To cancel my MOLE removal?

[MorbidlyObeseWhale]

I’ve had the pre op assessment and surgery is at the end of the month. Two moles, one on jawline (which is big and fluffy) and one smaller, paler and more solid one on my crooked witch nose. It’s more noticeable because of where it is (under left eye, upper witch nose).

I’m shitting myself. Nurse said they will have stitches and will bruise and swell initially. I’m going to look like shrek.

I know the marks fade over time but I’ll be like this for weeks!! Not too bothered about the jawline one but the nose one is going to be so awful, painful and noticeable.

(NHS)

Puppy as an excuse

The injections will be over in seconds, the benefits will last the rest of your life. Take some paracetamol before you go as well.

Glad you are not going to cancel, you would regret it I bet. I had a mole removed about a decade ago, cost about £300 but it was money well spent. I did not expect to get it done on NHS as purely cosmetic so you are lucky that the surgeon is throwing in a freebie as well, that is great. The pain if any will be fleeting compared to pleasure of having them gone.

Lol @ the puppy excuse - I know, I’m clutching at straws

I’ve worked in many a dermatology list (I work in theatres but we cover local dermatology lists too at my trust and they are done in a theatre rather than outpatient clinic). Trust me get it done. The surgeons are all great and are like plastic surgeons (where I work anyway) and you won’t even be able to see the scar as they will line it up with a crease on your face. It’s an amazing speciality.

I’m sure someone will be willing to hold your hand. When the local is going in just concentrate on your breathing, slow deep breathes. You should be able to feel pulling and pushing but no pain. If you do feel pain let them know and they can top up the local. Someone upthread mentioned diathermy. It’s used to stop bleeding. You may smell smoke or like a porky smell but that’s normal. It uses electricity to burn the blood vessels (low voltage). But helps to be aware of it.

Good luck. You will be fine. It will be over before you know it. It will take around 5 mins per mole.

I've had 6 moles removed. 5 on the NHS and 1 from my chin which I paid privately for, which had to be dug out and stitches. Having it done is completely painless, you can just feel tugging. It was a little sore and felt tight after due to the stitches but that's all. I am so glad I had them removed as they worry me.

I had a large mole removed from my chin. I spent years getting teased over it. It was very large so I do have a scar that is visible but it’s not as bad as the mole. The injections sting but you don’t feel anything at all. At one point the surgeon said ‘ok that the first layer of stitching done!’ I thought ‘huh? I didn’t even realise you’d started’ the stitches couldn't be removed by a puppy if they tried.

My mum had two very small ones removed from her face and one from her arm and there is no scar or visible signs.

I had one taken off my forehead. It was small but possibly malignant (turned out not to be after analysis). The consultant put superglue into it - no stitches at all. He said that gives a cosmetically better result, and he also used a circular punch to take it out rather than cutting a straight line, which again is apparently better cosmetically. But I guess what is or is not possible depends on the size of the mole being removed. Mine was only about 2mm in diameter.

I've had two moles removed on the NHS. Both times because the GP was concerned and wanted them checked out. One was very large, the other had started bleeding. Seriously, it was absolutely fine. I don't remember any pain, it was all very quick, and I didn't have any bruises. Both mine turned out to be benign but it's always better safe than sorry. Good luck.