Damian Portela's Online Review Report Card

I have never met a more unprofessional and uncaring excuse for a doctor in my life. After arriving for a scheduled appointment immediately after the office lunch break, we were told that the doctor had not yet returned from lunch. Fifty minutes later, I approached front desk staff only to be told that he had not returned and his whereabouts were unknown and there was no ability to contact him. I questioned how it could be possible that a doctor with a 2:00 PM appointment was MIA nearly an hour later but no one had an answer. Just then, Dr. Portela walked in and his response was “I don’t have to tell you or anyone where I am or what I’m doing “. I let him know that professionalism and common courtesy are not his strong suit and that a caring doctor would advise his staff to notify a patient if running late. As he shrugged his shoulders in disregard, I realized that this is not the office that I would choose for any procedure for my 80 year old mother who was the patient in this case, for myself or even my worst enemy. I’m certain we’ll find better care elsewhere since they have set the bar so low.

I have never met a more unprofessional and uncaring excuse for a doctor in my life. Fifty minutes after arriving for an appointment front desk staff said his whereabouts were unknown and there was no ability to contact him. I questioned how it could be possible that a doctor with a 2:00 PM appointment was MIA nearly an hour later but no one had an answer. Just then, Dr. Portela walked in and his response was “I don’t have to tell you or anyone where I am or what I’m doing “. I let him know that professionalism and common courtesy are not his strong suit and that a caring doctor would advise his staff to notify a patient if running late. As he shrugged his shoulders in disregard, I realized that this is not the office that I would choose for any procedure for my 80 year old mother who was the patient in this case, for myself or for my worst enemy. I’m confident we’ll find better care elsewhere since the bar has been set so low.

Fifty minutes after arriving for an appointment, I approached the front desk staff only to be told that Dr. Portela had not returned from lunch and his whereabouts were unknown and there was no ability to contact him. I questioned how it could be possible that a doctor with a 2:00 PM appointment was MIA nearly an hour later but no one had an answer. Just then, Dr. Portela walked in and his response was “I don’t have to tell you or anyone where I am or what I’m doing “. I let him know that professionalism and common courtesy are not his strong suit and that a caring doctor would advise his staff to notify a patient if running late. As he shrugged his shoulders in disregard, I realized that this is not the office that I would choose for any procedure for my 80 year old mother who was the patient in this case, for myself or even my worst enemy. I’m certain we’ll find better care elsewhere since they have set the bar so low.

I have never met a more unprofessional and uncaring excuse for a doctor in my life. After arriving for a scheduled appointment immediately after the office lunch break, we were told that the doctor had not yet returned from lunch. Fifty minutes later, I approached front desk staff only to be told that he had not returned and his whereabouts were unknown and there was no ability to contact him. I questioned how it could be possible that a doctor with a 2:00 PM appointment was MIA nearly an hour later but no one had an answer. Just then, Dr. Portela walked in and his response was “I don’t have to tell you or anyone where I am or what I’m doing “. I let him know that professionalism and common courtesy are not his strong suit and that a caring doctor would advise his staff to notify a patient if running late. As he shrugged his shoulders in disregard, I realized that this is not the office that I would choose for any procedure for my 80 year old mother who was the patient in this case, for myself or even my worst enemy. I’m certain we’ll find better care elsewhere since they have set the bar so low.

I wish I could give less than a 1 star. What a horrible man. He actually ordered my pre-op (bloodwork, EKG, etc.). Scheduled my surgery. How dare he decide NOT to operate on a Democrat? It is illegal and disgusting. He cancelled my surgery after I waited for his Highness for 45 minutes to get on our Zoom call. Because I objected to Fox News blasting on every TV in their office, he did not take his Hippocratic Oath seriously. If he is going to refuse to operate on someone because they do not like Trump, he should choose another profession. Maybe he caught a roll of paper towels when Trump threw them at the Puerto Ricans after Hurricane Maria? This guy is from Puerto Rico and Hispanic. Do not waste your time and money. He should be thrown out of the Medical Society. Maybe he doesn't like blue eyes either? Don't be a doctor, then, dude.

Was referred to dr Portela due to positive FISH test (bladder cancer.) Broke my COVID quarantine because, well, cancer. To start, office was filthy. The tile floors in staff area were 100 shades lighter where chair legs had scraped off the dirt. No clean pens. Papers, insurance cards, etc. passed around to staffers then to me without cleaning... and no one used Purell. Urine sample had no cover, no sterile container, no place to go. They wanted to do pelvic exam and cytoscopy despite my just having had these procedures. Doc wanted me to come back every few months for four years for $4-5,000 procedures each time. He used the ‘cancer fear’ threat... citing examples where people ignored his advice and died. I had to press for a phone call to get results of his FISH test. He said that it was negative and I didn’t need treatment. Then, I had to call three times to get a written copy of the test results — which were actually positive!!! I’ll get treated, but never, ever by this dr.

I first met Dr Portela when I was in the hospital as he was the DR. on duty. He seemed so caring. When other doctors had said there was nothing they could do for me, he assured me that there were things we could try. I asked if he would be my Urologist right then. At my first office visit he was 45 minutes late (11:00 appointment, he opened the door at 11:45) which was frustrating, but then he started asking about me (the person) and my history with my condition. All of a sudden I realized it was after 1 0'clock...I believe he gave up his lunch time to talk with me. I immediately realized why he was so late...He gets completely engrossed in the patient before me he was with and sometimes that may be frustrating for the next person, but what a wonderful thing to find in doctor today! Someone who wants to listen! 2 stars for being late, but 8 stars for being so passionate about his patients. Be patient with him and you will have the best care you have ever had.

Terrible doctor.. literally pulled an internal stent out of my husband without numbing or anything it was the most barbaric thing I’ve ever seen and a good urologist would NEVER do that.. I’ve never been to the loxahatchee location but his location in Wellington was HORRIBLE. No follow up done or even preventative even though 3 years in a row he’s needed surgery... Find yourself a better urologist this guys doesn’t care you’re just a number

If someone knows what is he doing, is Dr. Portela. Very accurate with his diagnostics, explains clear and his treatments are to the point and work the best. He has showed a high human quality. His nurses and office staff work with him as a team. All fine people to take care of my illness. Thank you all

I first came to Dr Portela in the early 2000’s. At the time was struggling with BPH, an Enlarged Prostate. As a result was not getting much sleep during that period of time because of frequent urination caused by BPH. In addition to BPH, I had blood work done which revealed my PSA level was 14, which is dangerously high, 4 and below being the ideal levels. Having a PSA of 14 made me a potential candidate for Prostate cancer! needless to say I was extremely concerned. Dr Portela explained to me in detail what his treatment plan going forward would entail. From my very first visit with Dr Portela, not only did I feel extremely comfortable but confident as well in his abilities. After a number of office visits, prescribed meds and biopsies. We began to discuss surgery to reduce the size of my enlarged prostate. At the time Lazer surgery was becoming quite popular and therefore became one of my options. However, was not sure it was the best option for me! There were several other options I was exploring but was not sure which way to go. So I decided to pick Dr Portela’s brain. I remember like it was yesterday approaching him and asking , “ If I was your Father standing right here in front of you, which procedure would you recommend?” His response was the TURP procedure, which Drs jokingly referred to at the time as Roto Rooter! In his opinion it was the GoldStandard of the day! I had the TURPprocedure done in 2005 and to this daybecause of that surgery and meds he prescribed I no longer struggle with frequent urination or Prostate Enlargement. My last visit with Dr Portela was in November of 2011.I will always remember him for hishis professionalism, his caring and his genuine concern about my wellbeing!!For me he was more than just my Dr, he became a friend to me and my Family!!I will forever be indebted to him. I believe he very well could have possiblysaved my Life! By the way, forgot to mention, when I left Portela’s office forthe final time in 2011 my PSA Level was 4!! The only reason I do not stillsee Dr Portela is that VA now handlesall my healthcare. In closing, my Familyand I will always have Dr Portela in our hearts and minds. May God Bless himand his Family Always!Sincerely,Raymond Romero & Family