Feedback on Roberta F. Palestine, M.D.?

[Anonymous]

I am considering using Roberta F. Palestine, M.D. and looking for any feedback from anyone that has bee seen by her. Appreciate any feedback.

[Anonymous]

OP, she is awful. I saw her several time for botox, and every time I went, I said I would never go back. She has a terrible disposition and is ALWAYS late. I don't mean a little bit late, I mean an HOUR late. The last few times I went I called ahead of time and they told me she was running on time and she was STILL almost an hour late. I kept going to her for a while even though I had a bad experience in her office every time I went, because I was scared of having someone else inject my face (I figured at least she wasn't messing up, although I could not stand her or how late she was). Here's what finally threw me over the edge: First, she charged me 995 for my botox. It was under 700 every other time I went (not much under though) but somehow, the last time I went, it mysteriously went up by over $300 because it "wasn't on special" and I apparently had had botox done in their office/medspa every other time "on special." Right. Next, and this was what really got me, I noticed one of my eyes was sagging. I was terrified and panicked and went back to see her after about a week. AGAIN she was over an hour late although I had called and they confirmed she was on time. I was stepping out of the room to ask a nurse AGAIN where she was because she was SO late and there she was- standing right outside the room. Then she looks at my chart (we're in the hall outside the room) and looks at me (I had just stepped out of the room and she saw me, i was still standing at the door!!) and says "oh, is this you?" I almost died. I had seen her about 8 times by this point and she just had no clue as to who I was. It REALLY pissed me off, on top of standing there after an hour and 20 minutes with my drooping eye.

OP, she really is the worst. I hope you don't end up making an appointment with her. Obviously this is just my opinion and experience and it may not be everyone's, but I thought she was awful. I'm seeing someone else now for my botox that my internist recommended and he's great. I really would stay away from Dr. Palestine.

[Anonymous]

Hate her. Money grabbing DR

[Anonymous]

I've never seen her, but a few years ago I saw another doctor in the practice, and while I thought the doctor was fine, I did feel that the office had kind of a hard-sell, money-grubbing atmosphere. I was there for a medical skin thing, not anything cosmetic, and they really were mentioning/pushing cosmetic treatments.

[Anonymous]

Not directly on topic, but I have never met a dermatologist who wasn't a complete jerk. Over the years here I've seen 4, I think, for mild adult acne and to have some moles checked out (never for a cosmetic procedure), but every single one has been an absolute disaster of a personality, with office staff to match. What gives? I have never had these awful experiences with other sorts of doctors.

[Anonymous]

I really liked Dr. Joseph Lee who works in that practice. I saw him for adult acne and he was very good. I was not offered any cosmetic treatments.

[Anonymous]

Very helpful. Thanks for the feedback.

[Anonymous]

I have seen Dr. Lee and Dr. Yu in that practice (for medical reasons), and they were both excellent. They were very knowledgable, kind, and compassionate. No mention of anything cosmetic.

[Anonymous]

I see Dr Shah in that practice for my skin cancer checks, and she has never pushed a cosmetic procedure on me. I think she has a great bedside manner and is very thorough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see Dr Shah in that practice for my skin cancer checks, and she has never pushed a cosmetic procedure on me. I think she has a great bedside manner and is very thorough.

Same here. I really like Dr. Shah and find her quite nice and professional. I have also seen Lee and Yu and both are good although Lee's bedside manner was a little abrupt.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Shelly Hall in Chevy Chase is very nice and doesn't push anything.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Samuel Norvell at Shady Grove is very pleasant and hardly ever late. Oh, and he is competent too. He will tell you when something is out of his league.

[Anonymous]

I see Margaret O'Neill in CC. Love her, but she does tend to run late for her afternoon appts. Not an hour though. And she always apologizes if I have to wait in the exam room more than 10 min.