Facial mole (beauty mark) removal

[mbw12]

Hi, everyone-

My daughter is 5 and has a beauty mark near her eye. After our last doctor visit, they suggested having it looked at by a dermatologist. Long story short, it needs to be removed and biposied as soon as possible. Due to her age, she needs to go under general anesthesia. I have so many thoughts racing through my head;
from the very serious (what if it is melanoma? how long will she be under general anesthesia? what about complications?) to the absolute ridiculous (will she have a facial scar? will she look too different without it?)

anyway, not really sure why I am posting this here. Just am sick to my stomach after we met the plastic surgeon today. She was pretty blunt in telling us that it would definitely leave a scar and that she needs to cut alot of skin to get the roots out and the surrounding areas to be biopsied.

Any advice or anyone been through this before? I am so worried and have so many thoughts in my mind....and just need to "talk" to anyone that wants to listen. I have never had surgery, so the thought of general anesthesia absolutely scares me.

Bobbi

 

[crz4mm2]

Moms get paid to worry. I would be worried too. BUt, it needs to be removed, so you have to have it done. General anesthesia is very safe. She will be fine. Yes, she will probably have a scar, but kids generally heal very well and it will fade with time.
Has she had it since birth? I would be a bit less worried about melanoma if it had been present since birth.
Prayers are with you. When is the surgery? It is very good that you saw a plastic surgeon.

Keep us informed.

Cathy

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I had a birthmark on my scalp removed a couple years ago. Dermatologist said I should have had it removed as a young child as this particular type tend to be more prone to malignancies. She sent me to a plastic surgeon. I had a "twilight sleep" type of sedation and had about 10 staples. It was benign.
I know you are worried, but get it done! Prayers for you all.

 

[clarabelle]

I would inquire about a plastic surgeon as well. Also there are topical medications to reduce scarring available now.

 

[mbw12]

to answer your question: I noticed it probably begin when she was around 6 months old or so.....small...but has gradually gotten larger and darker over the past 5 years.
We are definitely having it done, no doubt, because it needs to be done to have it biopsied. thanks for the quick responses.....I just need to 'talk."

 

[disneymcgraw]

I had a mole removed from the side of my nose by a plastic surgeon and the scar is barely visible. This was 3 years ago. I'm sure your little one will be totally fine.

 

[Lil_Tink]

I have many moles but the doctors dont tell me to do anything about them (nose, scalp, neck) But best wishes

 

[mt2]

I can understand your concern. One of my DD's had to had 3 surgeries on her eye muscles. The first one was when she was 5 yrs. It was done the day after Christmas.

I was numb for 2 months before. (We found out in October and surgery was scheduled for Dec 26th.) DH said I acted as if I was PMSing for 2 straight months.

That morning I just knew that she would wake up blind. I showed her everything that morning. The six bunnies in the field next to the parking lot. Everything. My mind was racing crazy!

She was just fine. 3 yrs later she had to have it redone. Then 5 months later done again. Her muscles changed as she grew.

What I'm trying to tell you (sorry for being long winded) is that everything turned out OK. It had to be done or she really would have been blind in one eye.

Just don't forget to have the Tylenol ready before she needs it. I made that mistake the 1st time and had to hear my DD cry due to the pain. That is the worst thing to know that the pain she was in was my fault because I didn't give her the meds before the other stuff wore off.

Vent all you need.

mt2

 

[crz4mm2]

Vent all you want. That's what we are here for
We will be praying for you.

Cathy

 

[Verandah Man]

Bobbi--I just sent you a PM, make sure and read it. Hazel said if you need to talk don't hesitate to call, you have our number.

 

[Snow Dog Mom]

I am so sorry for you and your daughter. Being a mom of a child who has to go through surgery is very tough. My DS had heart surgery 5 times before he was 1-1/2 and it is very scary. I tell him that his scars are where the angels kissed him and he accepts that. Granted the scars are not on his face but there are 2 big ones on his chest and back. He is 12 now and if anyone asked what happened to him he says that it is where the angels kissed him when he was a baby. My DD had to have tubes put in her ears and it was just as hard since they use anesthesia. I was still a nervous wreck. I'm a really good worrier though!

I'll pray for you and your family. It is always hardest for the moms and dads!

Kim

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just stopping by to add good wishes for your little one, Bobbi, and you too.

 

[marybet]

I would get another plastic surgeon. I just had a basil cell carcinoma removed from the side of my nose and it had been there for about 10 years. It was done using MOHS surgery which takes very thin slices and then examines them to see if they got all the cancer and then they come back and do another slice until they get it all. I had a biopsy first and they don't need to take as much to just biopsy it. I would be concerned that the surgeon is saying so much has to be removed to just do the biopsy. I didn't even have to go to a plastic surgeon and the dermotologist says in about 6 months you won't even be able to see it. Good luck.

 

[mickeyboat]

Hugs!

1 1/2 years ago DD5 split her face open near her right eye and has a scar from her stitches. It is pretty large, but has faded quite a bit over time. You don't even see if unless you know it's there. The doctor recommended we keep it covered with sunscreen every day to lessen the appearance of the scar.

This DD had surgery under general anesthesia to open a blocked tear duct when she was 9 months old. I was a wreck - and it didn't help that I was 6 months PG at the time. I was bawling when I left her to go to the waiting room. I went to the bathroom to freshen up, when I got back they were calling us to come to the recovery room. I felt like a dork for being so upset, but that's what mommies do!

This same DD has a spider angioma on her nose that someday we will have removed. The dermatologist wants to wait until she is able to sit still for the laser procedure so they don't have to use any anesthesia.

Hope all goes well for your little one.

Denae

 

[mbw12]

To answer your questions, marybet....the dermatologist is the one that wants to have it removed immediately. The reason that it needs to be done by a plastic surgeon is because of her age. If my daughter were older, it would be able to be removed by the dermatologist in the office. But because there is no way that my 5 year old daughter will be able to sit still through the procedure and the location of the mole, it needs to be done by a plastic surgeon under general anesthesia. I did ask about laser surgery, but it is not an option. I have never heard of this MOHS surgery that you are talking about, but I will ask my platic surgeon about it. did you still need to go under general anesthesia?

I want to thank all of you for all of your kind words and thoughts. Being a parent is such a tough job, huh?

Bobbi

 

[Verandah Man]

Thanks for the update Bobbi, all of you are still in our thoughts and prayers. And a little and wouldn't hurt either!!!