Upper Eyelid Mohs Surgery - Springfield, IL

The steroid shot in the eyelid graft really did not do anything that I can see...I don't see any flattening or thinning of graft - but I am OK with that. However, the donor incision scar (about 1 1/4 inches long taken from the same eye above the eyelid area seems to be more sensitive in the last couple of weeks? It looks a little redder and I have some white bumps (like whiteheads??) on it. Just saw the oculoplastic dr yesterday and he really didn't think there was a problem - the redness and bumps are just part of the healing, which he now says will take over a year...??? So I'm not really sure what to think?? I have been putting Mederma on it most nights and dr just says I can keep doing that for up to a year, but I don't really think it's making a difference now, maybe the Mederma is irritating it? IDK? I have a follow up appointment in 6 months, but I am not sure if I am going to keep going. I WILL still see my regular derma dr for body checks every six months.

I've probably reached the end of my posting days. The site has been a huge help to me, I hope my postings can be of help to other people.

About a week ago, I went to the oculoplastic surgeon for my follow up on the eyelid graft. We had talked on an earlier appointment about maybe getting a steroid injection in the graft area to kind of "smooth it out" make it lay a little flatter. When I wear a darker eyeshadow the graft area stands out and makeup won't adhere to it (a minor issue, I know). But I was offered this injection as part of the scarring treatment, so I took advantage of it. It wasn't just one shot, but a series, maybe 6-7, of small injections around the perimeter of the graft. The graft is about the size of a large kidney bean right at the lash line. The eyelid was numbed with numbing cream and then they held an ice pack to it right before the shots. I didn't really feel anything, but when the needle was pulled out from one site to another, it would 'stick and pull' sometimes, and I could feel that. Dr. said I may have some bruising/swelling/drooping of eyelid, but all I had was a little bruising. It has been a week now. I DO think the graft is flatter than it was. The injection was a combination of a steroid with lidocane to help with inflammation and thin out the skin a little bit. I see the Dr. in another 6 weeks. I think I am nearing the end of my treatment. All in all, I am pleased with the appearance of eyelid and of course, being cancer free. I see my regular dermatologist every 6 months now for an all over body check. I will probably post one last time after my next appointment with the plastic dr. as I expect to be release from his care then.

Good luck to anyone who is facing something like this -there are a lot of us - this site has been a blessing.

My surgery left a spot along the upper lash line (about 3/8 of inch long) where I only have 5 lashes left - the Mohs surgeon was able to spare them. They did grow back, but there is this sparse area, but it looks OK and I am able to wear mascara on them. Interestingly over the last week, I noticed a couple of the lashes fell out and there was this noticeable 'gap'. Upon looking at it closely, I guess the lashes are 'life cycling' and I can see new ones coming in. I can see this really clearly as there is only 5 lashes in this area. I guess normally you have enough lashes that you don't really notice where you've lost one. So this is something that will be a part of this eye now.