Body Piercings

I have been asked to attend a medical examination by a proper qualified doctor.

In the appointment letter it asks the nipple piercings and dermal piercings be removed before attending the examination. This has not crossed my mind before as I have no piercings.

Have any Zity members encountered this situation?

While I don't have any piercings (yet), when I had outpatient, laparoscopic inguinal repair surgery a couple of months ago, as. part of the pre-op consult was instructed to remove any and all piercings from anywhere on my body prior to arriving for the operation. Makes sense I guess.

If it were a ‘regular’ examination, an annual check-up or such, why would it be necessary to remove piercings? What disruption or distortion of the results and findings could they cause?

Obviously anything to do with x-rays/CAT scans, MRIs or surgery is a different matter but that doesn't seem to be mentioned.

Would I be correct in suspecting this this is some kind of underhanded and subtle judgement call? A way for the doctor to show disapproval of such things? Or am I being too suspicious and uncharitable in my thoughts?

@gracier No idea. I can only say what was in the letter.