What a general surgeon exam covers
General surgery is a broad field that deals with diseases and conditions of the abdominal wall, abdominal organs, skin and subcutaneous tissue, breast, thyroid gland and soft tissues, as well as acute surgical conditions. That is why a general surgeon exam is often the first stop for anyone with a complaint they are not sure whether to solve with medication or surgery.
The exam at Medical Time hospital begins with a conversation in which the surgeon carefully listens to your symptoms — when they started, how they change, what makes them worse or better, which medications you take and whether you have had surgery before. This part is just as important as the exam itself, because it points the doctor onto the right track.
A clinical examination follows: the surgeon examines and palpates (feels) the painful or suspicious area, assesses whether there is a hernia, lump, swelling, skin change or tenderness in the abdomen. With hernias it is checked whether the contents go back (reduce) and whether there is a risk of entrapment. With skin and subcutaneous changes, the size, mobility and appearance are assessed.
When it is necessary to look below the surface, the surgeon at Medical Time can do an ultrasound of the abdomen, soft tissues or breast right away, or refer you for additional diagnostics — laboratory, X-ray or CT scan. The aim of the whole exam is to get a clear answer to three questions: what is the cause of the symptoms, how urgent the condition is and what the best way of treatment is.
When to see a general surgeon
You see a general surgeon when a symptom points to a condition that may be solved by surgery, when you need an expert opinion on a change you have noticed yourself, or when you want a second opinion before a planned operation. You should not wait for the complaint to become urgent — many surgical conditions are solved more easily and safely when detected in time.
The most common reasons patients see a general surgeon are:
- a bulge or swelling in the groin, around the navel or on the abdomen that gets worse on straining (suspected hernia)
- attacks of pain under the right rib cage, nausea and bloating after fatty food (suspected gallstones)
- a lump, nodule or swelling under the skin (lipoma, atheroma, enlarged lymph node)
- skin changes — moles that grow or change colour, growths, warts, skin changes that bleed
- persistent abdominal pain, especially in the lower right part (possible appendicitis)
- an ingrown toenail, abscess, boil or a wound that does not heal
- a lump or change in the breast, pain and tension in the breast
- haemorrhoids, anal fissures and problems with bowel movements
- the need for a second opinion before surgery or interpretation of existing findings
What the exam looks like — the process
A general surgeon exam is painless, non-invasive and usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the complexity of the complaint. It requires no special preparation, except that it is useful to bring earlier findings and a list of medications.
After the introductory conversation, the surgeon asks you to uncover the area being examined and carries out a clinical examination — by looking (inspection) and feeling (palpation). With a suspected hernia, the exam is often done both standing and lying down, with straining, so the hernia is clearly shown. With skin changes the surgeon assesses the appearance of the change, if needed with a dermoscope.
If an image from the inside is needed, an ultrasound exam is done right away — painlessly, by placing the probe against the skin with a little gel. Ultrasound shows the gallbladder, liver, kidneys, soft tissues, breast and thyroid gland well.
At the end of the exam the surgeon explains the findings in simple language and suggests next steps: rest and monitoring, additional diagnostics, conservative treatment or surgery. If surgery is indicated, you get an explanation of how it is performed, how long recovery takes and what you can expect. For many minor procedures — such as removing a lipoma, atheroma, ingrown toenail or skin changes — an appointment can be booked quickly and in outpatient conditions.
What to bring to the exam
So the exam can be as complete as possible, it helps to bring documentation that gives the surgeon insight into your health so far. None of the following is mandatory — the exam can be done without it — but every finding you bring saves time and helps a more precise assessment.
We recommend that you bring:
- earlier findings and discharge letters, especially if you have already had surgery
- results of ultrasound, CT scan, MRI or X-ray, if you have them
- current laboratory findings
- a list of the medications you take regularly, especially blood-thinning therapy
- details of chronic conditions and allergies (especially to medications and anaesthetics)
When you receive the report
You receive the report of the clinical exam and recommendations immediately, at the exam itself. The surgeon explains the conclusion verbally and hands you a written report with a clear plan for next steps.
If an ultrasound was done during the exam, you receive that report the same day as well. If additional diagnostics are needed — laboratory, CT scan or histopathology of a sample after a minor procedure — those results arrive within the agreed time, and we invite you for interpretation and a discussion about further treatment. All documentation is kept, so each subsequent exam is compared with the previous one and it is tracked how the condition changes.
Why have a general surgeon exam at Medical Time
At Medical Time the general surgeon exam, diagnostics and treatment are available in one place, with an experienced team and an individual approach to every patient. Our goal is that after the exam you know exactly what is wrong and what the next step is — without unnecessary delay and without wandering from one institution to another.
- experienced surgeons and a dedicated, kind approach to every patient
- ultrasound and diagnostics right away, in the same place
- a clear treatment plan and a realistic assessment of whether surgery is needed
- the option of minor surgical procedures in outpatient conditions
- quick booking, without long waiting and possible without a referral
- the report and recommendations the same day, with digital storage of documentation
- a second opinion before a planned operation, calmly and without pressure
Price — general surgeon exam
The price of a general surgeon exam depends on whether it is an initial exam, a follow-up or a consultation, as well as on whether an ultrasound is done during the exam or a minor procedure is planned. You will get the exact price and an appointment quickly, by phone or through the contact form.
- Initial general surgeon exam
- Follow-up general surgeon exam
- Exam with ultrasound
For the current price and an appointment, call 062-399-888.
Frequently asked questions about the general surgeon exam
See one when you notice a bulge or lump, when you have attacks of abdominal pain, gallbladder problems, a skin change that grows or changes appearance, a wound that does not heal, or when you need an opinion on whether surgery is needed. You should not wait for the complaint to become urgent.
No. The exam is painless and non-invasive — it consists of a conversation and a clinical examination, with ultrasound if needed. When feeling a painful area, mild, transient tenderness is possible, but the exam itself causes no pain.
No. At Medical Time you can book a general surgeon exam without a referral as well, usually quickly and without long waiting.
Yes, when needed. An ultrasound of the abdomen, soft tissues, breast or thyroid gland can be done right away at the exam, and you receive the findings the same day.
A hernia does not resolve on its own and most often grows over time, so surgery is usually the definitive solution. Whether and when it is needed is assessed by the surgeon based on the size of the hernia, symptoms and the risk of entrapment. For some patients monitoring is possible, but the decision is made by the doctor after the exam.
Yes. You can come with your findings and get a calm, expert second opinion on the proposed treatment, without any pressure to choose surgery specifically with us.
You receive the report of the clinical exam and recommendations right away, including the ultrasound if it was done. The results of additional diagnostics or histopathology arrive within the agreed time.