topic Re: Dermatologist visit in Wellness

Dermatologist visit

LilacTree — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:25:55 GMT

After two months of waiting for this appointment and dreading it, once the dermatologist (a young lady) came into the room, it lasted for about 15 minutes. She was not very friendly, but not unfriendly . . . just extremely professional and quick. She observed my body in less than a minute.

I have many benign keratoses, but except for the one on my temple, she did not remove them (freezing). She excised two small moles/skin tags on my neck. And that was it. She said if I don't hear anything that means they are benign and she didn't expect they would be anything else. She shook my hand and said "have a nice day," and left. It's not as though there were many people in the waiting room, there was one.

Even my daughter who was in the waiting room was surprised. She assumed I had to make another appointment for whatever procedures had to be done. When I told her everything was already done, she just said "wow."

Not that I'm not happy that these growths I have worried about are unimportant, but I was taken aback by the speed with which it was all done and all while I was just sitting in a chair.

This is a highly respected practice with six dermatologists.

Have any of you had this experience? Do you think I should get a second opinion?

Re: Dermatologist visit

Big Joanie — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:34:38 GMT

Absolutely .... I have said my whole life I never want to be told ..."

If only you had come in sooner ...we could have done something ....

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY ....

Re: Dermatologist visit

Puppy Lips — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:35:02 GMT

Second opinion on what? She said if you did not hear anything, that all was okay. I am sure they are going to send them into a lab for testing. She was quick and efficient, and not so friendly. Be glad you are done with it and don't think about it again.

Re: Dermatologist visit

Big Joanie — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:35:22 GMT

As my husband often says " 50% of all doctors graduate in the lower

half of their class ....

Re: Dermatologist visit

Gooday — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:51:37 GMT

I had my dad at the dermatologist's offfice 2 months ago for removal of a basal call CA on his nose. At the initial visit, the Nurse Practitioner (who came highly recommended to use) asked if my dad wanted a full body check. He said, "of course". She checked EVERYTHING including in between his fingers and toes.

She then scheduled the excision of the white spot on his nose. He had 13 sutures inside and out. He had 2 postop visits. She recommended he be checked every six months.

So, his first visit was probably about 15-20 minutes but, she was quite thorough.

Re: Dermatologist visit

tends2dogs — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:57:00 GMT

@LilacTree Maybe I missed a thread where you brought up your concerns about this visit and I missed it. Have you ever had this type of check up before? If so, how does it compare? I am taking away from this post that you feel she didn't take enough time with you. Did she miss parts of your body? It sounds like she isn't an agreessive "burner" of spots. Some are, some aren't. If they don't feel they are "something" they won't burn them because I assume insurance doesn't cover it. You must have had a feeling of dissatisfaction while the exam was going on. It is too bad you didn't ask a few questions while she was in the room so that you could have come away from this being something that can be checked off the list. If you are going to worry about this, it would be better to either, call the office and speak with someone (I know that this is easier said than done) or get a second opinion. Insurance may not pay for that.

It is frustrating to wait so long for an appointment and have it not go as hoped for.

Re: Dermatologist visit

tsavorite — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:58:58 GMT

If you don't feel good/postive about how the appointment went then go to another practice for a full check/second opinion. Sometimes our "gut" feeling could be right.

Re: Dermatologist visit

gmkb — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 18:01:43 GMT

I see the PA at our dermatologist's office and she spends about 20 minutes examining every nook, cranny, crevice, opening and surface of the body, and I do mean all.

She never fails to find something that needs to be biopsied, sprayed or removed.

I live in a sun filled part of the country, so I appreciate this thorough exam.

Re: Dermatologist visit

Juniebugz — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 18:01:52 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
After two months of waiting for this appointment and dreading it, once the dermatologist (a young lady) came into the room, it lasted for about 15 minutes. She was not very friendly, but not unfriendly . . . just extremely professional and quick. She observed my body in less than a minute.

I have many benign keratoses, but except for the one on my temple, she did not remove them (freezing). She excised two small moles/skin tags on my neck. And that was it. She said if I don't hear anything that means they are benign and she didn't expect they would be anything else. She shook my hand and said "have a nice day," and left. It's not as though there were many people in the waiting room, there was one.

Even my daughter who was in the waiting room was surprised. She assumed I had to make another appointment for whatever procedures had to be done. When I told her everything was already done, she just said "wow."

Not that I'm not happy that these growths I have worried about are unimportant, but I was taken aback by the speed with which it was all done and all while I was just sitting in a chair.

This is a highly respected practice with six dermatologists.

Have any of you had this experience? Do you think I should get a second opinion?

Second opinion for what?

Exactly what did this young professional doctor in this highly respected practice do wrong?

Re: Dermatologist visit

Juniebugz — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 18:11:03 GMT

@Big Joanie wrote:
As my husband often says " 50% of all doctors graduate in the lower
half of their class ....

50% of all Rhodes Scholars are in the lower half.

Doesn't mean they're failures or deserve contempt.

Re: Dermatologist visit

sophiamarie — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 18:17:10 GMT

@Juniebugz wrote:
@Big Joanie wrote:
As my husband often says " 50% of all doctors graduate in the lower
half of their class ....

50% of all Rhodes Scholars are in the lower half.

Doesn't mean they're failures or deserve contempt.

@Juniebugz I worked for a doctor who often said "there's no such thing as minor surgery - only minor surgeons"......

Re: Dermatologist visit

software — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 18:21:38 GMT

If I were concerned about melanoma, I would go to a dermatologist that only deals with melanoma. No plastic surgery, nothing else. And yes, they do exist.

Otherwise, wait until you hear back about your tests.

@LilacTree

Re: Dermatologist visit

RedTop — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 18:23:45 GMT

I've had several punch biopsies, several growths sliced off, and four growths frozen thru an initial appointment and a recheck. Not been a big deal, regardless of what was done.

I don't read anything in your post that suggests a second opinion.

Re: Dermatologist visit

Big Joanie — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 18:47:57 GMT

Did I say anything about contempt....?? Or failure ... could there possible

be a Dr. better than another ???

Re: Dermatologist visit

Zhills — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 21:24:48 GMT

My Derm does a quick but thorough exam. Saw one "spot" for years, no comment.

When I asked if the spot, which was getting darker from being outside more, could be removed, she said, "Sure."

She froze it and it fell off in a few days. Apparently, if I was not concerned about it, they had no reason to be concerned about it. Just a benign spot!

I just didn't like where it was located on my neckline!

Re: Dermatologist visit

zitawins — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 21:45:11 GMT

What exactly do you want from the doctor -- or us? Sympathy? Concern? Just be glad your doctor checked everything and found nothing! Are you fishing for problems?

Re: Dermatologist visit

Zhills — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 21:46:20 GMT

'cuse me?

Re: Dermatologist visit

happycat — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 23:04:12 GMT

Yes, my dermatologist is quick like that too. She usually does ask me if there is anything else before she walks out though. I do have faith in her, but she does seem in a hurry lots of the time.

Re: Dermatologist visit

sandraskates — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 00:30:09 GMT

The dermatology practice I've gone to also has a few derms. I've gone in for specific issues, such as a neck cyst.

An appt with the head derm is "wham, bam. . ." you're done. 3 minutes tops.

One of the other derms will spend a little more time but I don't think I've had more than 10 minutes.

Re: Dermatologist visit

Lapdog — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 00:51:33 GMT

I am a Melanoma survivor. I believe that if the Doc was concerned she would have done a punch biopsy.

It sounds like she sent your specimans off for testing. Just call in 10 days or so. That way you won't have to worry.

If there is a problem you will know that too.

My lady doc is very efficient and fast too. She is nice and friendly to me.

She has burned, numbed, and whacked several things.

She looks at them with a magnifier.