Pre-op breast exam - ThinnerTimes

happiness101 · 04-18-2008, 08:45 AM

Is it common to have a manual breast exam by your surgeon (he asked if I'd ever had a mammogram and I hadn't) during a pre-op visit? No one else was in the room at the time and it seemed very spontaneous as I was fully clothed and we were just talking when he asked me to lift my shirt so he could give me the exam.

This happened two weeks ago and even though it did seem a bit weird at the time I didn't get any "yucky" feeling from the doc. Friends and family (including my brother who is an RN) have questioned why the doc would do a spontaneous breast exam. I just mentioned it in passing and now it seems to have been turned into a discussion topic. I called my regular doc and he just stated that he didn't want to guess about why the surgeon would do this. My doc did state that since he does my annual exams this information would be on file and could have been reviewed by the surgeon. My doc truly made me feel that I could view the situation either positively (i.e. 'the surgeon was just doing a quick follow-up of his own') or negatively (i.e. 'could be cause for concern') - which is not helpful at all as I was looking for a real answer.

Anyone have a similar experience? It would sure put my mind at ease if I knew this was a typical thing to have happen. I do not feel comfortable asking the surgeon until I have some more info. He has an incredible reputation with no hint of difficulties and I'd hate to say anything that could cause a conflict if there is no reason to do so. I would drop him in a second if I find that this isn't standard. Thank you for any feedback.

Momof3 · 04-18-2008, 08:55 AM

my dr did, it was quick and part of a routine exam. He felt under my arms too and on my stomach. He was talking the whole time so it was quick and "routine"

not sure what he was feeling for, but he could have been checking for any abnormalities.

Since he's liable, it is smart for him to check things himself so he knows there are no odd lumps or pains he doesnt know about. He cant be sure what your PCP did or didnt do....

No one was in the room when he did my exam either.

Momof3 · 04-18-2008, 08:56 AM

I'd be concerned if say he turned down the lights or offered you a cigarette afterwards

Godsblessedme · 04-18-2008, 09:50 AM

mine did not do an breast exam, but he did want to make sure i had already had my "annual" womans exam. You dont want to have a GBS and then all of a sudden you find you have breast cancer or cervical cancer. But i dont know why your SURGEON would do it. That seems weird to me

txchick1971 · 04-18-2008, 10:19 AM

awww shucks........i wish someone would feel my breasts....

Crie · 04-18-2008, 10:42 AM

my physical exam by the surgeon took all of 5 minutes, he talked through the whole thing and was very professional.

he felt around on my stomach area and under my arms for the lymph nodes. He'd asked if I have had a mamogram and when my last self or physical test was. I do self tests regularly and am under 30 so he was satisfied with that after checking the lymph node areas.

Had I been over 30, he may have done a brief exam like he did with momof3... or maybe she just has a nicer rack

Momof3 · 04-18-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crie

my physical exam by the surgeon took all of 5 minutes, he talked through the whole thing and was very professional.

he felt around on my stomach area and under my arms for the lymph nodes. He'd asked if I have had a mamogram and when my last self or physical test was. I do self tests regularly and am under 30 so he was satisfied with that after checking the lymph node areas.

Had I been over 30, he may have done a brief exam like he did with momof3... or maybe she just has a nicer rack

ROFL..oh no you didnt

I hadnt had a mamogram or anything..and like you, he talked through the whole thing and it was very professional and over in a flash

Godsblessedme · 04-18-2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

i wish someone would feel my breasts....

baaaaahahahahahaha

MiladyB · 04-18-2008, 02:24 PM

My surgeon didn't do it but he has Internists in his office that do the entire preop physical exams. She did a breast exam on me and insisted that I have a mammogram and a pelvic before surgery would be approved. I would feel it is pretty standard practice. The explaination I had was that they want to make sure there is no cancer before they go in and do surgery. I understand that and it really didn't bother me.

They want you in the best health possible before doing surgery.

happiness101 · 04-18-2008, 10:14 PM

Thank you all for the feedback. I'm feeling much better knowing that others had the same type of experience. This is pretty new to me so I'm feeling my way along (uh, oh pun not intended).