Getting Started

Getting Started: Your first appointment
The first step is to contact us by calling (650) 327-8778 or emailing us at DrNezhat@gmail.com. Our awesome front office associates will be able to guide you through the process of making your first in-person consultation with Dr. Nezhat.

You may also find our Welcome Letter very helpful.

Learning more about you
During your initial phone call or email to us, we’ll ask a few questions about all of the symptoms you’re experiencing, any fertility concerns, past medical care, any other medical conditions, and your previous surgical history.

At this time we do ask for some personal information, such as your contact information, insurance information, and date of birth.

Filling out a medical history form
We also ask that prospective patients fill out a medical history form and send all relevant medical records to us in advance of your appointment.

You can send your medical records to our physical address, which is 900 Welch Road, Suite 403, Palo Alto, CA., 94304.

Or, if you have electronic medical records, those can be sent to DrNezhat@gmail.com.

Questions about insurance and costs
If you are concerned about potential out-of-pocket expenses, one of our insurance specialists will be happy to provide estimates concerning your particular insurance plan’s coverage.

Health Insurance Accepted
We are currently contracted with the following health insurance companies:

- Anthem Blue Cross
- Blue Shield
- United Healthcare
- Interplan
- Multiplan
- Sutter Select

Please note, however, that our services are not always covered by HMO plans. Therefore, be sure to let us know whether you have a PPO or HMO, so that we can provide the most accurate assessment of your insurance benefits.

Your first consultation begins with a physical exam
Your first appointment with us starts with checking in at the front desk, where one of our front office associates will get you roomed for your first physical exam.

This step will involve checking your blood pressure and other vital signs. Dr. Nezhat will then meet you in your exam room, where he’ll begin the exam by providing a routine gynecological check-up to review your overall health, such as a chest exam.

Special exams specific to your previously diagnosed or suspected condition will also be given, such as an ultrasound exam, a color Doppler ultrasound, a vaginal exam, and a recto-vaginal exam. In some cases, a biopsy or diagnostic hysteroscopy may be performed.

While a diagnostic video-laparoscopy is the most definitive way to diagnose endometriosis or other reproductive disorders, these in-office exams are crucial first steps in understanding the nature of your condition. For example, the recto-vaginal exam can actually be highly predictive for diagnosing endometriosis.

We know that some women experience pain with gynecological exams. However, rest assured that Dr. Nezhat does his best to minimize any discomfort as much as possible. If you have any concerns about these physical exams, please just let us know and we will do everything we can to help you through this first stage. 

In-depth consultation with Dr. Nezhat
After the physical exam has been completed you’ll leave the exam room and meet Dr. Nezhat in his office for an in-depth consultation. It is during this time that you’ll have a chance to talk about all of your medical concerns at length and ask Dr. Nezhat questions.

At this time, Dr. Nezhat will also ask you more questions about your symptoms, your overall health, any other health concerns, medications being taken, surgical history, and any history of allergies, including to anesthesia. The medical records that you sent us will also be thoroughly reviewed again, so feel free to bring to Dr. Nezhat’s attention any details from your past medical care that you’d like to talk about.

Make sure to tell Dr. Nezhat about any medications, vitamins, dietary supplements, or alternative medicines you may be taking. This is important, because in some cases, certain medications, including many over-the-counter vitamins and dietary supplements, must be discontinued at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. Please see our Welcome Letter for more information about which medications or vitamins must be discontinued prior to any surgical procedures.

Is surgery right for you?
Please note, some patients may not be the right candidate for surgery. Therefore, there is no guarantee that surgery will be performed. However, the vast majority of patients who have been referred to Dr. Nezhat can be helped by surgery.

If you are a candidate for surgery and would like to proceed with this step, you have the option of scheduling your surgery on the same day as your first consultation.

For all prospective surgery patients, please be sure to read our Welcome Letter, which contains very important pre-surgery instructions. 

Other patients prefer to take some time to consider their options, including alternatives to surgery or refraining from treatment altogether.

If you realize that you have more questions after your first consultation, including about alternatives to surgery, please feel free to email or call Dr. Nezhat with any other questions you may have.

As well, if you have more questions about potential out-of-pocket costs for surgery, please contact our insurance specialists, who will be happy to go over your insurance plan and provide a personalized estimate.

Whatever path you choose to take, please know we are here for you every step of the way. And, at any time, please just call on us if you need more information to help you choose a path that is right for you.