My Mohs surgery was not a traumatic experience - a better case scenario

Now, what you and I were all waiting to find out - how big and deep was the hole?!

My MD told me he took one millimeter each time. The mole was about 2 mm at best to begin with. The first scrape was about an 8mm circle. The second, deeper scrape was about 1.5 mm wide and 3 mm tall.

He didn't want to stitch me. He said I heal well enough and that he would laser the wound in a few minutes (he did), and that if in a month it heals with a depression he can laser it again or cut and re-stitch it. His point was that a) this natural healing is my best chance for little to no scar, and that b) if he does cut the skin, the slice will be smaller and therefore leave less of a line. He also said if for some reason I end up with another case since we are vigilant in looking it won't be anything worse or deeper than this one. That one was the last sigh of relief after a month of fearing the worst! 

Now, my MD said it's more common that only 1-2 passes are needed with Mohs for BCC. And only about 1 out of ten they refer to a plastic surgeon (but this could be unique to his practice since he is pretty skilled in cosmetic surgery himself).

And again, not to take away from the upsetting experience of dealing with cosmetic defects caused by the surgery, I thought I could share a more positive experience with those of you who have only just been diagnosed and are looking for info about the surgery. If you'd like me to email some pictures please message me and I would be glad to.

Best of luck to all. Don't be afraid to ask your nurse or MD about your specific skin cancer situation --and the Mohs procedure-- before, during and after surgery. I found everyone on their staff to be extremely patient and sensitive instead of treating me like "just another Mohs surgery". I am crossing my fingers that it heals well and that there are no recurrences - for me, but also for you.

V