So, this review isn't about how I visited Associates in Dermatology for some Botox, although I wish…read moreit were. Wrinkles and aging, sigh. One day.
This visit was prompted by the fact that I read an article the other day about a young girl (26-years-old to be exact) that had died of melanoma. The cancer had gone undiagnosed since she was a teen. Number one, I was freaked that cancer could be around that long undetected, and two, I was freaked because like the girl in the story, I had spent many hours during high school and throughout college in tanning booths trying to get that bronze goddess glow .
After reading that article, I started googling for Dermatologists in Westlake. I went through the website and read the doctor bios and decided it was close to home and everyone looked friendly and unintimidating. I called the office to make an appointment for a "mole check" and was asked if I had a specific doctor in mind. I requested a female doctor and was offered dates/times for each. Each of the doctors have certain days in each location (Westlake, Lorain, and Middleburg Heights).
Even though I called on a Friday afternoon, I was offered an appointment the very next week - super quick. Since I was going to be out of town, I made an appointment with Dr. Styron for two weeks out instead. I was told to bring my insurance card as well as a photo ID.
In the days leading up to my appointment, I was nervous. Having only been to a dermatologist one other time in my life (& not for a mole check), I wasn't sure what to expect. I was also freaked at the possibility that years of tanning had left me with a deadly disease, that I didn't even know I had. I googled "what to expect" to assuage my fears, get a general idea of how the appointment would go, and what to expect if some abnormalities were found. I was still nervous but felt better.
Fast forward to my appointment today. I arrived a bit early (my appointment was at 9:10am, I got there at 8:45ish) to give them a copy of my insurance card, sign the privacy forms, and fill out the health history questionnaire.
For the Westlake location - park in the back! The entrance to the doctor's office is immediately to the left as you enter the building's rear doors, you cannot miss it.
Once inside, there were a few people in the waiting room - which was pretty large and complete with televisions for the patients as they wait. I was disappointed because I was not immediately greeted, or greeted even withing a few minutes - I kinda just stood there waiting for the three people behind the desk to finally finish with the individual at the counter. I don't know if it's years of ingrained customer service in me, but even a "hi, we'll be right with you" would make everything better. If it wasn't bad enough it seemed as if they were all purposely avoiding eye contact with me. I guess I know how that is though. Once they did greet me, I was given some forms to sign (basically that say yes they gave me the privacy documents and yes I understand I'm financially liable for this visit) and then I filled out the medical history form. Within less than ten minutes, I was called back to the exam room.
On my trip back to the exam room, I passed what seemed to be a nurses station and then two additional waiting rooms, almost completely filled with people. I wasn't exactly sure what these folks were waiting for, perhaps it was the other doctors. Once in the room the nurse asked if I had specific moles I wanted looked at and where they were. She wrote that down, asked about the vitamins/supplements I was taking and then handed me a gown, told me to undress (leaving underwear on), and that the doctor would be in for a full body mole check shortly.
Once changed, I felt a little awkward, I mean - who actually LIKES those gowns that open in the back?! So, I just sat on the examination chair to wait. Within a couple minutes, there was a knock at the door (love that they knock to make sure you're decent!) and Dr. Styron came in to introduce herself. I completely felt at ease with both Dr. Styron and the nurse who originally spoke with me. Dr. Styron was very pleasant, unintimidating, and answered all of my questions (even though I had a ton).
The exam itself is short and not as awkward as someone might think. Modesty kind of gets thrown out the window at the doctor's office - but this wasn't bad, just moving from one body part to the next. If you need moles removed, its quick and virtually painless. In most cases the area is numbed and moles are sliced off with a scalpel, which just sounds scarier than it really is. Results are given to patients within 10 to 14 business days, good or bad.
Fingers crossed for no skin cancers!
Thanks very much, Associates in Dermatology and Dr. Styron for being fabulous!
And do note, on their Yelp profile it says, "all of the physicians are trained in cosmetic dermatology " - I'll be back for some Botox... in a couple years!
