Basal Cell Carcinoma Removed from Face - Chicago, IL

Years ago, I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my scalp (Mohs Surgery) and thought I was alert to skin changes. However, I didn't think anything of a flesh-colored bump right under my eye. Recently, at my annual skin cancer screening, my dermatologist saw it, biopsied it and it turned out to be a basal cell carcinoma and he scheduled me right away for Mohs Surgery. I had a GREAT dermatologist and nurse! It was a very long day so take a good book with you. The doctor takes increasingly larger circles until there are no more cancer cells. It's a conservative type of procedure to minimize the size of the scar.

Really the surgery on my scalp several years ago didn't bother me. However, because this mole was right under my eye, on the front of my face, I had a great deal of anxiety about my appearance. I knew that basal cell carcinoma is the "least bad" type of skin cancer and it might make me sound shallow but I was worried about my appearance. The doctor offered and I took an Atavan which greatly helped me get through the long 8 hour day. I was also anxious because the doctor's hand and instruments were very close to my eye. I couldn't feel pain but was wierded out that there were sharp instruments by my eye. It really helped when he told me that he knows it's eery to be so close to my eye but "anatomically, I'm far away from your eye, it's very protected."

As the day went on and he kept having to cut more and more, I just got more and more thankful that he was taking something bad off of me and I got less and less concerned about my appearance

At the end of the day, he said he recommended to do a "flap" plastic surgery to cover up the hole where the carcinoma had been. I told him I had to think about it, I had just finished a very long day. Flap surgery is where he basically rearranges skin to cover up the hole. It's kinda like a face-lift.

I called my primary care physician who told me without hesitation to get the flap surgery, nearly everyone does it with great success. So I went back to my dermatologist who got me in right away to do the flap surgery. I would also recommend taking Atavan if you do this because even though you are numbed, you are still aware of the cutting and pulling of your skin.

I had several days of real bad swelling and bruising. I strictly followed doctor's orders to keep vaseline on the incision. My healing is going very quickly and I can detect improvements every single day. The really huge swelling calmed down within 2 weeks. Three months later I still have swelling under my eye which has decreased my range of vision in that eye. My dermatologist said the swelling could last 6-12 more months and is normal.

I had pain along the incision for the first two weeks but Tylenol handled it. My face was super tight at first and still is even now 3 months later. My dermatologist told me that nerves were affected, and they may never come back. The small spot that was numb went away though.

The incision goes from right under my eye, starting at my temple straight across to the other corner of my eye, and then straight down along my nose. Eventually the incision will blend in with the crow's feet by my eyes and my smile lines. I was surprised that a coworker told me she had the same thing done and I really couldn't see any scar on her.

Professionally, I interact with a lot of people and so I got hit with a great many questions, even from people I wasn't real close to. I don't think people mean to be rude or intrusive but just want to know if I'm okay. Sometimes I'd go into detail, encourage sun screen and annual screenings. Other times, I would just say, "I had a couple of surgeries but I'm okay now."

If you live in the Chicago area, GO SEE DR. MEMAR AND NURSE LISA!!! THEY ARE THE BEST!!!