Sally Posted July 25, 2001 Share Posted July 25, 2001 What should you expect when seeing a gynachologist? Link to post Share on other sites
Tony T Posted July 25, 2001 Share Posted July 25, 2001 If it's your first visit, most doctors would charge $100 to $150 for a full examination. Now, if it's a routine, yearly exam with pap you can expect a bill of about $65 or so. If you're a member of an HMO, you only have to pay the co-pay which is normally $10 or $25 depending on your plan. If you live in a country with socialized medicine, you have the luxury of looking forward to a nice visit with the doctor. Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted July 25, 2001 Share Posted July 25, 2001 I'm assuming this is your first visit, so this is a long reply, okay? When you get to your appointment, the receptionist signs you in and asks you to fill out an information sheet. She'll also take your insurance information down for her files, and you need to let her know if it is part of an annual well-woman checkup provided through your employer (you pay only an X-amount after the first so-many dollars). You sit and wait until the nurse calls you to her office -- she'll take your blood pressure and weigh you, then chat with you to get an idea of your overall health -- any family history of chronic illnesses, are you on medications, when was your last period, questions like that. This is a good time to bring up any questions you have, because the nurses are pretty good about asking the doctor if you don't feel comfortable broaching the subject, just be sure to let her know you'd prefer her to talk to the gynecologist! Next, you go into the exam room and strip down to your socks, and put on the paper gown the nurse gives you. You sit on the exam table (and wait forever!) for the nurse and gynecologist to come in. (The doctor does NOT do ANY kind of procedure without that nurse in the office -- one, because it creates less of chance of a sexual harassment claim, and two, because he needs her to assist with instruments and to keep you-the-patient comfortable). The doc will listen to your breathing, then does a breast exam. He/she will ask you if you do these kind of exams on yourself -- if you don't, he shows you how and will tell you that you should check your breasts at least once a month for lumps or bumps out of the ordinary. Next, the doctor will ask you to scoot your bottom down to the end of the table, then to lay back and put your feet in the stirrups connected to the table. Basically, it's like when you stuff a turkey -- the bird's legs are up and apart to where you can fill the cavity more easily with stuffing. Most doctors are pretty good about understanding that this is not something you'd rather be doing, so they go out of their way to make it as comfortable as they can. They tell you to relax, then place a speculum inside you. (The speculum is a metal or plastic instrument shaped like a duck's bill and is designed to hold your vagina open while the gynecologist does the exam). He will take what looks like an oversized, one-sided Q-Tip and swab your cervix with it. That is so they can send it off to the lab and check for any abnormal cell growth. The doctor removes the speculum and next does a two-finger manual assessment of your cervix to check its texture and shape. (Not to worry, they wear gloves through the whole thing and liberally use KY jelly to cut down on the discomfort). And guess what? He's done with your exam. This generally is a good time to ask questions if you have any, or if you don't seem sure, he'll tell you to stop by his office before you leave for a quick consultation. You will get sent a card after 2 weeks, letting you know the results of the cervical smear. In my experience, the doctors I've been to have all been pretty good about talking me through the procedure and being responsive to any real (or imagined) pain. However, before you get lined up with someone, ask your mom, your sisters, your girlfriends who they recommend and why. It's a pretty up-close and invasive procedure you'll be going through, and it definitely helps to have a gynecologist you feel comfortable with. In all honesty, the only bad part about the exam is the actual waiting for the doctor to come check you. The rest of it takes 15 minutes or less. Hope this answers your question without grossing out any of the other readers ... quankanne Link to post Share on other sites
Laurynn Posted July 26, 2001 Share Posted July 26, 2001 Not only did she have questions about "gynachologists" but she also misspelled it exactly like you have. Imagine that. Next thing you know, someone named Pamela will come along and ask the same question *grin* L What should you expect when seeing a gynachologist? Link to post Share on other sites
Tony T Posted July 26, 2001 Share Posted July 26, 2001 Anyway, I want you to no I can spill corectly. Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted July 26, 2001 Share Posted July 26, 2001 hukt on fonnex wurkz 4 mee! (damned spellchecker don't work here...) Link to post Share on other sites
melody Posted July 26, 2001 Share Posted July 26, 2001 maybe gynecologist correct spelling laugh hukt on fonnex wurkz 4 mee! (damned spellchecker don't work here...) Link to post Share on other sites
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