Mag in NJ

Upper Rt Lip Moh's - Philadelphia

I had a bcc on my upper lip, rt side...I had Mohs surgery. It is about 5 years since my surgery and I have to tell you it can hardly be seen, especially if I don't tell anyone. I just came in from purchasing my sunblock by Clinique... and the service rep. was amazed that I said I had surgery... and I had to show her where it was. Having said the good result, let me tell you that on the day of the surgery I was shocked at the extent of the cut... and for several days after I was swollen and not looking my best... however, in short order (considering) I was healed and looking much better and like my old self. My surgery required something called a "flap"... which helps covering the area cut out. My doctor used the natural crease that is on your cheek... along the nose down beside your mouth and into the chin to "hide" the stitches... Moh's surgeons make very, very fine stitches that heal almost invisibly. My advice to you is to not surf the web and look at the horrific pics of the "process"... it is the end result that you need to think about and that you will be cancer free! I get checked 3 or 4 times a year... and have had 2 other se surgeries requiring Moh's... one on my scalp and one on my front neckbone area... very little scaring for each of those too. I wish you every good thing... and hope that all went well.. I just noted the date of your surgery. So it is done and you know the worst is over... Hope you are on the mend and keep yourself checked for skin ca frequently.

My Mohs on my scalp worked out very well. Hair has returned and you can hardly see the scar. I am now getting checked by my dermatologist every 4-6 months... have had some "new" but not major issues in different places. Eyebrow, nose, hand. I used "f-udex 5%" on the brow and nose and I like the result... the process was easy. I tell everyone I can not to sit in the sun, use sun screen and get checked regularly. Thankx for your interest. Mag in NJ

Yes! I have had several basal cell and squamos cell cancers and several surgeries. Three of them Mohs. While I am grateful they were not melanoma (sp?)...the process of dealing with them is not fun and literally leaves you scared ... being awake for a long surgery is no fun. More and more people are experiencing these cancers and surgeries unfortunately. Perhaps there will be a more universal understanding by others.

I am not sure I now have pics of the 2008 procedure but of course I have present pics... where you can see the results of the surgery. My current procedure was on my scalp and I do have the now... but it still needs healing time to show the results but as I see it already it is all good. I will post when my dear husband downloads the pics to my computer. Thanks MagB

I had the Moh's surgery 1 week ago. All went well. The BCC was taken out in the first pass. However, the closure required more cutting so that a "good result" cosmetically could be achieved. So I have a 3 inch stitch line now... but the hair is already growing back. While there is no pain at the time of surgery it is a stressful process being awake while the doc's work. The closure took the most time (over an hour) I did have a plastic surgeon as well as my Moh's Doc plan the closure and do the work. I think the results will be more than fine. Even now I can do a comb over to cover the scar. I am not posting pics as they will make anyone fear far more than is needed... it all ends well. Thank you to the Doctors who responded to my quiry and of course I am grateful to the Doctors who did my surgery. If you live near Pa. Dr. Christopher Miller at U of P is wonderful. Written up as a "TOP DOC" in 2011. What they say about him is all true as I can attest to 3x over. Ma