Lewis Melba Md - Austin Assn-Otolaryngologist

We had a TERRIBLE experience with Dr. Lewis. We took our 2 1/2 year old to her after our allergist referred us to her for chronic sinusitis, saying that she was very conservative and didn't jump to do surgery on small children. We found the opposite to be true. We only saw Dr. Lewis once and her PA the other two times. They never did a CT scan on our child saying it was too invasive yet, after medicating heavily for 2 months, they wanted to sign our daughter up for endoscopic surgery. We did research on the procedure, talking to three other pediatric ENTs who said they had rarely heard of a procedure this invasive on a toddler. Next, we switched ENTs, had a CT scan performed and turns out our child was perfectly fine. We are so grateful we didn't take Lewis/her staff's opinion to heart that our child was extremely ill and had an infection in the bone with no real evidence to prove this beside some very inconclusive xrays.

Posted 11/06/09 | Report Abuse

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Office staff was horrible! Were arguing loudly and I could hear it all. Made me feel so unconfortable. Dr Lewis, did not seem to know a lot in my opinion and so I decided to go elsewhere(Robert Butler) and got way better analysis and treatment there.

Posted 09/17/09 | Report Abuse

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I have been seeing Dr. Lewis for 5 years for chronic sinusitis. The treatment time has taken so long because I didn't do the rinses as prescribed, I failed to take my antibiotics as she prescribed. The wait is long at times but I wouldn't see anyone else. She is extremely thorough, takes the time to ask the questions and is incredibly kind. I have never had anything but excellent communication with the staff, alway accommodating. In today's world where the medical system is so broken because a doctor has to see 1 patient every 3 minutes like cattle to make the insurance grade, she is refreshing in her skill, care and knowlege. She is currently treating me for tyroid issues. I wouldn't go anywhere else.

Posted 09/10/09 | Report Abuse

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Odd, I just read the other reviews, and am totally puzzled at the negatives. Perhaps they've been corrected. Saw Dr. Lewis last week, Yes, longish wait, but isn't that typical for doctors nowadays? I was happy to wait, because my appointment had been with a PA, and instead there was a cancellation and the Doctor was able to see me. She was careful and kind. The staff seemed competent careful and kind. The office was clean and well kept. Sinusitis sucks, but we're working on that.

Posted 06/21/09 | Report Abuse

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I had my sinus's drilled last year by Dr. Lewis. After the surgery, I lost sense of smell. She blamed it on medication she prescribed. Then she recommended a followup surgery of upper sinus. A second opinion agreed, so I went through with it. I have seen her at least 5 times since, she said it was looking fine. I won't even go into the horribly long wait times at her office. I saw another surgeon a week after my last appointment with her. He said I had no passage way up to upper sinus. I didn't believe him. I asked if she should have noticed it and he said, "I did". So, to verify he gave me CT scan and no passage up there and forehead was clogged. She never mentioned any of that. Even if she did surgery correct and I healed wrong, she should have noticed. DO NOT GO TO HER. I am not being mean to her because she is truly a nice person. I am honestly trying to help YOU out. Don't waste your time and health. Good luck!
P.S. My new surgeon performed the forehead surgery flawlessly. He said bone had grown into the holes. I am actually starting to smell again.

Posted 06/08/09 | Report Abuse

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Unfortunately, I was referred to this ENT. My first office visit, was delayed by 3 HOURS. She seemed knowledgeable, but she didn't help me with my chronic sinus infection. Next visit, again another 2 hour wait and the staff is HORRIBLE, i have no idea who they think they are. By the third visit, i was seriously ill because I've had a sinus infection for over a month. She couldn't see me again, her staff was extremely rude and told me to just go to the general doctor to get more antibiotics!!! Terrible treatment, if you ask me!!! I call another ENT who saw me the same day and cure my sinus infection!!!!

Posted 11/11/08 | Report Abuse

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I saw Dr. Lewis for about a year, and although her office staff was less than pleasant I tolerated the long waits (up to 1.5 hours) because I thought she was nice and seemed competent, and she did spend time with me.

However, it got annoying when my calls were not returned, even when I had a surgery scheduled, and it was annoying when I was flippantly told to go to the ER for an earache because Dr. Lewis was unavailable and they didn't have any nurses or PA's who were there or who could return my call. That was ridiculous. Also records were misplaced frequently.

Then, she scheduled me for surgery, when a dose of prednisone would have done the trick, because she mistakenly thought I had bipolar disorder (it's not good to take prednisone with that disease), which I don't. Instead of asking me if I had that, she simply looked at my list of meds, assumed I was bipolar (I really don't know why; none of my meds were even common or specific for bipolar; one was an anti-seizure used off-label for sleep), and skipped prednisone, which is a typical treatment in cases of difficult-to-treat chronic sinusitis. I know this now.

Luckily, before undergoing surgery, I went for a second opinion to a more competent ENT, who cured my chronic sinusitis without surgery, instead using a two week burst of steroids.

I would not go to someone who takes days to return patients' calls (if at all), and who makes such careless errors. She also needs a PA who comes in every day, not just sometimes, since she has a busy practice.

Posted 04/16/08 | Report Abuse

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No matter how excellent Dr Lewis might be as an ENT (I will never care to know), her staff is a huge disappointment from missed /poorly booked no-show 'in surgery' appointments (2), in error past due notices, missing orders for 'stat' tests, and misplaced films. It is difficult for me to understand how one office manager and one nurse could make these multiple errors. In retrospect, the office had files stacked 3 feet high on counters and all the staff seemingly 'new'. Perhaps she should restrict her practice to infants since as an adult I was in despair due to the indifferent treatment of a 'stat' referral to an ENT. I have little faith that the strident office manager showed Dr. Lewis any of my letters. What goes aorund comes around.

Posted 05/15/07 | Report Abuse

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Dr. Lewis is an excellent doctor who is very thorough and shows genuine concern for her patients. The wait times can sometimes be very long, but also very worth it. She always spent more time than I waited with me during my appointment. Her genuine interest in listening to my concerns and her thorough review of my records resulted in an accurate diagnosis which 3 other physicians had missed. I highly recommend her to those who feel like they have tried everything.

Posted 01/05/07 | Report Abuse

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There is a reason you may spend more than the average time in the waiting room here -- it is because you, too, will be getting the same kind, thoughtful and purposeful care those ahead of you are getting, when it is your turn. I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Lewis. There are a lot of very competent physicians in this field in Austin, but there is no one who will care about you and value your input in your own care as she does.

PROS: Good location, Sees adults *and* children, reasonable fees
CONS: May have a lengthy wait

Posted 02/25/06 | Report Abuse

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