Wide Area Excision (early stage melanoma) any advice?

[MrsGingerbread]

Hello,

I have been diagnosed with a very early stage melanoma (superficial spreading in situ).

Wide area excision is on Thursday - Ihave hadto take the day off work 'sick' as the appointment is midday.

Really I am wondering what to expect - will it be much sorer than the original mole removal? Will I be backat work the next day?

Also, any advice for questions to ask in terms of keeping an eye on my other moles? Regular scanning etc?

Any advice or experience welcome!

Thanks :)

i had this done about 5 years ago for a 1b melanoma (early stage)
About the same as having the original biopsy done but more extensive. Mine was on my face and I needed a skin flap (partial skin graft)
Was told by the hospital to take a week off work.
After that I had regular check ups at the hospital for five years (just been signed off as it were) and in between asked to check myself over too. check ups started every 3 months then longer periods as time went on.
Yours sounds like an earlier stage than mine so may not need check ups etc
I do have a scar - think Harry Potter style! but my hair covers it and its just a white line now.

Thank you so much for your message. I didn't find the first procedure too bad - the injection was the worst bit, then sore afterwards!

I'm really glad you have been 'signed off' - I will definitely ask about follow up checks.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it. :)

Not melanoma related but I have found that with minor day surgery that there is a tendency to discharge without sufficient wound care advice .
And ,of course ,one is always a little discharge giddy and spaced out by procedure to ask much .

So make sure you ask about how you should look after wound for first few days and then beyond . What is normal staining on dressing ? How often should dressing be changed ? What are the signs that it needs changing ?
What dressings are recommended ?

Have they got a leaflet ? Can they write it down ?

I was aware that advice is to leave well alone and as I was discharged with no advice ,no dressings etc I left well alone too long and ended up with an infection .

I'm sure my experience was a blip ,but always best to be prepared .

Hi I just had something removed from a shoulder yesterday. The doctor is pretty certain it is a basal cell carcinoma.

The injections were slightly toe curling but OK as over pretty soon. The minor surgery took about 30 minutes and I was sent away with a leaflet with advice. I'm glad my DH waited for me as although I could have driven home it would have been uncomfortable. I definately needed that day off work (although back today). The surgery area is slightly stingy and uncomfortable but nothing really awful.

I have 2 sets of stitches which need to be removed in 2 weeks. I am abit confused about if I should take the plaster off half of it is blood stained. The leaflet isn't clear about that.

Good luck and try and have a restful day on Thursday.

golden can you ring the ward/outpatient unit and ask for their advice about the dressing ?

I have no medical experience but the have been told by nurses that if more than 50% of the dressing is stained then it should be changed . But I do understand that you should avoid changing if possible so as not to disturb the healing process .

And as I said ,I left mine and it got infected .

Thanks I will give the doctors a ring and check.

Thanks for the advice! Feeling okay about tomorrow. The injection was the worst bit. Ow! :)

Golden - I hope you are fully healed soon. Do you have results to wait for too?

Yes a 4 week wait! Glad all went well.