Hi! I think exams following surgery are going by the waste side. My daughter’s urologist (not Dr. Poppy) also checked her one month after surgery, one year after surgery, and hasn’t done an exam since. (She just turned 10 this weekend)   

Because of posts I had read on this board, specifically from Aimee, I had decided I would question if/when our urologist requested to do another genital exam. When he didn’t, I shared my concerns with him. He said he hasn’t been doing follow-up genital exams with patients "of this kind" for quite a long time. He said some of the same things you did. Once he checked on the intital occasions to ensure healing, he didn’t need to check again. It really isn’t necessary to know the size of the vaginal opening if there is nothing that will be done about it at that time.

I agree with what Aimee posted, though. You shouldn’t deny a request for your daughter to be examined if her doctor has a valid explanation of the exam. You trusted him/her to do the surgery, I think it is important to trust them for her follow-up care.

I have always thought communication is the best tool in these types of situations. Communication between yourself and the doctor, yourself and your daughter, and allowing your daughter to communicate concerns with the doctor as well.  Wendy-Lee mentioned something, which I have been doing with my daughter since she was born. I always take her to my yearly physical. Knowing the day will come for her to be examined, I give her a chance to see what that will be like. Children should understand there is nothing wrong with doctors touching you in private places, if it is for medical reasons and benefits your health. The only way they can understand that is if you explain it to them.

God Bless,

Katrina