Dermatology Associates of McLean

Dr. Walia is great. It is not overstating the case to say she saved my life. I had a melanoma tumor on my leg that looked nothing like melanoma and had a mitosis rate that was off the charts. Dr. Walia explained the dire nature of my disease carefully and professionally and got me to the top melanoma specialists in the DC area. Her office fought to get me into surgery asap. At diagnosis I had a life expectancy of about 9 months — that was three years ago. Had Dr. Walia not moved aggressively to make sure I got the best treatment available, I would not be writing this review today.

amazed by the other reviews — I have been going to Dr Sunny Wahlia for three of my six children and myself for a few years until finally this year I changed, I just couldn’t take it any more ! I wanted to like the practice but the incompetence finally won out. For myself: she «removed» a growth on my face, which came back within 3 months though she claimed it wouldn’t — when I returned with the growth she claimed this was very odd and the first time she’d ever seen it happen (same happened to my daughter’s), she said she didn;t know what to do and suggested I live with it, I went and had it remove surgically elsewhere, my daughter still has hers but our new dermatologist has said there is no need to have to live with it, it is benign (new dermatologist has tested) and she is scheduled for removal, covered by insurance. My daughter’s eczema has not been helped by the prescribed medication, she said that was often the case (new doctor actually now has a plan). For my son’s acne her cleanser and creams treatment has not worked at all other than to dry his skin, he looks marginally worse and its been nine months of patiently going back — I booked my son for his follow-​up appointment, we needed to move it up due to my need for a hospital treatment (for self), so I called to try to move it up or reluctantly cancel, I was assured we were in luck, she could see us earlier — I rushed to get him from school (in Maryland) we made the (now earlier) appointment on time and waited almost an hour despite my asking several times and explaining the time constraints we had. Finally I asked what the hold up was as I saw the doctor chatting in the lobby clearly not with a patient, her nurse explained my appointment wasn’t for another hour — oh, reception hadn’t explained about the fact they had changed us to a new earlier time — could I now wait until the original time? WHAT A MESS. Incompetent doctor, lousy staff — go elsewhere… as for the person who says this doctor cares about her patients… the doctor just looked bemused then laughed and seemed to think the incident was funny, the fact I am on short term disability for a serious illness, do not have time on my side and took half a day to get my son to an appointment he ended up not being able to have was apparently hilarious. go and see someone who might take you, the practice of their profession, and your treatment seriously unless you have time to be a joke.

I have been having a hard time finding a doctor in the DMV area who does vascular laser treatment and willing to setup an appointment. Thanks to Unilocal,I am so glad to find Dr. Walia. She is very friendly, attentive, patient, and listens to the patient very carefully. She takes time to explain everything from diagnostics and the treatment plans. The office staff is pleasant and efficient as well. Another great thing is that their procedures are priced reasonably even for those services that are not covered by the insurance plan.

I wish all doctors’ offices were run like this one. Every person, whether doctor, support staff, or desk clerk, is courteous and professional. I have never had to wait long enough to pick up something to read! I have seen 2 of the 3 doctors (Fisher and Alms) and they were both fabulous.

Dr. Alms is a great doctor with a delightful sense of humor. He’s been my doctor for years. I can’t recommend him too highly.

Dr Sunny Walia is a Washingtonian top doc for a reason. She really cares about her patients and spends as much time as needed to go over problems… even when there is more than one issue to address. Many other docs that take insurance would have you come back several times, wasting valuable time; Dr Walia does not waste your time.
Dr Walia spends as much time with you as necessary, yet she never keeps you waiting forever to see her, and her staff is very caring and helpful. I had a half hour appointment but ended up with a 45 min appt because I needed more services than initially scheduled to address my skin issues.
She is does the cosmetic procedures herself. She is not like other docs who provide cosmetic services at their practice, but the treatments are provided by a technician, so the doc can double their profits. Sunny does the treatments herself, ensuring they are done right and with the results we want.
Also, she works with her patients to make the cosmetic procedures more affordable. In my case, what insurance considers cosmetic, laser treatment, is really the most effective treatment, and she has made it possible for me to get the treatments. Sunny really cares about her patients.
She will also give you honest recommendations about products that she herself uses, some of which are expensive, but she will only recommend what will work the best for you… and only if you ask her. She does not push products on patients like some greedy docs i have tried.
She is the only doc I have found that pays attention to all of your health issues, because other issues can affect the skin and there can be medication interactions or contraindications. I have had docs prescribe medications that were contraindicated for me and she caught this.
I have seen Dr Walia for 10 yrs and she is the only doc I trust for the reasons above. I recently moved far away from her, but I still travel to see her because she really is the best and most trustworthy dermatologist I have found.

I go to this practice for skin/​mole checks and see Dr. Sunny Walia. During an office visit Dr. Walia biopsied what I thought looked like a simple freckle. Of course I am wondering: «freckle — really?» Turns out it was a MELANOMA — and she caught it soon enough that it had not spread. Hope I am not being overly dramatic but she probably saved my life. I have also visited Dr. Walia for some cosmetic work to address many years of sun damage. I really appreciate the attention she and the rest of the practice give me – from flexibilty in appointment scheduling to the actual office visit.

I have had my scars almost all my life from a hot water accident I recieved at 14 months old. As a child I would limit going to the beach or going to the pool. (As an adult) I am a pretty confident guy, but there is always that subconscious feeling that you’re not on the same playing field or that people were looking at my burns. There has been a dramatic effect (since Dr. Walia’s treatment); everything is basically flat and smooth. In the overall picture, I feel good, it looks good. I know in the next 6 months to a year or 2 years it’s going to look even better. As a provider, Dr. Walia is the best there is.”

After going to Dr. Sunny Walia for almost three years and having had great experiences and treatments in the past, I must say that she has sold out. I trusted Sunny because she stood out from other dermatologists because she was trustworthy and honest; however, I cannot say that anymore because of her reckless and financially-​determined procedures and orders. She orders pointless and unnecessary treatments, which are expensive and poorly done at that. I can only assume it is for money, because I know from going to her for years that she knew better.
I asked to have an obviously benign mole removed (I’ve had it for all my life, it has not changed at all over the course of my life– it was purely cosmetic) but she cut it in half, saying she needed a biopsy, which left a hideous scar! She had it tested; why she did this I do not know, because she said in the patient room that it was a particular type of benign mole. That ‘procedure’ gost me $ 170, and all i got was a scar. The results only stated my mole was benign, and nothing more. And THAT cost $ 150. For getting a scar that is ten times uglier and more noticeable than my original mole, I paid $ 320. She did the opposite of her job.
My mother and father, who had also previously gone to Sunny, had similar experiences. She refused to prescribe any generic prescriptions at all to my father for unexplainable reasons. She did not even supply a decent explanation for insisting on prescribing brand name over generic. We no longer trust nor go to this practice.

Paid out of pocket to see two different doctors. Perplexed as to why I wasn’t referred to the second doctor first as she is the expert when it comes to my skin issue (and I’m quoting what the first doctor said). This means I would have to schedule a third appointment with the second doctor in order to follow up with her. My pockets only run so deep.
The oversight of the front office is not a reflection of the service I received from either doctor (otherwise, the front office is friendly and terrific). What is, however, is the prescribed treatment. If I knew antibiotics would cure my skin woes, I would have gotten a prescription from a family medicine doctor for a nominal co-​pay. And both doctors prescribed them. So basically, I paid $ 130 for an antibiotic prescription. Twice. I think I know my skin fairly well, and having had this condition for over a decade, I know what works. And what doesn’t.
I am sure the doctors are very competent (after all, the Washingtonian says so) but I only have so much time and out of pocket money … additionally, I asked Doctor #2 for another skin related prescription and she refused because my face was too dry and patchy. Her concern is understandable but I would have at least a year to fill it. Was I supposed to come back and pay another $ 130 for it?
I think the problem is a difference of philosophy. I prefer an aggressive course of action immediately and If you are like me, you might get frustrated with the cautious approach.

I am just shy of my 59^th b’day and wanted to give myself a little b’day gift of Botox. On the recommendation of a friend, I saw Sunny Walia, MD. (January 5, 2012).
I liked Dr Walia immediately upon meeting her; she exudes warmth and competence. Her «bedside manner» is lovely. And the results of the Botox are really gorgeous. I’ve had Botox three times previously; twice the results were less than satisfying … (It’s SO important to go to someone you really trust).
I will definitely be back to see Dr Walia; in fact, during my visit with her I asked about a laser treatment to lighten the age spots on my face. She explained in detail what a Fraxel laser could do but I never felt she was hard-​selling me. I’m thinking of doing this in April … part of my b’day gift to myself!
I am very, very pleased with Dr Walia’s work with Botox and recommend her without reservation.