Plastic Surgery. Where to post???

[louise5754]

I'm not sure whether it would come under Kids Health. Beauty. General Health. Cosmetic Surgery etc.

My 8 years old has an appointment with a plastic surgeon to discuss the removal of a birth mark. She wears the same clothes every day to cover it. Even in the summer / pe / bed.

She won't go swimming and even covers it at home.

It's maybe 5" x 2" on the back of her leg.

I asked the doctor for advice and they referred us.

I don't think she will want to have it removed and that's totally up to her but she can't carry on as she is. I've tried camouflage make up and plasters.

I have a thing about body hair and it's very dark and hairy. She's been asking me to shave it which I have done but I'm not sure it's the right thing to do.

Anyone's child had surgery that wasn't vital to her health? (But affects her mental health).

She won't hear her nice clothes and it's definitely affecting her. I know if she had the surgery she would still have a scar.

I always tell her it's fine just say it's a birthmark if anyone asks.

If you were to go ahead what age would be best?

Obviously the consultant will advise and he may not approve the surgery.

Anyone had a birthmark removed as a child or on their child?

Thank you.

I think you are doing the right thing taking her to see a specialist. Maybe you could set a date, say 6 months after the appointment to give her time to think and if she still wants it removed go ahead. Mental health is so important and if have a simple procedure to remove a birth mark will make her happier I think that's what she should do. Think of all the people who have braces for years at 12. It's often just for cosmetics but having nice straight teeth is important to some people.

@lmfaoo Thank you I was worried people would think I'm being selfish but this past year it's really bothered her.

The thing is you can tell her it looks fine and other people won't notice / won't care but unfortunately it won't mean anything to her. It's not like she's asking for a boob job! You sound like a very supportive mother.

I'd definitely go to see the plastic surgeon now (the referral will take ages in the current climate anyway, so just wait it out and go when the appointment becomes available). Seeing the plastic surgeon will likely encourage her to think more about the possibility of removal -something she'll definitely be keener on when she's around 10 years old. Give her a bit more time to come around to the idea of removal. She will. But see the surgeon anyway, just to open the door and discuss possibilities.
As for the scarring, it may not be nearly as bad as you fear. I imagine they'll laser it/peel it. You can ask about post-procedure healing (vitamin E oil in its pure form is fantastic for scars).

Hi sorry the video appointment is next week. Im pretty shocked it only took around 6 months.

@lmfaoo thank you

Hi, my son was born with a large skin tag on his neck, which actually turned out to be an extra ear that had stopped growing in the womb, the drs told us! It wasn't painful but was in an awkward place meaning his clothes would potentially run on it as he got older. From him being tiny, drs told me that they would remove it once he was 12 months old. We had a letter from the hospital just before his 1st birthday and he had the operation under general anaesthetic just after his 1st birthday. Whilst I was worried, i think it was much easier to have it done whilst he was tiny and was too young to remember anything or to be bothered by it. He's now 3 and is none the wiser.

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Hi I'm back.

I had a call today to say dd can have the birth mark removed next week. We are on holiday then.

She's waited a while. I know my child should come first but then my other child would miss out on her few days away. DH is working away and we are going with my mum. Neither of us would take the other child on our own. I feel so bad for her but I know she will enjoy the holiday. Just hope we aren't waiting another year or two.

What do you think? I've already told them we are away so the appointment will have probably been passed onto someone else anyway.