Biopsies: Feeling Comfortable with your Physician

Feeling Comfortable with your Physician

At BreastHealthOnline we cannot stress enough the importance of feeling comfortable talking to your physician.  If you find yourself in need of a breast biopsy or other form of breast surgery, you may feel overwhelmed with emotions, questions and fears. It is very common for women to come to us afterwards and report that they felt rushed, didn't ask all of their questions or were afraid to ask the more personal questions.

We recommend writing down all of the questions you have before meeting with your physician.  It is also helpful to bring a pen and paper to write down the answers you receive, since it is easy to forget what the physician said when we are nervous. If possible take a support person along to your appointment with you. It's helpful to discuss the questions you want answered with your support person prior to the appointment so that this person can help you remember your questions and answers.

Breast surgery is a decision that is personal to each woman, and there are many methods and procedures available. We feel that the more you educate yourself about what is available to you the more you will feel comfortable asking your physician questions, thereby ensuring that the choices that you make are right for you.

You should never feel rushed during a physician appointment. If you feel that you are not getting the answers that you need due to time constraints, we recommend that you book another appointment before making any decisions. It is your body and your health, and you deserve to have as much information possible. Some physicians have nurses available to answer some of your questions.

If you have questions that seem too personal to discuss with your physician we encourage you to ask them anyway. Many women have questions regarding sensation, post-op sex, and pain during menstruation; your physician has been asked all of these questions before. Each physician will have this or her own post-procedure instructions, and it is important to follow the instructions you are given after your procedure.

  • Sunday, 20 May 2012