My top surgery is scheduled for August 7th and I have to get a physical within 30 days to confirm that I'm healthy enough for surgery. I honestly can't remember the last time I had a physical, so i was wondering what does that entail? Will I have to take off my binder?

Quote from: dapperseb on June 25, 2014, 01:34:14 PM
My top surgery is scheduled for August 7th and I have to get a physical within 30 days to confirm that I'm healthy enough for surgery. I honestly can't remember the last time I had a physical, so i was wondering what does that entail? Will I have to take off my binder?

In a physical they typically check things like blood pressure, resting heart rate, weight/height (which usually a nurse will do. They'll also need a urine sample before you go into the examination room.

Then once the doctor comes in she/he will do a more thorough exam checking breathing/heart beat (for any irregularities), check your ears and throat, check your pelvic area, they'll do a breast/chest exam and if you're due for one they'll do a PAP test as well (here in Ontario, Canada the regulations were recently changed from every year to every three years, but will depend on what the recommendations are where you live). They'll also ask you various questions about things like sexual activity, drinking, smoking, exercise and ask you about any health concerns you might have.

Afterwards, they'll send you for blood work.

And just to add, yes you'll likely have to take your binder off so that they can check breathing, do exam etc. But if this is for surgery just remember that it'll be the last time you'll have to worry about that!

Hope that helps

I got a breast exam. It wasn't fun but oh well last one EVER! Also EKG, which is rather impossible with binder on. I was given a lovely gown and changed into it.


--Jay

I think it depends on your doctor. When I had my last physical in September I didn't have to take my binder off at all. They checked height/weight, eyesight, ears and throat, reflexes, and to see if I had scoliosis. My doctor listened to my breathing through my binder and even did the scoliosis test while I was wearing it. I was expecting her to tell me to take it off because usually they like to see your spine but she just had me bend over and saw that my back wasn't twisted or anything when I did that. So yeah, I think it's all up to your doctor. You could try asking them to try to avoid making you take off your binder, but if you do have something like a breast exam then obviously there's no getting around it then.

My presurgical exam involved assessing risk factors for surgery. They didn't mess around with any of that "female exam" stuff. Unless your surgeon gave you a form to take with you, you should specify to your doctor that the physical is simply for surgery clearance. You might avoid some of the anticipated unpleasantness.

Quote from: FindingJames on June 26, 2014, 02:53:45 AM
I think it depends on your doctor. When I had my last physical in September I didn't have to take my binder off at all. They checked height/weight, eyesight, ears and throat, reflexes, and to see if I had scoliosis. My doctor listened to my breathing through my binder and even did the scoliosis test while I was wearing it. I was expecting her to tell me to take it off because usually they like to see your spine but she just had me bend over and saw that my back wasn't twisted or anything when I did that. So yeah, I think it's all up to your doctor. You could try asking them to try to avoid making you take off your binder, but if you do have something like a breast exam then obviously there's no getting around it then.

In Canada its pretty standard to do a breast exam every physical for health reasons, and as much as trans guys may hate it I still think its best to be on the safe side and get them done regularly by your family doctor. Don't think I've ever had a physical where they didn't do one.

Quote from: Arch on June 26, 2014, 04:49:10 AM
My presurgical exam involved assessing risk factors for surgery. They didn't mess around with any of that "female exam" stuff. Unless your surgeon gave you a form to take with you, you should specify to your doctor that the physical is simply for surgery clearance. You might avoid some of the anticipated unpleasantness.

Again find it a bit strange for even a pre-surgery exam not to include things like a breast exam unless you've already had a physical that year. Even if you're getting surgery there's a need to make sure that everything's alright and there are no unusual lumps beforehand. And note that the OP said that he hasn't had a physical in a while...

I didn't need a physical or even bloodwork before my top surgery.

QuoteAgain find it a bit strange for even a pre-surgery exam not to include things like a breast exam unless you've already had a physical that year.

I'd call it fortunate rather than strange. Of course, yes cancer and all that is higher in transmen because we tend not to like those exams. But, personally I'd have more anxiety over an exam than cancer.

Quote from: TrojanMan on June 27, 2014, 12:30:28 AM
I'd call it fortunate rather than strange. Of course, yes cancer and all that is higher in transmen because we tend not to like those exams. But, personally I'd have more anxiety over an exam than cancer.

From a medical perspective it is strange because a doctor's role is to help ensure a patient's health. Unless discussed previously with the doctor, it is, indeed, very strange not to have one. Here in Ontario the health care system has focusing more and more and raising awareness amongst physicians and patients on trans and queer health, so to me a doctor who does not even talk about a breast exam or discuss why its important even prior to surgery is either misinformed or simply does not care.

@Berserk, I've never had that stuff done at a regular physical exam. It's always been a separate thing. I suspect that we just do things differently here.

But my surgeon did insist on a mammogram.

If I really have to have a breast exam I will, better safe than sorry since cancer runs in my family. I'm not sure if anyone has had breast cancer, but I know other types have occurred. I shouldn't have to get a mammogram though since I'm pretty sure they aren't required under a certain age, and I'm only 23. I did get a paper from my doctor stating what bloodwork I needed done, but that was about it. I think on the other paper it said it's just a surgical clearance physical.
I was told a few years ago I have mild scoliosis so I wouldn't mind taking my binder off to test that stuff since it kind of makes me slouch and won't give an accurate view of my spine I suppose.
I'll just think of it as this is the last time I'll ever have to do this before Garramone does his examination and bye-bye fat sacks.

I'm not entirely sure though if my GP has too much experience with trans people. I'm just going to the guy that was assigned to me through my work when I got health insurance. I had my friend call his office for me to see if he's ever had trans patients and they said yes but not very many, so we will see.
I don't know if I could handle getting a pap though, especially not from a male doctor that I have ever met before. If that's ever necessary I will go to the woman who prescribes my hormones because I'm super comfortable with her.