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Question about first dermatologist appointment

Forums Cutaneous Melanoma Community Question about first dermatologist appointment

  • Post
    liana
    Participant
      I have my first dermatology appointment on June 15 to get some moles checked out. They are both on my bottom of my left foot, on the sole, and one of them has started changing shape, so I would really like to get them removed asap. Do derms remove moles on the first visit? Or is it something that they look at and schedule a removal for later on? I’m asking because I have been waiting for this appointment for a long time and I do not want to do any more waiting as these moles have me concerned.
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    • Replies
        Julie in SoCal
        Participant
          Hi Liana,

          Good for you for getting this checked out.

          I’ve had 2 derms. 1 removed stuff in her office , same day – no problem. The other sent me out to another guy. I think the difference is personal preference of the derm, scheduling and location of the funk to be removed. Sorry this isn’t much help.

          If you really want to know you can call the derm’s office and see what they have to say. They will know how tight your derm’s schedule is and what their normal practice is..

          Shalom,
          Julie

          JS41989
          Participant
            My only experience has been that they get removed the same day in office, however I know it is up to the doctor.
            Lucygoose
            Participant
              My only experience is shave biopsy same day. If thats positive for skin cancer other than melanoma go back and get it cut out. If it’s positive for melanoma they normally send you to a surgeon because that will require wider margins. Some docs do pinch biopsies if they think it’s suspicious right off the bat.
              Hope this helps. Ask for a full body exam in addition to looking at those moles. Remove finger nail and toe nail polish beforehand so they can look at your nail beds.
              Kudos to you for going. I hope all goes well!
              Lucy
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