Community Chat

[celeste27]

Today I went for my yearly exam at a new clinic,new doc. I'm in the same family of clinics so she had all my records. Just turning 71, btw. And she was a family doc, not an internist. Anyway I was asked various questions about my health, medications, any worries etc. Also had a urine test and lipid panel done (tend toward high cholesterol) but do not have test results back. BP and temp,etc taken, listened to heart and lungs, looked in ears. All good EXCEPT that I was fully clothed, including shoes. So no palpation of stomach, no breast exam, no check for feet swelling or whatever. I let it go without questioning because I really just wanted some prescriptions filled and was quite happy to just get that done and get out. HOWEVER, have any of you ever had a "physical" fully clothed? Is this common?

Also, I'm very overweight and she never mentioned it. Now while I was happy to leave with my ego intact and not feel fat-shamed, this doesn't seem right. What do you think?

[deepwaterdotter]

I have had the same ""exam"" as you describe when the stated reason for making the appointment is renewing my prescriptions.

[AndieS]

I would ask her why. You don't have to wait for another appointment; call her and leave a message to call you back. I'd be interested in hearing what she has to say; please let us know.

[gazelle77]

This is the reason I like my internist. No weight taken, clothes on, she hardly touches me. I do a blood work up, and I am out of there.

[biancardi]

when I go in for a physical, I always have to remove my clothing. I would ask your doctor why the new procedure - why didn't they do a breast exam, etc...

[Irshgrl31201]

I also have to remove my clothing and I always get a breast exam and they check my stomach, kidneys, liver etc... Check the pulse in my feet and do knee thingy test along with blood tests. I mean, you or your insurance are paying it for it, why would you not want it done? I hate going to the doctor like the next person but there is an actual reason why we have exams so why not just do it? My last exam was in March and during the breast exam she felt something so I went for a mammogram. I had two and while they think it is nothing I am having a biopsy. If it weren't for that exam, it could have gone unnoticed. I give myself a breast exam but I missed it.

[foundinlv]

When you make an appointment you have to be very detailed in what you want. For example, I went to a skin cancer specialist as I had something questionable on my skin that turned out to be nothing and was shocked that he did not perform a skin cancer exam which I have never had and definitely wanted. But, unknown to me, I didn't specifically request this when I called in for the appointment. The doctor was done with my exam in 2 seconds. Lesson learned but I won't be going back to that office.

[Allegheny]

My doctor does do a quite extensive exam. I ask him not to do the breast exam as I have that done elsewhere. But I am fully clothed. It does bother me that his practice does not ask him patients to disrobe as I think it would be beneficial for him to check for skin lesions. I have brought a few to his attention and he does exam then. Anyway, I think I am going to make an appointment with a dermatologist for a full body check.

[bells4me]

The only time I have removed my clothes is for my gyno & he does my breast exam. Of course I wear one of those gowns with a lap sheet. My family doctor has never had me remove my clothes.

[september]

Yes, I did have one, last week, just as you described, with a new physician.

She ordered blood work, a mammogram, and we'll meet again after she gets those results. Then, the actual physical exam will take place. I think this is what the docs are required to do, now. Lots of new changes taking place in the medical field, due to O Care.