Experiences with MOHS Surgery for BCC: What to Expect and How to Prepare

[jennymorgan]

Hi everyone!

Please, please, please check your moles!!!!

About a year ago, a mole that I had it on my face started to bleed out of nowhere!

My gp gave me a steroid cream and let it heal , no worries, bla bla, you know..

until started to bleed again and reffered me to a dermatologist ( I insisted, she thought I was scratching myself

).
The dermatologist decided to 'shave it' and the results came BCC skin cancer!

Currently I am waiting for a MOHS Surgery ( în july) where they will remove layer by layer to get rid of cancer cells!

My biggest concern is that the mole was so close to my eye and nobody knows how deep are the roots.
Did anyone had a MOHS Surgery?
How was it?
What to expect from?
Please share with me your experience!

Ps I was a sunworshiper and didn't use much suncream or hat

so please stay safe and protect your skin, yourself, and the loved ones, use suncream and hat, now that the weather is getting warmer!!!

Also if you feel that something is wrong with your body, don't gave up until you have an answer!

Stay safe!!!!

 

[bradb]

I had it on my neck but it wasn’t a mole just this thing but 2 years I gnored it and it started going black dermatology said aw prob just age spot nothing to worry about even when turned out to be bcc was like it was nothing .
They numb area cut it away stitches it but scare is so much bigger then the size of the thing was on my neck so be prepared for bigger scar xx

 

[shh]

@bradb yes , I have the same on my forehead. Luckily because I always use skin care, plus Kelo Cote gel, it's really improving. I was a bit shocked when I saw the size of it though!

 

[bradb]

@shh that’s good it’s improving hopefully no more appear for you

 

[shh]

@bradb how is yours doing? Mine was actually benign (so no cancer) but still left with a large scar. Hope you're doing ok

 

[bradb]

@shh mines was bcc it’s healed but still feels irratred at times but can’t complain they cut it all way .
That’s good news glad was t cancerous

 

[jennymorgan]

@bradb bless you, I know the feeling...it might be 'nothing' for them but only when I heard the cancer word I started to cry instantly!
I think more compassion would be a start to help the patience în need!
Hope you are better now!

 

[bradb]

It made me so emotional to hear word cancer but because they deal with it every day etc no big deal to them since Covid everything has went to shit .am good you

 

[ak245]

Very sorry to hear your news. MOHS surgery would be your best option as it has the highest % of removing all the cancer, not going unnecessarily deep or not deep enough (which would mean a follow up procedure), it really is the most cutting edge option currently available.
Good luck with it, ask your surgeon about when to use a silicone healing gel post surgery, this aids the healing process and helps reduce the appearance of the scar.

 

[jennymorgan]

@ak245 thank you so much!

 

[triciaann]

I have one in exactly the same place! Getting it removed next month There's a really good group on here you can join, i will PM it over to you now x

 

[jennymorgan]

@triciaann fingers crossed everything will be alright next month!
Thank you for recomandation!

 

[shh]

I had a suspected BCC removed last December, only a few of weeks after I saw the GP. Your Dr really shouldn't have just given you cream, but referred you straight away!
On a positive note, BCC are very slow growing, quite common and far less dangerous than melanoma. It's unpleasant you have to go through more treatment but it's very unlikely to be a risk to life. Certainly question why you didn't get the correct treatment at the time though.

 

[jennymorgan]

@shh I am happy everything moved fast for you, took me months just for the appointment
Thank you for sharing your experience!

 

[shh]

@jennymorgan it sounds like you had a pretty bad experience, but I hope that things are all ok for you now x

 

[christcompels1]

I had to have a large mole removed from the side of my breast, which was getting bigger, changing colour and was itching like hell! The suspected cancer but luckily for me once they removed it and tested it it wasn’t! I hope all goes well for you and you recover quickly! I do know that the site they remove from will likely leave a bigger scar then the mole was, I know mine did and my scar still aches from time to time as well. Good luck and sending healing thoughts

 

[jennymorgan]

@christcompels1 thank you so much!
I am so happy for you testing negative!

 

[luigari]

@christcompels1 I have the exact same, been back and forth with dermatologist, been told it’s a BCC but won’t remove because it’s doesn’t spread. I have also had a melanoma. I was told to go private if I want it removed

 

[christcompels1]

@luigari it’s done on the NHS, see a different doctor and demand to be put on the list for surgery! I had mine removed within 2 weeks of being seen by the dermatologist. Good luck

 

[luigari]

@christcompels1 this has been going on for 5 years! I’ve had x2 other BCC removed on the NHS, I’m not sure why this is different. Still itchy/flaky 5 years on!