What to expect your first appointment

If this is your first visit to the Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, you will be asked to give us information about:

• your general health
• your previous diagnosis and treatments
• your health insurance card and/or information 

We have prepared a general list of the things you should bring with you on your visit, to give your doctors the most complete picture of your current health.  This saves valuable time for both you and your surgeon.

Please bring with you:

1. Your referral; if your insurance indicates you need one.
2. Your medical records, including any tests that you have had.   Sometimes this information is forwarded from your doctor's office directly to the colon and rectal surgeon; you may want to call a few days in advance of your appointment to make sure they were sent.
3. Any X-rays or studies related to the condition for which you are being examined. These are critical for our surgeons to decide on next steps in your treatment. These may be films or a CD of the study.
4. Any medication you are taking.  It is helpful to our staff if you bring the actual bottles. However, you can make a list of all the medications you are taking.  Make sure to include the name of the medication, including the generic substitution, the number of milligrams and how many times a day you are directed to take it.  Also, include directions, such as “Take with food.”
5. Your health insurance identification card or other documentation of your health care insurance.
6. A list of important personal contacts, including names and phone numbers; these are for emergency use.
7.  A list of questions you may have about your medical care, including your diagnosis and treatment.
8. A notebook and pen so you can write down important information. All our patients receive important health information during their visits, and you may want to keep everything in one place.
9. Something to read in case your appointment lasts longer than you expect.
10. A list of your other treating physicians and their primary contact information.

If you have all the information listed above, it will help insure your appointment runs smoothly, and information is entered correctly into our files.