MOHS procedure (OT)

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SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 13, 2012 - 01:20pm PT
Having MOHS procedure tomorrow. Anyone had it done and what might I expect? I'm so sick of needles and knives.



Susan
John M

climber
Nov 13, 2012 - 02:15pm PT
Hi Susan, I haven't had MOHS surgery, but have had 3 moles removed which from what I understand is more invasive. MOHS is designed to remove the least amount of tissue and so be less invasive. The removal of the moles I had was painless and simple, though they were on my back and not more sensitive areas.

I hope your surgery goes well and the healing part is easy.

John
Gary

Social climber
Right outside of Delacroix
Nov 13, 2012 - 02:49pm PT
My gf had Mohs surgery a couple of months ago. It went quite well. She had a squamous cell carcinoma on her forearm that had erupted like a volcano.

They got it all the third time around. She had no complaints, no discomfort at all during the procedure. She has minimal scarring that is unnoticeable.

Best of luck.
ydpl8s

Trad climber
Santa Monica, California
Nov 13, 2012 - 02:56pm PT
I've had 2 MOHs surgeries for basal cell, one on my eyebrow and one in the crook of my nose. Except for paying for it, it was a not a big deal. My wife says that that side of my nose now looks better than the other side. It will be over before you know it, but remember...walk on the shady side of the street:-)
jstan

climber
Nov 13, 2012 - 03:02pm PT
Sun block relying on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. No chemicals.

No problem.
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 13, 2012 - 03:06pm PT
thanks all...
yes JSTAN exactly what my doc said, however, even with it I still got more squamous. I'm just really fair and spend so much time outside...thinking I really need to lather up even more frequently.

Anxiety meter ticking down a bit...just that med procedures always squick me out, even the most minor of ones.


Susan
labrat

Trad climber
Nevada City, CA
Nov 13, 2012 - 03:06pm PT
Hope the procedure goes well ;-) Yes there will be cutting and needles but there should be far less using the MOHS procedure

The advantage of the MOHS procedure is that the surgeon can have the edges checked while you are in the office while the area is still opened up. This is far better than what happens in many offices where they sew the patient back up and send the hopefully clear edges off for testing. If the edges are not clear the patient will have to come back for another surgery (more risk of infection, scarring, more time to heal).

I have had to go back because the edges were not clear and it sucked!

My sister and brother in law are both MOHS surgeons btw........
nevahpopsoff

Boulder climber
the woods
Nov 13, 2012 - 03:38pm PT
Had it done on the tip of my nose (basal cell). Other than the needle in the tip of my nose, which only hurts for a couple of seconds, no big deal. The plastic surgery to limit the scarring the day after was worse, and that wasn't even too bad. You'll be fine.
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Nov 13, 2012 - 04:40pm PT
I don't know anything about the procedure, but good luck tomorrow Susan!
My brother ( and some other tacos i can think of) had the procedure where they put the goop on your face that makes you look like a star chart for a few days, but that's as close as I have experience with.

Will continue to send vibes your way.
MissJ

Social climber
Nov 13, 2012 - 04:44pm PT
Susan, I had a third stage carcinoma removed on my clavical. You won't feel a thing unitl afterward but it will be minimal. Just follow Doctors orders on the aftercare.. You'll be fine.

Wear hats and lots of sunscreen.

Take care.


Judith
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 13, 2012 - 04:47pm PT
goop on your face that makes you look like a star chart for a few days

was on that when Moab, perhaps you thought I had just done a face plant off my bike!

I expect things to go well. In the past the goop was always enough. I understand it takes a long time as they biopsy each layer until clean. Patience not a strong suit of mine. It's definetly squamous and not melanoma so that's good.

Susan (currently avoiding a beautiful sunny day in Santa Cruz...) arghhhhhhhhhh

Gary

Social climber
Right outside of Delacroix
Nov 13, 2012 - 06:10pm PT
Susan, are you a redhead?
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 13, 2012 - 07:19pm PT
Susan, are you a redhead?

Not directly. My mother was a red head and I inherited the freckly complexion, very fair and of course I came from the generation where we baked ourselves in baby oil and iodine. WTF were we thinking?



Susan
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Nov 13, 2012 - 09:13pm PT
Hmmm, my brother had a starker version of it or something. One of your neighbors also has experience with That...


Gene

climber
Nov 13, 2012 - 09:20pm PT
Thoughts and best wishes going out to you Susan.

g
Ricky D

Trad climber
Sierra Westside
Nov 13, 2012 - 09:48pm PT
I've had it done twice for Squamous Cell Carcinomas on my face and it's mostly a piece of cake.

The surgery is basically where they cut out a chunk and lab test it while you wait until they achieve what were referred to as "clear margins". Meaning once they get to the good tissue they stop cutting. In the first case of mine - they had to excise a second time, the second surgery was a one shot affair.

The worst part is lying on the cold table for the 30 minutes it takes to have each cut lab tested for said clear margins. Pee before you go into the room!

Also - find out if your surgeon is certified in plastic surgery - if so you will have minimal scarring and a quicker recovery - plus people will say "you look younger!" - a bonus.

So don't fret - it's a pretty straight forward out-patient procedure these days.

Ricky D
Guck

Trad climber
Santa Barbara, CA
Nov 13, 2012 - 10:03pm PT
Susan, Do not worry! Worrying certainly does not change anything and just raises your blood pressure. Hopefully, when it is all done, you will have the skin of a 16 years old! I hope you had fun in Moab. Cheers!
SCseagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 13, 2012 - 10:05pm PT
Thanks again, everyone, since there aren't the typical "drive through surgery" restrictions I'm sitting here with a glass of wine.

Gene, long time no see, good to hear from ya.

find out if your surgeon is certified in plastic surgery - if so you will have minimal scarring and a quicker recovery - plus people will say "you look younger!" - a bonus.

yep, plastic surgery certified. Not too worried about scarring as the spot it under my bang line anyway. Looking younger! Wow!...but it will be only one one side...talk about having a good side...

I'll whine to all of ya tomorrow after it's done!


Susan..soon to look younger!

edit: Oh hey Guck, I aspire to look as young as you! Good seeing you in Las Vegas...yes, you won't recognize me the next time I see ya!
Gene

climber
Nov 13, 2012 - 10:08pm PT
I'm sitting here with a glass of wine.

Raising a brew to you. During work tomorrow I may switch from coffee to a "cuppa tea."

You have slayed much bigger dragons, Lass. Have a good evening.

g
klk

Trad climber
cali
Nov 13, 2012 - 10:38pm PT
good luck susan.

give us a tr if yr up for it after.
Messages 1 - 20 of total 29 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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