Mole excision on face. Help!

[diamondsonthesolesofhershoes]

Next week i'm due to have a large mole on
My hairline removed die to worries over melanoma. I'm not entirely sure which procedure i will be having, have been given info sheets on 'shave excision' and a more invasive cut in an eye shape (hope that makes sense!).

I'm unsure what to do about work. My op is in the afternoon, and I'm due in work early the next morning. I have to wear a hat at work (the glamour) and it sits directly where my wound will be. Overall I think I may need the day off, but cannot book it as holiday because it's already been booked by someone else.

Has anyone had this procedure or similar and have any idea on whether I should try to get the day off or whether it will be fine by then?

But the point is that all of this should be sorted befoe the op!

I can't see how anyone can possibly have a meaningful discussion at the moment when they are all gowned up and on the operating table.

I have had a mole removed from my lipline and was told exactly what was going to be done , beforehand at the consultation. This was privately, but even when the surgeon saw me before the op itself, it would have been a bit late to start discussing what was going to be done, because I had a quick chat with him when I was getting ready to go to theatre.

In the NHS you might I assume not see the surgeon at all until you are in the theatre.

This is why I'm panicking slightly. I do t want to be lying on the table trying to dispute the pros and cons of what they're doing!

Both consultants assured me that it was almost certainly not malignant, at which point I breathed out and was giddy with relief, and they started talking about the best ways of doing it regarding cosmetic results. I reqlly should have pushed it further at the appointment.

You need to contact the hospital- and ask for the consutlant's secretary. Then you need to get a message to him/her through them. You need to ask for confirmation of the procedure. Or ask for them to cal you to discuss.

Obviously the leaflet from the hospital is a generic one for anyone having these kinds of minor ops.

I think you need clarification over what they saw when they looked at the mole- if there are changes in it which make it possibly malignant, then they should cut it out.

If it is flat and has shown no changes then the shaving procedure may be possible.

Was it ever looked at under a magnifying glass type of thing?

No, it was measured and looked at but I can't remember anyone looking at it through a magnifying glass. It's very raised (about 4mm) and 7mm across.

Have called the surgeon's secretary, and she should be calling me back at some point today. I've got to go to my gp's today to get some blood test results so if I can grab him for a sec i'll speak to my own lovely doctor to see what he says.

I take your point Amelia - however it must be stressed that not even a very experienced dermatologist can actually look at a mole/growth and determine whether it is malignant or not.

It has to be examined under a miscroscope to identify these sorts of changes so really, it ought to be being excised, however confident they feel that it is fine.

If there was ever any doubt at any point then it should be excised properly. The thing is if it is shaved and then they find cell changes in it then it's too late, and you're living with no chance of a proper prognosis. You don't want to be in that situation.

I would also ring up and check what they intend to do, and make sure they know you want it excised, properly, and not shaved.
That helps cover you if there is any dispute on the day.

I'm not disagreeing with you overall FLighty but what I am saying is that some growths are shaved- otherwise why offer that as a procedure at all to anyone? They must follow some criteria to decide which procedure to use?

But with regard to the OP i think shaving something that is 4mm high would be quite hard.

I think there are some sunspots and moles where doctors can be completely sure that there is no malignancy. That is when procedures like shaving, freezing with liquid nitrogen, and burning with laser are offered. I was told, for example, that a rather large mole is harmless because several hairs grow from it, and that tiny but raised (quite long, actually) moles on my neck could just be clipped away

Footle - I was told to disinfect as long as it was bleeding (very slightly). This mole was large and near my mouth, so the wound moved all the time (talking, chewing) and it took a while for the wound to really close.

What everyone has said already about how suspected MMs are treated.

As for work I don't think you'll know until you try the hat on. Non of mine have bothered me at all really I did returned to work after initial removal but I never had to have anything near the site of the stitches. These days I would have the day off on principle especially if they dared suggest rescheduling! :)

I know what you're saying Amelia, sorry, it doesn't make much sense to me either - I agree there must be certain criteria. I just think if there is any, tiny element of doubt then best not to shave it.

I think in the OP's case where it's being taken off 'to be on the safe side' then there's a small element of concern and thus the consultant would be wrong to shave it.
iyswim
Good luck OP
let us know how you get on.

Just t o add- my Dh has had at least 3 moles removed from his back. The GP did them. All were incisions. However, the dr was 99.9% sure none was malignant but all were sent off to check.

On the other hand as I said up thread my mum had a type of mole shaved off her face, near her eye. Hers was more of an age spot but it was raised, crusty and bled a little.

Take your pick!

update

Had a shave excision this morning, Wjich was then cauterised so no need for stitches or dressings. The hole is enormous!

I questioned the surgeon on the shave v excision debate and she was insistent that the part removed would be tested at the lab and that I would receive feedback on it in my follow up appointment. She seemed pretty positive that there was nothing sinister about it so hopefully this is it. Thanks for all the advice :)