1st consult on photoderm

[Guest guest]

I just had my first consult with an anesthesiologist that treats

rosacea with photoderm machine. He was listed in my area as being

trained by Dr. Bitter, and recommended by one of our group from this

website.

I generally liked him. He answered all of my questions up to par, from

my perspective. He said he has done hundreds of patients over the last

2/3 years, has seen 40-75% improvement, said I would be at low risk

for side effects because I am so fair and my veins, though are in

great number, are not large. He said he would want me to stop my oral

metronidazole for a few days (I was glad to hear him mention this, due

to the recent post by who had some issues with her anitbiotics

and sensitivity to the photoderm). He charges roughly $500 per

treatment. He said he would give me a deal on 3 treatments. I have to

say, although I appreciated the offer to save some money, I felt a

little like shopping for a car. This is my face. This is no way takes

away from his expertise, but I would rather have the feeling that he

is there to make me feel better about myself, not save a dime. I also

asked him to give me some patients who did have complications. He gave

me four. Mainly, it was blistering, but in the end healed fine and the

veins went away. I felt like he was being honest.

I have yet to hear a real horror story from any of you (besides the

severe flares), so I hope I am not being anal, but I looking for a

real, safe, comfortable, confident feeling about my chosen doctor. I

only have 2 that are in driving distance. I will visit the other one

next week.

Has anyone done anything else to check out their chosen doctor? I just

put a call into this doctor to get names of others he has done that

have rosacea, and that I could possibly talk to. He has not called me

back yet. I know there are no guarantees with anyone, but would like

to lessen my risk (as we all would).

Any feedback would be appreciated. Is hundreds enough?