- Our highly-trained Review Moderation team evaluates all reviews before they're published to ensure they're written by people like you and not a member of a doctor's office.
- This multi-step process takes up to 24 hours from review submission to publication.
- Doctors can't pay to have reviews removed or hidden.
- Reviews are only removed at the reviewer's request or if they violate our Terms of Service.
If you have questions or believe we should re-evaluate a published review, let us know.
I was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in July of...
I had the best surgeon I could ask for, very supportive and she did an excellent job. Both my dermatologist and my cosmetic surgeon all commented that the removal was excellent.
Pros and cons: well there are not very many cons that I can think of. It was a no-brainer of having the surgery and having it removed. If left alone it would have spread to my eye and I had a 75% chance of having Retinol Melanoma which would result in radiation treatments, removal of my eye and a high risk of spreading to my optical nerve into my brain. Although I did not want the surgery, it was a must and I am very happy I had it.
My motivation was this brand new little life I just brought into the world that I could not leave. I knew if I did not have this done, I may not be around to see her grow up and it was a simple choice.
When I am diagnosed with melanoma I told my dermatologist to book the appointments for the next availability, I did not want to wait on it for another moment.
I look back at pictures now and yes there is a scar, although it has healed and people do not notice it much, but it was so worth it. I have been melanoma free in that area since 2009 and could not be happier.
This diagnosis and surgery has changed my life completely. Growing up in Seattle where we have limited sun I rarely wore sunscreen, which I am sure was the cause of the melanoma. Now? I apply sunscreen twice a day, wear a foundation makeup with SPF of at least 30 and I slather on the sunscreen whenever I know I will be outside. I wear hats outside and I am always watching the time to ensure I re-apply the sunscreen within the appropriate time. The fear of having this has also helped me in protecting my daughter as well. Even though it may take a few moments longer, I make sure she has sunscreen on of at least 45+.
I have also been a visual reminder to my friends when they head outdoors. I have had numerous friends/family members mention to me that they always remember me when they are out in the sun and make sure to apply sunscreen.
What do I wish I knew beforehand. Wow there are so many things I wish I would have paid attention to. I wish I would have not used tanning beds when I was younger, although I only used a handful of times - I wish I could have seen into the future of what this did to my skin. I wish my mom would have applied sunscreen on me when I was younger more than she did. I wish I would have learned to apply it through college and on vacations.
Although this experience was a horrible one, we do learn from our mistakes and I have learned a huge lesson. I can now pass this along to my daughter and prevent her from going through what I have.
Provider Review
I listed both of my surgeons the one that actually did the melanoma removal: Dr. Annalisa Gorman at Skin Surgery Center in Bellevue Washington and my Plastic Surgeon Dr. LauKaitis at Allure Cosmetic Surgery in Kirkland Washington. Skin Surgery center in Bellevue I would give a total of 5 stars for everything. Dr Gorman and her staff were amazing. They were very supportive, described the process entirely to me and walked me through the procedure. They kept me calm and took excellent care of me while i was going through the whole procedure. Allure Cosmetic Surgery in Kirkland I would give 4 stars overall. The only item I would ding them on was the wait times. I arrived for my surgery at 9am asked not to eat at all and was not put into surgery until 1030am. I was very sick with a migraine from lack of food/blood sugar dropped. They did not keep us posted on what the wait was for or why it was taking so long. I was already in my gown and ready to go so I just sat there very nervous. Other than that part of the experience, the surgery went fine. I woke up and was very ill coming off of the anesthesia but they did prep me for this. The follow up care was excellent. The staff walked me through what to expect, called and did several checkups after I returned home. Because my surgery was more challenging (eyelid was removed) there were 3 surgeons involved with my surgery. Dr. LauKaitis did the overall surgery with Dr. Sires and an intern assisting. They did an amazing job! Although I do have a scar and my eyelid is a bit deformed on the edges it functions! I was worried about losing the eyelid all together or losing the ability to wear contacts. They removed skin from my other eyelid to graft and did an amazing job. Although I was unable to see out of that eye for several days and the other eye looked like I was in a boxing match, I could not be happier. I will have an eventual follow up surgery to fix the sagging skin of the eyelid within the next 4 years as they prepared me for. Now that I have had such a great experience with them I have no fear and know that I will look amazing. :)