What to Expect at Your First Appointment at the Pilonidal Center
Pilonidal disease can significantly affect the physical, emotional, and social well-being of adolescents and young adults—and we understand how important it is to find a treatment that truly works. Our team has extensive experience managing this condition and is committed to making every step of care as comfortable and clear as possible.
From your very first intake, our nursing staff will walk you through what to expect at your visit and how to best prepare. This ensures that we tailor the experience to meet your unique needs. If there are any specific concerns or accommodations a patient requires, we’re here to support every step of the way.
Making an Appointment at the Pilonidal Center
Here at the Pilonidal Center, we want scheduling an appointment to be a bridge—not a barrier—on your care journey. While we do not require a referral to schedule with us, your insurance may require referrals to see a specialist. You can contact us directly to schedule an appointment or your primary care provider (PCP) can refer you to us.
We also take referrals from the emergency department and other hospitals. One or two days after we receive your referral, one of our nurses will call you to help guide your care. During that initial phone call, our nurses will ask you about your/your child’s medical and surgical history, discuss pilonidal disease, and what next steps for care look like with our team.
On the Day of Your Visit to the Pilonidal Center
Arriving At Your Appointment
You should plan to arrive about 25 minutes before you/your child’s appointment — allowing 10 minutes to park and 15 minutes to check in.
If you are running late, please contact us.
At Your Appointment
During your appointment, we will be assessing the area of concern. Most often, the disease is in the natal cleft and we will have to look at the buttocks. Our team will remove any hair that is in the area to better look at the natal cleft. We will also take photos before and after we shave the area for your/your child’s medical record to track changes in appearance of the wound and for a potential referral for laser hair removal with our Dermatology team. You will see a nurse and a provider, either nurse practitioner or surgeon, during your visit.
Every patient experience is different, but you/your child should be prepared for:
- A physical examination
- Removing hair from the area of concern
- Visit with the provider and nurse to discuss a plan of care
At the end of the appointment, one of our nurse coordinators will review your/your child’s “After Visit Summary” with you and walk through any next steps or follow-up items. This could be testing, non-surgical pilonidal care, or surgical intervention. If the provider indicates that you/your child needs any medical treatment, they will provide those recommendations to you during this time.
After Your Visit to the Pilonidal Center
You will receive an “After Visit Summary” at the end of your/your child’s appointment. This summary includes important information about upcoming appointments, test results, referrals to specialists, and all medications (including new prescriptions). It will also include contact information for your/your child’s care team. Our clinical team works closely with our schedulers to anticipate next steps and provide well-coordinated visits to make the most of your valuable time.
If you need a follow-up appointment, you may be eligible for an eVisit. Ask your provider for more details.
