long waits, poor communication