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[purplenanny]

Hi ladies
I had an area on my face diagnosed as a bcc in November and have been waiting for an appointment for the op. I got the letter today and I am very worried.
The specialist I saw said the procedure will take an hour and half and the scar will be quite large on my cheek. He said he would personally do the op, which pleased me as he did one for my sister and she recommends him. But the letter states someone elses name/or a member of the team!
Does anyone have knowledge of this procedure? I read on google that Omhs('spelling) is one type they can do, where they take off layers of tissue until it has all gone. I have so many questions, maybe I should pay privately? No idea how much but at least I would know who I am getting. Oh dear, what to do? PN x x

[Joyce]

Phone & check with receptionist. I've had appointments through with different names, but when I got there actually saw who I was supposed to.

Not much help regarding procedure though.

[purplenanny]

Thank you cubagirl. x x

[Mrs January]

Hey

May have another name as they are part of a 'firm' it is a team of doctors, but if the guy said he would be operating I guess he will........you have your sisters reassurance too xxx

[CLKD]

No different going privately if the procedure and probably the surgeon are the same.

make a list of questions and ring his secretary!

[purplenanny]

I looked up the surgeon online and he is very qualified with 35 years experience (hope he has a steady hand!!). Then I phoned the hospital and spoke of my concern re the letter saying 'or one of the team' - very nice lady confirmed the surgeon sees his own patients, it will definitely be him.
So, I have confirmed the appointment and will now worry myself silly until then! at least it takes my mind from other things!!
Thank you ladies - as always     PN x x

[CLKD]

 

[Joyce]

Glad to hear you got in touch. One less worry. Let us know how you get on. 

[ellie]

  Purplenanny x

[purplenanny]

Thank you!
Yes, I will let you know how I get on. It is scheduled for 4th March. x x

[kes]

Hi there.  I have had 3 BCCs removed over the last few years.  I was worried when I was told what the first one was - (8 years ago or so) but honestly, it is nothing to worry about.  It virtually never spreads so is the most benign of any type of cancer.  You may have a small scar but I actually like my scars - I think they make me look like a lady pirate!

 I have scars all over my back as I have had a number of (non malignant) moles removed as well as the 3 BCCs.  I also have a small scar on my nose where a biopsy was taken but this turned out to be a pre-cancerous spot which was cured with a cream I had to put on every day for a fortnight.

I hope your procedure goes well, I'm sure that afterwards you will wonder why you were so worried. I found the only painful bit was having the anaesthetic injection.

[purplenanny]

Thank you kes. I am not concerned about the cancer part as the surgeon told me he would remove all of it.  It is just the procedure and scar. I have a phobia of needles which does not help. 

Were yours on your face? 

May I ask a few questions as you have experienced this?  Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to talk to the consultant as the appointments got messed up and he decided to skip the biopsy.

How big were your bcc's and how big in comparison are the scars? I have read they need to cut at least 4mm wider all around to ensure full removal.

Did they put a numbing cream on before the injection? The secretary said to ask on the day

How long did each operation take? 

How long before the covering is removed?

I have been told initial healing takes approx 2 weeks, but how long before the bumpy bits settle?

I realise every case is different, but I do prefer to be prepared and know what to expect, so any info will be appreciated kes, thank you.

PN x x






Sent from Samsung tablet

[Sarah2]

Hi

I don't know if this will help but I did have a mole removed from my face.
It was on my lipline and although not cancerous it wasn't pretty.
I have also had a mole removed from my shin and my husband has had several removed from his back.

My facial mole was removed by a plastic surgeon.
The injection did sting a bit but your face will not be as sensitive as a lipline!
It was only for a very short time until the injection took effect.

I had 3 stitches in my face for a week. The whole thing took about 15-20 minutes if that.
When the stitches were removed there was a small red line which went in about a week and honestly now you cannot see a thing- not even a tiny scar- it's amazing! 

I am sure if you are in good hands then you will be fine.

Sarah x

[purplenanny]

Hi sarah
ouch, a  needle in or near your lip - the very thought of it makes me shudder!
Thank you for your reassurance
Mine is in the centre of my cheek and approx 1 inch diameter so I am guessing quite a few stitches.
pn x x

[Sarah2]

Are they cutting it out or maybe shaving it off?

Is the surgeon a plastic surgeon? Can you talk to him before the day of the op?

My surgeon explained how the scar would be ( not that there is one now)- said it would be a vertical scar because this is more easily hidden in the lips than one going horizontally. As I said,  there is no scar, which is great, but he did explain how he would cut the skin in a certain way so that drawing the edges together would be as 'scar-less' as possible.

Maybe if your man was to explain it all a bit more then you might feel more confident about him ( or not) and decide how good he is?

It may not be an option for you money-wise but if it was, then would you consider having it done privately if this meant you got him rather than one of the team?