Long Wait Time to get Appointment with Dermatologist

[The Flush]

I go to the optometrist at Sam's Club. This guy used to work for the optometrist that I used to go to and is very good. They don't take my insurance, but I can get in quickly when I need to be seen.

 

[braumeister]

I can't read street signs anymore when driving

That's when I knew I needed cataract surgery. You'll want to see someone who does that.

 

[albundyz]

We just have a yearly visit with our dermatologist. Rarely a need to be looked at on an emergency basis.

By the way, I have had a few "bumps" like you describe and the dermatologist told me what they were (I've forgotten) but not anything I should worry about, she said. Of course, I have no idea about yours, but your description does not sound particularly scary.

When I see red patches, the doctor burns them off. She calls them "pre-cancer." She hasn't seen anything she is too worried about though she's done a few biopsies with benign results over the years.

DW had a red patch which WAS basil cell carcinoma that required MOHS surgery last year. It's good to have regular appointments - then you don't have to worry too much about getting in to see the doctor for every new bump (I seem to find a new one every month or so.) If you're really worried about bumps/patches, etc., get 6 month check ups.

18 month ago, this happened. I noticed a small black dot on my neck. I sent a picture to my derm doctor. He arranged an immediate appt. Took a biopsy. 2 days later, biopsy came back, Melanoma. You would have thought the house was on fire. Same day he scheduled me for an in-house doctor to shoot dye into my neck to see where cancer may have spread. Also, same day, no in-house surgeon was avail, so he scheduled me with an out-of-network surgeon. I saw the surgeon 3 days later. He also thought the house was on fire and scheduled me for surgery 3 days later. Surgeon cut the melanoma out of my neck. So? My point is that two diff doctors thought Melanoma was nothing to screw around with. They felt time was of the essence.

 

[latexman]

18 month ago, this happened. I noticed a small black dot on my neck. I sent a picture to my derm doctor. He arranged an immediate appt. Took a biopsy. 2 days later, biopsy came back, Melanoma. You would have thought the house was on fire. Same day he scheduled me for an in-house doctor to shoot dye into my neck to see where cancer may have spread. Also, same day, no in-house surgeon was avail, so he scheduled me with an out-of-network surgeon. I saw the surgeon 3 days later. He also thought the house was on fire and scheduled me for surgery 3 days later. Surgeon cut the melanoma out of my neck. So? My point is that two diff doctors thought Melanoma was nothing to screw around with. They felt time was of the essence.

Similar situation. At annual physical, my Dr. announced a mole on my shoulder was coming off TODAY! Specimen went to lab STAT! Results came back early next morning. It was melanoma. My Dr. called me the same day results were back, and told me she had already arranged surgery at UoM Cancer Center tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Yikes! Luckily, it was removed, and had not affected other areas.

 

[JohnRM]

I noticed a couple rough bumps, wife said get it looked at- I got an appt a few weeks out, but the key is to ask them to call if anyone cancels- they had one that very afternoon.

Doc said they were a hereditary thing and froze them. I said hell, I could have done that at home with compressed air! The trick is he knows what he is looking at, I am clueless.

 

[isisdave]

In my mega health care system, my dermatologist's normal cycle is about 5 months. But she sees me on a 4-month recall cycle. When I see something that needs attention, I've learned to call her nurse. They have some reserved slots the appointment-bookers cannot see. Once she asked if I could be there in 40 minutes ....

My Mohs surgeon is available within a couple of weeks. If you can't get in somewhere sooner and don't mind visiting Evansville IN, try the Deaconess dermatology practice. Dr. Surprenant. They also proposed sending me to the plastic surgeon the next day to close up my nose.

I know a great Mohs surgeon in Southern California too if you want to try him. That'll probably be a while, as you're not a patient of that practice.

At 74, I've had 18 BCCs, about 8 requiring Mohs. It's not good to have Irish skin and live in California.

 

[EvanC]

Takes a week here in NW Fla.

I go once a year. And I make the appointment a year out. I did go to have something checked out and the wait time was about two weeks.
FWIW my small dermatologist office has just been purchased by a large conglomerate, so we’ll see what the future brings

I highlighted takes a week here in NW Fla because it struck me funny.
If I were a dermatologist, I would certainly practice in Florida