FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I’m feeling nervous about my appointment. What can I expect?

It’s normal to feel anxious seeing a new doctor and not knowing what to expect. I’m glad you’re reading this!

We often begin with a chat about your general health, followed by questions about your concerns and what kind of help you’re looking for.

It helps to be honest with your doctor. If you feel comfortable, please vocalize your worries and let me know if things are not going as planned.

A physical examination may not be needed for most concerns.

An exam may mean pressing your abdomen, checking your skin, and/or inspecting parts of your body that are related to the problem you are seeing me for.

We do not have to proceed the first time we meet.

Can I come with someone?

It is your choice whether you would like another set of ears or a supportive hand for all or part of the appointment.

What can I do to prepare for the appointment?

Nothing physically needs to be done! That means no grooming or landscaping needed.

If it’s related to your problem, keep track of your period dates on an app or calendar. A period or pain diary can also help.

Bring a list of questions on your phone or paper if you feel like you might forget them.

Let us know the name or pronouns you use.

I have been a victim of sexual assault or intimate partner/domestic violence. Should I let my doctor know?

If you feel comfortable doing so, letting your doctor know about past experiences can help prepare you and your doctor for relevant discussion points or exams.

Unfortunately, unwanted experiences are common. 1 in 3 Canadian women and 1 in 8 men have been assaulted. Many doctors now use a trauma-informed approach to care.

You can also seek help and resources on this site.

Is everything confidential?

Yes, physicians keep patient information confidential. Notes of the consultation are sent back to the referring physician. Disclosure of any information to others outside your circle of care is subject to your consent, as well as ethical or legal situations such as threats of harm to self or others.

How should I prepare for an office procedure?

If you are coming for a procedure (endometrial biopsy, IUD insertion or removal), please make sure you have a meal and take some over-the-counter pain medications beforehand.

Both procedures require the use of a speculum and I stock different sizes. Some people have minimal discomfort while others have a lot.

Let me know before we start if you are a fainter or have had bad reactions in the past.

We can work together to make it a better experience.

Please bring your IUD (it is the size of a loonie but the box is as big as your arm!).

An endometrial biopsy pipelle is a thin 3mm straw that is used to obtain tissue from inside the uterus for testing.

I am going to have SURGERY. What do I need to do to prepare? I would like to review the procedure details again.

For any surgery, please do not eat and do not drink anything on the morning of your procedure or your surgery may be cancelled or delayed for your safety. You can eat and drink until midnight the night before. Please drink up to 3 glasses of water before bedtime. Refer to the hospital guidelines or the anaesthesia recommendations (if you had a pre-anaesthetic appointment) as small sips of clear fluids may be allowable for taking certain pills etc. It does not matter if you are on your period on the day of surgery. There is no need to shave (increases infections). Before we walk into the operating room OR, I will review with you the procedure again, what to expect with recovery, pain medications, and what to watch out for post-op. A handout is also provided after surgery in case you forget! Currently, all booked surgical patients will be instructed to complete COVID-19 testing, and you are required to self-isolate 14 days prior to the procedure.

For laparoscopy (for eg. excision of endometriosis or ovarian cystectomy), please wash your belly button well as this is the site of entry for the telescope. This procedure is completed under general anaesthesia. You usually go home the same day. Arrange someone to take you home. You can shower the day after surgery. You can take the steri-strips off in the shower 5 days after surgery. You will usually need 2 weeks off work or school and have activity restrictions for 4 weeks.

Laparoscopic permanent sterilization = tubal coagulation (burn tubes, 2 incisions) or salpingectomies (remove tubes entirely, may reduce ovarian cancer risk, 3 incisions) described here. Learn more about your periods after tubal surgery.

For hysteroscopy (polypectomy or myomectomy), don’t forget to insert the 2 tablets I prescribed on the morning of the procedure. Fluid and a telescope (hysteroscopy) is used to see inside your uterus. I usually complete the procedure with a freezing block on your cervix while you undergo iv sedation (without general anaesthesia, without being fully asleep with a breathing tube) in the hospital. This allows you to recover quickly before going home. Exceptions depend on your medical condition and personal choice as well. A few days off work is usually sufficient.

Refer to the hospital links in the CONTACT section.

I had Laparoscopy SURGERY and forgot what the doctors and nurses told me. Do you have a post-surgery handout?

Here is a post-surgery handout on what you can and cannot do after surgery, and what to watch out for.