Dr. Barry Cohen helped save my life during this Pandemic! During the month of March 2020, my dermatologist removed continuously larger and larger sections (a total of 3 times) of skin from my right shin area, which all kept coming back with biopsy early-stage Melanoma.
April 3rd - Dermatologist said a larger section of skin now needed to be removed, and a skin graft required to replace all the skin I have lost, and as that is a much more extensive procedure than he is capable of, I will need a reconstructive surgeon.
At that point, the country was shut down with the coronaivrus pandemic. Masks and PP gear were in short supply in hospitals, which were strained to capacity on the East Coast. We were all in mandatory lock-down; avoiding going to the grocery store, emergency room or hospital even if we needed to.
Elective surgeries in Maryland were not allowed, in order to reduce the use of scarce PP gear and possible resulting hospital admittance. Unfortunately for me, stats on Melanoma are that it can move through the body quickly, with death as early as 6 months. I didn't want to go to the hospital for my surgery - the virus is there!
But, I remembered "Reconstructive Surgeon" on Dr. Barry Cohen's website. Dr. Cohen has flawlessly performed two facelift/necklift/eyelifts for me. First in 2011, and then I went back to him 8 1/2 years later for another facelift/necklift/eyelift.
His work is perfect; I've been extremely happy with my results. Dr. Cohen has always been caring, and listens, and truly wants to help you achieve your goals for your plastic surgery. He's even told me I didn't need a procedure - he won't do unnecessary work on you just for the money.
You will read all these types of excellent quotes on reviews for other plastic surgeons - but you won't read this :
That day, April 3rd, I emailed Dr. Cohen (because he gives you his personal email address when you are his patient), to ask if he could please help me; I needed a lot more skin removed from my right shin, plus a skin graft as soon as possible and I didn't want to have it done at a hospital.
By State of Maryland order, all plastic surgeons' offices and practices - elective surgeries - were shut down until further notice.
Dr. Cohen emailed back quickly - absolutely yes! - come to his office/surgery center first thing on Monday morning! His office manager, Mo was caring and helpful, and totally on top of arranging it all, texting me all through that weekend and during recovery.
Dr. Cohen opened his office/surgery center and staffed it - just for me - that morning. I first signed all the forms necessary, my health insurance card was entered - and then - because I live in Alexandria, my so-called "gold plan" Blue Cross health insurance came back and said this major necessary surgery would not be covered because Dr. Cohen in Rockville was "out of network".
The referral my dermatologist gave to me was a reconstructive surgeon in Arlington (who only had 2 years experience, but was covered under my Plan), and I could have gone to him - but, I didn't know him - and I trust Dr. Cohen - and I thought my health insurance would cover this necessary surgery even in Rockville.
When Dr. Cohen was informed that my health insurance would not pay, he immediately said that he would do my surgery FREE!
Can you imagine hearing that from your doctor? FREE!
Dr. Cohen got right to work on my surgery then: removing the donor-site skin (taken from my left hip), removing lots more skin from my right shin (sent it off for biopsy), and then grafting my left hip skin onto my right shin.
I've gone on long enough if you've read this far - but - it was a perfect job - my skin graft had a 100% "take" - Dr. Cohen was always available during the 6 weeks as I was healing, sometimes answering my emails and questions 8 times a day - always happy to be helping me.
And all of this during the period when his office/surgery was closed while Maryland would not allow elective plastic surgery.
When you're trying to decide who should be your plastic surgeon, please know that not only is Dr. Cohen's work excellent, but even more - he has a heart of gold - and truly cares about his patients.
I believe the bad reviews below are bogus and fraudulent - they started right after his divorce years ago - friends of his ex? read more