Wait for Mohs surgery?

lshivener
lshivener Member Posts: 2
in Skin Cancer #1
I have been diagnosed with nodular basal cell carcinoma on my right nostril - I am 37 years old. It is about 1cm in size with some redness due to scarring from where I have picked at the sore before I was diagnosed a couple weeks ago. I guess the sore has been reappearing for about 4 years. It's been recommeded that I have mohs and then reconstructive plastic surgery. The problem is I am getting married in 3.5 months and I am worried the swelling, healing, etc from surgery will still be very noticable. Should I wait to have the procedure done in December (4 months)? How much more will the bcc spread? It is barely noticable now without makeup. Looking for some advice! Thanks.

Comments

  • dodger21
    dodger21 Member Posts: 85 Member
    #2
    Surgery
    Hi, I had surgery in 2005 and 2008 for a recurring nodular bcc in my cheek, close to my nose. My nodular was large and very noticable the first time. If you get a good plastic surgeon the swelling will go down within a week. I also got my stitches out one week later, used some skin coloured strips on the scar for another week and rubbed Vit E oil in it for a year. Now no one can hardly notice my scar, and I had 42 stitches. If you had the surgery now a good foundation and make up will cover up anything noticable in time for your wedding. On the other hand, bcc isn't known for spreading, so your doctor may say it is okay to wait until after your wedding. Only problem with that is that in 3.5 months the nodular may turn large like mine and look like a small pea sticking out.
  • lshivener
    lshivener Member Posts: 2
    #3
    dodger21 said:

    Surgery
    Hi, I had surgery in 2005 and 2008 for a recurring nodular bcc in my cheek, close to my nose. My nodular was large and very noticable the first time. If you get a good plastic surgeon the swelling will go down within a week. I also got my stitches out one week later, used some skin coloured strips on the scar for another week and rubbed Vit E oil in it for a year. Now no one can hardly notice my scar, and I had 42 stitches. If you had the surgery now a good foundation and make up will cover up anything noticable in time for your wedding. On the other hand, bcc isn't known for spreading, so your doctor may say it is okay to wait until after your wedding. Only problem with that is that in 3.5 months the nodular may turn large like mine and look like a small pea sticking out.

    Going for it!
    Thanks for the advice. I have decided to scheduled the mohs and reconstructive surgery for next week. I have faith all will work out and I just want it behind me. Another question I have is how long should I wait to resume physical exercise? I run and do aerobic boot camp weekly. Should I slow down and just do yoga for a couple of weeks post surgery?
  • tltoms
    tltoms Member Posts: 6
    #4
    lshivener said:

    Going for it!
    Thanks for the advice. I have decided to scheduled the mohs and reconstructive surgery for next week. I have faith all will work out and I just want it behind me. Another question I have is how long should I wait to resume physical exercise? I run and do aerobic boot camp weekly. Should I slow down and just do yoga for a couple of weeks post surgery?

    I wish you well
    through this process. As a survivor of BCC myself i know the questions that can go through your mind.
  • dodger21
    dodger21 Member Posts: 85 Member
    #5
    tltoms said:

    I wish you well
    through this process. As a survivor of BCC myself i know the questions that can go through your mind.

    Sport
    I was back playing volleyball after my stitches came out. I could still play with the strips on my face but I was just a bit careful for the first month I didn't get hit in the face

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