I Had the Mohs surgery done about 8 weeks ago. It was a bump that wouldn't heal and just kept bleeding when I would touch it. It was just above my top lip and to the right of my nose. It took 3 layers being removed to get it all. I was left with a gaping hole that the Mohs surgeon suggested I have closed by a plastic surgeion instead of him to minimize scaring and to keep from making my lip pull up when it healed. The plastic surgeon did some kinda double flap zig-zag looking procedure. (still not sure how he did it because it is not round any more but looks more like the little dipper) It is healing very nicely. I certainly had my doubts at first. About 3 weeks after the surgery it was still red, lumpy, bumpy and numb in spots. One stitch got inflamed and upon my visit to get that fixed they wanted to cancel my next appt. I was very upset and insisted upon keeping it. But when it came time for that appt. I actually called and cancelled it myself because the healing process had really jumped into gear and it was much better. The numbing process during the Mohs was the worst part. Now my scar is barely visible. Nothing me and Maybelline can't handle. Mary Rose Hewett
I had Mohs surgery today for a Basal Cell Carcinoma on my scalp. I had an itchy spot on my head that would scab, fall off and then rescab, even though I wasn't scratching it. This went on for a few months. I had the spot checked by my dermatologist who said it did not look like a skin cancer and froze the area. He told me that it would itch and scab in the healing process so I thought nothing of it when it continued to itch and scab over the following several weeks. I then had it looked at again, at which time it was biopsied. It was a BCC. Mohs surgery was set up for the following week.
The surgery itself was not painful. I didn't even find the numerous injections painful. I was told that my BCC was deep. It took two removals to get clean margins. Other than the migraine I developed a few hours afterward, the surgery was a breeze.
I was told by my dermatologist to clean the area twice per day and put Aquafor on the incision so it doesn't try out. She told me to take it easy and not increase blood in my head for the next several days. Stitches will be removed in two weeks.
Since I have fine hair, a concern of mine was that my hair would have to be partially shaved. Much to my relief, my hair didn't have to be shaven or cut.
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Had Mohs on the 23rd of February to remove basal cell from underneath my eye. Originally I had gone to a dermatologist who did a punch biopsy. He said it was all gone, but it never looked any better. I went back to him for over a year, and kept asking why it never looked any better. After about a year, he then stated he needed to do another punch biopsy. Long story short, I ended up getting a 2nd opinion and punch biopsy via another doctor. He quickly referred me to a Mohs surgeon in my area (strangely enough the Dr. I originally went to was Mohs certified, but he just wasn't listening to my concerns). Anyway, the doctor that performed the Mohs was wonderful. Other than the injections to numb the area, it was not painful or uncomfortable at all, The procedure itself was quick and then I went to wait until the results were processed. I was lucky in that I only had to have one round, but while in the waiting area met lots of people who had previously had Mohs done in other areas and they all looked great. The doctor discussed how best to close the area. She opted not to go into my eyelid (which was fine with me) and did an elipse? to close the area (she had to make an incision on the sides of the Mohs site, then pull it over. It sort of looks like a backwards 7. After the surgery, I put polysporin on the site and kept it covered for several weeks. It did develop a red, raised look, not where the cuts were made, but where the actual Mohs was done. But I had also had two punch biopsies in the same area so that may be some of the scarring. It also developed a hard lump. I just went back in this past week, and they told me to do scar therapy, where I massage the area using pressure. Then at night I put on scar therapy pads with silicone. I've been doing that for several days now, and already notice an improvement. The doctor did tell me it may take up to 8 weeks to notice a difference so not to give up. I can already tell the scar is flattening, so am happy. Am very glad I chose to go to a 2nd dermatologist who then referred me to the Mohs surgeon. It wasn't scary at all and pain was very minimal. Will try to update as to how my scar is healing.
Hi there!
I am so glad that you wrote this comment...it is so informative and also positive. I am happy that you had a good experience with your mohs surgery.
Your comment also goes to show that sometimes a second opinion is absolutely necessary especially when your doctor is not listening to you.
Please do write more about your healing process in the weeks to come...I am sure everyone here will want to know how you are doing.
Thanks again for sharing your story!