I rarely leave negative reviews, but our experience with Dr. James Song at Frontier Dermatology was…read moreserious enough that I feel obligated to share it so other patients can make informed decisions.
My husband underwent an outpatient cyst removal procedure with Dr. Song on May 19, 2026. We were told the procedure went as planned and were given standard aftercare instructions, including avoiding showers and exercise for 24 hours and applying Vaseline afterward.
The following day, less than 24 hours after the procedure, my husband began bleeding heavily through layers of gauze, bandages, and eventually his clothing. We contacted Frontier Dermatology and were instructed to have him lie down and apply pressure. We followed those instructions exactly, but the bleeding continued and worsened.
When we called the after-hours physician, we repeatedly sought guidance about whether we should go to the ER. Despite explaining the situation in detail, we were unable to get a clear answer. We were told we would "probably end up at the ER" but were also told that no one could definitively recommend that course of action without seeing him.
We first went to urgent care, where the physician was uncomfortable treating the wounds because of their depth and complexity. After attempts to stop the bleeding failed, we were sent directly to the emergency room.
At the ER, the physician treated the wounds with silver nitrate to stop the bleeding after hours of unsuccessful attempts elsewhere. We did not return home until approximately 1:00 a.m.
The next day, I filed a formal complaint with Frontier Dermatology regarding both the procedure and the lack of adequate after-hours support. During that conversation, I learned my husband had no follow-up appointment scheduled for two months.
Shortly afterward, Dr. Song personally called my husband and defended the treatment decisions that had been made. Because we were concerned by everything that had happened, my husband sought a second opinion from another dermatologist.
That dermatologist informed him that the wounds were infected and required antibiotics and additional treatment. We were also told that corrective care would now be necessary to reduce the likelihood of significant scarring. During follow-up communication, we learned that no pathology report had been performed on the tissue removed during the procedure.
What should have been a routine outpatient procedure resulted in severe bleeding, an urgent care visit, an ER visit, an infection, additional medical treatment, missed time, stress, and ongoing concerns about long-term scarring.
We understand that complications can happen in medicine. What troubled us most was the combination of the outcome itself, the difficulty obtaining clear guidance when things went wrong, and the need to seek care elsewhere to address the resulting complications.
I hope sharing our experience helps other patients ask questions, seek second opinions when necessary, and make informed decisions about their care.
