Banta, Linda J, Md - Bay Area Dermatology Clinic

I went to Dr. Banta to have skin tags removed and get a prescription. After waiting in her lobby for over an hour, I was ushered to a room where I waited an additional 15-20 minutes. She hurriedly had a consultation with me. I asked her to check my freckles and moles. She said there were two that looked ""suspicious"". She asked if I had noticed a difference in the shape and I said no. I actually had my freckles and moles looked at a year prior by a different doctor. Without hesitation, she numbed the area then grabbed her scapel and cut both of them out. I left the doctors office with a $295.00 visit! Two weeks later, the pathology lab sent their bill for $490.00! I paid almost $800 for what was to be a routine visit. I was not happy. I had my agent contact her on a number of ocassions to get her to ""recode"" the visit to lessen my cost and she did not do a damn thing. I would NEVER recommend this woman to anyone. This woman only cares about making money not pleasing her customers. She didn't even have the decency to respond to my email expressing my displeasure. more

Doctor Banta come in to see me. I let her know I wasn't sure if I had a callus or wart on my finger, and that I wanted to have it taken care of. She picked up my finger for two seconds for a quick glance and told me that she didn't know what it was either. I asked several questions and gave her as much info as possible to help come to a conclusion. She just kept telling me that it was either a callus or wart and she didn't know which one. I'm sorry, but when a doctor doesn't know the dirrerence between two very different (and simple) skin conditions, that is a concern to me. She immediately suggested that she wanted to cut it off and send it to the lab. I would have a large scar and possible nerve damage since it is on the knuckle of my finger. I would have to pay a percentage of the ""biopsy"", another copay, and the lab fees for having lab corp make the decision of whether it is a callus or wart. I asked if it could be frozen off, but she was wishy washy with that too. I understand there are many liabilities with her profession, but there is a great difference between jumping to a conclusion and being flat out ""indifferent"" and not helpful. I have never had this experience with any other doctor before. She should have gathered information and make an informed, confident suggestion in treating my problem. I am definately getting another opinion and taking my concern elsewhere. Pros: Nice front desk staff and nurses Cons: Long wait, doctor not helpful or informative more

Been going for years and Dr. Banta is excellent both during routine visits and major procedures. The negative reviews are typical from peoples that will not be happy unless everyone is kissing their a@#.\r \r If you had a negative expericnce you might be the problem not the Dr. or staff Pros: Best skin doc in town more

A few years ago when I was working in Texas City I made an appointment to see Dr. Banta in their Texas City office. When I arrived at the scheduleed time the receptionist simply told me that Dr. Banta was not there. She went on to ask me if I wanted to go to their Webster office or to make another appointment. She was quite rude acting and did not offer any word of apology. I turned around and went back to work and decided not to give them any of my business. Cons: They have atotal lack of respect for their customers. more

I went to see Dr. Banta. During my appointment I told her I was breastfeeding. She prescribed me some medications. When I got them from my pharmacy i read the warnings. One said it wasn't known if it comes out in breastmilk and to discuss risks with your doctor. She never said anything about it. The other medication said specifically ""DO NOT TAKE WHILE BREASTFEEDING."" She never mentioned anything about it. Thank goodness I read my warnings or I could have really harmed my baby. I don't know anything about the other two doctors there, they could be good, but I wouldn't go see Dr. Banta again. I gave it an average rating because the other two doctors could be great, i dont know. more

I have had several serious skin problems over the years. One problem came up every year. Dr. Banta took care of the problem over 3 years ago and it has never returned. She is very through and explains things to you. She likes for you to return to see how you are doing. I am on that doesn?t go back if problem goes away. Pros: Really cares Cons: Limited parking more

I visited Dr. Banta for several issues. From all of the product displays in the waiting area, I had the sense that they were more interested in selling skin cream than healing people. Once I was in the office, Dr. Banta came in, glanced at the list of issues the nurse had written down for me earlier and immediately started writing prescriptions, barely looking at or talking to me for the first two issues. I protested that I had tried one of the active ingredients she was prescribing before with negative results. She insisted, without knowing which product I had used, that what she was prescribing was different. She then biopsied a spot of concern on my arm and left the room without even putting on a Band-Aid! The assistant later provided one, but I was in shock that she had come, taken a chunk of my arm and gone without hardly saying ten words to me. (I now have a scar from the biopsy as well.) I absolutely did not feel like Dr. Banta cared about my well-being and will look for a new deramtologist instead of going back for her recommended follow-ups. more