Several readers have requested an updated photo, so here it is. Eight weeks post-op from a bilobed flap reconstruction after a Mohs procedure for superficial basal cell carcinoma. (See the whole story here. Posts are in reverse chronlogical order – start from the bottom. Photos are here.)
My plastic surgeon is not thrilled with the lower part of the incision, as the scar ended up a bit wider than he’d like. He is expecting we will do a revision sometime in the future. The top part of the incision is a bit bumpy, as you can see, so I spend a lot of time massaging it really hard to break up the collagen fibers. It periodically itches, which is an odd feeling because it is also somewhat numb.
Truth is, it was really hard to get a photo that shows the incision, since in real life, it’s actually barely noticable, especially when I wear makeup (which I am not wearing in the photo.)
TBTAM, you are looking good. Keep up the scar massage and it’ll get even better. Oh–sun screen EVERY day. 🙂
Definitely looking good!
Wow, that’s utterly amazing! I can see the scar because I know where to look and stuff, but I bet people at a normal social distance don’t notice unless you point and tell them to look.
Congrats on your recovery 🙂
Looks great! My mom had a Mohs on her forehead requiring a skin flap AND a graft from her collarbone, and it’s hardly noticeable now. It’s a miracle, considering she didn’t stop smoking while the graft was healing.
Wow, it does look great. Plastic surgeons do some cool stuff. The first time I saw one of those was as a medical student – on my psych rotation. Our patient had the exact same thing – in the exact same place. I was impressed then and yours looks even better!
…and this is why you knew you wanted to go to the plastic surgeon to begin with! Your surgeon sounds a little obsessive (but all good surgeons are – to some extent – right?) regarding the “lower part of the incision”, but I believe you’re in great hands. Glad you’ve had such a great outcome! (Now, where’s that sunscreen?)
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Thank you for posting your surgical information and photos on your recovery. I have had the mohs procedure with skin grafting on my nose (about the same area that you have)just last week and am still healing with sutures in place. I was very nervous about the mohs procedure and how much they would take and the end results but it’s good to see that you have had such wonderful results with yours. It gives me hope that my procedure will turn out as well (I haven’t seen it as yet).
Good luck and continued healing and many blessing sent to you.
sorry, I didn’t mean to sign anonymous…I accidently hit post before assigning identity.
TBTAM:
Your nose looks really great. Mine, too, is itchy at times, and numb (weird). I still say you have the better result. If I can figure out a way to post a photo, I will. (Maybe I could send a private message?)
Now, I keep my sunscreen handy at all times! Thanks for all your info. I am all the more wise for reading.
Thank you for your post. I just had Mohs yesterday. The area they removed was a much larger area than we originally thought. I had a plastic surgeon do a flap. Now my nose is pulled up and looks so odd. You can see the nostrils and there is a greater space between my lip and nostrils. I am hoping when all the sutures come out my nose will drop. I am told I will have two black eyes. It was disheartening and ofcourse I am feeling so vain – I am terrified my nose will not drop and I will look this way forever. I appreciate your blog. In some ways it is comforting to read your experience as it reminds me of my own.
I am wondering if anyone out there had a similar flap and can share a post suture pic or description. Thank you again for a great blog.
Thank you for posting your experience. I had a Mohs yesterday on my forehead, and am up late tonight trying to determine if my black eye & swelling is "normal". It is incredibly reassuring to read your blog and see your photos, and know that this can heal so wonderfully well. You look terrific, and you'd never know you had the procedure done. We live in amazing times. Thanks for the information, and the courage it took for you to share your story! 🙂
You looked FANTASTIC after 8 weeks, and I'll bet you cannot even tell now you ever had "mohs nose woes". Thank you so very much for sharing your experiences, photos, and all in a wonderfully witty style. I only wish I had come across your blogspot before my procedure, and I probably would have also used "plastics". My dime size hole & reconstruction took place on 10-19-09, all at the mohs' dermatologic surgeon's office. The cancer took two stages, and was somewhat in the left crease of the nose. A flap/cut above the area on the nose and cheek cutting from the left fold was used-20 stitches in all (and apparently 8-10 underneath). I still have swelling on the nose itself…and definite pinkness/numbness; I hope it is healing alright. Next scheduled appointment with doc to review is 11-23. I do not look as good as you did at 2 weeks, but I have hope. I also hope that my smoking pre-surgery did not counteract the wound healing too much, but I can tell you – the shock of this procedure and results that day scared me so badly, I haven't had a cigarette since! Doc said this would definitely make a good difference post-op if I continued my abstinence in this arena. I scheduled a visit in between & all said they thought I was doing well, that this would take time. But I don't believe them-want to continue on the pitty party; I know you all may understand this!
TBTAM, if you read this & care to comment, I would welcome. I also wonder how soon I should possibly consult a plastic surgeon. Wish I could send you a photo at approx. 5 weeks.
Thank you again.
Florida Girl –
Conrgats on quitting smoking! That is the singular most important thing you can do, not just to optimize healing, but to prevent long term health consequences such as heart and lung disease and cancer.
I think its way too soon to judge your final appearance. I have no idea when or if you should consult plastics – I came to this really as a patient, not a doc. I'd ask your mohs surgeon what he/she thinks.
Best of luck, and thanks for reading!