Annual Physical
Yesterday was the scheduled date for my annual physical examination. The appointed time was 11:00 but on Tuesday evening I found a message on the answering machine asking me to arrive at 10:30. I actually arrived at 10:20. Apparently they had some unexpected problems. The doctor, Dr. G, was unable to see me until 11:00.
I had seen my endocrinologist, Dr. F, two weeks previously, and he had done a battery of blood chemistry on me, as usual. I time the visits so that the results of any lab work will get from one doctor to the other by the time I arrive, but it never happens. This time Dr. F had been so happy with my cholesterol (150) that he had sent me a copy of that page of the lab report and I was able to give it to Dr. G. They work in the same building, running the same tests on the same patient, yet I always have to fight to establish communications between them.
Okay, I had gained weight during November and December which I had mostly shed already. No new problems, except that I had fallen and banged up my right knee on Tuesday. It didn't hurt on Wednesday but hurt and had an egg-side swelling when I went in for the exam on Thursday. Dr. G thought I might have split a membrane and might be accumulating fluid on the knee. He sent me off for X-rays. After his examination and the X-ray technician banging my knee on the metal table and on his film holders, my knee developed some really serious pains. They are mostly gone now, though.
As usual, Dr. G wants me to have a treadmill test. I may actually do it this time. It has been about ten years since the last one. He also wants me to talk to Dr. F about a gastric bypass. He can't authorize it himself, nor can he suggest it to Dr. F, the specialist who can authorize it, but he thinks that having my stomach sewed shut enough to drastically reduce its capacity might cause me to lose enough weight to get off of medication completely. I indicated that I would think about it. I may spend months -- or even years -- thinking about it.
There were no big surprises.
Comments (3)
I've noticed that doctors' office always ask people to show up 30 mins before they're scheduled appointment. That's what the call was, I'm sure, not an actual change in the time slot. They just assume everyone will be late.
BTW, don't do the gastric bypass. And if you do, do it here at Boston Medical Center. The world's foremost gastric surgeon works here. Gastric surgery is a very tricky surgery.
I agree with Derek...surgery, any surgery can have complications...a second opinion would be a great idea too...I'm glad you've indicated that you're not going to be hasty in making that decision. ~Spot~
As a nurse, it has been my experience that it is a firm policy of some physicians to communicate as poorly as possible with as many people as possible!
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