Experience with large/medium mole removal? Post-surgical update/PIC pg 3

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Was this covered under your insurance? I am thinking that if they have to put staples in her head, I would rather her be sedated instead of just a local. She's not freaked about getting it removed, but I don't think she wants to be aware of anything like that.

Yes, insurance covered EVERYTHING except a $25 copay! And that was for ALL the appts, surgery, anesthesia, followups etc. The dermatologist referred me to the plastic surgeon. I was put under, even had a tube in my throat. You would not want to be aware of any of this. It "oozed and crusted" over the staples a little bit, but was really not all that bad after 48 hours.

I have such thick hair I had to show mine to the dermatologist. I had ignored it for years. Dr. biopsied it that day (local numbing shot). Mine is close to the hairline on the forehead and sounds like what you are describing. Yes, she would already have "issues" if she had the neurological aspect! I had forgot about all that until now. It is 2 different things I believe. The syndrome would cause lots of these from what I remember.

(my internet is having issues, so I will check back on this later!)

 

[poohandwendy]

A picture of her mole (or moles). It looks like a cluster, but feels like one thing, if that makes sense
Just wanted to add, my DD gave me permission to post this picture (for those who may accuse me of posting TMI, LOL)

 

[megthewonderful]

If at all possible ask the dermatologist to refer you to a plastic surgeon. The plastic surgeon will ensure minimal scarring. I've had several medium sized moles removed and the worst part is getting the injections to numb the area before removel. There is some soreness afterwards, but nothing major.
Good luck to you and your daughter

 

[poohandwendy]

If at all possible ask the dermatologist to refer you to a plastic surgeon. The plastic surgeon will ensure minimal scarring. I've had several medium sized moles removed and the worst part is getting the injections to numb the area before removel. There is some soreness afterwards, but nothing major.
Good luck to you and your daughter

Thanks, I definitely want a plastic surgeon removing it, if it needs to go.

 

[poohandwendy]

Oh, one more question, for anyone who would know. I keep reading that they biopsy first and then remove, even when it is benign and the initial plan was to remove it. Why not just remove it and then biopsy, if you are going to do so anyways? Is there something they do differently, if the biopsy comes back bad? Just curious.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Yes! That is what mine looked like except mine did not have the little extension line off of it. About the same size as mine too (mine was half dollar size), textured, and raised. Mine was inside my hairline though and was difficult for me to see exactly what it looked like. Mine was unusual in that it did grow some "frizzy" hair (most N.S.'s are hairless). And the rest of my hair is straight! I am pretty sure that is a nevus sebaceous. Your daughter's actually seems in a more favorable spot for removal. She may not need staples in that area. ?? I really don't know though.

My Dermatologist wanted to be certain that is what mine actually was before referring me for removal. That was pretty easy and painless. I actually had 1 stitch with the biopsy.

Do let us know what you find out. I've never talked to anyone else that had this!

 

[poohandwendy]

Yes! That is what mine looked like except mine did not have the little extension line off of it. About the same size as mine too (mine was half dollar size), textured, and raised. Mine was inside my hairline though and was difficult for me to see exactly what it looked like. Mine was unusual in that it did grow some "frizzy" hair (most N.S.'s are hairless). And the rest of my hair is straight! I am pretty sure that is a nevus sebaceous. Your daughter's actually seems in a more favorable spot for removal. She may not need staples in that area. ?? I really don't know though.

My Dermatologist wanted to be certain that is what mine actually was before referring me for removal. That was pretty easy and painless. I actually had 1 stitch with the biopsy.

Do let us know what you find out. I've never talked to anyone else that had this!

Thanks, I will definitely let you know what happens with it, her appt is dec 12 (couldn't get anything earlier, LOL)

It does sound like it's not too common. I am hoping it's easy to remove, I wonder how they will go about it. (because of the thinner area) Heck, I am not even sure the doctor will want to remove it. I am hoping so, because I would rather get rid of it than worry that it could turn into something, kwim?

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I think if it is a Nevus sebaceous, they will want to remove it. I'm a blond haired, green eyed Floridian, and mine was on top of my head where sun hits constantly. No choice for me. I had to wait about that long for the appt. too!

I have a 12 yr old DD, so I know your DD probably does want the thing gone! Mine DID change at puberty. That is when the frizzy hair grew! I think it got a little thicker and more tender then too.

I think mine was removed about 4 years ago this Dec. I wish I could remember more details, and why I had to have staples. If I think of anything else, I will let you know. Good luck!

 

[poohandwendy]

Yeah, she would rather have it gone. From what I am reading, puberty is when it kind of morphs into the 'second stage' for some reason. The third stage is what you want to avoid, even though it's rare I guess that is why they remove it...so it doesn't have a chance to.

Thanks BBB, I appreciate your personal experiences with this. I will let you know how the appt goes.

 

[mickeyboat]

I had a mole removed from my nose a couple of summers ago. They did a punch biopsy first, and then a skin surgeon removed the rest and a little of the margins. It was nowhere near as large as your DD's, but unless you know the scar is there, you don't really notice it.

I fugured I would rather have a scar than worry that it might be cancerous at some point. I can't remember what type it was, and my PCP didn't even know what it was when we got the results back.

When they did the biopsy, I needed one stitch, had to keep the area covered and moist - I used Neosporin. With the removal, I needed 3-4 stitches, and they cut it out in such a way that he was able to pull the skin back together. One thing I was not really prepared for was the cauterization, and the smell of my flesh burning. Yuck!

Insurance covered all but the $10 co pay.

DD had a spider angioma cauterized over the summer, and it was much worse watching them do a procedure on her!

Denae

 

[horseshowmom]

A picture of her mole (or moles). It looks like a cluster, but feels like one thing, if that makes sense
Just wanted to add, my DD gave me permission to post this picture (for those who may accuse me of posting TMI, LOL)

Is it possible that your DD is a budding rock star? (Because that picture sure does look like an electric guitar! )

Just kidding, I hope everything goes well for your DD and that the situation is resolved as quickly and painlessly as possible!

 

[poohandwendy]

***update***

DD went in for her appt today and it is a sebaceous nevi and will be removed in two stages (beginning on Jan 2), due to the size and shape. The dermatologist didn't like two moles she had on her back, so she will have those removed also. They will do one part of the mole by her ear on Jan 2, then while that has a chance to heal, they will do the back moles and then lastly, do the upper part of her ear mole. Sounds like lots of fun for her. From what he said, it realy will not be too difficult. I am glad to hear from several people that he is one of the best in this area and does 'beautiful work', from what they say.

Now, I made appts for myself and my son in because we both have several moles that looks just like the ones she is having removed...go figure.

 

[DawnCt1]

DS#4 had a large hairy nevi, in fact a smaller one along with it, removed from just above his knee by a plastic surgeon. He had minimal scarring. I would say it was at least twice as big as your DDs.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Thank goodness it wasn't on her face! Not from a medical standpoint, just from a vanity one. So close - she lucked out. If you call having a rotten mole somewhere other than your face "lucky."

I'm sure it will all go well and hope it is nothing but a temporary and minor nuisance for her. I so wish I knew you guys and could pull her aside to tell her how to milk this for all that it's worth. Kids tend to miss these opportunites.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

***update***

DD went in for her appt today and it is a sebaceous nevi and will be removed in two stages (beginning on Jan 2), due to the size and shape. The dermatologist didn't like two moles she had on her back, so she will have those removed also. They will do one part of the mole by her ear on Jan 2, then while that has a chance to heal, they will do the back moles and then lastly, do the upper part of her ear mole. Sounds like lots of fun for her. From what he said, it realy will not be too difficult. I am glad to hear from several people that he is one of the best in this area and does 'beautiful work', from what they say.

Glad you updated this! It is the same as what mine was. Sounds like the Dermatologist will remove hers then? I guess mine had undergone the puberty changes and was deeper perhaps. Will this be a office or outpatient visit?

 

[Feralpeg]

I had a suspicious mole a couple of months ago on my back that turned out to be a basil cell carcinoma. I went back in to have it removed. It turned out to be a piece of cake. I did end up with about a two inch scar. The worst part was the itching as it was healing.

I'm sure your DD will do just fine.

 

[pjshaff]

Hopefully the two moles on her back will turn out to be negative. DH & I go to our dermatologist every 6 months for full body checkups. Both he and I have had skin cancer (he had melanoma and I had basal cell carcinoma) - because of that we both keep a close eye on ourselves and our kids - especially using lotion on them when they're outside.

Fingers crossed for your DD and an easy removal for the one behind her ear.

 

[horseshowmom]

I had a suspicious mole a couple of months ago on my back that turned out to be a basil cell carcinoma. I went back in to have it removed. It turned out to be a piece of cake. I did end up with about a two inch scar. The worst part was the itching as it was healing.

I'm sure your DD will do just fine.

I also recently had a large, suspicious mole removed recently. In my case, it didn't turn out to be anything. Like Feralpeg, I didn't have any problems with the removal, and the worst part was the itching as it healed (as she said).

Best wishes to your daughter (and you and your son as you get checked out)!

 

[poohandwendy]

Glad you updated this! It is the same as what mine was. Sounds like the Dermatologist will remove hers then? I guess mine had undergone the puberty changes and was deeper perhaps. Will this be a office or outpatient visit?

Yes, he will remove it. He specializes in cosmetic dermatologic surgery and comes highly recommended so I feel very confident about his handling the procedure. When I first made the appt, I was just going to someone a few people recommended, I only found out later that he is well known for his cosmetic surgery work and saw some of the people he did facial work on (one had burns on her face and the other had melanoma removed from her neck).

And yes, he told me he expects it to run pretty deep because she has already gone through puberty. It will be an outpatient procedure, his office is in a major hospital (not sure exactly where he will do it, if he just sends patients to the surgical unit or what). He plans on excising the bottom part of it and then allowing it to heal a few months. The top 'line' part, is going to be the easiest and he wants to do that after he sees the scar the bottom portion has formed.

In between those two procedures, he will remove two of the moles on her back.

 

[poohandwendy]

I had a suspicious mole a couple of months ago on my back that turned out to be a basil cell carcinoma. I went back in to have it removed. It turned out to be a piece of cake. I did end up with about a two inch scar. The worst part was the itching as it was healing.

I'm sure your DD will do just fine.

Thanks! That is what everyone keeps saying. Any ideas about how to minimize the itching?