Wellness

[FastDogWalker2]

Has anyone had this?  I have a basal cell skin cancer on my nose that is going to require Mohs surgery and plastic surgery reconstruction.  I have had a consult with the Mohs surgeon and now I am waiting for the appointment with the plastic surgeon.  I have looked online and it looks like it will be a longer recovery than I expected.  I was hoping someone could describe what they experienced if they have had a similar experience.  Thank you.

[Twoaces]

Yes!  I had this procedure in 2005.  It was in the center of my nose, and 3-4 mohs slices were taken before the margins were clear.  Plastic surgery consisted of a "bi-fold" flap taken from adjacent skin.  She felt this gives a much better skin texture and color match than taking from another part of the body.  (Not sure if the term is exactly right...it's been awhile!).  The recovery was fine. Stitches removed a week after procedure.   I could go for walks within a couple of days, and resume most exercise within a month, at least.  The plastic surgeon prepared me to expect that for some reason 12 weeks out seems to be the itchiest or most challenging.  Normal.  And I think after a few weeks you are to massage the area several times a day.  There is minimal scarring, pretty much not noticeable, and there has been no recurrence.  Honestly, the whole procedure was not a huge deal.  I am sure you will do fine!  Best of luck, and let me know how it goes!

[FastDogWalker2]

Two Acres - thank you so much for your reply.  Not to sound too wimpy but what type of anesthesia was used for the plastic surgery?  

[wonderfulworld]

I had MOHS surgery on an area on my nose. Front of nose nearer to the tip. The surgery took a while because he took such a little bit each time I got called back 4 times. No pain except the the first anesthesia shot in the nose which was minor. I was stitched up, my nose bandaged and sent home. No plastic surgery required.

The original lesion was less than a pencil eraser ( it bled once so I knew the red mark should be checked) but the scar is maybe a bit over an inch. It hardly shows ( 2 years out) but I have dent in my nose because the basal was deep. They said it would fill in naturally but it has not filled in all the way. I may have a filler. It is only noticeable on profile.

I have a friend who had one on his nose and had a skin graft ( by a plastic surgeon the next day) from his forehead to his nose. The scar and work is not noticeable at all. I believe he had to wait 2 weeks for the stitches and follow up. He took 2 weeks off from work because he could not wear his glasses.

I was told to apply Kelo-cote ( CVS or Amazon) Advanced Formula Scar gel to the scar and I think it helped.

Noses and ears are more difficult because there is not much tissue there.

Recovery was...one week until the stitches were removed ( I had to keep the bandage on), two weeks for bruising to resolve and makeup could be applied.  

All in all not a big deal in the grand scheme of things although it seemed scary at the time. I had to go every six months to the derm for a full body skin cancer check for a year...now once a year.

Best of luck and please let me know how it goes.

[wonderfulworld]

My friend had his plastic surgery in a hospital as an outpatient but his required  skin grafting and a general anesthesia.

[sugar22]

My huband had MOHS on a spot under his eye.  They took several layers before getting clear tissue.  The deadening shot in that area was not pleasant but tolerable.  Went right to the plastic surgeon who sewed him up and now it is not even noticable.  He goes 2x per year for skin checks.  Not a big deal now that its over, but it was initially scary.  Hope you will be fine too!

[Twoaces]

Hi FastWalker,  my plastic surgery was done under a light general anesthetic.  Sorry that I don't know exactly what was used.  It was done in a hospital and was out-patient.  The mohs was done in the dermatologist's office one week prior to the surgery.  Absolutely no recovery problem.  I may have taken 1/2 of a Vicodin before leaving the hospital, preventitively, and maybe Tylenol later, but no pain at all.  I hope this helps!

[Twoaces]

Hi FastWalker,  my plastic surgery was done under a light general anesthetic.  Sorry that I don't know exactly what was used.  It was done in a hospital and was out-patient.  The mohs was done in the dermatologist's office one week prior to the surgery.  Absolutely no recovery problem.  I may have taken 1/2 of a Vicodin before leaving the hospital, preventitively, and maybe Tylenol later, but no pain at all.  I hope this helps!   BTW... mine was a basal also.

[hckynut]

@Twoaces

Many of the outpatient proceedures and surgeries I have had Versed and Fentanyl were used as the anethesia.

hckynut(john)

[lulu2]

2/16 I had Moh's under my eye, next to my nose.  I was not overjoyed in the numbing shots.  I teared terribly.  I had to have 3 scrapings before I was given clean margins.  I thought sure I'd need plastic surgery but I did not.  I went home with a huge bandage on my face and wore one until the stitches were removed a week later.  I had one black eye and my face hurt a bit in the cold weather.

Now I really have to look closely in a magnifiying mirror to see the scar.

Good luck, it's really not bad at all.