Possible melanoma removal

[Indigopearl]

I have an appointment next week for the removal of what the dermatologist thinks is either an atypical naevus or early melanoma in situ.

I have been given no information about the proceedure and can't get through to speak to anyone at the hospital so I was wondering if anyone on here can tell me what it involves?

It is on the side of my tummy and I was wondering if I would be able to drive myself home and do thinks like lifting my toddler and if not how long I would need help for?

Also I am wondering how she knows from looking at it that it could be an early melanoma and not spread deeper. I have had the mole for years but not bothered getting it checked as it was tiny and round, just very dark.

Starting to get a bit worried now so if anyone has any advice it would be appreciated.

Is it definitely an appointment for the removal? I went thinking they were removing a mole that day, but they actually spent the first appointment checking the mole and checking the rest of my body for any other dodgy ones.

I was then given another appointment for the removal. It was very painful as they went quite deep to get it all out and then I had to wait for the result for a few weeks.

Mine was in the centre of my back so there so a risk of ripping the stitches if I stretched forward, I depends how much spare flesh you have around that area whether you can do stuff after. I think they advise against driving afterwards, I live near the hospital so was able to walk home.

Thanks for your reply. I am assuming so as the appointment is made for minor ops dermatology and the letter states an excision tier 1.

Do you know what a tier 1 excision is? It is just a shaving or does it go deeper?

It would be nice it they provided a bit more information. I spent almost an hour trying to get through to someone at the hospital and only got to leave a message.

Not an expert but dh had similar but on back. First appointment they initially removed top layer for biopsy then they said that looks bad and removed more. Dh was in pain with it and made sleeping difficult but could drive and do things but was in pain. The biopsy was slow but came back clear. Think the hardest bit was the fear of having cancer. Dh had his for years and it had just started getting itchy. If you have someone who can take you to hospital it might be nice to have the support.

I think tier 1 removal refers to the first step in removing a melanoma. They will cut out the mole and a small area of surrounding skin. I think you should be able to drive home.

After analysis, you maybe be asked to go back for tier 2 treatment; wide local excision where a larger area of healthy tissue surrounding the melanoma is removed. That is if it is melanoma. It may well not be.

Its a shame you weren't given more information. Good luck

When I had my melanoma removed, the first appointment was an excision biopsy which involved removing the mole and 1cm of tissue from all margins surrounding the lesion.
When the biopsy confirmed melanoma I had a second stage procedure (wide local excision) a few weeks later to remove a further 5cm from the original melanoma site.
Both procedures were fine and not too painful. I had a 1yr old at the time and had to be careful lifting them as it was my upper arm.
Hope all goes well.

@Indigopearl - I had a couple of mole excisions done yesterday, and have had previous excisions also as I have a lot of dysplastic (atypical) nevi. I've got a copy of the leaflet that they give you that provides information on the procedure, risks and aftercare. I'll take some photos and DM them to you. I've always been advised not to drive myself home, so my DH comes with me.

Exactly the same experience as ohshititscollapsed

Mine was on the back of my shoulder and I drove myself home from both appointments. The second one was at the start of full lockdown and I had a toddler and a baby so didn't have much choice about driving home. The driving was actually fine because the anaesthetic hadn't fully worn off.
I had quite a lot of pain after the second op, had been breastfeeding so that was the first night DH took the full night shift with formula but I struggled to sleep with the pain. After the first op, I was fine and had both dc on my own during DH's working hours, just kept dosed up on paracetamol/ibuprofen. It was definitely easier than 2 small people after birth!

Thanks all this is really helpful. It sounds like the initial biopsy is not too bad.

May I ask how long did people have to wait for the results of the initial biopsy?

Also does anyone know how the dermatologist would know from looking at the mole that it is early and in situ? I am worried it might be a later stage becuase I have had it for so long.

DH had his biopsy done 27 Jan and results on 13 March so pretty slow. I would imagine if its not all clear you may get them quicker though we checked after 4 weeks and hospital and GP said no results. Hope yours are quicker.

My results were only a few weeks. I'd had my mole forever, it had been different for perhaps 3 months when I had it removed and it was only the lowest grade melanoma. The follow up appointment (meant to be every 3 months for a year but I only had one due to covid) was really thorough and reassuring and I have the contact number for the macmillan skin nurses now who are angels and answer every question with such care and compassion.