I started seeing Dr Rafalin for my routine Gyn care a couple of years ago. He is always very thorough and makes a point of asking if I have any questions or concerns. He recently delivered my first baby about a month ago. Going to him for all of my prenatal care= a LOT of appointments(first every month, then as I got closer to my due date, weekly- all routine for typical prenatal care), I really got to know him as well as his office staff. Making appointments was always easy and I never had to wait long before I was seen. All of his office staff were very friendly and by the time I reached 3rd trimester, I was on a first name basis with majority of them. By the end of my pregnancy, it took me far longer to get from point A to point B as I waddled everywhere and despite my best efforts, I frequently was running late and they never gave me a hard time. I feel as though my prenatal care was outstanding. When it came to delivery, I had a complication and needed to be induced. Unfortunately, after a lengthy labor and failure to progress, I had to undergo a C-Section. Dr Rafalin spent a lot of time discussing my options and making sure that I was involved in decision making and felt comfortable with everything. The surgery was without complications and my daughter is perfect and healthy. I appreciate that Dr Rafalin is aggressive with post-operative advancement- i.e. - encourages out of bed the next day, foley out asap, and is advanced to regular diet and was okay with me being discharged on POD#1. I can heal much quicker in the comfort of my home, which is just what I did! He also personally called a couple days after to follow up with how I was doing. I must say, he is simply the best- from bedside manner to knowledge and skill level! I would not hesitate to have him deliver my next child! read more

This doctor seems obsessed with unviable pregnancies. We asked for our paperwork so we could go somewhere else and he had already diagnosed me in his notes with an "unviable pregnancy." I'm now 8 months pregnant with a 100% healthy pregnancy. I've never seen doctors notes this out of wack. I also got a bill 7 months! later in the mail for $596.00 for blood work which was previously performed by the fertility clinic we went to. The doctor was 100% aware the blood work was already performed. Not sure they did double tests or why I would be this bill in the mail over 6months later with no results. read more

I've gone here twice, once as a new patient and the second time for a follow up. For new patients, the first exam is VERY thorough, so be prepared for that (pee in a cup, breast exam, pap smear). Dr. Rafalin is overworked. The poor guy was running around trying to help 4 women at once. The nurses are just lazy, as well as the receptionists. They make you wait about 45 minutes to an hour, and will get upset with you if you are late. They like to chat behind the desk when they could have been helping you get ready for the doctor. Also, you will need to fill out paperwork every time, even though you may have been going there for years. Hey, something to do on your hour long wait. Once you are with the doctor, he is very attentive, be sure you have all of your questions prepared ahead of time though. He's got a lot of people waiting. I am glad I only have to go here once a year, since I can't take so much time off of work to sit in a waiting room. The service is okay once you get in the exam room, but the wait is absolutely ridiculous. If you're looking for prompt service, skip this place. read more

Dr. Rafalin is still a really great doctor but the office staff leaves desiring for more. Maybe I'm just getting older but I now have basic expectations for my patient care when I come in - like people smiling and saying hello to me. Walked in today - two receptionists were sitting at the front desk - both talking to a coworker. One sees me, doesn't say anything, picks up the phone and starts calling someone. Ok, she's on a phone I understand - but she looked past me like I was a wall, she could have easily acknowledged me with her gaze non-verbally. Second receptionist looks at me and turns to her computer. Doesn't say anything and just awkwardly silently begins typing away. It's very awkward - but I decide to make it even more awkward and just stand there in front of them while neither one of them even smiles in my direction. After 5 minutes of this "I-see-you-but-am-trying-really-hard-to-ignore-you" game and me standing directly in front of them, one of them finallly says: "Hello, how can I help you?" I get checked in for my appointment, I'm about 10 minutes early - there is a few other women waiting for their appointments. At 4:27 (my appointment is at 4:30), they call another woman to see Dr. R. No biggie, I think - they are a few minutes behind, I'm next. At 4:47 - they call another woman before me for Dr. Rafalin. At this point, I begin to worry about about how late he is running and go check in with a front desk where we proceed to have a comical conversation: Me: " I just wanted to check in how late he's running as my appointment was 20 minutes ago and he just took in a brand new patient" Same receptionist rolling her eyes at me so hard as if I personally annoyed her with questions: " He's on time, you are next" Me: " Well, he can't technically be on time if he's already 20 minutes late" She rolls her eyes, so hard, I wonder how it doesn't hurt her. Then turns and clearly says something to her coworker about me as I sit down. After this, they take me in shortly and Dr. Rafalin is great as always, but as I am nearing the age when I'll be trying to get pregnant - I begin to wonder, if my simple questions annoy them this much and are this much of a nuisance in a normal calm circumstance - how will the office staff act in a case of emergency during pregnancy ? In short, I still love Dr. R but his office staff left me feeling very troubled today and I am sort of overwhelmed with thoughts - he is great but I have a lot of concerns about him being my pregnancy gyn since I'll have to deal with those receptionists before I ever get in touch with him. read more

Dr. Rafalin is AWESOME!! A GEM in this BIG CITY!!! He was very instrumental in the safe and healthy delivery of my son. When I began to experience complications during my pregnancy, he always made sure not only to reassure my husband and I but give us the REAL answers and scope of the situations we were facing. I've called him after hours on many of occasions and received a prompt return call... w/o attitude or frustration. He's Funny & very down to earth! His staff is amazing, all my office visits were efficient, some a lil longer than others but an overall great experience. The safe delivery of my son at 39 wks was an amazing experience, he also performed his circumcision which looks amazing. He checked on us a few times while in the hospital and even during my 6wk follow-up visit attended to every and any concern I had. The ladies on staff are also close to my heart, during my follow-up visit they even baby sat while I was in w/ the doctor... He is now the only OB/GYN I will ever visit! read more

I had my first visit with Dr. Rafalin today, and it was such an efficient and quick appointment. As I was checking in, he overheard me tell the ladies in front that I was on my lunch break, and he did everything in his power to get me in and out of the office as quickly as possible. I sat in the waiting room for 5 minutes, then I had a consult with Dr. Rafalin. He was speedy but certainly not lacking warmth. I waited about 8 minutes for my exam, and then I was out of there. I was in the office for a total of 25 minutes. I found Dr. Rafalin to be extremely knowledgeable and patient with his explanations. It was as pleasant an interaction as one could expect at the lady doc. read more

I have been seeing Dr. Rafalin for about 8 years and trust him implicitly. Dr. Rafalin delivered my daughter and helped me beyond the scope when I had a miscarriage. I have never left the office unclear on what was going on with me and I have never felt rushed or the slightest bit uncomfortable. The staff in his office are always courteous and friendly and I have been emotional in that office on more than one occasion. I intend to have my daughter become a patient of Dr. Rafalins someday. If that doesn't tell you something about him, I don't know what would. read more

I'd been seeing Dr. Rafalin for a few years until finally realized that how I felt after my visits was really not acceptable. Dr. Rafalin is actually a bit of a jerk to be honest. He is very abrasive, makes you wait for 45 mins in the room for him to come in, then is sarcastic and offers zero comfort. He also took a biopsy from me and failed to ask if I was completely numb, which I wasn't, hence I mostly felt the procedure. I kept coming because the location was convenient. No more. read more

the doctor Rafalin was really rude with me. I was pregnant and I had to see an OBgyn for an infection. He made be wait naked to do the exam 45 mins! and then never called me back to give me the result Don't go there read more

Dr. Rafalin is a true professional in his field. I am perplexed by the naysayers who have written before me. On my annual visits over the years, Dr Rafalin has been nothing but professional, and if all within the visit is general routine, although the exam never takes long, he has never made me feel like a 'number', or as if he's rushed as in previous places I have visited over the last 20 years in NYC. In the years that I have been his patient, he has been nothing but caring and direct. That's what I love about him. He's a straight talker! I am the same and, that's worth mentioning here, because I think many times when we have an issue with a doctor, it's because we think they can read our minds. They can't! If we leave any doctor appointment unsatisfied, it's because we didn't voice what we needed. He has seen me through fertility issues. Both of us pretty shocked at a positive reading on an annual visit day, and when we did blood work in a follow up realizing it was a false positive, well, I cried. I went from a crazy high to a desperate low, and I never felt as if I had to pretend to be in control of my emotions. He told me to take as much time as I needed in his office to gather myself. Appropriately sensitive. This past visit, finding a polyp, he new exactly how to give me the strength to get through the very quick procedure. Although I am approaching 50, although I have owned my own business for the last 12 years in NYC, I am forever a scared little kid when it comes to doctors and dentists. Dr. Rafalin is fantastic. I am sorry for those who never gave him the chance to show his expertise, bedside manner, and stellar sense of humor. read more

PROS - Dr. Rafalin himself is very very nice. The office is at a convenient location close to subways/bus routes. Scheduling an appointment was very easy and I never waited longer than 15-20minutes once I arrived. CONS - Physical office cleanliness, staff demeanor and complete lack of communication made me extremely uncomfortable. Dr. Rafalin was recommended by a friend for whom he delivered their baby. Short of the long, after 2 visits including urine samples, ultra sounds and 7 viles of blood work - he never gave me any maternal materials or discussed on what I should and shouldn't be eating, or doing or what our visit and u/s schedules would be like. As a first time Mom, I felt very alone and uninformed when I left him (despite my having already done research going into the first appointment as well as having actually worked in the prenatal industry for the past 6 years). Similarly, he never prescribed a prenatal vitamin so I called to inquire and no one ever called me back. A week later I received a cryptic prescription from his office with no explanation of what it was, no discussion with him on the types of vitamin he would recommend (my mom and I both have issues with vitamins where they make us throw up so we have to be selective) from him, etc. The pills weren't covered by my insurance and were over $100/mo. I called to ask for an alt option, but of course never heard back from his office. At my 2nd visit, the doctor unexpectedly told me I would get a flu shot at this appointment as well as take 7 viles of blood! He never discussed the reasons why a shot was safe or what the blood work was for. The nurse just showed up in the waiting room with the viles and shot. After doing research, I understand its not a big deal to get a flu shot while pregnant (and recommended by Mayo Clinic, etc), but as a FTM of course I have questions and I didn't appreciate feeling forced into something. Shame on me for not demanding to do it at a later date after researching more and talking with my husband, but shame on them for not explaining why certain treatments were being provided. Similarly, after my 2nd visit (more than 9 weeks pregnant) I called his office twice because I had had a horrible cold for over 2 weeks and then started getting the chills and a FEVER. Despite relaying this to again, the answering machine (b/c no humans ever answer their phones there) I never heard back from them! SERIOUSLY!?!?! Your pregnant patient calls TWICE about a FEVER and you don't ever call her back!?!? After that, I canceled my future appointments and found another recommended doctor right in the same area. For the record, I eventually did get a call from office....to tell me that I had to schedule my next appointment after canceling the last one. I told them I decided to go to another practice and they were extremely rude about it, never once asking why I decided to switch...they also never asked how my fever was. Again, the doctor seems like a VERY nice person, however, his overall approach of the practice and the office staff was just not for me. read more

Dr. Rafalin is the absolute best!!! He is a no holds bar physician.. which is why I love and respect the guy! Nothing is ever sugar coated, nor will you enjoy hearing everything he has to say! But he is great at what he does. Exams are a breeze, and the staff at the office are great! To the 2 individuals that gave negative reviews... I'm sorry for your experience, but you all may be a bit too sensitive for the "Rafalin" he's an acquired taste :) read more

UPDATE. After leaving this office for their unnecessary (and unapproved) tests and charges the last two annual exams, I called to have my records faxed to my new doctor. They NEVER sent the records to my new doctor or myself. They would not take my follow up calls to try to get my medical records. Fine. Not OK. But moving on. They just had the gall to call me and try to schedule my 'annual exam' for this year. (obviously I am still just in the system somehow). When I said "I'm sorry, I left your practice after you tried to charge me unnecessarily and you still have not sent my records....." I was interrupted by the receptionist who YELLED "WE ARE NOT SCAM ARTISTS SO YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY!" and hung up on me. She must hear this complaint a lot. Beware. read more

Dr. Rafalin was recommended to me by a friend about 7 years ago. He has deliverd both of my children, and some of my friends children as well. The people to whom I've recommended him all like him as much as I do. Here's the thing though. Dr. Rafalin doesn't baby you, which is exactly why I like him. He's practical and straight forward. His philosophy is that being pregnant isn't an illness or a prison sentence, which encouraged me to remain active and confident throughout my first pregnancy. And, when there were concerns with my second pregnancy and he put me on bedrest, I knew I could trust his judgement. As for the other comments about the wait - as anyone who's been pregnant can tell you, you are at the doctor very frequently. Sometimes there was a wait, but most of the time things moved quickly. Again though, I think it's expectations. I've never gone to a doctor's office where there wasn't some kind of wait at some point, and if it was completely empty, I'd probably be concerned. ;-) read more

Dr. Rafalin is the best ObGyn I've seen. He's really thorough which is important for women's health. I credit him in helping me find an underlying thyroid condition which was preventing me from getting pregnant. Had he not checked, I most likely wouldn't have conceived or carried my baby to term. He was my GYN prior to getting pregnant for a few years and guided me through my whole pregnancy and delivery this year. I can't say enough good things about him and how diligent he is in making sure you're healthy and having a healthy life and pregnancy. read more

Dr. Rafalin delivered my first son, and my husband and I can't be more pleased. He is very relaxed and calm thought extremely knowledgeable and confident. I was very lucky because my pregnancy was very smooth but Dr. Rafalin always take time to answer my questions. All the girls in his office are very nice. During my pregnancy i never had to wait longer than 5 min to be seen by Dr.Rafalin. read more

I am also shocked by the negative reviews here, Dr. Rafalin is an exceptional professional. I was referred to him through RMA after struggling to conceive, and finally getting pregnant and told he was excellent, and I feel he has lived up to that. I've seen him lots over the last year during my pregnancy, and I never wait more than 5mins in the waiting room, or in the exam room. As for demeanor, he is a straight shooter, no doubt- he tells it like it is, but in a highly professional way. He has always been friendly, and clear and communicative. He always answers every question I have. When it came time for me to deliver via c section, he was calm and caring- and always made sure mom and baby were healthy and safe. He explained everything as we went and my recovery was speedy and uncomplicated. I could not be more pleased by my experience with Dr. Rafalin and will continue to see him for my annual check ups. Dr. Mindy Kwan at the practice is also great if you prefer to see a woman Obgyn. read more

Dr. Rafalin was so sarcastic, and rude that I would never go back again. I was offended by his manner, and never had this experience before with any doctor. I considered this to be excessive and demeaning. These are qualities I do not want in a M.D., particularly a male gynecologist. read more

I have been going to Dr. Rafalin for over a year now and I am officially done done done with him. He gives me unnecessary exams/ tests that I don't need. For examples, the last two times i was there he recommended I get a sonogram (NO I AM NOT PREGNANT) and pressured me into it by saying it was hard for him to get a good feel of my right ovary (yes, I may have been squirming a little but nothing out of the ordinary, not enough to warrant a sonogram) THEN he makes me wait another 20 minutes for the sonogram (while he saw another patient). Another thing that really bothered me about dr. rafalin was when i had a question, it was a relatively easy question (for a dr.) and the kind receptionist told me he was busy and if i let her know what my question was she would let him know and he would get back to me. So, I waited and the receptionist called me back with an answer, well I still had a follow up question to his answer and when i asked to speak with him on the phone (for a mere 5 minutes) her response was that Dr. Rafalin said he is too busy and if you have additional questions he said you should book an appointment for a consultation!!! I guess he really doesn't value his patients. I would not recommend a dr. who will not answer my phone calls. read more

Dr Rafalin is a great doctor, delivered my second son more than 14 years ago and he is still my ob-gyn. He always takes good care of his patient, takes his time is asking questions and answering any questions with patience. He and his staff have excellent manners. read more

Dr. Rafalin is a wonderful doctor - very informed and professional, while also having a strong bedside manner. Additionally, his staff is fantastic. Appointments are punctual and efficient. I would definitely recommend to a friend. read more

Incredible doctor, always available, caring and kind. I'm happy with his practice. His team is friendly and helpful.

Believe it or not I actually don't mind a trip to the gyno because of how wonderful Dr. Rafalin and his staff are! I never have to wait long to be seen and can almost always get a last minute appointment. His exams are thorough while still managing to be gentle and quick. Dr. Rafalin has also delivered my first child and will be delivering my second in a matter of months. I enjoy his quick wit and the fact that he tells it like it is. Yes he is busy, but he always takes the time to answer any questions that I have. Also, somehow he makes me feel comfortable even when I have no pants on. Ha! read more

On my way back from a second appointment with this doctor (after the first one I wasn't sure, so decided to give him another try), I kept thinking to myself "what an a-hole!" Seriously. I had no other words. He was very abrasive, did not answer clearly none of my two questions. I stopped asking because I saw clearly my questions were not welcome as he was in a terrible rush. He also had horrible bedside manners and made me feel like taking a shower right after the exam. What a creep. He also forgot(!) to tell me about a test I was supposed to take within a certain period, so by the time they did schedule me, it WAS late. Thankfully, that test's results will be overlapped by the amnio, so the mistake ended up not being hugely important. But still. I just hate the guy. I left the office crying. I told the nurse I was unhappy. I naively thought he would call to apologize later that day. Needless to say, he didn't and I never went back and wish nobody ever would :( read more