I took my daughter to him about five times. I don't know why I kept going back. My daughter's skin never cleared up from anything he gave her. The office staff is rude. The norm seems to be to wait about 2 hours to see him. He doesn't seem to remember what happened from the last visit. He's prescribed the exact same medicine that we had already tried and didn't work. Our last visit was the last straw. We had an appointment at 6:45 p.m. The office was locked. I tried calling the office number, and it kept going to voice mail. Other patients started showing up over the next 20 minutes. Some of them said they had waited 2 hours the last time they had an appointment and that he is often late with the office locked. The office staff shows up after 7 p.m. There's no apology or acknowledgement that it's both rude and confusing to show up to a locked doctor's office. Now there are probably 7 patients waiting. They take my co pay and then tell us that he will not be there until 8 p.m. So we had to leave because my daughter still needed to have dinner and to finish homework. They refused to give me my co-pay back and acted as if I was somehow the unreasonable one in the situation. I've gone to a dermatologist for myself who saw me right away. They can do better - much better!

Submitted Oct. 1, 2020

I had a 6AM appt in a very convenient location, 8 blocks from my place. He took me on time, performed the procedure, and took careful time to explain follow up and next steps. I highly recommend Dr. Shapiro to anyone in the Park Slope area needing an excellent dermatologist.

Submitted March 6, 2020

Had to wait for an app. for over three hours. When finally got an opportunity to talk with him, he barely looked at my face (I had concern about my rash/acne) and prescribed the basic lotion and wash. Secondly, as I told him that I think I loose a lot of hair, he didn’t even look at my scalp properly, didn’t ask for a blood test, didn’t perform any tests but stated that it may be genetic hair loss and just wrote several names of hair shampoos to treat it. No comment... Oh, and lastly, he just cut out my wart with no gloves on...., and it still grew out... Very futuristic treatment.

Submitted July 10, 2019

A nightmare! To make a long story short, Dr, Shapiro mutilated and disfigured the shape of my arm for NO REASON! . What should have been a "nothing of a surgery", turned out to be a 6 inch scar, 30 stitches and 1 1/2 inch chunk taken out of my already skinny arm that caused disfigurement to my arm.
All I knew from the clinician after taking a biopsy two weeks previous that it was in the early stage of melanoma. That is all I was told. I requested Mohs surgery, the least evasive surgery for the spot was the size of 1/2 a pea. The clinician made the appointment for removal. It was so small and appeared about month or so ago. There is No communication in this office for it was never mentioned to Dr. Shapiro so I was told by him that I wanted the least evasive surgery possible. Regardless, Dr. Shapiro did not follow the proper procedure for this type of cancer removal which is really a "nothing" of a surgery. The day of the surgery Dr. Shapiro didn't even take the time out to explain to me what I actually had, what he was going to do, or given me a chance to get a 2nd opinion, Three protocols that must be followed by a doctor. All protocols not followed! You see he had no time for that for his office was way over booked and over crowded in the waiting room, overflowing in the hallways. He seems more concerned over quantity than quality for his patients. When I asked what I had, he said you will find out when reading the Biopsy on the way out. WHAT? I was too scared to react, Melanoma was a scary thing and it happened so fast. He had no time to waste on me, he had too many patients from a way over booked office. I felt like I was treated like cattle. I looked away during the surgery for I am squeamish, still thinking I was getting the least evasive surgery for I requested Mohs surgery.
He took a 1 1/2 inch chunk out of my already skinny arm, so I found out from the plastic surgeon who ONLY told me Dr. Shapiro was quite aggressive and took out 1 1/2 inch chunk from my arm. I was in shock!! Later I found out from looking up on the internet and biopsy report that I had stage 0 melanoma In Situ (In Situ is Latin for "in place"), which means it is not malignant and the proper protocol for this type of melanoma in ¼ inch incision around the small spot, making it a MUCH smaller incision.. MUCH SMALLER than what Dr Shapiro doctor did. I would have had about an 1 inch to 1 1/2 inch straight small scar instead of a long 6 inch "flap" surgery that disfigured the shape of my arm. All the other doctors that I showed this to said they DO NOT DO this "flap" or large incision for this type of stage 0 cancer! They do MUCH smaller incisions! He just about broke every protocol in the book by not giving me a chance to get a 2nd opinion, not following the proper protocol (guidelines) for the removal of the stage 0 melanoma In situ which is really a "nothing" of a surgery so I found out from the internet, a friend of the family who had this "nothing" of a surgery, from another doctor and from Sloan Kettering. That's what I wanted and asked for but never got!
He mutilated and disfigured my arm for NO REASON, took out a large chunk of healthy tissue. I am SEVERLY SICK AND DEPRESSED over this. I threatened to seek legal action and to file a complaint with the NYS Office of Professional Medical (mis) Conduct. Dr Shapiro said not to do that, that he will "get my arm back." Well let's see about that... To top it off the medical records have numerous inaccuracies and lies. How I found out is when I transferred copies of my records to Sloan Kettering as recommended by my friend who had this "nothing" of a surgery at Sloan Kettering. I asked for a copy and was shocked to what I read. Thank goodness I had copies previously of the Biopsy reports to show which were accurate, which he did not send to Sloan Kettering, which they wanted. I did send it to them. I corrected the medical records and gave a copy to Sloan Kettering and to Dr. Shapiro. A true nightmare and all he really is concerned about is him not getting sued. If he did follow the proper protocols that a doctor SHOULD FOLLOW, this never would have happened! It appears he has no time for that for his office is way over booked! Quantity, not quality it appears to be. I am suffering greatly for it! I wish I read the reviews before going! I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he cut large (unnecessary) chunks out of people to save time for himself like he did with me.

Submitted Dec. 22, 2018

On Friday, November 11, I had an appointment with Micheal Shapiro from Vanguard Dermatology to check out my acne. My appointment was called for 1pm so I left work earlier and cleared my schedule for an 1 and half. More then enough time to see and be at the doctor. When I came I was greeted by rude and obnoxious receptionist. They quickly asked me for payment- which I said I have insurance. They spoke amongst themselves and called me back and said we can't locate your insurance so we will charge your card and we will reimburse you once we have it. I figured I was already there and I'm sure I'll be able to clear it since I used the card just a few days ago so I agreed. When I asked how much is the charge the receptionist said $250, although I was quoted $200 over the phone. I made the payment and was assured within a matter of a few days the entire balance will be on my card. I asked how long was the wait and the receptionist said not long. Wow were they wrong! After a half hour I decided to check in, and was told again my appointment would be done within a few minutes. This went on for two and a half hours! At this point, I was frustrated and nervous since I had to be back in Brooklyn in time for the Sabbath. I knew if I didn't get up and leave within the hour, I would never make it in time. When I told one of the nurses I'll be leaving- she quickly got the doctor to see me. I finally calmed down and figured to myself I am already there and what's done is done, hopefully the Doctor will be able to help me and that would be worth the long wait. Since obviously he must be very good in his field if he is backed up. Boy was I wrong! I was put into a room and this time I had to wait 15 minutes, until Dr. Shapiro came in. He asked me for my name and why I was here. A basic protocol question and I went on to explain my reason for coming to him. Mid sentence he receives a call and ignores me while he starts speaking on the phone to another patient who wanted to make an appointment. I was baffled by the lack of professionalism! Why is a doctor taking the time to make an appointment with another patient, while he has someone in his office. Even more so, that job is a job for a receptionist. After a few minutes he gets off the call and calls the person back to confirm his appointment. Dr Shapiro, responds to a couple of text and while looking on his phone he says so what do you think I can do for you. Clearly I'm not a dermatologist and I came there for his experience so why exactly is he asking me what he can do for me. I was extremely disappointed, I paid $250 for a 3 minute appointment, which the doctor had no knowledge or guidance on how to help me. I waited close to 3 hours, was berated by the receptionist and after all that I didn't get the service which I paid for. I didn't have the time to stew since the Sabbath was coming. I explained to Dr Shapiro that I am Jewish and I have to be back in Brooklyn since I am Sabbath observant. He responded I am Jewish too and I work on the Sabbath. I don't care what his religious beliefs are and what he does, but to say that he crossed a line. I rushed home seconds before the Sabbath. The following Monday I called Vanguard dermatology, to speak with a manager and give my insurance card over the phone so I can be reimbursed, this time a friendly receptionist heard me out and quickly exclaimed why were you charge $250 when we typically charge only $200. She assured me that the office manager will call me back that day. I waited and didn't receive a call on Monday so I called back again on Wednesday. Again, I was told that the manager will call me back. I left numerous messages and no one from Vanguard ever called me back. I can't fathom how a place such as theirs seize exist!

Submitted Jan. 27, 2017

Please don't go here! He removed a cyst and butchered me and let me leave the office witha bloody hair! No wound care advice! Wound got infected and I'm seeing another doctor! Please stay away

Submitted Oct. 29, 2015

I'm not to happy with the punctuality, And service from Dr Shapiro.

Submitted Sept. 4, 2014

Dr. Shapiro is a very good doctor, I was there with my father inlaw to translate for him. I can say he is the most patient doctor that I have ever met. He told my father inlaw that the side effects of the surgery are temporary and everything was going to be ok all came true. In time everything was healed and he is doing very well now. The way he explained to my father inlaw and the time he spend with him was an extra step that most of the doctors don't really take. He needs to do 2 more skin surgeries and we are going back to Dr. Shapiro.

Submitted July 9, 2014

Very knowledgeable and patient friendly doctor. He treats his patients with respect and on the individual level. He sees patients as people not as business. He won't do the unnecessary procedure just to increase his payment. Overall I recommend this doctor to anyone who needs to see a dermatology specialist.

Submitted Feb. 10, 2012

Pretty good doctor. Wants to get to the bottom of your problem. There is a wait, but it seems well worth it.

Submitted April 18, 2010