Dermatologists - Atlanta, GA

"I originally tried to book Dr. Richard Sturm due to his extensive experience, but was bait & switched by the office stating he's retiring and "new to the practice" Dr. Swigost was taking over his patients. I had the biopsy performed Oct 11, 2022- and it took a very long time to hear back the results from the office. The nurses NEVER answer the phone live. The biopsy results confirmed squamous cell cancer, and the surgery was scheduled Nov 16, 2022. I understand the need for margins, but it was absolutely shocking that he removed a 4.5 inch chunk of skin for such a small lesion. He didn't discuss MOHs surgery or any other options. The surgery was painful and the surgical wound was jagged and uneven. I followed the post-surgery instructions (including applying Bactroban ointment), but the site remained extremely inflamed- tons of puss, oozing, redness, throbbing, pain, and heat. The office didn't answer the phone (as per usual) especially since it was Thanksgiving holidays. The pain was so excruciating that I went to urgent care and was given an oral antibiotic, which didn't help. I returned on Nov 28, 2022 for suture removal which was extremely painful since the surgery site was still inflamed, infected, crusted, and oozing. I was switched to a 2nd antibiotic (doxycycline for 2 weeks). I returned Dec 7, 2022 for another follow-up- it was still scabbed, painful, swollen, and not healing. Dr. Swigost didn't seem to take the case seriously at all. To make matters worse, I noticed a week later that there were still parts of the external sutures that he missed during his removal which were was causing additional inflammation. I was so frustrated, I tried booked an appointment with a more experienced dermatologist at the clinic (Dr. Sylvia Wright), but she was not available for 4-6 weeks, so I booked an appointment with Ewa Rooney, PA-C on Dec 16, 2022. As soon as Ewa saw how bad the wound looked, she grabbed Dr. Wright for the consult. Dr. Wright put me on a 3rd antibiotic (vancomycin for 2 weeks). She asked if Dr. Swigost had asked me prior to the surgery if I had a history of MRSA (he didn't ask me, and I do have a history). She stated that I should have been placed on oral antibiotics on the day of the surgery to prevent this resistant MRSA infection. I returned again Dec 21, 2022 and only Ewa looked at the wound (Dr. Wright "wasn't available"). It's now 2+ months since the surgery, and the wound still hasn't fully closed and has scabs. It looks awful. I'm so embarrassed and depressed to take off my shirt, wear a tanktop, etc. This has ruined my Thanksgiving, birthday, Christmas, and New Years. Over the past 2 months, I have visited Peachtree Dermatology 6x's x $80 co-pay every time = $480 just to have a huge Frankenstein looking scar that has absolutely destroyed my self-confidence. I have not received even 1 call from this doctor's office checking on my condition. They are simply a money making machine- and each patient is just another number...and of course they want to keep charging my insurance for 2 minute "follow-up" in-person office visits every 2 weeks. What started as just a benign red spot has turned into an expensive, painful, and depressing nightmare. "