minor operation needed, not related to preg

[vmcd28]

Ok, over the years I've had to have various moles removed under local anaesthetic. I had my routine checkup today, and I need to have one removed from my shoulder. It should only take 20 mins.
However, the doc would like to do it while I'm pregnant.
My main worry is knowing how anxious and upset I tend to get on the day of the op. Could this anxiety realistically cause any problems? It will probably happen in a couple of months, so I'd prob be 25 weeks. I'm 15w tomorrow.
Any advice?
Thanks!

I have had this done MANY times. My things is I get my iphone and a good playlist. I apologise to all the staff and I plug in turn the volume up and close my eyes and breathe. I find smell works as well, get some lavender and it gets rid of the hospital smell

I have lost count how many moles I've had removed I sympathise with you. Moles do change quite a lot when your pregnant are you seeing a good derm?

Thanks for the advice. Yes I'm happy with the consultant etc, mainly worried at my extreme levels of anxiety

I had some done when I was pg. I was about 30 weeks when I had mine done which they said was a bit later than they'd like and made sure a MW awas on site as it was a different builidng to their base.

I had my appendix removed when I was 31 weeks pg with DD2 - obviously a slightly different situation as it was an emergency! However, I was hugely anxious (it took them nearly 24 hours to decide whether or not to operate), had a general anaesthetic and shedloads of antibiotics.

DD2 is 4 years old and starting school in September. She has had no significant health issues. She is a little bugger strong-willed individual but I suspect that has nothing to do with the surgery. Good luck, I hope it all goes well.

Poledra - Wow, that must have been terrible for you!! Did they give you any indication when they think is "safest" to have a procedure done during pregnancy?

I just dont know what the "urgency" is with me - he said it looks like the sort of mole that would give me bother "in 10 years", so why the rush now?! I'll wait til the appt comes in, and give them a phone to ask why it cant be put off til after the baby arrives.

vmcd - they did say to me that the worst thing that could have happened was that DD2 would have been born 9 weeks early. There wouldn't have been any risk of birth defects, as she was fully formed, IYSWIM, but obviously not fully cooked, as 'twere. So in some ways, later was better than earlier, as she had a better chance of survival if she was born early (she wasn't, she hung on in there till 1.5 hours after her due date ).

I really really don't think your anxiety will cause any problems, but there's no harm in asking if it can wait till after the baby's born.

there are lots of different types of moles. Have you had a malignant melanoma before? If so they are usually very cautious and tend to whip any questionable moles out. If its something like a Basal Cell Carcinoma they are very slow growing, so it might wait till after the birth.. Will you be anxious about the mole if you don't take it out till after the birth?

This is not a risky procedure but I do get the anxiety factor. Just do something to occupy yourself while having the procedure done like listen to music or whatever works for you. My old consultant in London would put classical music on to calm me. Some women detest having blood taken and its an ordeal for them but they still get blood taken while pregnant....

I'm a fan of second opinions, get another one to make sure you actually need to got through this?

Hi there,
I havent had a malignant melanoma, although my mum has (which makes me higher risk). I've had 4 or 5 removed, and all have been classed as "fine", but 2 were what they called "pre-precancerous" so I'm not sure if thats a basal cell carcinoma or what.

I wasnt anxious about the mole at all - it was the consultant that said it had dark bits at the bottom, so he'd like to take it away.

I think you're right, I'll phone them when the appointment comes in, and ask to see one of the other consultants, just to see what he says, if it's necessary or not straightaway. In some ways i'd rather get it over and done with, but i'd hate to do anything at all that could affect this pregnancy in any way