Mohs Surgery: What Will the Scars Look Like?

I am going to have to choose between Mohs or Aldara for a 6mm bcc on the tip/side of my nose.  I'm afraid that the scar will be huge and be easily visible for the rest of my life.  At the same time, I'm afraid that using Aldara for 8 weeks will be unbearable.  Any advise from people that have been faced with this same decision?

I have just returned home from having my stitches removed from bcc surgery.  The area in question is close to my hairline on my forehead.  Anyway, the lab results said we didn't get it all.  This surprised me since the bcc was pencil-eraser size and the incision is almost 2 inches long! Doctor prescribed Aldara for the area. I don't understand why I didn't try the Aldara before surgery if Dr. thinks it will work now.  Maybe the spot that showed up in the lab was superficial bcc?  Also, Dr. wants me to apply Aldara now but the Aldara website says wait until surgery sight heels up.  Does anyone have any advice or similar experience?  When Dr. said "We didn't get it all" I assumed that meant Mohs surgery would be next step.  I don't want to damage my skin on my forehead for 2 months and then have another surgery anyway!

 

oh boy, been where you are!   I am 35 year old female who lives near the beach in Alabama.   I had one little spot (bump, never bled, and was flesh colored) under my eye.  Biopsy came back as basal cell and my dermatologist wanted me to try Aldara rather than mohs.  Anyway, Aldara was terrible!!!  Not only did it feel uncomfortable - it looked horrible!!!  Anyway Dr. thought that it was cured it- turned out not (2 years later) went to surgeon for mohs surgery and through that biopsy found out I had mirco-nodular basal cell for which Aldara would not have "fixed" anyway.  I had the Moh's surgery done on March 24, 2008, (they had to go in twice to remove tissue).  I flipped once I saw incision, it was about two inches long and it looked bad for maybe first month.  Now it is still pink, (it will fade) and once it fades it will really be hard to see.    I guess my advice is have the surgery, aldara is not always successful, surgeons see a lot of aldara "failure" and in the time it would have taken to complete the aldara treatment your incision from mohs surgery will be well on its way to being healed and all cancer will have been removed.

 

Whatever you decide, good luck!

 

Steph

Thanks - you all are so encouraging!

 

I just had Mohs surgery on the lower side of my nose eight days ago.  They had to go in twice for tissue and then grafted skin from my inner ear onto it.  The hole was the size of a pencil eraser.  When I saw it the other day - I was surprised - the scar is almost an inch long.  I'm hoping I'm as lucky as all of you!  The penalty we pay for sitting in the sun as a KID!!!

Bev

It's so encouraging to hear from others.  I am a 43-year-old that had Mohs surgery for bcc just 10 days ago.  My bcc is on my left cheek.  My dermatologist found it on a regular skin check, looked like a small red mark (I though it was an age spot) which was not raised, never bled, and was easily covered with makeup.  He decided to biopsy just to be safe.  Well, it was bcc.  The day of my Mohs I felt very odd as I was the youngest person in the office filled with men and women having the same procedure.  What was the size of the head of a pin resulted in an incision 1.5 inches long (2 stages to get it all).  After 7 days, the stitches were removed, and the incision is still raised and pink.  The actual incision is closed completely, but I now pray that my scar will become flat in time.  I wear makeup daily, so a flat red line will be acceptable.  A raised line will make me very self-conscious as it is on a very visible part of my face.  I'd like to know more about the stages of skin healing so I know I'm heading in the right direction.

Hello Anonymous!

I am very pleased with my nose scar so far.  I went back to the plastic surgeon this week and he said to give it four more months.  It is a little indented now and he can fill it with fat tissue if I want to.  He said that a shadowed scar is much more noticeable than a line scar.  I will wait and see what happens.  I don't think age really matters with bcc.   When you sit in the waiting room and everyone is coming in and out - it's usually older people, but I have even seen chidlren with bcc.  I am now going back every three months to have a "body check" for bcc.  Good luck and keep in touch about your results!

I am a 43 year-old female who had Mohs surgery for bcc about three weeks ago. I have a 1.5 inch scar on my right forehead that seems indented now and does not look very attractive. I keep hearing that these scars will heal beautifully. I hope in time. Right now, I feel very self conscious. The nerve endings on my forehead are still not healed and when I touch the scar I feel pain in the back of my head. (Very strange!!!) Also, after the surgery my eyelid was very droopy. That has gone away, thank god. I am starting to use Maderma and will see my surgeon in a couple weeks. Hopefully for the last time. I am aware that these things tend to come back once you’ve had one. I wear SPF 30 everyday on my face, neck and chest and try to stay completely out of the sun. Almost impossible. Also have not gone to beach on regular basis for years. Early twenties and teenage year damage mostly, I believe.

  I too had a skin graft on the tip of my nose !!!  the Skin graft was from my ear also....the tip of my nose is white....but basically it doesn't look as bad  as I thought it would....I AM wondering if there will ever be any pigment there....as I work outside...and usually have some color...I always apply sunscreen when I get up.....

let us know how you make out.......

 

My ear was the sorest !!!!!

    Thank you for replying....!!!!!!!  I have an appointment with my dermatologist the end of this month...and will find out more about the care of a skin graft......!!!!  When the surgen said "skin graft"  I think I tuned out :)  right now I am doing what you suggested and taking care of that area..., so it heals properly.....

 

    thank you again.....

   I had Mohs about a month ago...AND a graft..on the TIP of my nose !!!!  I was wondering what yours looks like NOW ????  mine is white....on the tip....totally does not match the skin around it.....like I said it has been a month.....I wondered about a covering the white.....but the edges are a different color ????

 

I would so love to hear from you about what yours looks like now.....have you had any treatments....????what your follow up has been !!!!

 

Thanks...Marcy

Beve...... I am wondering how you made out....I had the same proceedure..only on the tip of my nose...area white....I am hoping pigment comes back....we were lucky !!!!

 

let me know....Marcy

Hi Marcy,

My scar on my nose looks pretty good now after four months.  The skin was taken from my ear to cover the mohs, so it doesn't look as porous as the nose and a little indented.  I will visit my plastic surgeon in a couple of months to see what he thinks.  I don't think I will go any further - to me it looks pretty good and most people don't even notice it.  The only problem - I believe I have another basal cell appearing in the crease beside my nose.  It will be checked in a couple of weeks.

Bev

Stephanie

 

How is your scar now??  I am 42 and I was just diagnosed with Basal.  My dermatologist referred me to an ophlamologist because it's under my eye.  It turns out that this guy does NOT do Mohs.  I'm nervous about a scar.

 

Can you tell me what type of doctor to see for Mohs? I am really nervous about this

hi i had mohs surgery on the bridge of my nose 3 weeks ago, the dortors name is dr. elizabeth hale in nyc 34st between 1&2nd.

she did a amazing jog, they had to go 5 layers deep so i literally had no nose, she opted not to do a skin graft, said that the flap is better in the long run, how right she was, its only 3 week and i havent even had 1 lazer treatment yet, i go dec 1st for lazer to remove a tiny scar & lighten up a lil redness, tis is all included in the procedue, she has hands of gold ! good luck

Hi Patricia. Are you still out there? Your posts have been very helpful to me. I am a 57-year-old woman in Santa Cruz, CA, who had Mohs for a 4 mm bcc on the tip of my nose about 5 weeks ago. It has been traumatic. After 5 weeks the area around the incision is still red and bumpy. I am really curious about laser treatments. Did you end up having them? How soon after your surgery? How many treatments did you have? How well did they work? No one does Fraxel laser where I live. I wonder how it is different from other laser treatments. Any info you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I hope you are all healed now. Thanks so much.

please definatly choose a mohs specialist, especially on your face. like i said prior Dr. Elizabeth Hale she is a specialist @ Moh's and affiliated with nyu hospital in nyc....

Laser & Skin Surgery Center of NY
317 East 34th Street
New York, NY  10016
Phone: (212) 686-7306

This "Patricia" aka "Pattie" may just be this doctor herself, oh she of the golden hands.  She has posted all over this site as a proponent of this procedure.  I see she even advertises her name and address.  She has responded umpteen times to my own post and will not even let me have the last word on my own post, in which I told my story and advised people to consider less invasive options before doing Mohs, based on my experience.  She now calls me a negative, argumentative person who brought my unhappy experience on myself by my negativity.  For goodness sake!!  Post at your own risk here - you too may be bedeviled by "Pattie" unless you are an unmitigated proponent of Mohs.

that is a doctors name & add in case anyones interested, this is a blog no !

Hi, had by bcc removed Nov.20th.  Has healed really well, Dr. chose to let it heal on its own.  Wondering about raised area?  It's only been a few weeks maybe I'm expecting too much too soon.

Wow! I have to say that I was dx wih basal cell on the tip of my nose also! I am 46 yrs old and the thought of scare on my nose (like the ones you see on the internet) was just unthinkable to me! Call me vain but it's my nose & face & I am a pretty woman and work to maintain a youthful face & body. I was so scared that I called my plastic surgeon who referred me to the BEST DERM in California! Dr. Moy (from UCLA) is the BEST!! I went to see him for the consult this last Thursday & he saw how afraid I was & he was so comforting & kind that he did said "look...let's just do this now & be done with it!". Well before I could yes or no it was done! Way less pain than the biospy, only 1 swipe!!!! It appears 2 days later to be healing wonderfully & if there is a scar after it heals a little laser surgery and poof perfect!

 

As I never do "blogs" I felt it necessary to put this out there since my internet search for information only showed me the worst cases! They are not all bad! I mean it's horrible to have any cancer but skin cancer can be treated and cured if you follow through quickly! I was scared to death, but I did what had to be done & I am so thankful to have had doctors around me that did NOT allow me screw around and wait. I will post pictures soon and the progression of the healing as so others of you like me can see that you don't have lose your nose or face or have some horrible scaring because of the stupid Derms & primary care physicans out there! If you are diagnosised with basal cell or squamous cell on your face do the Mohs!!!! It's your best chance!!! Do it quickly & recheck with your doctor no less than twice a year!!! Good luck to you and do the Mohs! If your in California go see Dr. Moy @ UCLA you will NOT be sorry!!!! All the best Sandy

I had my basil cell removed from the tip of my nose a month ago.....I had a skin graft from my ear.....the tip of my nose is a differnet color....the edges  where the stitching was is darker   ...the center almost white....I am wondering about make up...???I live in Florida...and have always kept a tan////....I do not lay in the sun anymore..I just have stayed  that way.....so here I am with a tanish face/and a white tip of my nose...:)  should I try a tanner on that area...of give it time.....any ideas would be welcomed......

Hey Marcie it's been a few weeks since my procedure & I didn't need a graft, but it has healed beatifully! It is a pink now but the one thing I did discover is that if you use liquid make up & NOT powder it will cover much nicer & not "cake up". I won't use a self tanner on it at this point. I live in Los Angeles & was ALWAYS tan 24/7 for at least 30 yrs! It's hard to be without a tan but I think I'll be going for the Mistic tans when I have something or somewhere special to do. But I would take it easy on your nose for a at least 6 months to give the graft time to take hold & heal then go for from there. Best to you!!!

I had Mohs surgery on the tip of my nose with a skin graft from in front of my ear to cover in January, 6 months later it looks pretty good, but can't imagine a lifetime in front of a mirror trying to cover up, am left with a small scar, and irregular skin appearance along with white skin from skin graft. Considering how it started out it looks really great but I don't think that I can live with as it is.  Was wondering which was better to correct the scars- laser or dermabrasion.  Can anyone tell me if they have had any luck. I am a 51 year old woman, Also wish that the doctors could have advised me on a good concealor. Doctor has suggested we follow up with the dermabrasion but am not sure with the 2 week recovery time for it. Thanks for any help.

PLEASE!!!! DON"T let any physician tell you to do Dermabrasion!!!! The lazar is the way to go!!! It is a longer recovery period but with what you discribed dermabrasion WON'T work and you will have wasted you money, time & hope! I have done the micro derm and it doesn't do much but make a mess of your face break the small vessels on your face! I went to head of Dermatolgy at UCLA Dr Ronald Moy. Look him up. Dr Moy also carries all kinds of cover up make up for the face on his web site. My nose has a "dividt" and it bugs me but i was lucky it wasn't like yours, but I have decided to do the lasar in September (1 year after) and I have seen some of his patients that had grafts then lasar and the down time really seems to be the way to go and look at the plus side is the rest of you face will be wrinkle free & spot free (I'm almost 47 and get it). Best of luck

 

Sandy

Thanks for your reply- I appreciate any input I can get. Wish I would have found this site before my surgery.

Sandy, if you're still out there, thank you. I live in Santa Cruz, CA and may visit Dr. Moy in LA. I had Mohs on the tip of my nose 2 weeks ago. The spot was about 4 mm. It looks like there will be a depressed spot on my nose and this is very upsetting. I wish I had gone to Dr. Moy from the beginning. But maybe he is the best person to improve the scar. How does your nose look now?

I'm still hang out here LOL ~ my step daughter lives in Santa Cruz also. Dr Moy is going yo do a laser thing (I'll check the actual name of it) but he said the laser will get rid of the divit on my nose. Nobody seems to notice unless I say something, but I have to say I work in the medical field & Dr Moy by FAR has been truthful and has always come through with whatever he has said.

 

You still fresh...the BEST is to get Aquafor (spelling is off) and KEEP YOUR NOSE COVERED. i felt like an idiot but after a month HUGE difference.

 

Call him. Hey will call you back. I didn't believe it when I called him (wasn't a patient yet) and he called me back & it's been great since. Let me know what you do & how it's going.

 

Take care & don't freak out it does get better...

 

Sandy

Thank you so much for your reply, Sandy. I was feeling pretty down this evening. Just went out and bought some new bandaids. I feel better when I don't look at my nose right now. I looked up Aquaphor and will buy some right away. Thanks for that tip. By the way, I am 57. I didn't realize I was so vain until I had to deal with this. You have been very helpful.

No problem......I totally get it. I'm 47......let me know how it works!!

Thanks for this info, I'm in Cali and was wanting a referral as I have thigs popping up all over my face suddenly.

 

Kindest regards,

Trish

Hi Trish ~ I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. Moy 310.794.7422 is is out of UCLA but has other office around So.Cal. You will truly love him. Not only is he kind, gentle & has a GREAT touch. His knowledge & skills far above others! Hope things work out for you!

 

Sandy

I had to make the same decision...do the cream. If it don't work for you you can always go back and have the surgery. I just started my 2nd week aldara cream and it's not that bad. I use 5 days on, 2 days off. Your face feels like it's sunburned. I kind of feel run down by the 5th day but the 2 days off is a relief. It's much better than a huge scar from surgery. Good Luck!

I had Mohs surgey September 5 on my lower lip.  The surgery was painless, but once the anesthetic wore off - it was extremely painful.  I don't know if everyone experiences this amount of pain, but I was actually crying.  I was not prepared for that type of pain, but fortunately the doctor did give me some heavy drugs that worked wonderful.  I only had to take the pain medicine the day of the surgery, otherwise it was tolerable.  I am just now able to chew food without discomfort.  Otherwise, you would never know I had the procedure done.

hi there - did you get any feedback re this? I Have just been diagnosed with SCC on my upper lip and drs recommending MOHS.

I'm looking for personal feedback +ve or -ve  - all I am experiencing at the hospital is objective medical opinion - I guess it is their jobs, but....

thanks for any feedback!...

I was diagnosed with BCC on my upper lip the day after my 40th birthday.  I just had it removed last Tuesday.  At first I was shocked at the size of the hole it left on my lip, but only after a couple of days it is looking better.  I am going back to my dermatologist on Monday and we are going to decide if he is going to stitch it up or if were going to let it heal on its own.  Right now I think I am going to just let it heal.  As far as the pain goes...it did not hurt very bad at all.  Kind of feels like you have a canker sore on the outside of your mouth.  It's a little uncomfortable, but tolerable.  Hope this helps...best of luck on your procedure.

Many thanks, Tricia, for replying.  It seems most people I've met in the hospital are at least 30 years older than me! (I'm also in my 40s)

I have just had (last wed 29) similar procedure to yourself - resulting hole was measured as 8mm by 10mm and my doctor gave me the option of letting it heal naturally which I am going with! Its just bigger than the original biopsy (5mm sq) thats all. Very little pain, a little bit swollen still, but not that noticeable - the over-enthusiastic dressing was far more 'wearing' on the public around me!

 

Ruth

Hi Ruth,

I am almost 3 weeks out from the removal of the cancer on my lip and is all I have is a tiny little hole left.  My lip is pretty much completely grown back.  The doctor decided to let it heal on it's own because it looked so good 6 days later.  I am fortunate that my healing has gone so fast.  I am also lucky that I work with a wound care nurse who told me to take vitamin C, zinc and to eat plenty or protein.  Yes, the bandage is a pain, but now it is so small that it is now barely noticable.  My doctor believes in moist healing and wants me to keep it covered with Aquaphor until there is no more sore so I'm thinking about another 2 days and I will be bandage free...  Best of luck with your healing and let me know how it goes.  Take care

I had Mohs for BCC on the side of my nose on 8/12.  My doctor did the skin flap, cutting and pulling skin from the upper part of my nose and pulling it down over the mohrs "hole" -- then it was stitched.  It healed well, however I still have a large bump on the inside of my nose -- this actually impedes my breathing a little.  I go back to see the doctor in December.  Externally, there is also still a bit of a bump, but the scar itself has healed well.  They say it can take a full year to completely heal, so I'm still hoping that the BUMPS will go down.  Anybody else with bumps?

yes i have a bump on the bridge of my nose as well, & i also had a flap done from under my right eye so i have minimal scaring, and the lazer will take care of that, they had to go 5 layers deep so you can imagin what it looked like ! but 3 weeks later its a miracle, im glad i opted for the flap & not the graft. Godd Luck

Laser & Skin Surgery Center of NY
317 East 34th Street
New York, NY  10016
Phone: (212) 686-7306

I also had Mohs with a flap and there is also a bump on the bridge of the nose. It's been 3 weeks and 3 days. The scar is looking good, but the bump is still the same size and a little bruised looking. I wonder if the bump is caused by the skin being piled up where the skin is pulled together at the corner of the two sides of skin? I think it's called a standing cone but they are suppose to cut out a little wedge where it occurs. I hope it goes down. The doc said it will. Did anyone else have this? If so, how long will it take to go down?

Lynne. I had a lot of swelling and my dr recently gave me a shot of steriods in my nose and a steroid spray to help with the swelling inside my nose..it has worked great and I can breathe much better now... 

Hi Julie.  I'm 67 and had Moh's treatment for a bcc on my nose, in the middle.  I have a hole about the size of a pencil eraser, 1/8 " deep (which seemed huge!) and I too am keeping it moist with vaseline and covered like you are.  I'm told to keep "debris" out by using a moist q-tip but find that hard to do.  It seems like skin in growing and when I pull it out, the underside of this "skin"? is bloody.  And that worries me.  The hole is supposed to fill from the bottom, upwards but will not start to grow for at least 12 days.  Do you have skin growing in your defect?  I have been told that as the hole fills in, the skin from my nose will migrate across and there will be no scar.  Hang in there, and keep seeing a dermatologist!  Claudia, in Texas.

hi julie, i had had very large hole on the bridge of my nose as well as the right side, it is very important to keep the wound clean, everyday i would chande the dressing 2x a day, each time cleaning it with wet q tips sterile of course, then drying it with qtips as well, then i put AQUAPHOR on it you can find it in your local drug store, likes vaseline but has a healing property, then cover with a non stick bandage, then do it again in the evening,

i did that by the book for i week straight then had stiches removed, its hardly noticble & i didnt even have lazor yet, but no dry blood , that will leave scaring and possible cause infection, must be kept very clean... the reat is cake, trust me, i had it very bad....Good luck   pattie

Claudia,

Your response was very helpful. I am also getting the white "goo" around the inner edge of the hole. I can also tell that it is filling in from the bottom after 1 week...It seems much less deep. I'm trying to wipe out the white stuff and most of it coms out, but there is some at the one edge that seems pretty stable, so I have left it. I guess if it comes out easily fine, but if not, I'm leaving it. Hopefully that is correct. I'm supposed to go back and see the dermatologist in 2 more weeks. I'm really impressed that it's healing up, but it's still gaping quite a bit so I feel the need to keep it covered. I'm tired of the Band-aid look, but I know it's all temporary. Thanks for responding and let me know how yours heals.

Blessings, Julie

Julie, thanks for your response.  I guess doctor's are a little different.  I had to leave my first bandage on for 72 hours and don't see him again until a month is up.  My white skin is now growing across the bottom and filling in.  When I pulled it out, it made a deeper hole, but not evenly.  I don't know.  I think it is ok and I am leaving it alone now.  Some folks here have talked about lazering afterwards and no one has mentioned that to me, so maybe if the skin is "odd" after its all grown in, that can be done.  I had my first skin cancer 4 or 5 years ago, and now have had 9 or 10, so that's why I say to keep seeing the dermatologist.  I've heard the same from others.  Smaller is better of course.  All others have been quick and easy healing, but this was my first Moh's.  Hopefully, there will be no regrowth!  Take Care, Claudia

hi my doctor did the MOHS on my nose, i had a very bad bcc, 5 layers, it has all grown in now 3 weeks later, however i do have a scar & some redness. the lazer will take that away& my dr. told me that i get all the lazer i need until im satidfied how it looks, it comes with the procedure, because lazer could be quite expensive, like mohs is expensive as well , but i believe it the best choice, especially on the face.

so find out sometimes if you dont ask they dont tell.... Good Luck   pattie

Good luck Kathi, i had it on my nose as well, its been a lil over a month & i have been going for Fraxel laser treatments to remove scarring & redness, although it was minimul the scar, the lasor is wonderful & it included in the insurance along with the mohs procedure, it could be very costly, but the Fraxel is working fine & it put collagen back so long term i think i will have a great outcome.   pattie

Thanks, Pattie, I've got another week to wait.  Good luck with your laser treatments.

Kathy

hi kathy i was wondering how did you makes out ? hope all's well.

Hi Pattie, the surgery went well 6 days ago.  My dermatologist just had to cut one time.  It was a fairly good size cut, so he had to do a graft.  Tomorrow I get the stitches out.  I'm hoping I can get this big bandage off my face!  I work in an elementary school and the conversations with kids have been interesting to say the least.  The cold was more of a bother on my nose than I expected.  All in all it hasn't been so bad.  Thanks for your good wishes.  How go the laser treatments?

hi Kathy, I.m glad to hear from you & that everything went well ! yes the bandages were annoying, i had mine around Halloween so i told the trick or treaters I was frankenstein ! anyway I found keeping the bandgage dry all the time was good for healing, everytime i showered or washed my face i changed the bandgage & put Aquaphor ointment on it with a q tip & it really was great , i still use it on my face because the cold does bother it, thats normal, new skin. I dont know if its the same for a graph, I had a flap done, I think because mine was very deep.

after the stitches you will just have to wear a small bandgage to keep it clean.

especially around children.

they had to put a hold on my laser treatment , they found a lil spot & biopsed it & i have to have another mohs, I dont think its that bad so I will have it done the 9th of jan. & then get al the laser @ once. so i will have a whole new face ,lol. However if you should need any laser ask about the fraxel, I found with just one treatment iI see a noticible differance, it is laser with collagen in it so serves 2 purposes.

Maybe you wont ned , the skin really grows back so fast.

Im sure the whole process will take at least a year to be complete & then we have to watch the sun. Very happy you did well, have a wonderful Holiday & a great New Year. Pattie

 

Hi Pattie, I'm sure you were a lovely Frankenstein.  Another round in January?  Good luck.  My doctor told me to use good old vaseline on my graft and lots of it.  I go back in three months for a re-check.  From what so many other people are writing I seem to have gotten off fairly easy.  When I go out I cover the graft site with a bandaid but around the house I can keep it uncovered.  My stitches are dissolvable, so the nurse trimmed them back rather than remove them.  A bandaid is so much better than the big bandage, I told people it looked like I was wearing maxi pads on my face.  It is so much easier to keep it clean and dry now.  Take care and keep in touch. Merry Christmas!  Kathy

Thats funny Kathy maxi pad, thats just what it looked like ! vaseline  is great, this aquaphor is just a glorified vaseline really. im happy you are doing well.

maybe i will get lucky this time and just have 1 or 2 layers....fingers crossed.. take care... pattie

Hi Pattie, I picked up some aquaphor at the drugstore for later use.  That and a whole assortment of band-aids.  When I get back around 100s of kids and their not-so-clean sneezes after winter break I suspect I will want to cover up my graft site.  Are there any swimmers out there?  My doctor said I could go swimming after a couple weeks but I'm a bit nervous about leaving my skin graft in the pool.  I gave each member of my family a bottle of spf 50 face sun screen for Christmas.  Here's to 2009!  May we all have beautiful skin in the New Year! 

Hi very smart Christmas gift, I really dont know about the swimming, especially a poll, me personally i would not go in a pool, i would wait a good long time, i think with this is to keeo it as clean as possible, better for healing & less scaring, a nice salt water ocean i would jump right in!maybe ask doctor, well good luck to you,  keep me posted how you made out, im sure you will like the aquaphor, to tell you the truth i use it everynight on my face & my skin never look so good. a lil greesy though.but very good.To a great  "2009 " & no more sun girls, just small amouts with sun screen. something i never used. pattie

Hi Pattie, A nice dip in the salt water of the Caribbean sounds good right about now.  Not many sea breezes here in the Midwest.  This last week has been crazy weather, everything from subzero wind chills to flooding to fog enshrouded airports to tornado watches.  Nope, no sea breezes unfortunately.  I was extracting promises from friends at a party last night to wear sunscreen.  You had a good point about keeping my nose clean in the pool.  As much as they try to keep it clean the fact remains that hundreds of people are in the water every day.  I think I'll put swimming laps on the back burner for a couple more weeks, at least until it looks more like skin and less like a raw spot in the middle of my face.  Happy New Year to everyone!

hi, the weather is crazy here in N.Y as well, last week we had freezin rain & a foot of snow & today it was almost 60 degree's, go figure ! that is a good idea about the pool, better safe than sorry.after i have this next procedure i just might take a trip to a nice ocean, that has to be the best thing for the skin !

 

Have a wonderful New Year !

Happy New Year Pattie and everyone!  My surgery was almost 3 weeks ago and already it's looking more pink than raw.  I've been keeping it well covered with Vaseline.  One of the tricky points is forgetting to be careful when I sneeze or blow my nose.  Oh, the things we never needed to think about.  Your next round is next week, right?  Good luck, keep me posted.  Kathy

Hi Kathy  that is wonderful ! the first time i had to sneeze i tried to stop it ! i was so scared ,even now im very careful when i wash my face, still sore underneath due to the many layers, but it looks wonderful. yes my next app.is this friday the 9th. im a little anxious because now i know, although it was never painful. I thank you for you good wishes  & im keepin positive, hopefully im in & out . take care Kathy im happy you are doing so well. its a beautiful thing what we can over come...take care i'll keep you posted. pattie

Pattie, Good luck on Friday.  I'm back at school this week and it's fun getting compliments from 8 year old kids that my nose is looking good.  I'm keeping vaseline on my nose and am skipping the band-aids.  So far I haven't had any kids sneezing or coughing in my general direction.  It still doesn't look quite up to swimming.  I guess that will just take a bit more time.  The graft is looking more like my usual skin tone but a little bumpy on the edges.  From what others are writing that will probably settle down soon.  Kathy

Hi Kathy, thanks for the good wishes, I'm happy to say , i got lucky yesterday ! only 1 swipe & 13 small stitches, it was not too deep, so i'am very grateful.

you sound like everything is moving right along that is wonderful. I think that is a good idea to keep some kind of ointment on it for a while, especially around kid's, the lil germ carriers      so i go back next friday to get stitches out & more laser treatment.

 i wanted to post here, my doctor recemended to me this treatment called laser PDT photodynamic, it is  a light treatment that they give you to kill any pre-cancerous cells that could be forming ( God forbid ) but in my case beiing i had it 2x she recomends it. and she says it really evens out the skin from scars -discoloration etc. so i will wait a month and see, it is covered by ins. just throwing it out there, I truly hope no on here ever need anymore of anything ! God Bless, Kathy have a great weekend & thanks again. we  i will be snowed in for 2 days, couldnt have come at a better time !

PEACE   pattie

Hi Pattie, I'm glad to hear your treatment went well on Friday.  My site has a couple little bumps on it.  If it is still bumpy at my follow up I could ask my doctor about the light treatment you mentioned.  We're snowed in here in the Midwest, too. 

Hi Pattie, how are you healing up?  I'm doing quite well.  Tomorrow it will be six weeks since the cancer was removed and skin graft stitched in place.  It looks a little bumpy and the color is just a tiny bit different from the rest of my nose but I'm the only one who notices.  The cold doesn't bother it anymore.  For any other swimmers out there, I waited 5 weeks before getting back to swimming laps and it has gone fine.  I put a big dose of vaseline on the graft site and it was still there after being in the pool just over an hour.  Chlorine has nothing on Vaseline!  Winter can't last forever, keep the sunblock handy.

I am scheduled to have Mohs surgery on my upper chest.  I am concerned about

having the procedure done at all because it took so long for my doctor to 

determine if it was cancer.  Has anyone doubted a doctor's diagnosis or had any concerns about the necessity of the Mohs procedure?  

It took a few visits and specimens from my nose to get the final diagnosis, maybe a month altogether.  I had no questions about the doctor I was seeing.  I had been to him in the past and had been satisfied then.  Also, I asked friends and co-workers and it turned out someone had had the Mohs procedure on her nose a few years prior, same doctor, and I couldn't see the scar until she pointed it out in good light.  Friend references seem to be pretty reliable.  I'm glad I had it done.  It's been 8 months and all is well.  Like my friend, no one knows unless I point it out.  Does that help? 

hi sue, i'm sorry you had a bad expierence with the mohs, but i still do think its the best option, it only takes away bad cells,i just had a very small dot on my nose as well & i would up getiing close to 30 stitches, i looked like miss piggy too ! it probably was worse than you thought, just like me. now to look at my nose you could hardly see it, it stays swollen for a long time ,months, when the swelling goes down all the skin gets lose again & everything reshapes, you might need some kind of laser treatment, however the skin rejuvinates itself. give it time. when i first took my bandage off @ home i almost fainted, it was the first time i saw it....trust me. i have photos if you want i will send them too you before & after.It just takes time, i know how you feel. but in my opinin the mohs is still the best wat to go, thank goodness they got it out. take care   pattie

I appreciate your encouragement, however, I am inconsolable and traumatized.  Don't get me wrong, Mohs may be the procedure of choice, when all else fails, or the carcinoma warrants it. 

 

My reason for posting was to warn people reading this, to KNOW what you are getting into, so that you can make informed choices.  I wish I had read someone's post that told me to ask the doctor to Draw A Line on your face where he will cut.  If he says he won't know till he begins the procedure, ask him to draw the best case, and the worst case scenarios.

 

I had small, very slow growing, dot.  I would have had it burned off, and be left with a small white spot as a scar, but my nose intacct.  I NEVER would have agreed to a restructured nose with a scar down the entire length.  If the BCC came back, I would have tried radiation.  Only then, if the BCC came back yet again, would I feel forced to consent to this as a last resort. 

hi sue,I feel your pain, the thing with the mohs is that when you leave there you are cancr free ! you dont know how bad it is until they take that first layer off ! thats why its important to do research BEFORE procedure, & get to know your doctor, listen if it was that bad i wouldnt be going back for a second procedure, but i dont want cancer on my face...give it time, i had a very tiny dot & i had 5 layers removed !i wouldnt have it any other way, try not to be negative, it doesnt help the healing process. it is scary, it is unbelievable i know how you feel, in 6months you will be happy with you results.. anything is better than not taking care of it... GOD BLESS.

Let's stop this, "Pattie".  I'm not interested in this ongoing conversation with you.  You are obviously a big proponent of Mohs, (are you a paid advertiser?, I see you have alot of posts in here to rally people around Mohs). 

 

You are subtly disarming and depriving me of my point of view, by telling me that I "did the right thing", and that I really will be happy eventually.  Puh leeese.  Shut up already.

 

To any readers:  my recommendation is still to try other less disfiguring options first, unless, of course, you are not all that fond of your nose and are willing to try a nose remodeling that leaves a scar all down the center of your nose. 

id rather not argue with you either & im not a paid anything, if you look @ other peoples post they are all satisfied with their outcome, I dont think just because you are a negative person that you have the right to lay that on anyone else, we come here for support not to argue, you obviously make the wrong choice for yourself & didnt do your homework, or had a poor doctor ! you made your own choices. this is not a complaint board ! deal wit it.

Like i said , upon reading htis you state that you wish you would have read some of these post firsy, thats not how to find out about a surgery, have to do research ! you obviousy are argumentive & thats just your nature, do you think maybe thats why things didnt work out for you.

Pattie, you won't even let me have the last word on my own post.  And YOU call ME argumentative!  Go ahead and reply to this one too and continue to denegrate my position.  Readers can judge for themselves....

you must be really lonely...sad

dear sue

 

please, please don't stop posting your opinion- i just found this site-and find it very informative-  the experience you had and the information you gave is so very valued-it is hard enough to share traumatizing experiences-but you did it-and did it for all of us out here who need to know all the facts-most people trust their doctors to do the best thing for minimal scarring-what else can you do-they are the "experts" right?  not always the case-look what you have been through-it is so very important to give everyone the facts- both sides of the story-the good stories and the bad-and you did just that-  i bet after you posted back and forth-you finally said"after what i have been through-i certainly don't need this s--" i applaud you for sharing your expereince-and i hope you will continue to inform people of their choices when it comes to treating skin cancer/mohs-etc-if not on this site-then somewhere...anywhere-don't stay quiet!!! don't be put off-be heard!!

mk

My 3-month post-Mohs report.  I have an ugly scar down the entire length of my nose. It is bumpy in places, indented in others. Nose all red, but I believe that will dissipate. My original nose is still no where to be found. How could it be?  He cut out an oval shaped piece all down my nose!  I don't at all like my new nose.  My old one suited me.

 

At this 3-month stage, I still adivse everyone to be very cautious with Mohs on your nose.  I still very much regret not having read sites like this first. Know what you are getting into. Have the doctor drawn lines on your nose.  Don't be scared of BCC, it is not malignant. Take your sweet time in deciding what to do. If I could only do it over again, I would try everything else first, including burning it off (curetage), or a small skin graft.  Either would have left less damage.  Mohs is very invasive.  I had the head of Mohs at a leading NY medical facility, so this was no beginner.

Sue,

I'm so sorry for your experience. I have a bad feeling something went terribly wrong in your case, because that is precisely the scenario Mohs is intended to prevent. They are ONLY supposed to remove cancerous tissue, plus a very small perimeter. That's why they leave you on the table between "takes". They actually biopsy the perimeter cells to make sure they got it all, but no more than necessary.

 

I'm not pro-Mohs or anti-Mohs.I recently had it done on my inner ear, and today got my first real look at how it's healing. Unfortunately, I don't have a ridge anymore in the ear! The inside is flat. Someone forgot to mention that, and I'm not thrilled. BUT...it was a nasty tumor that I let fester for over a year by trying all other treatments. It had to go. But I had no idea it was so big!

 

In my case, what happened that even though the external tumor looked pretty small (pencil eraser), the cancer had widely spread into the cartelidge and under the skin. I don't know about the nose, but I spoke with two unrelated docs after, and they confirmed that can happen, especially in areas of the body with little fat separating the skin and cartilidge (fat traps the cancer on the inside). So the area they removed was 10x what I'd *seen*. Necessarily. In fact, if I'd ignored it much longer or continued with the less invasive options (we'd frozen it and scraped it many times already), I very well may have lost my ear.

 

I know my surgeon only took what was needed, because he worked very slowly and had to go back in 4 times to get the full tumor.

 

Anyways, I sincerely hope your scar eventually gets much better. Best of luck to you.

 

(and Pattie, seriously, scram.)

One other comment for everyone asking about Aldara - I've done that too (on my lips).

 

Yes, it's a pain in the butt.

 

Yes, it looks hideous.

 

Yes, it's moderately painful (mostly depending on where, much more so if it's a place you move often).

 

But it's way better than Mohs (although in my experience Mohs is more for deeper cancers, Aldara for surface cancers...)

 

Much better and more effective than Efudex.

 

And when it works, its like childbirth. While you're doing it it sucks, but the end result is gorgeous. Seriously, my lips looked 25 years younger. As a bonus (lol) all cancers were G-O-N-E. We have to do it again in 6 months or so according to my derm (it was 3 years ago), and I'm kinda looking forward to it.

 

Anyways, the point is it's not so bad I fear it. And the real benefits (getting rid of *surface* skin cancers), are very real.

Sue,

You are right on. I took matters into my own hands after finding out I had BSC on my nose. My dermatologist did not provide any counseling on options, just automatically set me up to have the Mohs treatment. After doing some research and speaking with my long term PCP and a Mohs specialist, I opted for "frozen sections"  with a facial plastic surgeon and a flap. Each removed section was immediately tested for clear margins and if not clear, the process would have been repeated - while I was under anaesthesia... surgery was performed very comfortably in a hospital. It has been about 2 months and things are looking pretty good. The scar is almost gone and most people can't even see it. My nostrils aren't perfectly symmetrical anymore but now that the scar is disappearing and the swelling is going down, I can live with it - I don't have a choice anyway. My surgeon explained all of the things he was going to do and all of the possible complications. I would NOT have been a good candidate for Mohs as I can't tolerate seeing blood or pain. I was not impressed at all with the Mohs process although I do understand it is highly effective. I think the bottom line is that patients should be adequately counseled and the docs should make sure that the patient  is presented with options along with the pros and cons of each...empowering them to make an educated decision. That info should be provided by the doctor and patients should not be left on their own to perform the research or have the decison made for them as my dermatologist tried to do. It sounds like you had more lasting visual changes and I am sorry to hear that - have you asked a facial plastic surgeon about it? They may have some ideas to help get things more back to normal...best of wishes

Sue...thanks for this advice...I'm recently diagnosed and freaked out (I'm sure I'll calm down).  Thank you for helping us think about the things that you have had to learn on your own.  I wish you the best.

I only have my nose to go by, but that sounds like a long time for problems to continue.  What does your doctor say?

I agree i had mine done in oct. & my nose i pretty much back to normal, will take months or longer for it to ever look the same, you know some people heal diffrently, if you have other medical conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes , etc. the way you eat all that is a component in healing..might just take a lil longer. everyones differant..take care.

I had the tip of my nose done several years ago by another dr and it healed quick and you can't tell anything was ever done to it.  And he had to graph skin to the spot. 

 

I got a staph infection in the nose incision a few days after this surgery, so I'm thinking maybe that's causing the site to heal slower.

 

I do have high blood pressure but I've had that for years. 

 

oh wow sorry to hear that, that staph infection is not suppose to happen, you might still nedd a strong bout of antibiotics even though that was a yr ago, thats staph is very dangerous some people dont recover from that, did you have your procedure in a hospital ? thats usually where you pic that up. that room has to be totally sterile, i have mine done isn the doctors office, & with every layer removed she did open a new sterile pac, I guess at the time your going through this these thiings we dont think of, good luck to you ! pattie

Thanks Pattie!  I had mine done in the doctors office and I might need to check on the antibiotic thing.  I haven't talked to the dr that did the surgery because I was so mad because of the outcome.  The woman that did the closing was tired, pregnant, and had a cold.  Since it took 8 hrs for the surgery, I'm sure she didn't want to be there.  So when she stitched me up, she left a big knot of skin at the corner of my mouth that looks awful now.  I'm all wrinkled up by my mouth.  Made me mad!  But I guess I need to go to my regular dermatologist and see what he says.

maybe your better off going to the derm, thats messed up because someones not feeling well that should take it out on a patient, especially this issue. this is sensitive on the mind too, this is our face & they should relly do the best they can to see we are satisfied with the outcome & she shouldnt there in the 1st place if she has a cold ! after my mohs i had 1 treatment of FRAXEL laser it really does wonders smoothes out the skin & really lightens up any scarring, after i have this next procedure i will continue the Fraxel , my dortor includes it in with the mohs procedure fee as many as i need to be happy with the outcome, which usually 3or4. & by 6 months to a yr it should hardly be noticeable, maybe you can ask your dermatagolist, i think its expensive though. but worth it, it has collagen in it, if you have time, google all the laser treatments & this way you can see what might work for you, im sure your scaring  isnt & shouldnt be permanent, & you have all the reason to be mad thats just not right. Im sure there is something they can do atleast to make you happy . why wait any longer & settle for something that your not happy with... take care pattie

Ummm, Pattie, I don't know who you think you are fooling, but I can tell by your forced abbreviations, deliberate mispellings and extensive knowledge of medical terminology and procedures that you are in the medical profession. Seriously, anyone with the kind of extensive knowledge that let slip in your postings would not make the ridiculous grammatical errors that you are making.  You remind me of the geek kid in school that tried too hard to be cool.  In some postings you sound sixteen and in other postings, you sound thirty-five. You are trying so hard to make it look like you are not a medical professional, you are overcompensating. When you grow up with a physician father, you learn that those in the profession talk a certain way and don't realize they are doing it.  You, my friend, scream medicine. I don't know why you feel it necessary to lie, but it is disconcerting and makes you look suspicious.  Please stop.

I went to the dermatologist today and all is well.  I was told the graft is healing well and the bumps etc. can be smoothed out with dermabrasion in about a month.  I was assured it was not the skin cancer returning.  I can cover the graft with a little makeup coverstick and face powder which makes it pretty much unnoticeable to others.  I go back in April for the dermabrasion.  In the meantime I must massage the area with scar gel in an effort to break it down.  Good luck to others facing Moh's surgery.

Hi, ATB

I, too had Moh's Surgery on my forehead many years ago. My scar is 2 inches long.

Hardly noticeable. Yes, the night of and the day after surgery there is a lot of pain.

Don't be bashful to request pain pills. My pain was from the fact that the surgeon

had a couple of dissolvable stitches into the covering of the skull for support.

Every time I grimaced at night during my sleep the first night it was very painful.

Must say that 2 days later it wasn't even a concern. I guess the skin on the fore-

head is pretty thin. Must have to immobilze it for a bit. Fear not you will heal just

fine. Mine was 13 years ago and I haven't had a repeat! Good Luck to you.

AzLady

Hi,

I just (this morning) had Mohs surgery on my right hand for SCC that had recurred after previous treatments: curettage and cautery. The dermatologist's assistant covered it while I was waiting for the Mohs result, then the dermatologist came back to tell me that it was all out. She then closed the approx. penny-size hole with 5-6 stitches and put bandage on it. I was asked to keep the bandage on until at least tomorrow.

For many hours afterwards I didn't feel any pain or discomfort so I used my hand like I didn't have a surgery and got the bandage a little wet and soiled. So I removed the bandage, put antibacterial cream on the wound and changed the bandage. At that time I saw how big the scar is. Now, hours later, I feel pain, my skin feels tight and swollen and I can't make a fist, so I am concerned whether I should try to excercise it so it will heal properly or leave it be and see what happens. I play tennis so a strong grip is important to me. I was stupid that I didn't read these posts before surgery.

In any case, reading your comments, I am not sure that stitching was right and best way for the cut to be healed without leaving much of a mark or should I have the stitches taken out and let it heal naturally. What do you guys think? Did anyone had this kind of operation on the hand?

Hi, I'm glad to finally see some people who had Moh's on other places than their faces. I was beginning to think I was the odd-man-out. I had Moh's on my upper thigh 4 days ago. I didn't go to a consultation before I had the tumor removed because I was told it would be done exactly like the biopsy. For the most part it was exactly like the biopsy. My surgeon told me that he would have to cut a football-like shape out of my leg because there is no way for a "hole" to heal, so I am surprised that your surgeon even did that. I ended up receiving a vertical incision with 22 stitches. When I looked at it I thought "what did he do to me?!"; the only way I can describe it is looking like a sharkbite. My surgeon reassured me that in time the skin would "pop out" and look normal and that my scar would be minimal. For a few hours after the surgery I felt perfectly fine, but as the numbing wore off, it became more and more painful. It got to the point where I could not even walk. Day 2 was miserable and I called and requested pain medication, which they did not hesitate to give me. It's now day 4 and I'm starting to regain normal function (walking, etc.), but with a slight pulling sensation. I'm regretting going through with the surgery a little because my tumor was benign, but I feel better knowing that it's gone. I'm only 23 and hope this is not something that I will have to have done again in my lifetime!

I have used Aldara Cream 5% and was very happy with the final results.  The eight to ten weeks using the Aldara is rough.  The first four weeks nothing happens and then it starts to work.  Ask you Dermatologist to show you the brochure on Aldara.  If the Aldara is working for you it will look like the brochure.  After you stop using the Aldara your skin is very smooth.  Talk to your Dematologist

Stephen:

 

My situation has changed since I asked the question about the aforementioned products.  I was healed of cancer.  I used PERRINS BLEND.  Here is my story.  Btw, I am "Rose Petal" on this forum.

 

http://www.topicalinfo.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=563

 

Sorry about the typos in my last paragraph, I was typing without my glasses.  Glad to

read about your success.  How did you learn about Perrins Blend?  Was your doctor or

dermatologist okay with you trying this product?

Stephen:

 

When I received my diagnosis of SCC, I consulted with a Mohs surgeon, a radiation oncologist and a plastic surgeon (which I was told was mandatory because the wound was large and deep).  Every doctor recommended surgery or radiation.  The plastic surgeon, however, believed radiation was a VERY poor choice.

 

I was not monitored by any doctor while using PERRINS BLEND.  Most doctors will probably not endorse a cream that isn't FDA approved.

 

I discovered PERRINS BLEND while doing research in the Internet.

 

I am schedule for Mohs surgery for the bridge of my nose and the inside of my right eye between my nose and eye.  I'm scared to death!  How long will it be before I can return to work after such gruesome details?  Anyone ever had to close to their eye?

I had my surgery on Wednesday and went back to work on Friday - I did this because I am not one to sit around and I really felt like working.  I did cover up my nose with gauze and paper tape (just to make it look better) but I did get lots of questions about what happened (car wreck, etc).  It was really not that bad - I do office work so I did not have to bend down (that may have been uncomfortable).

 

Good luck - don't be discouraged - I have healed and it really looks good!! People who don't know that I had this done tell me that it is not noticeable and I had a large area to be grafted. My mother has had this done twice (side of  nose and tip of nose)- she is now 79 and you can't notice hers either!!

 

Twyla

I have been reading all these posts about the mohrs surgery. I am having a biopsy in a couple weeks for a spot on my lower eyelid that wont go away and my opthalmologist thinks it is cancer and said she would want to do the mohrs surgery on it if it is. After seeing these posts I'm even more scared than I was when I read about 2 inch scars and nickle deep incisions and here we are talking about my eye. Is there anyone out there who has had eyelid Mohrs surgery and if so how bad was the experience and the scarring? I'm a 48 yr old single female and scared to death of my appearance afterwards. I just found this site so not sure if this is the correct place to post this question.

i had the same nose and next to eye. if its about an 8th of inch from eye, i think you will be okay. dr chow from cola,sc did it. after the surgery, the girl told me if it had been any closer , i would have one eye like dr. chow. that made me think, why wouldnt they warn me. i had the surgery on october 8th, 2008. it is now august 6th 2009. the area around the eye is slighty elevated, but looks ok. all my life people tell me i look like robert redford. (jeremiah johnson) or (all the pres, men). the nose took 3 scapes. the eye took 2. i had the worst problem with the nose. i had mohs on both, but the hole on the nose was small at first, after stitches. i think they missed part of the small hole. the uneven hole got bigger over the months. when i went back 6 months later, i said, look at this. it looked terrible to me. they re-stitched it. looks alot better now. i had a third bbc between my nose and cheek, in june. why do they stick a mirror in your face after surgery? i said i didnt want to look at it , ill look at it tomorrow, when i redress it. watch the movie with tom cruise, i forget the title, where he is disfirgured in a car accident. it's not preety at first, but it will heal within 6 months or less, depends on the scrapes.  good luck. feel free to email me   

I had Mohs Surgery on my nose yesterday, with a skin graft.  It looks really yucky and deep.  The incision in front of my ear is good.  Can someone tell me how long my nose will look bad?  I am cleaning with 3% peroxide and applying Polysporin.  Should I keep bandaged or is it best to leave un-bandaged with extra vaseline or polysporin?

Three weeks since my Mohs surgery. I'm now starting to feel optimistic. The scab has healed, and the depressed area has filled in. The skin in the area of the surgery is "bumpy and puffy," which is what my doctor told me to expect. It's kind of red too. Thanks to Sandy on this site, I am now using Aquaphor at home. I don't know if it will help the skin to heal or not, but if feels good to be doing something. I'm still wearing a bandaid when I go out. It's not as scary looking as before, but it still looks funky. Hope to get the nerve to stop wearing the bandaid in the next few days.

Four weeks since my Mohs surgery. I went back and forth with the bandaid for a few days this week and finally stopped wearing it 3 days ago. I don't want to gross anyone out. I can tell store clerks and other strangers notice something is wrong, but they hardly register it. The area where the bcc was removed is still bumpy and reddish, maybe a little less than last week. Today I decided it looks like someone splashed acid on my nose. The big worry all along has been: is this it, or will it continue to improve? I guess only time will tell. I see my doctor in 3 weeks. Can anyone tell me, will the laser treatment be offered at the 7-week point, or will I have to wait 6 months? My doctor told me it takes 6 months for the scar to "blend." Will post again next week. I don't know if anyone is reading this, but it sure was helpful to me to find this site, and helpful to have a place to write about my progress, even if no one is reading it but me.

Hi, Diagnosed with BCC, upper lip and upper cheek, below my eye. Very small spots. Wanted it cut out, Mohs surgery, but after talking to Plastic Surgeon decided to try Aldara first. I can't believe all the horror stories form either procedure. Sure was glad to find this web site...I'm not alone!! Will be starting Aldara on Sunday night, 5 days on 2 off for 8 weeks. Hope it works. It's gotta be better than skin grafts. Iv'e learned alot from internet but is so confusing. Some people have no problems and others have horrible experiences. It's hard to determine what choice will be best. I guess I'll find out......

Good luck! I will post an update again tomorrow. I did not know about Aldara before my Mohs surgery. However, a few years ago I had a bcc on my forhead, just under the hairline. I was worried about a bald spot if I had it surgically removed, so I tired Efudex first, which may be similar to Aldara. It did not work. In that case, the Mohs surgery went extremely well. No bald spot. Just a short thin white line at the hairline. I have trouble finding it myself! From what I can understand, different parts of the face heal differently. Most parts heal really well. The tip of the nose, where I had my surgery 9/30, is more iffy. But I am still optimistic. Check my post tomorrow, at week 5.

It's so hard to be patient! It is now 5 weeks since the Mohs surgery on my nose. I am not seeing much improvement in the surgery area this week. Still bumpy and red. I feel discouraged, especially when I look in a mirror with an overhead light. I am using Aquaphor. I'm wearing a bandaid most nights because I once heard that a scar might heal better when it is deprived of oxygen. Who knows? Even though 5 weeks seems like an eternity, I know the spot isn't healed yet. It still hurts when I press on it. I've been told healing takes 3 to 6 months. But I'm starting to think I will definitely need laser treatments. I am very curious about them. How soon before the treatment can be done? How does it work? How well does it work? I may try contacting some earlier posters to learn more about the laser treatments. Will post again next week. I see my dermatologist again in 2 weeks. Wish it were sooner so I could get my questions answered.

Six weeks since the Mohs surgery on my nose. Shortly after I wrote my last post, my nose started to look better, a little less red and a little less bumpy. Or maybe I am just getting used to looking at it. No, I think it's actually quite a bit improved this week. Now that the area is less red I can see a tiny black dot. What the heck? I think the doctor didn't get all of the black sutures out! I am desperate for my appointment on November 19. Tried to move it up but couldn't. Anyway, feeling much better this week. I feel like I can go out in public a little more and not feel totally self-conscious. Will report on my doctor's appointment next week.

Finally got to see my doctor yesterday, 7 weeks after the Mohs surgery. There was indeed a piece of black suture still in my nose (!), which he removed. The tiny spot still looks black, which has me concerned. I was so looking forward to this appointment, as a chance to get more information, particularly about laser procedures. And I wanted my doctor to tell me how he felt the area was healing. I was disappointed. All the doctor said was that "it's only been 7 weeks," the scar will continue to soften for 6 months. This is basically the same thing he said at 1 week. It is like pulling teeth to get information out of this doctor. I went ahead and made an appointment for his FX laser treatment on January 7, but I did not get clear advice from him on whether this was the right step or not. I think he likes the patient to wait because often they decide to skip the laser after months go by. I think I will make an appointment to see my regular dermatologist in December for a second opinion. Very frustrating and disappointing. Now, after my nose was poked to remove the piece of suture, it is redder than it was. It is still lumpy, and I really cannot imagine the lumpiness going away without some additional treatment.