Matthew Mingrone, MD

As a patient of Dr. Mingrone, I’d like to take a moment to contribute my experience. I came to him while considering having Rhinoplasty a few years back. Now that my nose is fully healed I feel I can honestly provide an accurate testimony.
If you have ever pondered having rhinoplasty, or any sort of plastic surgery for that matter, then you’re probably more than aware just how nerve-​wracking this experience can be. Let’s be honest, we’re not experts. We’re not tediously skilled in the arts of plastic surgery or the medicine that encompasses it by any means. I don’t care how much Nip-​Tuck, Botched, or Real housewives of whatever city you’ve seen, the simple fact is many of us are aiming blindly starting off with a Google search of «plastic surgeon near me.» If this is true in your case, look no farther, book a consultation, and here’s why.
I first came across his work as a result of some very strenuous, very thorough research. After reviewing a plethora of before-​and-​after pictures, I called and scheduled a consultation. The phone rang twice, and I was kindly greeted by his staff that was not only able to schedule me promptly but were more than able to answer all of my questions. Upon having my consultation, I was presented with the friendly atmosphere I had been spoiled to expect from my phone call. The practice was easily accessible, clean, inviting and professional. Also and always a plus, the parking was hassle-​free. My consultation started on time, and let me tell you I bombarded Dr. Mingrone with a multitude of questions before he could even introduce himself. For over an hour (no exaggeration here, I am «that patient») he not only answered all my questions and went over all of my concerns but also made sure he knew all the specifics to just exactly everything I disliked and everything I wanted to have, all the while maintaining by far the best bedside manner I have ever encountered with any physician. As if his portfolio wasn’t enough, my encounter with the staff and Dr. Mingrone that day solidified my decision. I scheduled my surgery date before leaving the office. My aftercare and follow-up’s were handled as attentively as my consultation was conducted. My results are truly amazing, the scarring is non– existent and the seams are flawless. I’ve never been happier.
Update: I have since been seen in his office for hearing loss. With an entirely different staff then I can remember not to mention a new location, my experience was yet again as pleasant as possible. The staff was kind and the office was inviting and professional. I was seen on time even though I had failed to arrive as early as I was asked to update my paperwork. Believe it or not some offices penalize you for this whether you realize it. Again, same story. I immediately started with the questions as soon as he walked in the door. Now in my mid-​twenties you can imagine my anxiety when feeling as though I am going completely deaf in one ear. He quickly and thoroughly addressed my concerns and proceeded with his examination. I have noticed in some of the reviews that it had been mentioned a full work up was conducted for issues that were centered around one area. In other words what could my hearing issue possibly have to do with my throat/​nose or vise versa. I imagine considering ENT is combined into one specialty there is a good reason for this. If anything it just goes to show there are still physicians out there that continue to conduct their exams with the upmost due-​diligence. I felt that my needs were met with greatest sincerity. His office is currently working with me to schedule the tests I need to further assess my problem. If there is a solution to my hearing loss I am more than confident he will do his best to assist me in resolving my issue.
As usual, hands down, 5 stars.

Having had a broken septum since the late 60’s, and noting that with each decade that has passed since, breathing has become increasingly more difficult through my right nostril… and lately, there was negligible air getting through that right side at all! With this concern, I was led to contact eOssleep, after having read an advertisement in the newspaper. At my first appointment and exam with Dr. Mingrone, I felt comfortable with his explanation of my problem AND his ability to correct it. I needed directions for doing a home sleep study. Dr. Mingrone also said that my insurance would likely cover most, if not all of my surgery and other related expenses. (The insurance DID cover all of my work.) My dream had been to be able to breathe out of both sides of my nose again. The very day I came out of surgery, my dream was already realized! In addition, I never had ANY pain in the days and weeks that followed. His follow-​up appointments have confirmed my feelings about Dr. Mingrone’s professional care and service. The friendliness and efficiency of his total staff have been nothing short of SUPERB, in every way as well.

Dr. Mingrone has very nice and professional office assistant and receptionist. This is unfortunately the extend of positive experience I had in his office.
I had irritation in my throat, which I suspected was a stuck little fish bone. I made an appointment, got a quote for the consultation, filled out the new patient paperwork.
When doctor came in, he spent 5 — 10 min asking the same irrelevant questions from the paperwork and making handwritten notes. When I told him that I already gave him all the relevant information, and that I want him to look into my throat and if found, take out the fish bone, he got offended. He told that if I do not like the way he conducts the survey, I may want to find a different doctor.
Next he told me that he will look into my ears and nose first. !?
I asked how can it help with the fish bone. His answer was that since he is an ENT doctor, he needs to see the «overall picture» and not miss important details. My response was that I do not see the connection. He said that I should find a different doctor. At that I stood up and left.
I do not want to be treated by a doctor, who a) does not care, b) obnoxious, and c) would charge me for an irrelevant «comprehensive survey».
His receptionist called me 30 min later with apologies and offers of any help. I feel thankful to her. But want to warn the future patients anyway.
I can not say anything about this doctor’s skills. Looks like he specializes in snoring problems. So if you have unlimited time, patience, and do not care how much your insurance bill will be, you may get a service you expect. This was not my case.

I went to Dr. Matthew Mingrone to help me with my snoring that has continued to get worse over the years. It had gotten so bad my marriage was suffering because I kept my wife up (who would in turn wake me up to stop snoring). We basically both were getting very little sleep and needed professional help.
Dr. Mingrone listened to my symptoms, scoped my nose and throat, and explained there was no simple
cure-​all” procedure for everyone and basically laid out a plan of procedures that he suggested be done. At first I thought this is going to be expensive but he and his staff worked with my insurance and the large majority of the cost was covered.
I can’t remembered the technical name of the 3 surgical procedures I had done but I figured if they were going to put me under and I was going to be in pain, might as well get it all done at one time. The place I had the surgery was great and the staff were all friendly and professional. I wish I could tell everyone that there wasn’t much pain afterwards, but I would be lying. Though I only took a couple of days off of work plus a weekend, I can tell you for a little over a week I was not a happy camper. But by 2 weeks 80% of the pain was gone and then starts the good news.
4 weeks after the surgery I asked my wife (I was scared to ask before) if my snoring was getting any better? She said «I have been waiting for you to ask, I haven’t hardly heard you snore for the past week». She ranked my snoring to be 10% of what it was prior to seeing Dr. Mingrone and to me, this is huge and almost along the lines of a miracle (well, it’s really a big deal to me for my wife).
I still have to start working with a mouth guard at night to get the 10% of the snoring completely gone. Not real excited about this but I am willing to do anything to save my marriage (if anyone could relate). Oh, and I also have to lose more weight to help also which might be the hardest part of the whole thing :)
I never looked up Dr. Mingrone on Unilocal and looking at some of the reviews tonight, I’m glad I didn’t because I’m not sure if I would have called him. But I did find him while searching on the internet and I am so glad I found him and trusted in his skills.
John

I went to see Dr. Mingrone re: an old injury where my nose got struck by an elbow during a basketball game. My nose had suffered both internal and external trauma. Over the years the loss of structure caused my nose to droop, nose would easily clog, airflow was restricted, etc. So I consulted w him to get a few things fixed. After a couple examinations we scheduled surgery. It was an outpatient procedure at his facility where everyone treated me extremely well. The surgery went well, very impressed by how little pain I felt post-​surgery. Within a few days the bandages came off and I was able to resume most daily activities.
Now 9 months later, the entire process has gone exactly as Dr. Mingrone had described. My airflow has improved greatly, I’d say 70−80% over what it was before. My nose never clogs, even when I have a cold or allergies. I sleep more deeply. I get more oxygenation during workouts. And externally he fixed my nose exactly the way I wanted it. I’m very happy with the entire process.
The key to having a good outcome is communication: 1) knowing what you want, 2) being able to describe it accurately, and 3) making sure expectations are set properly on both sides. This applies whether you communicate with your wife/​kids, your boss, or your physician. So I’d highly recommend Dr. Mingrone, particularly if you have breathing issues. Nothing better than fixing EVERYTHING that’s wrong w your nose in one shot.

I went to the California Snoring and Sleep clinic and had an initial exam with Dr. Mingrone.

I never ended up using Dr. Mingrone for my deviated septum surgery. However, I did have an office consultation. During the brief consult, Dr. Mingrone put an endoscope up my nose for possible 30 seconds or so. For this, my insurance was charged close to $ 2000 and ended up paying around $ 900. So, I only write this to inform others of my experience. I was reminded as I got another insurance statement about this over 1 year later.
Just as a further note, the other doctor I consulted on this simply had me close one nostral and then the other and breathe each way to determine the deviated septum. Free of charge…

Dr. Mingrone has been my family’s ENT doc for over 10 years. I like his down to earth demeanor and style in that I feel he is always giving it to me straight. He has also been spot on from allergies, to the flu, & any medical advise. I also appreciate that he is available ²⁴⁄₇. My sister is a bit of an over protective mother, and she has him on speed dial (He gave us his cell phone which I am sure he must regret) He always answers and helps, mostly calming her down. I would without question recommend him to anyone.

Dr. Mingrome was the ENT doctor on-​call for the ER at Good Sam Hospital on Sunday evening. We waited and waited and waited for him to come in only to be told that after 10 p.m., he didn’t want to come in any more and instead, instructed us (through the ER doc) that we should make an appointment in the morning, to be seen the same day at his office in Los Gatos. We got home at midnight, I got up the next morning and called his office. The only problem… he wasn’t available locally the same day unless we wanted to drive all the way to San Francisco. As the mother of the patient in question, the predicament that this doctor put us in, made me furious.
Way to disregard someone’s medical emergency and prolong their suffering because you can’t be bothered to A) Come in when it is your job/​assigned responsibility B) Instruct a patient to come in when you aren’t even in town to treat them. What in the world?
You better believe that we didn’t wait around for this clown to have a local appointment available. I called my insurance company and they found someone available to treat my daughter right away.
Two thumbs down. BTW, I’ve forwarded my complaint to Good Sam.

He ripped me off at the Sereno sleep center.

I had extensive septo/​rhinoplasty surgery perform by Dr. Mingrone over 6 years ago — and he did a FANTASTIC job!
I had a deviated septum with 90% closure on the right side, a severly crooked nose (had brocken it 3 times) and was prone to extreme nose bleeds requiring emergency room treatment.
Dr. Mingrone was attentive, respectful, gentle, and the BEST reconstructive nose doctor I had seen. I spent $ 8000 on my surgery and don’t regret a single penny of it = best decision of my life. I can breathe freely and have the nose I had before I broke it — he kept my natural nose and I give him a 5 star rating!

Many of you have messaged me regarding my experience with Matthew Mingrone and asking if I went ahead with my secondary rhinoplasty to fix the old problems left behind by Mingrone as well as the new problems he created on the surgery table. The answer is YES! and I am so HAPPY, words cannot describe it! I went to Dr. Ron Gruber in Emeryville, Ca and he is truly an artist and a phenomenal surgeon. Please do NOT waste your money on Mingrone, even if he does come across as trustworthy and confident. He is a waste of time, money and heartache. A few of you have also e-​mailed me your negative experience with Mingrone and I am sorry to hear that he did the same thing to you as he did to me… I hope that by posting these reviews I save another person a lot of disappointment and possible health risks.
By the way, Mingrone even tried to contact me probably after he read my reviews and when I called back, I was told he was very busy and in surgery and I never heard from him again.
Good luck to anyone who is considering this surgery and if you have any questions please feel free to send me a message.