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.

Hi mincepiesrule,
Thank you. I am so relieved.
How was your appointment today?
If you're up to sharing.

@Kins2 I saw a skin cancer specialist nurse and there was also a Macmillan supper worker there as well. They were lovely.
The nurse said I need a further op to remove a wider area. That should be the end of the treatment for that area/mole.
I will then have check ups every 3 months for a year. They will also take pictures of my moles so any changes can be checked against the photos they will also teach me what to look out for and how to check my lymph nodes.
I am ok. I know it could have worse and thank you for asking how it went x

Hi, mincepiesrules,
I am pleased that your appointment went well for you today and you felt supported.
A wider excision will be the cure and end of it. I hope it goes smoothly on the day and you rest and heal well.
I will be looking out for you on here.
Please keep me updated.

Hi mincepiesrule,
I hope you are continuing on the up.
You'll never guess what's happened...
As I told you, I was told by the secretary that my result was begnine and I would get a letter in the post after the consultant had seen my results.
I have been excited waiting over the weekend for it to arrive.
It came today... asking me to attend an appointment in 2 weeks time for a biopsy.
I am confused. It's a similar letter to the 1st one so I'm hoping its been sent by mistake.
It was sent out by the secretary who isn't in until monday, so now I have more waiting.
May I ask if your 2nd letter was very different to your 1st?

@Kins2 my letter arrived I think on the Thursday which was a day after I had called and the nurse had told me my results. I received an appointment date for 4 days later.
On the letter it didn't give too much information, it said time of appointment and it was to discuss the results of a recent biopsy and that I should if possible bring someone with me.
I received another letter on Thursday ( this week) after my appointment which was about the diagnosis and further treatment needed.
It must be very confusing to receive an appointment for a biopsy when you have been told it's benign and it always happens at the weekend when there is no one to speak to.
Hopefully it's a clerical error but keep me updated as to what they say x

Morning mincepiesrule,
Thanks for replying. I am confused and was a little shaky after receiving that letter.
I don't really know what to think. I honestly feel it is a mistake. x

@Kins2 did you manage to chase up your second letter ?

Wondering if you've managed to clear up the confusion Kins2?

I've just been through all of this, thankfully all clear given after a 6 week wait, but my scar and surrounding area is still giving me real problems,
although they cauterised the ends of the wound as well as stitches.

Hi mincepiesrule and jellycat
Thank you both.
I phoned the secretary today who is just as confused as to why I got that letter and has assured me again saying, she's not a Dr but the results say I'm fine. The Dr she needs to speak to, phoned in sick today. So I am no closer to an answer to this letter, until hopefully tomorrow.
The mole was growing and grew into the deeper layer of skin so I'm really glad it's gone...
Jellycat, my excision which was quite deep and wide. My wound was also categorized as it bled a lot on the internal cut. It was stiched inner and outer layers.
Mine was done just over 7 weeks ago.
On the outside it has healed well. When I wash it, it looks red my husband said.
It's still tender and sensitive inside. Sometimes I get little spasms in my back from that area.
When I have a hot flush the nerves are more sensitive there too.
I don't know how long this will go on for.
Hopefully not too much longer.
I know the nerves are still knitting.
Thank you both for asking about today.
Hopefully I will have an answer tomorrow.
I still feel it was sent out by mistake. x

Sorry for the spell error JellyKat

Hopefully just a computer era then Kins2, if the secretary is as confused as you, and theres no additional notes in your file..

Sounds awful, but i'm relieved to hear your wound area feels the same as mine.. My problem is i have varicose veins in that area (lower leg) which now feel as though they're constantly being pulled, and i still have to keep wound covered as any clothing seams (leggings/ jeans) lie right through the middle of the wound.. bloody pain, but am so grateful to get the all clear, so will shut up whinging!

Hope the consultant puts your mind at rest finally tomorrow.

Hi JellyKat
I was as relieved as you were to read your post as awful as it sounds. It's good to know we are not alone.
Depends on which bra I wear it rubs on mine on my back and it's awful.
I get that tight sensation of pulling too. With or without bra rubbing.
Guess they take a long while to heal. It's no little bit of flesh that they remove!

I know, when the consultant marked how much he had to remove, i thought he was joking!
Think we're around the same age Kins (you mentioned hot flushes), so reckon our skin has slightly less elasticity then if we were in our 20s, hence the pulling sensation maybe..

Truth be told I think it's likely to be the way the skin is cut and drawn together with the internal stitches as it's a lot to pull together before the top layer can be stitched...
I think we are probs around the same age group.
My plastic surgeon said my skin is like 30 years younger than my age .
Those flushes are a brutal. x

Glad you got the letter thing kind of sorted, least you know there isn't anything wrong. I had my arm done in September and can still feel it when lift heavy things or someone touches it, I'm 35 so prob nothing to do with age just depth of the wound.

I had a call the other day from hospital and worded it 'consultant would like to know if you want a cancellation appointment tomorrow?' I got a bit panicky asking if I NEED an appointment tomorrow...turns out was just next on the list for an appointment and thought they'd ask. Totally scared the crap out of me though!

Hi shaw was that letter supposed to be for your results?
Yes those must sent, wrong worded letters are scary.
Thanks for reasuring me.
The decisions are made wide and deep and it's a fair bit of missing flesh to pull together.
I wouldn't be surprised if those areas remain a tad sensitive.

The new appointment is for a follow up check. I'm going to be going to these fairly regularly for the next 5 years. I'm really hoping it's the consultant that's doing it as she was the one that spotted the bad one.

Hi shaw
Did u have a positive result. I'm sorry that I haven't quite understood.

I had a positive result for stage 1 melanoma in August. I'm now under regular check ups for at least 5 years so this next appointment next week is first of those check ups xx

Ah, so did you need a second op to remove more skin?
I am sorry to hear that your result was positive.

I hope all goes well on your first appointment. Keep me posted. x

New post
What do you think of pull along shopping trolleys?
I remember when my mother had one in the 70s to 90s. I absolutely hated it...
With mine and hubby's health not great, I have resigned to getting one.
There are some real 'granny's trolleys out there...
I hunted and found a fashionable but practical one that I will actually use.
I have noticed more young people are pulling them too, these days.