Mole removal

[mothertrucking]

I have to have two moles removed on my back later this week. I'm slightly worried as I'm a total hospital phobic.

I can't drive after the procedure. Can anyone tell me what to expect while I'm there? I have to be there first thing and wait to be called down. Does it take long? I'm
Hoping my partner can stay with me while I wait otherwise panic will set in and I'll probably bail before having anything done.

I’ve had quite a few removed. You’ll feel a slight discomfort from the injection to numb the site but will not feel a thing during the removal. Afterwards you may have dissolvable stitches or ones that need removing later by the nurse. It doesn’t take long at all and I actually drove myself to work afterwards though in hind sight maybe I shouldn’t have done so. You’ll be fine.

I had mine removed. My husband chatted to the surgeon while they were being cut out. I literally didn't feel a thing.

Try not to worry, @mothertrucking.

I had one on the side of my face (a BCC) that had to be done twice. Once it's numbed you'll feel no pain, though you may experience what felt to me like a lot of pushing and pulling. The staff were friendly when I was there, and the surgeon and I chatted away throughout the whole thing.

You'll have a dressing (maybe two) on your back afterwards. The nurse will prolly tell you after the operation how to take care of the sites/when you can have a shower etc. Make sure they tell you about whether you'll need the stitches out, and if so when.

Have your partner drive you home afterwards and pamper you a bit, because these hospital visits can feel quite stressful

I think mine took about 30 minutes each time, btw, once I'd had the locals.

I've had one removed very recently. Worst bit was the local anaesthetic. Similar to when you go to the dentist - bit scratchy but effective very quickly.
Literally did not feel any pain at all during removal. Some slight tugging and pulling sensation during being stitched up.
Bit ouchy when the numbing wears off. I felt a bit anxious during the procedure and a bit nauseous after. My husband drove me which was nice but I probably would have been ok to drive myself.

I had a huge one removed from my face. It was fantastic, I’ve never looked back. There’s no scar at all, I can’t even see where it was!

I had a biggish BCC removed from my thigh, needed 14 stitches, it was fine, I had some local injection then it was cut out and the blood vessels were cauterised as it was done, it was then stitched up, no pain at all, when the local anaesthetic wore off, it just felt a bit sore, it took about 30 minutes to remove and stitch. I had to be careful afterwards as I didn't want to pull my stitches and I had some large dressings to put on it. I could shower after 48 hours. I bought some more dressings from Amazon which were the same as the hospital ones. I couldn't drive for a few days because it was my thigh. Stitches were taken out by nurse at GP surgery two weeks later

I've had two removed. One on my bum about 18 mths ago and one on my side 3 weeks ago. Both times I went alone and it took 20-30 mins. I drove myself home - no one told me not to! I don't remember the bum one hurting at all and I had dissolving stitches so I didn't have to worry about getting them taken out.

The one on my side - it's quite a bony area, round the ribcage, so I found the anaesthetic hurt a lot, but obviously its purpose is to numb you so it didn't hurt for long! Recovery was harder this time too as I couldn't lift, stretch or twist very well for the first few days and it hurt to lie on that side until I had the stitches out after 10 days. But it still hasn't been too difficult.

Good luck. Make sure you wash your hair on the morning of your appointment because you probably won't be able to shower for 2 days afterwards!

Ahhhh don't worry OP, honestly. I was really nervous but once you have the local you won't feel any pain at all. You'll feel them moving around but doesn't hurt at all.

Mine was on my face and I could see the reflection of the procedure in the surgeons glasses. It was bizarre seeing them cutting me but not feeling anything at all :).

It didn't take long either, in and out!

Thankyou all for the replies, I feel less angsty about it now.

My letter says I have to be driven home, I'm presuming because of the location (shoulder blade area). I'm a little baffled though as when I went to see consultant a few weeks ago they offered to do it there and then, I only refused because of running out of time on parking meter. They weren't bothered about me driving home then. Anyway I've digressed.

Thankyou all again I dont feel as anxious as I was.

They told me at the clinic not to drive afterwards, it wasn't in the letter, luckily DH had taken me anyway as I thought I might have difficulty driving because I was told it would be a fairly large incision, just under 4 inches because of how they do it, I struggled a bit to even get in the passenger seat as I didn't want to bend my leg so I'm glad he took me.

Appointment is tomorrow and I've been sick with nerves the last few days. I don't have a specific appointment time I just have to be at the hospital for 8am.

I'll update tomorrow when I'm done.

I had to have quite a large mole removed from my back, and second what others have said. No pain, easy recovery. Honestly, it’s probably the simplest and the least unpleasant hospital procedure I’ve ever had done!

That is reassuring! These moles are tiny, more like freckles which I guess is better than them being large.

Good luck OP! You'll be fine

Thankyou! I'm sure I will be. I'm such a worrier, I annoy myself at times overthinking and working myself up.

It will absolutely be fine. I'm needlephobic and cry when I have a dental appointment! I literally didn't feel it. If I can do it you can!

I'm gowned up waiting to go
Down. Surgeon has told me i will have to be signed off work for two weeks which I wasn't expecting.

All done, the surgeon was amazing and all the team. The worst part about it was the anticipation. The actual procedure was fine, there was nothing about it that was scary.

I'm just waiting to be discharged then DH is taking me for a McDonald's, then I'm going to have a large gin this evening xx

Phew. All done. You've earned that Gin.

Well done you! Make sure you keep up your pain killers as it will ache this afternoon

I'm already a little sore and achy but not that bad that I need painkillers. I'm more tired than anything else, although I haven't slept properly the last few nights

Hi glad your procedure went well! Sorry I know this is an old post but can I ask how was the scarring? Has it fades?

The scarring is actually very minimal. I'm really surprised as the surgeon did say they may be unsightly, they really aren't though.