A look back at my recovery one year post-op from Mohs surgery for Basal Cell Carcinoma. You can watch the previous video leading up to, during and directly after my surgery here: • Basal Cell Carcinoma A...
Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm having surgery in 2 weeks to remove an 8mm basal cell carcinoma from my lip and I'm quite anxious about it. Your journey has helped to prepare me mentally for the recovery time and gives me hope that the scarring won't be too radical.
The men and women that train for this are truly artists... I had this surgery and it’s truly amazing... you look great ... happy Christmas everyone 🥰❣️🎄🎅🎄❣️🥰
So glad I came across this, I had my surgery from corner of my mouth up the left side and was feeling so anxious about it's healing process, this just happened to pop up, so strange, but made me feel so much better 🙏
Wow. This is so encouraging. You really do not look like you’ve had any surgery at all. I’ve just had stitches out today (much easier than your experience) and grateful to you for posting this. I’m not too worried about scarring as long as they’ve got out the BCC but obvs would rather have as little visible scarring as possible. My scar is bigger than I thought it would be (even though they explained, I didn’t fully realise the extent of the incision the had to make to cut out a fairly small BCC ‘mole’. The incision is partly into my upper lip too, and you’re right, the skin here is more sensitive and heals differently. Hope mine heals as well as yours has. Thanks again. All the best.
Thank you! Your updates are very helpful to see as I just had a BCC removed. Your healing gives me hope and I will be happy if my healing is as well as yours! 👍
Thank you for doing this.. I am finally committed to having the Mohs surgery on the bcc spot that I've had for 3.5 years, (Pandemic in between there),...my spot is under my right nostril,, and slightly above my upper lip. I have been so petrified of the surgery,...(my Mom had Colon cancer that was metastasized by them spreading it in one of her 11 surgeries.) This had a huge impact to a teenager; as she was diagnosed when I was 12 yrs old. My bcc spot is always changing...some times it looks like it's really healing, but it never fully goes away the way I wish it would. But I feel better now, because I finally realized I could 'pick' the Surgeon, and feel much better because I chose a female, 5 star, Teaching Dr.....and I feel so much less anxiety. I am going for a photo this week ...., and they'll go from there. Thank you again.
Hi ,did u had ur surgery already? Would u mind to send me some pic of scars ? Pls as i have BCC on same spot as yours and I’m so anxious about surgery 😢😢😢
@@gorimaggie So glad I can try to help reduce some of your anxiety about the surgery and scarring. I was a complete hot mess for weeks during the build-up to the surgery.....and as my Mom always said, "you don't really know what someone is going through unless you have gone or are going through the same situation." Please, if you want, reply here with your email address, I can jot it down...then you can delete your reply containing your email address after I get it. Then I can upload some before, after, and now, 4 months pics of my scar....and can tell you other tips too. Yes, I had surgery June 9th, 2022...I chose a Woman Surgeon, who had a 5 star rating, and she also is a 'Teaching' Doctor,; so that means she's really good!Take a deep breath, and relax,...it's not nearly as bad as those photos I saw, and freaked out. But remember those were of people who did not have the Surgery. Yes, the spot the bcc is in, between nose and mouth, makes it SO much more fragile, and is the center of the face. Not a lot of people understand how close the area is to both the Nose, and the Mouth...and crying is the worst....everything, (tears, snot, etc.) go to the area. Hope you see this soon. 💦💦🧚🏽♀🧚🏽♀💦💦
Thanks for posting this. I just had the surgery myself. Had basal cell carcinoma below my eyebrow, near my eyelid. I chose to stay awake during the skin graft and wound closure. It does not hurt due to the local anesthesia. However, it's a little unpleasant and lengthy. But it's done!! The dread was worse than the procedure. (I really dreaded it!)
I've had many facial basal cells removed at UCSF here in San Francisco. The reconstructions have all been like yours: barely noticeable after healing. Mohs surgery really is the best!
Interesting. I had MOHS in Massachuseets in 2015 for a facial BBC and have a defect on my face because of it, specifically a very large, deep left sided naso-labial fold. I'm a UCSF graduate and would be interested in knowing exaclty where you were treated. Any recommendations? I'm thinking I may need a revision. Thanks Jim.
@@anthonydavid5121 I was treated at the UCSF Dermatology Clinic here in SF. I've been going there for years and have had more than a few Mohs surgeries. I have complete faith in them! Maybe you could fly in for a consultation.
Thank you for sharing. I needed to see your video. I also have had Basel cell carcinoma on my right cheek. I had my stitches removed yesterday, October 20, 2021. My scar is right underneath my right eye it is about 4 inches long. The way it looks now I just can’t see how it’s ever going to look any better. But seeing your video gives me hope. Your video has given me a timeframe that I can look forward to. Thank you again so much for sharing with people like me that need to know we’re going to be OK God bless you in Jesus name
I have been waiting to see your recovery and let me tell it looks very well. As for me , remember I told you it was last Wednesday (5 days now) , and on the same spot, I'm swollen and I'm afraid to open my mouth to eat, to talk or even to smile. I hope time runs fast as it did for you. Thank you for the video and encouraging words.
Give it time. I definitely had a tough time eating properly for a few weeks and found myself on a diet of many soups and other easy to eat foods. The location of the stitches made it very difficult to open my mouth more than an inch or so without feeling like they were going to rip and even after I had them taken out it was weeks before I felt like I was close to having full range of motion. It's frustrating for sure but give yourself permission to take it easy and only do what you can. Hope your healing goes well.
i still swollen and hardly can open my mouth and as you säid I'm afraid the stiches will rip my skin and eäting soup using a straw. I thank you again for sharing you expiriences.
Thank you for the video. I had my surgery 3 weeks ago on my nose. It is healing well but I didn't understand the shock of it until 2 days after. Your lip looks great. Hugs Donna
Hi Jungleboy, thank you for the video which has put my mind at ease a lot. I’ve been diagnosed with a SCC opposite side to yours (my left) and growing quickly on to my lip. I see the plastic surgeon here in Melbourne on Wednesday. Thanks for posting.
Well done videos. Thanks for sharing. I had Moh’s surgery on the tip of my nose, they had to go back 4 times before they got it all. Then I had forehead flap reconstruction which was gruesome, but gave an amazing cosmetic result. (Check out those videos 😳). This was about 4 years ago and I see the dermatologist regularly to get “pre-cancers” removed (frozen). Don’t kid yourself - basal cell carcinoma IS skin cancer, so you’ve got to be diligent in checking your skin. Right now I’m recovering from having a melanoma removed from my arm. Thankfully, we caught it early. All the best to you!
I'm 2 days post surgery and this has just made me feel very hopeful and a lot brighter. You look great after! Thanks for sharing your journey, best wishes from Australia 🇦🇺
Thanks so much for your kind words. Those first few days after surgery can be rough, I know I was very anxious to see how things would end up healing, but give it time and take care of your incision and you'll be good as new (minus that pesky basal cell) before you know it. Thanks for watching and good luck with your recovery!
Wow! You had a much better experience than I did. My spot looked like a mild cold sore on my upper lip since 2011. About the size of a small pea and it came and went. New doctor sent me to the dermatologist who checked it and it came back BCC, Went to doctor soon after for Mohs procedure on same day as first appointment. She ended up going all the way through my lip. I ended up with about 10 stitches starting under my tear duct, down past my nose and into my mouth. Horrendous scar--can't whistle, drool while I sleep, have to use a straw because of location of scar to cup, my laugh line on that side is now almost horizontal, my nostril is half the size it was. Only good thing I have to say is I can wear my covid mask to cover it up from people staring. No suggestion of plastic surgery. I would never do this again on my face, maybe on another part of the body. Before all this I had radiation a few years before but no effect.
I'm glad it has worked out well for you. You definitely had an ordeal to deal with. I am scheduled for Mohs on my face just right of my nose. In the last 4 years i have had surgery on my arm for Melanoma, Mohs on my ear and about 7 removal of Basal cells. I forget how many biopsies have been done. This will be the first on my face. I live in a year round hot sunny climate. I'm concerned living here is not working. I have lived here 5 years. I never dealth with this before living here. Best of luck to you
Wow, that’s a lot to deal with, I’m sure that’s been tough. At least you have the experience of what the process is like and expectations of recovery. Hope this one is speedy.
Thanks for the video, I had a surgery on my neck last month with another on my nose coming up next month(Whoohoo!!). I was not worried about my neck, as I could just grow a beard, but the one on my nose has me very worried, until I saw your video! Thanks Again
I’m glad my video helped reassure you a bit Graham. I’m sure your doctors will take great care of you. Good luck with your procedure, I hope your recovery is swift.
The very wise surgeon who did my hand surgery told me that a good rule of thumb is that if you can see any pink on the surface, there is still healing going on under the surface. Your scar looks really good, I think.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I was recently diagnosed with BCC on my nose. My surgery is 2-14-19. Not only V day but right before my 40th Birthday. I’m guessing I won’t be forgetting either on those dates, for more than one reason. I’m anxious that I will be missing a huge chunk of my nose. All I can do is joke and pretend that perhaps Ill have a prettier/smaller nose when this is done. Hope you’re wearing your sunblock and not having any reoccurring BCCs.
Simone, I had a BCC on the right tip of my nose. All I can say is time does heal. You may be a little surprised right after the surgery but know it does get better.
Just to let you know, I discovered a mole on my scalp that I am certain was melanoma, I got rid of it by mixing epsom salt and water and bringing it to a boil to form a paste and then applied that on it while still hot and covered it with a band aid twice a day and it was gone within 9 weeks! (you can just set a portion aside after it hardens and use it again day after day by just warming it up on the stove and adding a bit of water to it), it was a darkish glowing black color with a lump underneath about half the size of a dime, it had been there for about two years but I didn't notice it as it was behind my ear. I also eliminated all sugar and meats except for fish and replaced my morning breakfast with hummus on toast but these days I would look into couscous instead, very nutritious and no sugar!.. Also drink lots of water and get your vitamin c from fruits, and drink carrot and celery juice every day! In re. to couscous, it is excellent in the morning with a mix of chopped fried red peppers, garlic, onions, carrots and green peas adding curry powder and a bit of red chili powder! Very filling and tasty with a glass of orange juice! I am not a doctor but I can tell you that switching your diet to salads for breakfast, lunch and dinner instead of cooked foods will also greatly improve your chances of recovery! Its what I ate through out the time I had it, it was a very black glowing looking mole and its still gone today two years later.. Just so you know, cooking tends to kill nutrients.. Also stay away from electromagnetic frequencies and stress that weaken your immune system, get out and walk one hour or two hours each day! oxygen is very good for the body and mind as well as eating dried seaweed every day, look for Japanese brands!. Also so there is a tablet called tagrisso for those with lung cancer but it could be helpful as well for other types, if anyone here has breast cancer, look up drday dot com, for breast cancer.. And Dr Tullion Simoncini also has great treatments that apparently work! All the best!
Thanks for the video, they did a good job on you. I had this surgery exactly two weeks ago and my incision looks almost exactly the same, even though the area with the cancer was half an inch above the lip. I don't mind the scar but I do have a visible bump where the cancer used to be, I hope it's swelling and will go away with time? 🤕
It will definitely take time for things to settle into where they will actually be. It really did take close to a year for my body to fully heal. Good luck in your recovery.
Thank you for making this. Did you go private or nhs. I'm not feeling very confident with the pre surgeon consultation. If you did go private who do you recommend. Did you have it done under a local or general?
I had it done at the UVM Medical Center, not a private provider. It was local anesthetic, I was very much awake and alert the entire time, but didn’t experience any pain during the procedure.
I'm very scared. My BC is on my nose and having surgery 2-16. It's scary knowing cancer is in your body. Having this during the pandemic isn't the right time. Lord, please help me. 😟
Everyone is different, but in my case some hair has grown back, but it’s definitely wonky (not growing quite the same direction in that area). I don’t grow it out so I can’t speak to how it would look at mustache length.
Thanks for the video, I am going for my pre op before surgery to remove a basal cell on my cheeck. I have had 10 basal cells removed since 2005. This is nothing new to me although I was unsure of how it would work on my face. I will also be glad when it is done. Always looking out for other spots first one for me on my face.
Hope your procedure goes well. Definitely important to stay vigilant after the first, I'm now very suspicious of every blemish but better safe than sorry.
Totally understandable to be anxious about it, but you took the step to get it checked out and you can only take things one step at a time. If it ends up being something, my experience has been that the treatment is, all things considered, pretty straightforward and effective. Sending positive vibes your way.
@@juggleboy720 did you use any silicone, moisturisers during that first year? Or sunblock on the scar? Also did you purposly try to not laugh or smile as much or minimize movement in the scar area? Thank you for the response.
ET T I used a medicated Vaseline that the hospital gave me for a couple of weeks after surgery. After that I started using a daily spf 15 moisturizer on my whole face (thanks to my wonderful wife for pushing me to do that since I’m notoriously terrible at taking care of my self). That’s it though, no other special care and I didn’t try to limit movement in any way.
Why do you start off the video like you're crapping on this guy? Not very nice.. So tired of videos like this that sound like they're promoting hate.. I couldn't watch it.
