Mole removal

[Kins2]

Hi all,
I had a mole removed on my back (mid back to the right), today for a biopsy. It was years old, pigmented and used to stand up off my back. Just over 1cm x half a cm, it was round for years but has spread at the base making it more oval in shape, with very uneven edges. It's soft to the touch.
The decision was made by a dermatologist at the hospital to remove it.
On the day of my appointment a plastic surgeon did the procedure. Which put me more at ease.
The lidocaine for numbing was very stingy. The procedure itself was very painless. It lasted an hour.
I have read that others have had 2 or 3 stitches on the surface to close the wound.
I had 3 dissolveable stitches in the under layer and 5 stitches on the outside. I can only guess that they cut out the mole pretty deeply and fairly wide.
I know this can be normal dependant on the mole.
The mole has been sent off to check for cancer or suspicious changes. My fingers are well and truly crossed that my results come back clear.
I've read others went back to work next day or after a few days.
I have a sick note for 3 weeks due to the placement of the excision and a chance of it coming open with excessive movement due to my job type.
Has anyone else had this experience?
Thanks for any comments in advance.

@kshaw that was an horrendously long wait. I'm glad you got the all clear in the end.

@Kins2 I am checking the post anxiously every day. I can't believe you are almost 6 weeks waiting. It feels like life is on hold at the moment and it seems I may have an even longer wait than I expected. I'm not even sure who to ring to chase up as I saw a consultant at a different hospital as my nearest hospital couldn't see me within the time frame and then I went to a different hospital for the mole to be removed. I will have to find my letter and see if that has any information on who to call.

Hi again kshaw,
I wanted to ask was it a letter that you recieved for the face to face?

Mincepiesrule,
If there is a consultants name on your letter. You can try ringing their secretary.
You can normally get the number from the hospital operator.
I hope that helps. This waiting period is awful. Especially when we are given a time scale and that passes.
I check the post daily, waiting. Weekends are worst as I'm at home. I work a few early hours, during the week. That does help.

I rang and was told need an appointment so booked it with the secretary there and then. I think it would have followed pretty quick if I hadn't have rang.
Mole was removed from the back of my upper arm.
I must have 200 moles. I used to get them checked every 6 months, moved to London and was told no funding for that and was discharged. I moved back up north 2 years ago and saw earlier this year one on my leg wasn't happy with. GP referred me straight away...3 checks with nurses/healthcare providers and no one noticed my arm. The consultant cane in and within 5 mins had me in for it biopsyd...imagine if I'd have stayed in London? Or the consultant hadnt checked me herself? So scary. But it's gone now so just waiting for my 6 monthly appointment again xx really hope everything goes ok for everyone waiting on results.
I have a beast of a scar from the removal of surrounding tissue. Less of two evils though!!!

Kshaw,
Thank goodness for that consultant. She was a good one. You were fortunate.
It's been hit and miss for me.
My dermatologist not that great.
She said she wasn't worried. Booked me for a removal in 8 weeks by shaving it off.
Then I recieved an urgent appointment within 2 weeks and the plastic surgeon said. She had to to do a full excision with stitches. She checked it and said she wouldn't shave it. It needed more taken away for a good biopsy to be done.
I was stunned on the morning of my appointment.
Thank goodness I hadn't gone alone.
I know when the result is positive, you have to go back and normally have much more excised around the area.
My excision for the biopsy was way bigger than I expected too.
I am pleased you are clear now and your wound is healing.
Did u need a skin graft?

No skin graft needed as its on my upper arm there's plenty of skin around there! The first removal was fine (I've actually had 5 removed by surgery before, about 5 shaved off) but the second op wasn't fun. I expected more of the same as the mole removal but they went 8mm in each direction of original scar including depth. It was a full operating theatre and I was totally out of control and I hated it all and got panicky in there and no one seemed to care, was made to feel a bit stupid but I could feel the pain from the scalpel and they made me feel like I was being a time waster. Was a strange day!!! Different staff member and I wouldn't have felt like that. But again I got lucky it was caught so can't complain too much

Wow that's such a long wait op

I had a mole taken off Dec 2017 and had the results a week later - it was melanoma, so I then had to have a wide excision. Hope you hear some good news soon!

Namechangenumber2
That was really quick. I was told it can also depend on which hospital we are under.
I have read of others waiting weeks to months for their results.
Their results were unfortunately not good.
So I am really hoping for the best.
On my back the wound is taking a while to heal as it was so wide and quite deep. It felt and still feels tight but not as tight and painful as 5 weeks ago.
I think if it felt like that for a biopsy, I am praying and a little scared if I should need anymore taking from around the same wound.

I am

@Kins2 i spoke to someone at the hospital today, because I saw a locum consultant, they don't have secretaries, so all results get looked at by different consultants.

The secretary I spoke to said no letters have been printed but she could see that my case had been put forward yesterday for discussion but she said she couldn't see what was said and that she would leave a message for someone in the team to give me a call back.

So really not sure whether that's good or bad.

Hi mincepiesrule,
I am happy you have made some headway.
I hope you don't have too wait too long to find out what has been discussed.
I am hoping for the best outcome for you. x

@Kins2 I've just had a call. It's grade 1a, so will need a further op. I was told this this will all be discussed at my appointment which was sent out today x

@mincepiesrule - that was the same stage as me, they ended up taking a ( huge) wide excision and I have reviews for the next year

@mincepiesrule sorry to hear that but mine was same results and same kind of place. It'll be a big scar I expect but a scar is better than the alternative! Good luck! Any questions just ask xx

@namechangenumber2 did they do yours with a local ?

@kshaw thank you. Totally agree would rather a big scar. At the moment feeling ok. I feel now I know I can deal with it. The waiting was awful. I feel sorry for the op and others that have waited so long xx

Hi mincepiesrule,
I am so sorry to hear of your result and that you need another op. As said, it's better than the alternative.
I'm glad you recieved a call and they didn't leave you waiting...
When you mentioned discussions were being had, I had a feeling it was re treatment.
I hope all will go well for you from here and I do understand your feeling of relief.
Please keep us updated with your progress.
I hope all goes well with your op. Your appointment is your chance to ask all your questions if you have any.
Take care

Patchworkelephant,
So sorry for the late response. I went to my GP and he made an urgent referral, within two weeks time slot.

Mincepiesrule,
I have been re rereading the posts. I have just noted where you asked about the healing of my scar. As yours post excision my scar is also indented as they took way the skin quite wide and deeply.

I have read on other sites that people have waited 8 weeks and more for results and recieved positive results for melanoma.
I seriously can't believe that they would leave people for so long to give results.
The thought It's quite distressing.

Morning mincepiesrules
How are you feeling this morning?

@Kins2 I am feeling ok. I honestly feel that the wait and not knowing has been the worst. Now I know what I'm dealing with. It may hit me later but I'm looking at the positives. Caught early and should be all gone with just a further surgery x

So good to hear. I'm pleased for you.
With stage 1 the second surgery is usually enough to get it all a with wide marginal cut by what the professionals say.
The longer I wait, the more I feel I will be negative.
I can't believe that my results could be otherwise, with such a long wait...

@mincepiesrule , yes they did. It didn't take too long , they took about the size of a 2p coin and left it open to heal

Hi mincepiesrule and all who have been supporting me while I've waited for my results.
I phoned the secretary today and my results haven't yet been checked by the consultant.
She kindly told me that my result is benign and I will soon get a letter in the post.
I have to say, I am very relieved. It has been a very long wait.
I am thinking of all of you with positive results and am praying that all goes really well for those of you having treatment.
Take care and thanks again.

@Kins2 that's excellent news. You must be very relieved.
I have my appointment today at 4. I think it's just to tell me what they told me last week over the phone and what happens next x