I stripped down at the derm!

[poppyseed]

I have an appointment in a few weeks. I had two places removed 12 years ago and haven't been to the derm since . Now I have a place on my back that is scaring me so I'm going but I'm terrified.

Everyone, go to the derm!

[wambam]

I go Friday morning. I've never had a full body check.

[NothingWrongwithOhio]

Do they just take 'em off at your regular appointment?

I've gone in for a check at three separate offices, one office I had to get a follow up appointment to get various skin tags removed, one office I had to have an appointment with a plastic surgeon, and the (best) last office, the doctor just came in with a can of frozen stuff and froze off like 20 things (I am MOLEY, OKAY!) At my current derm, I didn't have anything to take off last time, but this time I'm insisting on getting a mole removed that gets stuck on my seat belt. I'm wondering if they'll just do it.

What's the norm for this?

[tacosforlife]

I have one in a month. Do you have to stand there totally naked, or do they go section by section?

Is it OK to do a few shots first to relax? LOL.

[whitemerlot]

I have something that looked like a mole on my foot that I picked off that's coming back. I don't want to deal with it.

[Elsa]

I had one in June! One spot biopsied, everything fine. It was easy- everyone should do it! lol (but for real)

[whitemerlot]

Sept 29, 2015 13:40:00 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Sept 29, 2015 13:38:06 GMT -5 whitemerlot said:

I have something that looked like a mole on my foot that I picked off that's coming back. I don't want to deal with it.

GO! Skin cancer is so treatable when it's caught early. It's probably nothing, but please go. 

Can I just ask my primary care doctor at my physical in 2 weeks?

I have a hdhp.

[Deleted]

Sept 29, 2015 13:37:32 GMT -5 NothingWrongwithOhio said:

Do they just take 'em off at your regular appointment?

I've gone in for a check at three separate offices, one office I had to get a follow up appointment to get various skin tags removed, one office I had to have an appointment with a plastic surgeon, and the (best) last office, the doctor just came in with a can of frozen stuff and froze off like 20 things (I am MOLEY, OKAY!) At my current derm, I didn't have anything to take off last time, but this time I'm insisting on getting a mole removed that gets stuck on my seat belt. I'm wondering if they'll just do it.

What's the norm for this?

My Derm does it all in one appointment. I've had several skin tags and barnacles removed at this last appointment. I've never had to schedule a second appointment to have those things removed.

[iheartbanjos]

I go every 6 months. I am blond and fair, have moles like crazy, was a lifeguard in high school, bad burns, etc.

I put it off for years. The first time was scary, but now I don't even worry about it, because if something looks concerning, I know it's been there less than 6 months.

I have been 3 times now and am still getting 1 or 2 moles removed each time, but caring for the area is easy (just vinegar/water mixture and some Vaseline) and I'm having moles removed that have changed or grown in the past 6 months.

I encourage everyone to go! FWIW, I go to a PA instead of an MD since she was so much easier to get into.

[tacosforlife]

Sept 29, 2015 13:39:25 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Sept 29, 2015 13:37:46 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

I have one in a month. Do you have to stand there totally naked, or do they go section by section?

Is it OK to do a few shots first to relax? LOL.

You get to lay down lol. You'll have a gown and they'll just go section by section. It's nbd. And yay for all of us going!!!!!

Sweet Jesus, I hope they have the cloth gown. Somehow I feel like I hold on to more of my dignity in a cloth gown.

[Eagles]

I really need to go. My dermatologist retired suddenly and I'm so overdue. Should I just get a rec from my pcp?

[tacosforlife]

Random, but skin-related: does anyone else have freckles on their lips? Just me? This is a thing, right? Like the next big trend? People are going to be putting fake freckles on their lips to look as cool as me?

[Eagles]

Sept 29, 2015 13:47:15 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Sept 29, 2015 13:45:47 GMT -5 Eagles said:

I really need to go. My dermatologist retired suddenly and I'm so overdue. Should I just get a rec from my pcp?

Depends on your insurance, I didn't need a referral.

OH, and mine doesn't even weigh you, SCORE!

I don't need one either, but I don't know how to pick one. I can go on the insurance website and see who's close, but I like when someone says "Oh, Dr. Rogers is the best, go there." I'm simple.

[cabbagecabbage]

I did a nude full body check at 10 weeks postpartum. The teenage looking nurse was probably horrified but I had met my deductible for the year, damn it!

[pantsparty]

I just went a couple of weeks ago and had 3 moles biopsied. It really wasn't that bad. Better safe than sorry!

[msmerymac]

When I went last week they told me I could get naked or leave on my bra and panties. I split the difference and just took off my bra.

She asked if I knew of any moles in my genital area. I said, "No, but that area doesn't get a lot of sun anyway."

[sharknado]

As soon as I have my insurance set up in NC I'm making an appointment. I used to go yearly until my insurance changed and it was no longer affordable. They used to slice and dice me every year too. I'm sure I'm due.

[womet]

Sept 29, 2015 13:40:45 GMT -5 whitemerlot said:

Sept 29, 2015 13:40:00 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

GO! Skin cancer is so treatable when it's caught early. It's probably nothing, but please go. 

Can I just ask my primary care doctor at my physical in 2 weeks?

I have a hdhp.

I don't want to scare you, but go see a derm. They specialize in this. My dad asked his PCP about a spot on his arm, and the PCP said it looked fine. Dad didn't feel 100% with that, so he made an appt with the derm. She said that she would remove it and biopsy it if he wanted. He did. That mole was melanoma. A large chunk was removed from his arm. I hate to think of what would have happened if he had listened to his PCP.

[niki]

I agree, see a dermatologist.

[CloudBee]

Awesome! I had a derm appointment last week for an unrelated matter (chest scar) and realized it had been just over a year since my last full body check. I go back next month!

I did mention a new mole on my back. She measured it and documented it before I left.

[MixedBerryJam]

Sept 29, 2015 13:39:25 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Sept 29, 2015 13:37:46 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

I have one in a month. Do you have to stand there totally naked, or do they go section by section?

Is it OK to do a few shots first to relax? LOL.

You get to lay down lol. You'll have a gown and they'll just go section by section. It's nbd. And yay for all of us going!!!!!

This. It was verrrrry complete, though. They looked in between my toes!

[iamali]

I've never been and I need to go. I grew up in AZ so I've had my share of sunburns, etc.

I'm scared to make an appointment. I just don't need one more effing thing to deal with this year.

Sent from my Fortress of Snatchiness

[whitemerlot]

Sept 29, 2015 14:41:57 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Sept 29, 2015 14:19:17 GMT -5 womet said:

I don't want to scare you, but go see a derm. They specialize in this. My dad asked his PCP about a spot on his arm, and the PCP said it looked fine. Dad didn't feel 100% with that, so he made an appt with the derm. She said that she would remove it and biopsy it if he wanted. He did. That mole was melanoma. A large chunk was removed from his arm. I hate to think of what would have happened if he had listened to his PCP.

Wait, what is that? All I see is high deductible health plan.

Yes. High deductible health plan.

The thing on my foot is almost invisible now that I've picked it. It looks like a small almost flat wart with a tiny freckle.

[sangria]

I went in May! I had 3 little things frozen off my side. Not moles but they sort of look like little moles. I can't remember what she called them.

Unfortunately I found this gross huge skin tag on my inner thigh that must go so I'm going back soon.

I hate skin tags.

[msmerymac]

Sept 29, 2015 14:53:52 GMT -5 TR said:

Sept 29, 2015 14:12:26 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

When I went last week they told me I could get naked or leave on my bra and panties. I split the difference and just took off my bra.

She asked if I knew of any moles in my genital area. I said, "No, but that area doesn't get a lot of sun anyway."

Many of the pre-cancerous spots my mom has had removed were in a place where the sun don't shine. Not saying you have to display your hush-hush for the doctor, just don't discount the possibility of something showing up somewhere just because it doesn't get sun.

Oh, for sure, I just know of nothing down there. I'll ask my H. 

[brewco]

Sept 29, 2015 14:12:26 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

When I went last week they told me I could get naked or leave on my bra and panties. I split the difference and just took off my bra.

She asked if I knew of any moles in my genital area. I said, "No, but that area doesn't get a lot of sun anyway."

It's worth having your OB/GYN take a look for any moles during your next annual appointment. I work in Mohs (skin cancer surgery) and I promise you- if you have skin there, you can get skin cancer. We do surgery in the genital/anal region frequently. Skin cancer is not always caused by sun exposure. I freeze and cut all tissue specimens in our office and I have cut skin from literally every single part of the body- top of the head to bottom of the feet and every where in between!

It's also good to have your hair stylist do a quick scan for moles that you can point out to your derm too!

[cuccaro]

Just made an appointment! I've been meaning to for months. I've never been and I'm a redhead. Shameful! I can't wait to get it over with.

If you've had moles removed, what are your activity restrictions after?

[msmerymac]

Sept 29, 2015 15:08:45 GMT -5 brewco said:

Sept 29, 2015 14:12:26 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

When I went last week they told me I could get naked or leave on my bra and panties. I split the difference and just took off my bra.

She asked if I knew of any moles in my genital area. I said, "No, but that area doesn't get a lot of sun anyway."

It's worth having your OB/GYN take a look for any moles during your next annual appointment. I work in Mohs (skin cancer surgery) and I promise you- if you have skin there, you can get skin cancer. We do surgery in the genital/anal region frequently. Skin cancer is not always caused by sun exposure. I freeze and cut all tissue specimens in our office and I have cut skin from literally every single part of the body- top of the head to bottom of the feet and every where in between!

It's also good to have your hair stylist do a quick scan for moles that you can point out to your derm too!

Conveniently, I have an OB-GYN appointment next month!

[awick14]

I have never been to a dermatologist, but with all this talk I want to make an appointment. My question though for you ladies is can I make an appointment while pregnant or is it better now to wait until after I have the baby?

[Deleted]

I am so comfortable with getting naked in front of my dermatologist that I sometimes have to remind myself if he has students with him to act somewhat coy.

I have had about 4 moles removed and depending on how much they take out with it I was back to working out in about 3 weeks. But I am a big ole baby.