First of all, I completely sympathize for those of you on this site who have had these shocking experiences and thank you for taking time to share your experience. I also feel it fair to share more of the less severe side of BCC and Mohs surgery for those who have just been diagnosed and are looking for some info. Though my chances going in to Mohs surgery were good that it would be a minor procedure, no one truly knew going in there if I were going to end up with a deeper, larger hole. And that was 99% of what I had seen on the internet - the severe cases. It makes sense that those with easy experiences just move on and forget about it, but remembering how nervous I was I wanted to take time to tell my story.
I am a 33 year-old female of Italian and Czech descent. I grew up going to the beach but not baking, not sleeping in tanning beds, though I have had a few burns. Upon getting a regular check-up (I go to the dermatologist for a couple of benign things and to check my moles once a year bc I have a little more than average), I pointed out this new growth on the side of my nose which he thought was just a white mole or something I can't remember. He also mentioned it could be BCC. He cut it off and surprisingly it came back with BCC cells.
They called and scheduled me for Mohs about a month later. They didn't suggest any other options. Having a friend who is also a well-respected and renowned skin cancer surgeon up in NY, I was familiar with it already. When I asked her she suggested I don't mess around with any other therapies bc of its great success and lack of scars, etc. But I still was worried about the results since you don't know how deep it is until you get in, supposedly. I wanted to know the worst case scenario, just in case, but also the best.
As I searched for more details I kept encountering all these horror stories. How unfair that people weren't told in advance that it could be a big hole - and though it's not the majority of the cases, it is of course what I prepared for.
Upon my surgery day I spoke both to the nurse and my MD about it - my dermatologist peformed the Mohs and he told me he figured we got most of it with the mole originally - that the key is to go the the MD as soon as you notice something, and that it should only be one or maybe two passes. I appreciated his candor and wish I had the chance to speak with him a few weeks earlier! :)
I did not have to wait in a waiting room with other people. After the nurse numbed me, the MD came in with the lab tech, and after about 10 seconds he was done with the first scrape. I felt nothing, hardly a pressure. I remained alone in the surgery room in my surgical shoes, cap and robe and read a book until they returned twenty minutes later. He told me there was only a teeny bit at the center, and though it could just be the "tip of the iceberg" he really thought it was the last of it.
So he went in the second time - I didn't get numbed again - and after scraping it said to all of us, "oh yeah, that's all gone." In ten minutes they returned to tell me they had all of it.
- Resources
My Mohs surgery was not a traumatic experience - a better case scenario
6/ 8/09 8:27pm
How sensitive of you and how understanding...I am a candidate for Mohs in a few weeks and the more I read the more apprehensive I was becoming. I am now taking a deep breath and hoping I am as lucky as you, but if I am not, I will always appreciate hearing the other side of the coin. Thanks.
6/ 8/09 10:43pm
Oh my gosh - I was so nervous doing my research. After all, no one could promise me I wouldn't have some rare situation where my nose would be stitched up the middle or I'd have to have plastic surgery... and I feel for everyone who encountered the more severe situations - after all, this is nothing any of us welcomed and for most people we incurred the damage when we were younger and more careless... so not to take away from anyone like that, but to know that my situation is much more often the case is something that I hope gives you a sign of relief, or at least hope! I have pics of the healing if you ever want to see, just let me know. And best of luck!
6/11/09 5:18pm
Thank you for this info. In two weeks I am having this procedure on the side of my nose also. I am scared sick (almost literally). I fear the procedure as well as the scarring. I am 36 and looking at every dot on my skin with suspicion. How did your scaring turn out? Did they end up stitching it at all? If you have photos I would be greatful to see something that is not a horror story... thanks again!Ann
6/22/09 1:21am
Hi - I am also 36 and yes, I got it confirmed last week that it's definitely BCC by the side of my nose, just where it meets the cheek. I haven't met with the surgeon yet as just got diagnosed, but I expect to go in for the procedure in the next few weeks. I would really like to hear how you do, if you feel like sharing on this board. I'm not scared of the procedure, but of the scarring and recovery healing. My skin has always (until now) been my best feature and the thought of that being ruined is not pleasant. I am hanging onto Vicki's story and hoping it's the same for us, being younger as well maybe our healing will be better. Good luck.
6/22/09 9:22am
It will be a month on Wednesday and my scar has healed pretty well so far. My MD didn't stitch it, he decided the best scar scenario would be to let it heal on its own and he might laser it on Wednesday again. So far I have been making sure to have 70 SPF on my skin (I like Coppertone Nutrashield) and also wear a bandage over it and a hat if I am outside for a prolonged period of time. So far it is healing nicely - the original pinkness around it (from the laser) has faded. The part where he cut a bit more deeply is still recessed but nothing major and I'm sure over the next year or so it would be even better. I would be happy to share pictures so anyone who would like to see them can send me a message on here with your email.
6/24/09 9:23pm
could you please email me what your results were. I would really appreciate it cause I am going in for my mohs in 2 wks. thank you so much...tovya@prodigy.net
6/25/09 3:50pm
I just had my Mohs surgery done two days ago. My BCC was on the left side of my nose. They also left it to heal on its own. They removed two stages, this freaked me out a bit. The procedure was not quite painful but it is intimidating to have this type of invasive work done on your face. I think most of my pain was emotional (looking at photos online really scared the hell out of me) and I am having no physical pain post operatively. I would love to see your photos. please email ann207@comcast.net I am hoping for the best for all of us.
Thanks
6/25/09 3:54pm
6/27/09 1:42pm
6/21/10 11:44am
9/ 3/10 6:03pm
I had Mohs surgery twice in 2 different spots, one on the side where my side of nose nostril meets with cheek/upper lip area; the other surgery on side of temple. Both spots were done excellent, you can't see any scar. I was scared at first because where the cutting was and the big hole, but the next day it was stitched up and has since healed perfectly. No one knows I had the Mohs surgery until I point it out and they have to look closely. This was done about a year ago.
8/ 1/11 4:22pm
Hi I am Fern, I just had this done a week ago, and am doing pretty good I think, I would love to see pix if I can of the healing progree plus how it is now, I too am letting it heal on its own, mine is right smack nab in the middle of my nose, he got it all in two cuttings, thank God, here is my email address if you would send to me here, thanks so much in advance, and I do hope you continue to do well, thanks for posting this.
Fern
trailblazers3@sbcglobal.net
6/24/09 9:20pm
I have a bcc spot, about size of pencil eraser, just to the left of my nose by the nose opening, where the roundness meets the facial skin. In about 2 weeks my dr. is going to do the mohs surgery, my first time ever, and I'm scared on how it will affect my looks. The next day I go back and have it stitched up. Never been through something like this. He's a cosmetic/derm dr. and knows my concern with my looks. I hate to sound vain but I deal with the public and know how hurtful people's words can be. Just out of curiousity can you send me a pic of the after result and before of what you went through. Yes, it is scarey, especially when you see and hear the worst scenerios. Thank you so much, tovya@prodigy.net
2/ 4/12 1:29pm
how did ur surgery go i think mine is in the same spot the left side of my face . under my nose hole /upper lip i am really nervous they want me to see a plastic surgen before they do the mohs luvnhd14@hotmail.com
7/31/09 7:43pm
Thank you for your post. I am having Mohs surgery on Aug 26th on a BCC on my forehead that is about the size of a dime. I am nervous and have been worried about distortion to my eyebrows. But on the other hand, I am relieved that it will soon be over. I want to thank you for your post as it gives me comfort in knowing that "it's not that bad".
10/ 1/09 3:07pm
I will post separately as well as in reply to this original post, because I really appreciated what vickchick did in sharing a positive story because most of what's posted is negative.
I have just had a positive experience. I had Mohs on Sep 14th. It was a BCC that I'd first noticed about 2 years prior. It was on on my cheek very close to my nose, not far below my eye. I'm afraid I don't have pictures but it was maybe 3-4mm in diameter and had been growing.
The surgeon got it all in one pass, and left an area somewhere between a dime and a penny, maybe twice as deep. He stitched up up with about 5 internal stitches and 12 external stitches. Now I'm not going to lie. That part was miserable, as it was pretty close to my eye and although you have local anaesthetic you can feel the pulling. I also developed bruising and swelling around the eye and cheek, so for the first week looked like I'd done a few round with Mike Tyson. The scar was about 2 inches long and I was pretty scared by that, as it was much longer than I'd expected.
The stitches came out a week later and I could see already that the scar was healing well but it still looked inflamed and pretty bad. I had surgical strips on for another week, which came off on their own. And when they came off... it was unbelievable. The strips only came off 4 days ago, and last night I went out with people who even knew I was having the surgery, and none of them realized I'd had it done!
During the day it's a little pink, but the surgeon did an amazing job of making the scar fit to the contour of my nose so it's barely noticeable even so close to the surgery itself. Now I understand why the scar itself was longer than I'd expected, because he was making it fit as seamlessly as possible into my face.
So I am now cancer free and left with a barely visible scar in less than three weeks.
Obviously not everyone has the same experience, but like vickchick, I wanted to reassure people, particularly younger people (I'm 37) who are scared of the cosmetic results. I am in awe at how well my face has healed.
So for people facing Mohs, try not to panic. You will hate how it looks in the first couple of weeks, prepare for that. But it WILL heal.
I am also happy to provide photos if asked.
10/ 1/09 11:44pm
Scheduled for Mohs surgery on my scalp. My doctor thinks it is the best method.
About 6 mm in diameter - the doctor shaved it flush during the biopsy, but results showed the basal cell extends below the surface. I have had this for several years, not realizing what it was-never hurt, just bled now and then when I picked at the scab that formed after itching it.
10/27/09 8:22pm
Thank-you for such encouraging news about your recent Mohs surgery to your cheek for your BCC. I just had a Mohs procedure yesterday on my cheek, very near my "smile line" .The procedure really scared me, but all went well. My incision is only about 1 inch long and I have 3 stitches on the outside, and 2 stitches a bit deeper. Today, I took the bandage off for the first time and I got pretty upset due to the look of the site and the swelling and redness. I imagined myself with a horrible scar. I also have always taken great pride in my skin and face and was horrified to see it like this and felt I would always look "scared on that side of my face. I was very encouraged to hear your healing process went so well! I hope and pray my experience mimmicks yours and heals so well so quickly!
10/28/09 9:46am
You just had it yesterday? Well don't worry. Like I said, the first few days after my Mohs I would have frightened small children, and the scar was just horrendous. I had moments of pure panic as like you, I've always taken good care of my skin and get comments on how good it is, so was terrified of the cosmetic damage. But even within a week when the stitches came out I could see it had improved. Now I'm 6 weeks from the operation and it's getting better and better. It's barely noticeable and also starting to soften up which is great, as up to now it still felt hard and lumpy under the skin (even though you couldn't see it). I had a couple of "spitting stitches" (internal stitches that came through the skin) and that irritated the area a little but now that's over it's healing beautifully. I'm sure you will be fine, the face heals better than most other areas on the body - just try not to panic in these early days, it will look bad for another couple of weeks but will improve quickly.
10/29/09 10:35pm
Hi Grace-thank you for your qiuck and reasuring response to my recent Mohs surgery on my cheek. It has now been 4 days and the area is still swollen, tender, and red. I am told to keep the area covered and appy antibiotic ointment daily. It is all very concerning, but am thankful the BCC has been removed. I want so much to have your beautiful results. The suture area is very hard for me to look at because it looks so bad right now. I would love to see your pictures if you would share them. Was your surgery done by a Dermatologist and plastic surgeon?
11/17/09 8:26pm
Just an update! It has now been 3 weeks since my Moh's surgery on my cheek. It is still healing and slightly red, but with some great concealer that I bought from "Bare Minerals", it is hardly noticable! I went out with friends 4 nights ago and none of them even noticed it! I know it will continue to heal and fill in as the collagen continues to work it's magic. I am now using Mederma with sunscreen daily and have definately noticed a difference in it's appearance. I hope this helps anyone out there who is nervous about having Moh's surgery done in a very noticable area on your face. I was sure nervous about for the 1st 2 weeks, but it does heal quickly and it will continue to fade as time goes on! Deb
12/18/09 2:18pm
I am so relieved to hear this because I just had my 1st mohs yesterday and I was up last night crying about the pain and about the length of the scar.. I am a worry wart and very critical at times so I am picking apart every decision the doc made as if I know something about it... I would be so grateful to see the pics, it might help me not to panic in the meantime as my scar is healing....
thanks so much for sharing...
laura in nyc
6/26/10 8:28am
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to post about their experiences with BCC and Mohs surgery. I just wish I had found this site - and the pictures - sooner . . . I think I would have been better prepared for the immediate effects of the surgery.
I had my procedure yesterday. I had a BCC right above my left upper lip. It was first diagnosed three years ago, and after the first postive biopsy a dermatolgist I did not know well (I had just moved) treated it non-surgically. (I had requested Mohs on the advice of my regular dermatologist in Philadelphia, but this dermatologist said I did not need it - bad call, as it turned out). Anyway, the BCC recurred again recently at the same site. I suspected something was wrong because the formerly flat scar tissue became elevated. I am glad that I did not let too much time go by before going to get this re-biopsied, because it turned out to be a return of the cancer and rather deep - all the way down to the muscle layer. I am quite upset about the first dermatologist, but that is another story. It may be of help to others here, though . . . if you are told you need Mohs, from my experience you should follow through with that. I think the dermatologist I found down here (Florida) simply wasn't a Mohs practitioner, so she steered me in another direction . . .
As others here have said, the surgery itself did not hurt; the worst part was the needle to numb the area, and the smell when they cauterized the wound. But I just wasn't prepared when they handed me the mirror. I did not expect such a large, deep wound. My first thought was that there is no way I am not going to be disfigured, and I am just as self-conscious/vain as the next person about my appearance. I did have to go back to have more tissue removed after the first round, which was a bit disconcerting.
So my two main thoughts would be: patients should be adequately prepared for what they are going to see after surgery (I think I was actually a bit clinically shocked, to be honest) and we should also be shown the after pictures, as that reassurance is very important. I am a teacher, and I think it's going to be hard to stand up and deliver lectures for the next couple of weeks - I wish I could just stay home until the worst of this is over! Right now it looks so much worse that the actual cancer looked (it was smaller than a pencil eraser in diameter, and easily covered with makeup), and I think that is hard psychologically - that it has to look so much worse before it gets better.
Right now the wound is open and covered with a large bandage. I have an appointment with the plastic surgeon on Monday. I'm hoping for the best!Thanks again to all who have shared their stories, and I wish all of you the best outcomes.
1/14/11 5:04am
Thanks for your candid story. I would love to see the photos you have. I was supposed to have this surgery on Jan. 14, 2011 and after seeing pictures on the internet moved the date to the 18th of Feb. right before a vacation I will have so I give myself more time to heal before having to face the real world. My BCC is right in the middle of my face on the left side of my nose and I just don't feel like having to explain the bandage on my face to everyone I see. My email address is: econnolly99@optonline.net. I would appreciate these photos ASAP. Thank You SOOOO much. Barbara
5/17/11 5:43pm
i will have mohs just by the bridge of my nose, so i will be wearing a variety of glasses after this to hide the scars. the bcc is 3mm x 4mm irregular and has reoccurred from 2007. i will keep you all posted after. looks like i will look a fright for about a month after, bought the large sunglasses and hat already. will be at st thomas's westminster, london on 20th June 2011 and plastic surgery booked for the 22nd. the worst thing is you dont know how deep its going to be until the day so its v helpful to look at these posts and find someone thats been through a very similar time
11/ 9/09 9:33pm
12/21/09 11:14am
I just had the surgery 5 days ago. I still have it covered up and cannot wait to get the stitches out in 2 days. Mine is under my right eye about an inch down. The scar is about 1 1/2 inches long and now is bright red/pink. The hole that was dug was about a penny in size, maybe a bit larger. They went in twice to get it all. I agree with others. The pain is tolerable, it is the psycological pain that gets to you. When you really think about what they are doing, it kinda freaks you out. They numb your cheek with 3 shots which is not too bad. Then they start cutting which you can barely feel. They will tug and cotterize which you can feel a bit, just keep your eyes closed. The pain is the worst the first night and by day 3, you cannot feel it anymore. I took a few Tylenol #3 which did help me relax and sleep the first night.
5/15/10 1:27am
I had Mohs surgery three days ago on the side of my nose. Much in the spirit of what VickChick has done, and hoping to help others, I wrote up my experience so far here:
http://mohssurgery-mystory.blogspot.com/
VickChick made me feel so much better. She was kind and generous and it helped me so much to be in touch with her. Thank you, Vicki!
I think Mohs is the way to go as it spares as much healthy tissue as possible and has the best cure rate. Thank you all for sharing your stories. In the days leading up to surgery, they helped immensely.
I hope your experience is good and I wish you the best.
Once again, thank you, Vicki.
6/13/10 1:39pm
6/24/10 1:22am
Hi Vicki, Thank you for checking in. I'm doing much better. The bump on my nose has gone down substantially and I am putting silicone on it, with the doctor's approval. I am so grateful for the moral support you gave me during my surgery. I hope I can return the favor. Please keep in touch.
Guachara
7/16/10 6:11pm
I feel sick to my stomach. I just found out I need mohs surgery on my nose near my nostril. I have a high school reunion in August so I'm waiting until after in case I'm disfigured after surgery. I'm a 1st grade teacher so I'm also worried I'm going to scare the kids when school starts, since that is when the surgery will take place. I think I looked at too many pictures online and now I'm afraid I will never look the same after. Please send me pictures of your results if you will. Thank you for letting me read your posts they are reassuring.
10/ 5/10 9:39am
I have just had a BCC removed with Mohs and I am still in shock. I had it removed last Thursday and had plastic surgery the following Monday. I have to admit I was shocked when I saw the size of the hole the Mohs left. my BCC was just a small bump above and to the left of my upper lip. I had it for a few years but didnt think anything of it until it started bleeding and there was a small hole in it.. I went to the dermatologist and they diagnosed BCC. They cut out a hole the size of a nickel and then the plastic surgeon made the hole bigger and oval like a football and I now have stitches from the side of my nose all the way down to the corner of my mouth.. I cant stop crying. My family says it will heal and wont look so bad but right now I am so disfigured. My biggest problem was the doctors did not prepare me for what happened. I just thought they would scrape a few layers of skin and that would be it.. In my worst nighmare I never thought it would look this bad...It all happened so quickly, like I said, I am still in shock and very depressed...
11/17/10 7:18pm
I feel for you...and hope that you find a good plastic surgeon. Your story is so much like my experience several years ago. I likewise expected a small incision, a stictch and go home but was on the operating table for hours on end with numerous anesthesia injections and back and forth doctors discussing how they had to go deeper each time. (All this from a small lesion)I was left with a quarter size gaping hole on the left side of my face....I was totally shocked.
Fortunately, we asked for a referral to a plastic surgeon that night...and he turned out to be a very good one. My husband took me to the hospital to meet with him and he was wonderful. He evaluated my situation, dressed and cleaned my wound more thouroughly and sent me home to return the next morining for general surgery. He did a magnificent job and I have only a very small scar to show for it. I doubt very much that the original dermatologist knew what to do with this hole...and talked about a graft which I didn't want.
Do your homework and remember when you have Mohs, you will never know how much skin will need to be removed....so I will never have Mohs again.
Carole
1/18/11 8:51pm
Carole,
I feel the need to comment....I too have had Mohs twice. My first time was in the middle of my forehead, and currently on the side of my nose (nostril area). My area of involvement appeared small to my eye however, these Dermatologists specializing in Mohs are the ones who see the cells firsthand. As my Doc said, "cancer cells have roots just like when a person mows their lawn and gets rid of weeds. If you don't get deep enough they will grow back." Unfortunately, once a person has a BCC, they are high risk for more. Actually, 50% chance of having another within 5 years. I'm proof. My first BCC was 3 years ago when I was 46. Mohs can be disfiguring depending on the cellular nature of one's cancer. I have since learned that cancer cells aren't always visible on the face. Also, I believe that Plastic surgeons do the best they can to suture up these wounds. It is what it is...SKIN CANCER. Mohs has the highest cure rate. Good Luck. Nancy
11/ 5/11 12:07pm
I just had Mohs two days ago for a spot the size of an eraser on my cheek. I too came home with a cut two inches long (she went in three times) all the way to the corner of my mouth. I had 15 stitches externally and wonder how I will return to my job in banking. Any words of reassurance would be much appreciated!
11/ 6/11 1:24pm
11/ 6/11 6:21pm
Hi Number1Grammy,
Sorry to hear you are going through this. I had Mohs last year in May for a basal cell carcinoma on the side of my nose. The first few weeks I thought there was no way it was ever going to look good. It was an immense crater with stitch marks radiating from it. I did everything the doctor said regarding the bandages and such, protected the scar from the sun and used Scar Gel when the doctor said it was okay. I ate well and kind of pampered myself. Well, today you can barely see the mark on my nose. It's pretty amazing. Granted, everyone heals differently, I realize that. I'm hoping your healing goes well, and it's good to know that the cancer is out. Best wishes to you.
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Thank you for posting this. I am at the stage of pre-diagnosis but was told at a work skin cancer screening that it looked like a bcc just by my nose and having read up online it does look like it is. I have been reading the same stories about mohs and seen some horrific pictures online which have scared the living hell out of me and I am now very nervous in the run up to the official derm appointment. I really appreciate reading this although it does sound like yours is a little smaller than mine - I noticed it 2 years ago so am worried it will be deep. But I guess I can't worry about what I don't know yet, and I am very happy to hear about stories like yours (and happy for you that it was a relatively straightforward experience). Best of luck.
Thanks for taking the time to send a message. I hope all goes well and will be thinking of you :)
Hi i also had a Bcc on side nose which had been there year and half went had curretage was Basil cell then went back for mohs , they took one section and was clear , please dont be worried or scared its fine i am a right panicker ,
all in all it turned out good i thought they will go deep but i think thats if you have had it 15 years or so . so dont be worried will be done soon and honest it was fine no pain , healing nicely now also