What's the most positive, affirming, reassuring, or comforting comment you've ever received during an exam?

And who was the person giving it to you? How did you respond?

My pediatrician was a competent and compassionate doctor. I was terrified of medical professionals due to abuse in state custody. I saw her from age 11 until I graduated college at 22.

She seemed genuinely interested in my well being. I was damaged goods but her kind words had such a positive impact on my self esteem. I would step off the scale and should would compliment my weight gain (I was very underweigjht) and that I had gotten taller and more muscular. She praised me about my academic and athletic successes and how I appeared more confident and emotionally stable.

I thought my college admission physical at 18 was the end of the line and I was not looking forward to parting ways. She informed me that I could remain her patient until I was 22 as she accepted young adults in their college years. I was happy to hear that.

After I got my t shirt on she reached over hugged me and said she was extremely proud of the man I was becoming.

When I was 7 or 8 I had some puppy fat and when I was weighed by the doctor he spoke to my mother about me being overweight and how much I needed to lose. Over the following year I managed to slim down considerably and the next time I went I was kinda looking forwards to showing off my newly slim belly. After he asked me to undress to my underpants, he told me "well I can see you've a much slimmer tummy than last time I saw you, well done young man". It made me feel proud at what I'd achieved, and during the abdominal exam whilst I wasn't yet muscular there, it made me feel good knowing that the tummy he was going over with his stethoscope and palpating was hard rather than soft and wobbly.

In puberty, I asked my pediatrician at what would be my last visit with them if my penis was about the right size and shape for my age. The answer was a quite affirmative "Yes!"

During my annual full body exam, the dermatologist came in very quickly while I was still undressing. I was completely nude and I didn't have the gown on yet. I turned to her and asked if she still wanted me to put the gown on and her reply was "it doesn't matter."

For me, it meant that what we hear is true, and that medical professionals really don't care that you are naked. My body wasn't offensive to her, and I didn't need to hide under a drape. I wasn't going to be in trouble for how I look.

This story is not as powerful as a couple on here, but it's my answer to the question.

@Tevverer Great post. Sounds like you too have an excellent Dermatologist. One who understands what "full body" really means.

Whatever you're doing just keep doing it.

I grew up in a very small town in the American South. My family GP had been outed as gay in a messy divorce by his ex-wife. At 17 and about to go away to university, I told him that I was gay and a virgin. During the exam, I told him I thought my penis was on the small side. Without missing a beat he said, 'you've got one of the prettiest penises in town, and believe me I've seen em all" I walked out of there floating on air and have never been self-conscious about my penis ever since. I don't know if he was telling the truth, but he gave me confidence at a critical time in my life.

@teverrerer I’m glad that helped you feel good about yourself, but the blanket statement ‘doctors don’t care’ isn’t supported by your experience. The one dermatologist doesn’t care. One experience doesn’t create a trend. If they ask you to put a gown on, put a gown on.

It was when I was around 13 or so and had been told I should get circumcised by both my pediatrician and my step mother at previous visits, and realized most boys my age already were and felt very negative about my penis. I had a painful, swollen testicle one day in the summer and my nanny had to take me to my pediatricians office, but that day my doctor was not there and a different one was and she never once mentioned the need for circumcision and said everything else looked fine and said there was no reason for me to get circumcised at all, and it seemed like many were doing it just because everyone else was, but nothing in my medical records or my exam showed an actual reason I needed it. That was the first time in years a doctor or nurse said something positive about my penis and I felt like I had been lied to. I was not allowed to change doctors but wanted to.

I was recently reminded of a skin exam I had a few years ago. It was scheduled months in advance, and happened to be on my actual birthday.

While verifying my name and DOB, for the medical assistant she quickly realised the fact, but didn't say much at first. When she returned with the dermatologist, she made a comment that I was there on my birthday to have my "birthday suit checked."

The dermatologist commented that everyone should get their birthday suit checked, on or close to their birthday. She had me stand up as she took my paper lap drape and tossed it in the trash.

That year I received a complete examination of my skin! After her examination, while still standing nude, she asked about any plans for the big day. I mentioned something that peaked her interest and she talked to me about it, asking questions. A normal conversation, while nude in the medical office.

During my first rectal exam my doc compliment me on how easily I took all the instruments where others usually struggle and squirm.

@Budymac I found two important lessons in your exam recap. First, find a dermatologist who will actually do a "full body" exam. Secondly, be comfortable enough with your doctor to carry on a normal conversation while nude during the exam. Cheers to you my friend

"The results were benign."

At the periodontist "Ooh your gums are healing nicely, just a few spots we need to work on."

During my first rectal exam my doc compliment me on how easily I took all the instruments where others usually struggle and squirm.

Haha that’s so cool. How did you get a Dutch doc to give you a rectal exam? It’s so uncommon here.