What to Expect at a Consultation

During your consultation at the Endocrine Surgery Center, you will meet with several members of the surgical team including a nurse practitioner, your attending surgeon, and possibly a resident or a fellow who will be assisting with your care. Working together with you, the team will determine a care plan that is designed specifically for you.

After registering at the front desk on the 8th floor of the Herbert Irving Pavilion, your visit will start with a full medical history and physical. You will be asked to discuss your personal health history as well as any family history of medical issues. We will ask you about any symptoms you have been experiencing and how long you have had those symptoms. During your consultation, we will also review any medical records, imaging studies, or biopsy reports that you have brought with you or that you sent to the office ahead of your appointment.

If you have recently had imaging studies performed, such as an Ultrasound, MRI or CT scan, it is critical to bring a copy of the images as well as the report. The findings of your imaging studies will help the team determine the best treatment plan for you. If the imaging study was performed here at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/ Columbia University Medical Center, we will be able to access the information directly. If the study was performed at an outside facility, we strongly urge you to obtain a copy of the images and report ahead of time to bring with you to your consultation, otherwise we may not be able to complete a full evaluation of your case and your treatment plan may be delayed.

Similarly, if you have had a biopsy performed at an outside facility, it is important to bring a copy of the report. The team may ask you to obtain the actual slides to be reviewed by our pathologists. This information will enable us to make the best possible recommendation regarding your care. The slides from your biopsy can be obtained by calling the facility where you had the tests performed and requesting a copy of your results. This process may take several days or a week, so you will want to request them ahead of time.

Your consultation may take up to 90 minutes. By the end of your visit, your team will make their initial recommendation for your care. If surgery is recommended, you will see a surgical coordinator after your appointment to discuss possible surgery dates and any required preoperative testing.

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Call us at (212) 305-0444 or reach us through our online appointment form.