Bella Dermatology

"TRIGGER WARNING: suicidal thoughts When I first started seeing Dr. Ai, I had some pleasant experiences, but I fully attribute this to her MA at the time. I'm leaving 1 star, because since that MA left in 2023, things have fallen apart. That's not to say that the new MA is bad or anything, but she has a learning curve so of course some things are going to fall through the cracks- that's to be expected and is totally understandable. However, I don't feel like Dr. Ai listens to me. She talks a mile a minute, which is fine, but then when she asks me a question, she immediately answers it for me and continues talking. I cannot get a word in. She's really sweet, but doesn't listen or make me feel heard. It feels more like she wants money so she prescribes things I didn't ask for/want and then tells me to schedule multiple appointments for each single issue instead of tackling it all in one visit. I'm there monthly due to a rigid prescription regimen that I'm on and am already spending a lot of money not only on my copays, but also on my prescriptions, lab draws, and all of the extras I need to feel "comfortable" with while on this rx that devastates my body and mind (psych and therapy appts, psych medications, prescription grade creams and moisturizers/etc.) All in all, probably over $300/month. Each course of this rx lasts for about 6-8 months. It also takes up a lot of time where I need to take time off of work to attend these appointments, so I'm losing a lot of money and time. So when I'm told to make even more visits to have a question answered when it could be answered on the phone, it's upsetting. For example, I had a biopsy done and when I called to get the results (they never called me to let me know they had them) they told me that they couldn't tell me over the phone and that I had to come in. Unaware that I was going in for a proper "visit", I went in thinking I was just going to talk to the doctor for 5 minutes and leave. It ends up, I spent $70 to get my results for those 5 minutes, which I had already paid another $150 only three weeks prior to get the biopsy done, and this was all before I had a scheduled visit in a couple of weeks. This doctor's time is obviously much more important than mine. Twice now, I have had to make appointments for questions that they refused to answer on the phone, which feels illegal. Furthermore, I have had issues every single month trying to renew this ridiculous prescription. It's consistently a back and forth of me calling the pharmacy and Dr. Ai's office, bending over backwards, and I feel like I'm caught in the middle where one side is doing their job and the other side is not and they are blaming the pharmacy for their mistakes. This is causing me a lot of unnecessary phone calls, drives to the pharmacy, drives to the derm's office, frustration, and it obviously affects me when I can't get my prescriptions on time due to their negligence. Another frustration that I have, is when I had my visit to begin this rx regimen, I told her my concerns about how awful this medication was on me the first time and my physical and mental health and I asked "if this doesn't work again (this is my second round of this medication), what are my other options?" and she told me that we will try a third course. This is another situation where I feel I am not being listened to, as this medication literally makes me have suicidal ideations and tears my body apart and taking it a second time was a last resort. I explicitly told her I am not interested in doing this again and she gave me no other choices. I know there are other options out there for me, but again, it sounds like they just want my money and because I have to do these monthly follow ups, she's only giving me this one option that literally makes me want to kill myself. Don't go here if you like being heard and feeling like your doctors actually care about you. She's sweet on the surface, but truly does not give a f and just wants your money."

"GREAT dermatologist. I have avoided medical care for years, I have doctor anxiety, and the staff were so kind and patient. Their bedside manner is incredible. Doctors like this really make it easier to start taking care of myself again."

"Fine office. They take Senior Care Plus insurance. The staff is attentive, and professional. I will be bringing my family here. They can book you in in a reasonable amount of time. Dr. Ai is quick and efficient in her work and assessments. For whatever past low ratings were posted for is gone."

"Do not go to this place if you are NOT WHITE or OLDER ADULT! As a first time patient I was never told to wait in my car for instructions upon arrival to the facility. When I walked inside they were helping someone else and a staff member comes running out to tell me that there is no waiting in the waiting room and I had to wait outside. As I stand outside to call the front desk she brings out my paperwork and immediately her attitude in helping the older white adults was different and her demeanor was cheerful. As I’m still standing outside of the office another older white female walks right into the waiting room with cheerful greetings and taken to the back. I do not know why this happened but I can only assume it was because I am not a WHITE OLDER ADULT. I was treated with such indifference that I am glad to say I left that office without getting to meet the actual doctor due to the unprofessional front staff and disrespectful behavior I received. I will not be going back to this place ever!"

"I’m not sure about the situation surrounding the one star reviews. However, we have never had a bad experience. The doctor is very kind and sweet and answers all the questions appropriately. The receptionist takes time to learn everybody’s name properly. You walk in the door and she remembers you. The medical assistant is super kind and helpful. I have often had to sit in the waiting room when seeing other doctors but that’s not the case with this one. Every time we’ve been there we sit for just a very short amount of time before call back. We are super happy with the services provided. Thank you Dr. Ai"