OT: Mole removal

[disneybridetobe]

So, I have had this mole on my leg since I can remember. It's about the size of a pencil eraser, and it's a little asymmetrical, and I just want to have it removed before it becomes cancerous. How do I get it removed? I have a PPO plan so I don't need a referral. Do I just call a dermatologist, say I need an appointment to have a mole removed, or are there more steps to it than that? Does it take an initial appointment, and then go back for it to be removed? I've been a chicken about this for years, and enough is enough.

Thank you so much

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Call a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. Either one will remove it and send it to the lab to make sure it isn't anything to be concerned about.

But if the doc doesn't think its anything serious to begin with, you make have to pay out of pocket because it may be considered cosmetic.

I work as an RN in a surgery center so we see mole removals all the time.

 

[disneybridetobe]

Call a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. Either one will remove it and send it to the lab to make sure it isn't anything to be concerned about.

But if the doc doesn't think its anything serious to begin with, you make have to pay out of pocket because it may be considered cosmetic.

I work as an RN in a surgery center so we see mole removals all the time.

Cool, thanks for the info . It's definitely not a vanity thing, I kinda like it there. It just has the characteristics that they warn you about, so I just need to get it looked at. I just don't want it to turn into an 8-visit debacle over nothing. Ohhh the copays!

 

[RN2003AZ]

I just had 26 moles removed in October. About 75% of those were dysplastic (pre-cancerous). I went to a plastic surgeon who I've been seeing for a few years now. I've done the dermotology route and found that the work is not as precise (didn't get the whole thing) and the scarring is worse. I have to go back for follow-ups every 6 months now. I'm already seeing some more that need to come off. Mine look rather innocent but always seem to turn out problematic. They looked like very dark freckles all on my upper arms and back. None were raised or asymetrical. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I'd be happy to tell you more!

 

[disneybridetobe]

I wonder if it matters insurance-wise if I go to a plastic surgeon. I'd much rather have a nice scar instead of an ugly scar! But, if a dermatologist is covered and a plastic surgeon isn't, I'm going to the dermatologist. Actually, I hope my mole isn't a problem at all, it's part of me. DD thinks it's a "button" on my leg, lol.

 

[Schmeck]

If it is raised, dark, and asymmetrical, get it removed by the first person who can do it. You'd be better off with a small messy scar on the back of your leg compared to the large chunk missing from mine (melanoma).

 

[Soon2B4]

I usually go to a dermatologist. I have alot and he "maps" them every year to see what has changed. If any need to come off and they are a reasonable size, he takes them off right then. The next time I go, it's a nurse visit to remove any stitches, no copay. I did have one that was large like at least nickle sized that did require an appointment for removal, but normal sized are done same day.

 

[holly7347]

I've had a few skin tags/moles removed over the years. I just call a dermatologist and say I want to make an appointment to have a mole removed. They have always done mine at the first appointment. I have had them frozen off sort of like they do warts or cut out. They numb the area and it isn't very painful. I hae found the frozen off ones a bit more painful which struck me as wierd you would expect cutting to be more painful. The dr. did sent the moles to be tested for cancer. Some moles can grow back. I go about once a year and have several skin tags removed from my neck and around my bra strap area. The ones on my neck I have removed just for looks and the ones around my bra strap bother me once in a while if the bra catches them the wrong way so I get them removed too while I'm there.

 

[bumbershoot]

I called a dermatologist, they made an appt. Went to the appt, he said "yes it should be removed", we made a second appt, he did it. No biggie. Mine were raised, always have been, so it wasn't like surgery, and I don't have any sort of mark (though I do generally scar a little bit) at all.

And he was brilliant b/c he started squeezing the lidocaine out as he injected it, so I felt *nothing*. Well, until the lidocaine wore off, then it stung like crazy, but during the process I felt nothing, not even the needle.

 

[liznboys]

I have some moles I'm going to get removed. I had them checked by a dermatologist and none of them are suspicious. That's great of course, but to get them removed I will have to pay for them myself because it's considered cosmetic. I'm having a plastic surgeon remove them.

 

[disneybridetobe]

Ok, I'm not going to be a chicken, and I'm going to first call my insurance company, and then I'm going to get an appointment with a dermatologist. If that doesn't work, or my insurance company gives me the OK right off the bat, I'll call a plastic surgeon.

Thank you all...

 

[muscarello4]

He cut it out is about 10 minutes.....done. If it's on your leg, I don't think scarring would be a major issue.

When I showed up to have it done, the nurse said, "No, you're just here for a consult." I said, "Don't think so...I don't need a consult....I need it removed." She tried to pull one over on me, but in the end I got the dr. to remove it. Seriously...like I was going to come back again. How dumb!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

I had a mole removed from my upper calf about 2 years ago. I had been seeing a dermatologist because I am just covered in moles, and this mole in particular had grown in size fairly quickly.

A dermatologist will do a full exam and take photos of any moles you have. Any that are suspicious should be either removed or biopsied.

I was given the choice to have it removed three ways - the derm. could do it 2 different ways or I could have a plastic surgeon do it. I opted to have the derm remove the whole thing (rather than a "punch") in the office with a local.

It was super quick - but just fair warning that legs tend to be slower to heal. They told me I would bleed just a few hours - but it was actually days. So expect that.

my mole was normal and not cancer - but I am still glad I had it removed. I have others that I should probably have taken off too - but I am not going to at this moment.

If I had to do it again, I would probably have opted for the plastic surgeon - I am not loving my scar at all. It's not big, but it's not a nice, neat little scar either. It looks like a small scoop taken out of my leg. It hasn't really faded much in the 2 years either (they said it would).

But get it checked regardless!

 

[kldmom2000]

I used to be a clinical assistant to a dermatologist.... I saw more than I ever wanted to and I get my moles checked every 6 months for changes by my dermatologist. I've had about 6 moles removed because of "changes" noted by my derm from the records she keeps (she measures each suspicious mole and documents it in my record... then if something changes to meet the ABCDE pattern, she ends up removing it (A-assymetry, B-Border irregularity, C-color variation, D-diameter (anything bigger than a pencil eraser), and E-evolution(changing moles)) So far, everything has been benign but it's always better to be safe I say!

Your best bet with your PPO is to make an appt. w/ a recommended dermatologist (ask around to get referrals or even ask your PCP who he/she would recommend). Don't be alarmed if the appt. they give you is 3-4 months out. Dermatologists in a lot of areas book out that far for new patients. Your first appt. will consist of a full body check. This is something you should even request if it's not a given. They will document all the existing moles and measure the suspicious ones. If there is something that is highly suspicious, they may biopsy it right then and there.... otherwise, they may schedule a surgical appt. for you to come back if it's going to be bigger than a few stitches.

Good luck!!! I hope all is absolutely fine!

 

[DISNEYNV]

I have the same type of mole on my stomach. I am a bit chicken to get it removed because melanoma runs in my family. I know I should especially since a nurse said I should have it looked at when I as pregnant with DS.I was going to go to my regular physician though and see if he will do it or send me to a dermatologist.

 

[aussietravellers]

I have had many moles removed, one was a melanoma between my toes. I too have never had any removed due to vanity, it has always been because of possible cancer risk. But I always go to a plastic surgeon to have it removed. My mother has just had a massive skin cancer removed and she went to a plastic surgeon, he was amazing and after two weeks you couldn't even see a scar.

We have a plastic surgeon near us who actually specialises in mole and skin cancer removal (he does other things too) but does a lot of work in mole and skin cancer removal.

I would say go to a plastic surgeon, I go the dermatologist every few years to have a skin check, then he says what should stay and what should go, so I head to the plastic surgeon to get them removed.