Exam Today

I don't post much, but I will give you the details of the Physical Exam I had today.

Hadn't had a actual physical in about 3 years. My wife made the appointment months ago, and we were both suppose to go back to back, but she decided not to go last minute, but insisted I go.

I arrived and did the usual check in, and insurance etc. I waited about 5 minutes and then a nurse came around the corner and called my name. I followed her back into a busy section with scales and a center desk. She asked me to removed my shoes and step on the scale. She weighed be (182) and recorded my hight (5'10). I asked if I should put my shoes on and she told me to just carry them. I then followed her over to an eye chart, where I covered each eye and read the lines.

I was then led into a small exam room, with a chair-like electric examining table, covered in fresh paper. I was instructed to sit on the exam table. The nurse went thru specifics about meds (non), habits, sleeping, concerns etc. She then confirmed that I was 40 y/o and informed me that they would be doing a EKG as well today, and that I needed a series of immunizations and a flu shot.

She instructed me to remove my shirt. I did, and was now sitting on the table in jeans, socks, and no shirt. She put thermometer in my mouth, and held my wrist and took my pulse. Then removed the thermometer and grabbed the blood pressure cuff and took my pulse, and noted it was high... I told her that it always is high at the Dr's.

She then told me she would be right back. Within a minute she returned pushing a cart with wires on it. (I had never had an EKG before, so didn't know what to expect). She put a bunch of chords all over my chest and one on each ankle. She turned the machine on, and it was over in like 25 seconds (for some reason I assumed it took longer). She then removed all the chords and shut the machine off. She said that she was done, went into the cabinet and handed me a cloth Johnny, and said "get undressed, COMPLETELY. This opens in the back, have a seat on the table, and the dr will be right in, she is just finishing up with another patient".

I had never been told by a nurse to be naked in dr's office right out of the gate like that before. I stripped all the way down to my underwear, took my socks off (for some reason) then pulled my underwear (which for reference were black Calvin Clein boxer briefs) down, and was now completely naked in a bright office on a Thursday morning. I put the gown on, and sat on the table, feeling and hearing the paper underneath my bare butt.

About 10 mins later the Dr knocked and came in, with the same nurse from before. She reviewed my unimpressive medical history and then began the Physical. She went up and down me, eyes, ears, nose, throat (with the ahhh). Felt my neck, then had me make several deep breaths, in my back. This whole time the nurse is just standing in the corner, not saying a word. Then she listens to my heart. Then instructs me to lie down. The nurse then fiddles in the cabinets and comes up with a small sheet of paper and hands it to the dr who spreads it out over the top of my thighs. She then reaches down and pulls the gown all the way up to my chest, she then listens to my heart again. Then begins to push deep in my belly all over and then pushed right on my pelvis on both sides of my penis. She then goes up feels under my arm pit, and then she puts her fingers on my femoral pulse (she told me what she was doing).

Then she turns to the nurse and the nurse hands her 2 rubber gloves and I watch as she snaps them on. She then comes over and pulls the sheet away and asks about my penis and any urinary issues. I told her I'm fine. She feels my balls for about 10 seconds, the looks at my penis, very quickly. She returns the sheet (which the nurse was holding and was ready to give back) to my exposed junk, and then tells me to turn over, that she was going to do a prostate exam. I roll over and the nurse comes and instructs me to pull my left leg up... the dr then comes over and says "this is no ones favorite", and inserts her finger right up in my ass. She's in there for a few, rotating etc (I've had a prostate exam once before but it was not this long)... she removes her finger and tells me I can sit up.

She then tell me that everything seems fine, and the nurse will be back in to give me the shots (they went in my left arm) in a few minutes, and to schedule next years physical on the way out.

That's a 100% true story!!! Happened today

Thank you for posting such a detailed account. I enjoyed reading it.

regarding:

> took my socks off (for some reason)

according to you, the nurse said

> get undressed, COMPLETELY.

You did the right thing, buddy.

Sounds like you had a good exam.

That sounds like value for money! I have an exam in 10 days and I hope it will go pretty much like that, although I have booked a male doctor and it isn't usual to have a nurse present in the UK. Nor as far as I know is it usual here to be given a gown; at least I have never had one and I don't want one - seems about as pointless as wearing your bathrobe in the shower.

Thanks. That is so hot. My favorite part was when the doctor pushed the gown up onto your chest, fully exposing you down below.

I had a doctor do something similar once -- hottest physical ever. Like you, I was naked under the gown. I was seated on the exam table when he peeled it from my chest and let it pool onto my waist. Then he listened to my heart and lungs.

At that point, most doctors probably would put the gown back, but not this one. He had my lie down, covered only by the gown across my waist. Then he pushed it up onto my chest and examined my penis and testicles. Then he had me roll over for the prostate check. The gown was basically covering nothing by the end.

An excellent account and could totally relate. Were you expecting a fem doctor? I think I would have been surprised by that if I had no prior knowledge. In some ways, removing everything immediately may be better as it eliminates all doubts as to how this exam will be conducted. Getting your DRE while on one's side is for me more gentle but also feels like the finger goes in fully and deeply, which is likely my imagination, compared to bending over. One certainly opens his anus more while lying on one's side with knees raised.

Great story. Thanks.

Now we just need your wife to go and her account of things 😉

Thanks for sharing!

After reading this story of your physical I totally feel like I am not getting everything out of my health care from my Dr. With leaving things out and not doing stuff during my physical I have never gotten an EKG and havnt had a dre in forever even though I am 43 years old. My female Dr just asked me if I had any problems with the "area under my underwear" didn't even want to look down there if she didn't have too I feel so left out of stuff for my health care. Idk what I should do to try and get better health care any suggestions would be appreciated.

Excellent account! I continue to be baffled by the use of gowns and sheets for male patients. It sounds like such a chore for the doctor and nurse to keep fiddling with the gown and the sheet rather than just let you stay in your underwear and then lower the underwear when necessary. However, it is reassuring to hear that there are still complete physical exams still performed by doctors.

Thanks for sharing!

I had an exam last week - new to the community, so new primary care physician.

I had made an appointment with a young, female PA - pretty much at random. A co-worker/friend recommended the practice but no one in particular.

I filled out all of my paperwork in advance and arrived early for my morning appointment - freshly showered. Even though I was about 20 minutes early, I only waited about 10 minutes when a young African American nurse took me back to the exam room. She weighed me (fully clothed), took my temp, BP, and pulse. Told me to have a seat and the PA would be in shortly.

A couple of minutes later the PA came in - young (early 30s) and attractive. She confirmed that I was there for my annual physical and did an oral interview of my history and current medical issues. (Current issues: lower back pain, fatigue, ongoing pain/discomfort in my right testicle/epididymis). The interview lasted about 20 minutes to include exam of eyes, ears, throat and listening to my heart and breath sounds. Then she had me lay back on the exam table and probed my abdomen. Then she had me sit back up and told me that she was going to have the nurse do an EKG and leaves the exam room. About two minutes later the same nurse comes in and says "I need you to remove your shirt and undershirt for the EKG and lay back on the table." She then places the leads on my chest and says "I need to lower your socks to put leads on your ankles." After a couple of minutes she says "Okay, that's done - you did great" (What the heck did I do other than lay there?!?). She had me sit up and said "Now I need to draw some blood" and did a stick that, as it ends up, left a silver-dollar sized bruise in the crook of my elbow. Then she tells me to go ahead an put my shirt back on and that the PA would be back momentarily.

Five minutes later the PA comes in, says that my EKG looks fine and hands me referral slips to an orthopedic doctor for my back, a urologist for my testicular pain, and tells me to schedule a follow-up appointment in 30 days to check on my fatigue issues.

I had been fasting for the blood draw, and had drank about a quart of water in the hours leading up to my appointment - so as she was getting ready to lead me out to the reception area I asked for the restroom, and she said "Oh, we need a urine sample too."

Got a phone call yesterday that my blood work and labs looked good.

Overall, although she was very nice, it was a rather cursory experience.

I hate finding a new primary healthcare provider! Looks like I'll be doing that again before my next physical.

Great account, ChuckMed. Sounds like a very good exam and reminded me of the ones my long time female doctor gave me until I had to switch providers. FredD, I think your experience is pretty par for the course these days, physicals ain't what they used to be, in my experience--a pity...

@ChuckMed NICE!!! Love the chaperone experience, especially also with a female doctor!

...At least, I love you experiencing it and me hearing about it. I think myself experiencing it would be completely humiliating at the time.

I stripped all the way down to my underwear, took my socks off (for some reason) then pulled my underwear (which for reference were black Calvin Clein boxer briefs) down, and was now completely naked in a bright office on a Thursday morning. I put the gown on, and sat on the table, feeling and hearing the paper underneath my bare butt.

The reason you took off your socks in addition to everything else was that you were doing as the nurse told you. You were preparing for total submission to the female examiner and the chaperone. I think being completely naked adds a lot to the feeling of submission and adds to the power exchange in the setting of the complete physical exam. I have posted elsewhere that when I go for a physical, I do not wear socks, undershirt, or even a watch, so that I will be as close to fully naked for the exam.

The gowns and drapes are most likely to make the patients feel more respected, dignified, and with a little more feeling of power. Yeah, from a practical standpoint it is stupid, but personally I am much more comfortable now that they pull the patients in more and tell them what will happen and get more explicit consent, even with my children. I never got that as a kid and I think that my children will have a much healthier relationship with doctors because of it. At the first visit or two the added modesty of the gowns makes me marginally more comfortable, maybe, I think, after that it probably doesn't really matter.

Just got a call that my physical exam is scheduled for one week out. First time going since i posted this a year and a half ago. i’m seeing a different provider this time. Follow up to come, gonna try to get some pics as well.

So I had my exam yesterday morning. I was a nervous wreck all week, since receiving the call reminding me of my upcoming physical. The night before the exam my wife informed me that we had to go pick up something at the Hardware store that morning. I informed her that I had a Physical at 9am (I used the word physical, not doctors appointment on purpose) but I

could pick it up afterwards. She told me that she would come with me and then we could go together to the store afterwards. The idea of her coming with me was a huge turn on.

The morning came and we headed to the doctors office together. When I got there we both entered and I went to the check in desk and got my paperwork, then we sat down together. I didn't wait long and then I was summoned from the waiting area. I must have looked terrified, because my wife smirked (I assumed, she was wearing a mask) and said “have fun”… The nurse asked if she would like to come back, and she declined. That somewhat disappointed me.

I followed the middle aged, heavy set, nurse thru the door from the waiting area and into the back area, where a nurse's station was set up. I was instructed to remove my shoes and get on the scale, I was weighed and then measured (5' 10", 173 LB, for those interested). I was then led a few steps away and asked to read an eye chart, all while holding my shoes. She then asked “your here for a physical, right”, to which I mumbled yes, trying to keep it down a little, because there were other nurses and patients in the area. Once completed with the eye check, I was led further down the hall and into an exam room while carrying my sneakers. I was told to hope up on the exam table. I asked the nurse if I should put my shoes on, and she replied “Just put them over there, she is going to have you get undressed anyways”. Then nurse then spent a few minutes reviewing my medical history, and general health issues, then took my blood pressure and forehead temp, as well as oxygen levels. She then went to the counters in the room and took out a cloth gown and said “I'm going to leave you this gown, you can leave your underwear on, and it goes open in the back, the doctor will be in shortly”. I stripped down and put the gown on, I was surprised how short it was. I sent my wife a selfie on the table in the gown.

About 10 minutes went by and the doctor came in. She was a different doctor then I had seen for my last physical. She was alone, no nurse. She began to review my medical history, and we talked quite a bit, she was very nice and interested in my health. I got comfortable talking to her and actually forgot about the fact that all my clothes were in a ball on a chair on the other side of the room. She then announced “Ok, I'm going to examine you”. She went over and washed her hands, I sat uncomfortably on the exam table, swinging my bare legs. She started with my ears and moved all the way down, nose, mouth, felt the glands in my throat, had me swallow. Then she put her stethoscope on and placed the bell on my bare back and had me breathe in and out, then she came around and put the stethoscope down the front of my gown, to listen to my chest. This caused the gown to fall down to my belly button, and she instructed “Breath normal”. She then pulled the extension at the end of the table out and had me lay back, she felt my belly all over, she then put two fingers up in my groin on either side. Then she took each leg and bent it in once. She then stepped away and announced “I'm going to step out for a moment, could you please remove your underpants”. I got up and slid down my black briefs, put them on top of my other clothes and then climbed up on the table.

About 30 seconds later there was a quick knock on the exam room door, the doctor announced “Can I come in”, I replied in the affirmative, and the doctor re entered the exam room with a nurse. She we went right over to the counter and began to put on latex gloves, the nurse (the same one that brought me to the exam room) just stood there. The doctor instructed me to “Stand up, and hold up the gown up”, I did as told and my placid penis was on display to both women. The doctor grabbed my testicles and began rolling each one, made a comment about a vasectomy I had gotten two years earlier, and then quickly picked my penis up, looked at it and then let it go. On cue the nurse handed the doctor a tube of KY jelly and the doctor said “Are you ok if I give you a rectal exam?”, my reply was “If you think it's necessary”. She said to turn around, and bend over the table. Once in position I felt her spread my butt cheeks and she said “Just a quick look”. As that awkwardness ended, I was then told “I want you to bare down”, and in her finger went, first sweeping around then she announced “Now the prostate” and I felt that pressure, then a quick withdrawal. The nurse handed me a box of tissues, and I made a one pass ass wipe, in front of the two women. Feeling now adequately humiliated, I was ready to get dressed, however the doctor then chatted with me for several minutes, while the nurse retrieved a few immunizations I needed updated. I had my shots in just the hospital gown, nothing else. I got dressed and I got a list of labs to have done, right onsite, and when that was complete I was done for the year.

@ChuckMed after the rectal exam and before the nurse returned with your vaccinations, did you have a seat back on the table, or did you just stand awkwardly in the middle of the room not knowing what was coming next? If you had a seat, did you notice when you got up whether you left a spot of lube on the paper covering the table?

I've done that before, left a smear of leftover lube on the paper covered table. The nurse was standing right next to me when I got up and I saw her glance down at it. She didn't say a thing or react in any other way. However, it was extremely awkward and embarrassing.

@ChuckMed , sounds like another great experience! Anxious for my next physical too! 😃

Seems like a waste of time to tell you to keep your underpants on for most of the exam and then for the doctor and nurse to step out of the room just so you could take them off. I've never had that happened but then I haven't had a female doctor for a physical. But I have been in a short exam gown before where the bottom hem of the gown only came down to my mid-thigh when I was sitting on the table. Which was fine too. Honestly these modesty steps seem unnecessary compared to my experiences growing up.

ChuckMed is dead on! Had this almost exact experience at Kaiser many a time. When the nurse calls me back into a room I almost always see gloves, lube, gown or big paper towel laid out already. When she says “take everything off” I’ll say “everything?” She always cracks a half smile and says, “Yes, everything.” I practically squeal with delight!!! 😜😜😜😜😜