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Post by cahwoo on Sept 1, 2016 15:05:51 GMT
I've never been to a dermotolist (sorry if spelled wrong) So I have some spots I need checked. I'm a bit embarrassed to ask. What happens? I have this picture in my head of laying there naked while a Dr I've just met looks at my body with a magnifying glass.
I know this sound dumb but it's really bothering me.
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 21:40:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2016 15:09:34 GMT
They look over your whole body and I do mean your whole body. It's not the most fun in the world, but I have had them annually for decades because I have a family history of melanoma, have fair skin and lots of moles. I'll take a few minutes of temporary embarrassment each year to minimize my chances of going through the torture my grandmother went through with melanoma.
My doctor will take pictures of any questionable ones to track changes.
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Post by malibou on Sept 1, 2016 15:09:42 GMT
In my experience, it has been very matter of fact. My first time had me going for a strange spot. I stripped down and put on a gown. The dermatologist came in and went over me section by section - without a magnifying glass. She marked a body chart of all the places I had marks. She took off the one I had concerns about for a biopsy. I go very year now, and it's a breeze.
J
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Post by MichyM on Sept 1, 2016 15:34:16 GMT
That's pretty much it. Though my derm just pulls up areas of the gown to look rather than making you lay there stark naked  It's not a big deal IMO....I've gone every year (or more frequently when I see something suspicious) after being diagnosed with melanoma 25 years ago. They've caught two other skin cancers and dozens of precancerous spots since then. So worth 10-15 minutes of feeling uncomfortable! |
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maurchclt
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,623 
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Post by maurchclt on Sept 1, 2016 15:38:10 GMT
I've been to two different dermatologists and in both cases, I wore a gown, sat in a special chair while I was examined. It was quick and efficient.
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,710
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Sept 1, 2016 15:49:07 GMT
I just went last Friday. I wore a paper gown and she checked from head to toe while calling out measurements to her assistant. I go back in 6 months to compare measurements to get a baseline, and then it's annually from that point as long as everything is normal. The whole appointment maybe lasted 15 minutes. ETA: The experience wasn't awkward or embarrassing, but I literally had just come from my well woman exam with a new doctor  |
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Post by Patter on Sept 1, 2016 15:59:17 GMT
I just went on Monday. I am supposed to go every year as I have had 25+ dysplastic areas. However, I just did not find a new dermatologist when we moved. Anyway, my old dermatologist made it quite embarrassing (standing there with a gown but it was all open). I hated standing there while she investigated every inch of me. The new person I went to on Monday was awesome. Gown on but kept me nice and covered except the area she was looking at. She would then cover that area up and move to the next. It was so much nicer than what I had before. Thankfully and surprisingly she didn't find anything so I go back again next year. Yeah!  |
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Post by georgiabeachbum on Sept 1, 2016 16:04:39 GMT
My DH and I go every June for a full body check. Mh Dad has had several skin cancers removed and I'm fair Eastern European skin. I leave bra and underwear on. Doc always asks if I have any spots I need checked in private areas. He does move undies to check butt cheeks, etc. His nurse is also always in the room. Not nearly as uncomfortable as annual gyno.
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Post by georgiabeachbum on Sept 1, 2016 16:05:31 GMT
My DH and I go every June for a full body check. Mh Dad has had several skin cancers removed and I'm fair Eastern European skin. I leave bra and underwear on. Doc always asks if I have any spots I need checked in private areas. He does move undies to check butt cheeks, etc. His nurse is also always in the room. Not nearly as uncomfortable as annual gyno. . We also have paper gown on and only one area exposed at a time. |
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janeinbama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,174
Location: Alabama
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Post by janeinbama on Sept 1, 2016 16:13:13 GMT
We have been going for several years and the dermatologist doesn't make eye contact while he is scanning my skin. I point out the spots I am concerned with and he just keeps looking. I found it strange at first, but does not bother me now. |
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Post by genny on Sept 1, 2016 16:19:49 GMT
They look over your whole body and I do mean your whole body. It's not the most fun in the world, but I have had them annually for decades because I have a family history of melanoma, have fair skin and lots of moles. I'll take a few minutes of temporary embarrassment each year to minimize my chances of going through the torture my grandmother went through with melanoma. My doctor will take pictures of any questionable ones to track changes. ^^^what busy pea said! Our whole family now gets checked after DH's sister died from melanoma. It is a horrid, awful thing and so worth going to get checked. |
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Post by flanz on Sept 1, 2016 16:22:55 GMT
i have been deeply disappointed the two times I went for full body check. it felt like the most casual of glances, not a thorough exam.
Need to find me a good dermatologist!
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Post by scrapmaven on Sept 1, 2016 16:25:28 GMT
It is very quick and so worthwhile. He uses a special magnifying glass and looks over your entire skin. My mom died a horrible death from melanoma and I would rather do this once per year than face that fate.
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,612
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Sept 1, 2016 16:27:31 GMT
Annually. I call it 'mole patrol'.
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Post by krc11 on Sept 1, 2016 16:42:26 GMT
I just had one last month (my first). It wasn't so bad. The dermatologist had me dress down to underwear and bra and put a paper gown. She moved the dress around and just looked at each portion of my body with a nurse taking notes - so I wasn't laying there completely naked. She did move around my underwear and bra when she came to those parts. took 2 biopsies.
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Post by leftturnonly on Sept 1, 2016 16:52:13 GMT
I've had several and for the doc's, it was just another day at the office.
Not so bad, overall.
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Post by whopea on Sept 1, 2016 18:31:23 GMT
We go every year. It's a few minutes of discomfort for a whole lot of peace of mind.
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Post by ShesaRenegade on Sept 1, 2016 18:34:59 GMT
I leave bra and underwear on. Doc always asks if I have any spots I need checked in private areas. He does move undies to check butt cheeks, etc. His nurse is also always in the room. Not nearly as uncomfortable as annual gyno. This was true for my first appointment 2 weeks ago, too. The doctor removed a mole on my neck that concerned him, but it was benign (thank goodness). Save |
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Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,229
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Sept 1, 2016 19:16:13 GMT
I have a history of melanoma. I wear a cloth gown and my panties. The doctor and her assistant uncover one area at a time for the exam. They even look at my scalp by parting my hair in sections. Everything except my crotch is examined by my dermatologist. My Gyn knows about my melanoma history and is very thorough at my annual exam.
If anyone in DFW needs a good dermatologist for skin checks, PM me.
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Post by secondlife on Sept 1, 2016 19:20:56 GMT
Mine has me put on a gown. I actually have a lightweight cotton robe that I take to change into at the gyno and I wear it to the derm too. She looks at every bit of my skin - including my scalp, under my arms, on my behind, and between my toes. She has me leave my underwear on and she moves it as needed as she does look at my buttocks. She does not look at my genitals but that is the only part she doesn't look at.
I acknowledge it is uncomfortable but she looks at skin all day so it's not like there's anything special about mine.
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Post by mirabelleswalker on Sept 1, 2016 19:37:49 GMT
They even look at my scalp by parting my hair in sections. My doctor also checks my scalp, but I have had many people tell me that their derm doesn't. Make sure they check your scalp! I have worked with a couple of teens who had late stage melanoma that originated on their scalps. |
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tuesdaysgone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,832
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Post by tuesdaysgone on Sept 1, 2016 19:53:44 GMT
It's a tad uncomfortable but also so important. You feel a bit like a slab of meat as they work around your body. Of course it doesn't faze the doctor or PA at all...very routine.
I go every year. They found a melanoma on the back of my calf. I doubt I'd ever found it there.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Sept 1, 2016 19:58:11 GMT
Yes. I am very fair and get a full check-up every year. They note each spot, put the little ruler up and photograph each one. That way they have both a size and color record to compare to next year.
My doctor also checks my scalp.
I wouldn't say it's uncomfortable, because it is a small price to pay as compared to them catching something that I probably wouldn't. I guess it's peace of mind for me.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Sept 1, 2016 19:59:49 GMT
I have a history of melanoma. I wear a cloth gown and my panties. The doctor and her assistant uncover one area at a time for the exam. They even look at my scalp by parting my hair in sections. Everything except my crotch is examined by my dermatologist. My Gyn knows about my melanoma history and is very thorough at my annual exam. If anyone in DFW needs a good dermatologist for skin checks, PM me. Marking this in case I am ever in need. |
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newlywoods03
Pearl Clutcher
Blessed Beyond Measure
Posts: 2,828
Jun 26, 2014 3:09:09 GMT
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Post by newlywoods03 on Sept 1, 2016 22:27:46 GMT
I have and I am glad that I did. I went in for one thing. It was the first time I had ever been to the dermatologist. He addressed my issue and then recommended that he do the full body check. He ended up finding a suspicious mole on the back of leg. Had it biopsied and thankfully it wasn't anything serious.
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Post by kellybelly77 on Sept 1, 2016 22:43:59 GMT
In my experience, it has been very matter of fact. My first time had me going for a strange spot. I stripped down and put on a gown. The dermatologist came in and went over me section by section - without a magnifying glass. She marked a body chart of all the places I had marks. She took off the one I had concerns about for a biopsy. I go very year now, and it's a breeze. J This is pretty much what my gal does. I uncover my front, then my back, then my arms, then my legs. Just section by section til she is done. It's not bad. |
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Post by threegirls on Sept 1, 2016 22:46:09 GMT
I have had skin checks by two different dermatologists and the checks were no big deal. As others have said, they check you out one section at a time.
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Post by workingclassdog on Sept 1, 2016 22:48:24 GMT
I have never heard of doing this until I worked with a gal and she was telling me about her yearly skin check. I was like "WHAT?" and she filled me in... apparently I live in the dark ages I have never been. I think I have pretty good skin though, I never see anything new growing. I don't have tons of moles or any skin tag things. So guess I just never thought of it.. of course I never thought of it, I never heard of it. LOL
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Post by paigewh on Sept 1, 2016 23:22:06 GMT
YES! I have had several moles removed (probably 10?), but never had a whole body check until this year. She even went through my hair! I had one mole removed from the bottom of my foot that came back abnormal, so I'll be watching everything closely. I'm going to have it done yearly from here on out. VERY worth it!!!
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 21:40:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2016 23:50:23 GMT
I've visited my dermatologist twice a year for the last 16 yrs. I had melanoma in 2000, when I was 31 yrs old.
I wear a gown and only leave my panties on. My doctor examines me everywhere...EVERYWHERE. ("even where the sun don't shine")
I hate going. Honestly, I prefer going to the GYN annually even if it's a mammogram year.
But being uncomfortable for a few minutes twice a year sure as hell beats melanoma again.
Finding a good dermatologist and building that relationship with them is worth every second of being uncomfortable.
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It's not a big deal IMO....I've gone every year (or more frequently when I see something suspicious) after being diagnosed with melanoma 25 years ago. They've caught two other skin cancers and dozens of precancerous spots since then. So worth 10-15 minutes of feeling uncomfortable!
