Bock Gerald N MD

NOPE, JUST NOPE .
I made an appointment for my severe cystic acne which disqualified me from joining the Marine Corp (i know, ridiculous). I was getting so depressed because I couldn’t find a dermatologist who wouldn’t recommend doxycycline even though I keep saying I’ve been on it before and it didn’t work at all; also because of all the acne, scars, and pits on my face. I came in and at first Dr. Bock was welcoming and very patient when I explained and told him my story. He instantly gave me options for oral medication, but said the best thing for me was accutane. I immediately kicked aside that suggestion and explained I couldn’t take accutane because that’s an immediate disqualifier in the military. He sent me home to think about which medication I wanted to take and to come back. The day I came back, I needed some cortisone shots on my face because I had an important dinner to go to. When he came in the room, he immediately brought up accutane and that cortisone shots are only a temporary solution. I, again, explained that I will not be taking accutane and that I knew it was temporary but I just needed my very inflamed acne flattened. He gave me a very disapproving and disappointing face saying «well, I don’t think the other medications will really help as much as accutane. Almost all my patients with acne are on accutane.» Again, I told him I can’t take accutane. Again, he pushes saying «All those side effects you hear about only happen very, very, very rarely. From what I can see now on your face, that is the only thing that will help you.» I was getting very uncomfortable at this point which he failed to see and AGAIN, I said that I WILL NOT BE TAKING ACCUTANE. And again he pushes and insults me saying «Nothing else is going to help your face better than accutane. Do you really want to walk around looking like that? No one deserves to walk around with that on their face. Acne is such an ugly thing, do you really want to look like that walking around, living your life looking like that?» … I drove home in tears… That was my last appointment. I never went back. No, I didn’t take any of the medications he prescribed because before I almost gave up hope, I found a wonderful skin esthetician that did wonders and helped me with my skin. I no longer have acne. No medications or anything. Accutane my a**.

I came in to have my chin looked at, because I was concerned about sun damage. I have rough spots on my chin that come back even after I scrub them off, so I thought they might be keratoses. I have very fair skin and lots of freckles. The nurse had me take my top off and put on a paper smock, but she also asked if I wanted to have my legs checked… which I said no to. When Dr. Bock came in, the first thing he asked about was checking my legs, and when I politely declined, he gave me a disapproving look and lecture about melanoma spots being common on women’s legs. However, when we actually got to the subject at hand, my chin, he said it just «looks like an irritation.» Which he decided in less than one minute and he didn’t even touch or inspect the skin very closely. He told me that I needed to wear sunscreen everyday unless I wanted to have «ugly brown spots and wrinkles,» and suggested a sunscreen that they sell in office (how convenient), and prescribed a steroid cream for the «irritation.» To summarize, my concerns were not taken seriously, he spent all of 5 minutes in the exam room and made me feel uncomfortable about not wanting to have my legs inspected, and then emphasized APPEARANCE of skin rather than HEALTH. I felt like they were trying to sell me products and get a follow up appointment (the office visit was expensive) instead of actually addressing the issue I have. I reluctantly used the steroid cream for the prescribed time, and it did not help the the rough skin at all. I have to go see another dermatologist who will hopefully be more helpful. I will not be returning to Dr. Bock.

Last year, I went in to see Dr. Bock for laser tattoo removal. At my initial consult (which mind you, was *strictly* about wanting this tattoo on the back of my neck removed) once he had addressed this issue he then felt it necessary to chime in, «now would you like me to tell you what I can do about those bags under your eyes?»…REALLY? How effing rude can you be? But after reading the other negative review on this guy, it doesn’t really surprise me one bit. My guess is, this is his usual bedside manner. Suggestion, doc… this kind of «suggestive selling» is inappropriate and extremely unprofessional, and had you said this to the WRONG person, you might have caused an unnecessary case of lifelong self conscious insecurity. I have actually had blepharoplasty on my lower lids, done by Dr. Burlin ten years prior. But there is only so much that surgery can do, especially when it is a heredity thing and you have seasonal allergies on top of it. We cannot all afford (or even want) expensive (and sometimes unsuccessful) filler treatments to try and continually correct something YOU see wrong with us, as patients. I think suggesting them without being asked is downright tacky of you, quite honestly.

I have been seeing Dr. Bock for many years and have since moved away from Stockton, but I still travel back just to see him. I have been to other dermatologists in these other areas, such as Seal Beach, Petaluma, etc. and he is one of the best. So it is worth it to me to keep him as my doctor; very knowledgeable, «current» on aesthetics, responsible medical care and a caring, friendly well-​run office. If you want a real doctor (not just an aesthetic huckster) and true professional, go see Dr. Bock.

Thank you so much Dr. Bock!
I lost my husband last year, and after losing weight and all the worry my face was looking sooooo sad. I went in and asked him to please take the sad off my face… I love the Restylane injections I had today, it looks so natural and there wasn’t even any pain having it done. Dr. Bock took the time to answer ALL my questions, explained what he was going to do and I never felt rushed or pressured, he made me feel very at ease with the procedure.
I also can’t thank his wonderful staff enough, his assistant Amber was so nice and made sure I was comfortable and doing ok at all times… also thanks to Gene, Blanca & Selina, for putting up with me changing my appointment so many times, and getting me in as fast as you did… I was called to Jury Duty and never knew when I was going to be free for my appointment, you guys were so sweet to me every time I called.
I would highly recommend you to my friends and family.
Thanks again :)

I had a lower face lift by Dr. Bock and I could not be happier. It took years off my face and looks completely natural. My friends tell me that you cannot tell I had anything done. I am very pleased with the result and I will return for anything else I want to have done. I would highly recommend. The Gals that work with him are a big plus too– they are really helpful and nice.

This review is based on the 6 tattoo laser treatments I have received, before getting a 2^nd opinion. (shame on me) The intial visit with Dr. Bock consisted of his nurses pushing skin treatments on me. They would not take a polite «no», I had to get direct for them to back off. After addressing my tattoo, Dr. Bock felt it was appropriate to dissect my face and offer injections to take care of the bags under my eyes. I walked out of there feeling very «unpretty». Placing that aside, I chose to follow thru with treatments. treating a tattoo is a bit of a guessing game. They set the laser to a certain level and ZAP. The laser breaks up the ink and your body absorbs the ink. What the nurses NEVER tried before a treatment was test an area to see if the tattoo was responding to the level they set it too. Infact, I called several times explaining that I felt something was wrong with their laser because there was NO response to the treatment, no swelling, no tenderness, no trace that I just had a treatment. At $$$$$ each treatment, my patience and wallet were running thin. The just wanted to schedule another appt, $$$
I finally decided to travel to Sacramento to get a 2^nd opinion. In the 5minute evaluation, I learned MORE about treatments and what the body does when the laser breaks up the ink. I have now had 3 treatments at another facility and have seen AWESOME results in the 3, than I did in the SIX at Dr. Bock’s office. The facilty I go to now has 3 different lasers, uses both of them, ALWAYS test the areas to insure the treament will be successful and WANT you to see results! I feel with as many chances as I gave Dr. Bock’s office, my review is valid and not based on just one bad visit. Dr. Bick will just take your money… if you let him!
Please make the extra time and travel to get a 2^nd opinion, in the end it will save you money and your self esteem!