WLE healing times

just to add it’s in my upper arm near armpit!

Hi Em2468,

I had a WLE and SLNB six weeks ago.  I realise you’re just having the WLE, so my case isn’t quite the same as yours. My WLE  was also on my upper arm and the surgeon removed an extra 2 cm around the site of the melanoma.  Again, that may be different to what you will be having.

I definitely didn’t drive after the procedure, because I wouldn’t have had the mobility in that arm. I would say that it’s probably only in the last couple of have weeks that I have felt comfortable enough to manoeuvre the steering wheel without being afraid of something “tugging”.   I know that the underarm scar has restricted my mobility a great deal, but I would say that now, it’s the excision scar I feel more strongly. I notice it most if I try to stretch my arm too much, and I get that little “ouch” moment.

In terms of after-care, I had dressings on,  which were changed after one week and removed after two weeks. By that time the stitches had mostly   dissolved and in the last couple of weeks, I’ve started massaging a moisturising cream into the scar to encourage it to heal.

Hope that helps, and good luck with the procedure.

Thanks so much for taking time to reply it’s really helpful! Have you had your results yet? Yes they are taking an extra 2cm for me too x

Yes, I had my results on Thursday.  No evidence of cancer cells in either the sentinel nodes ( they took 3), or the site of the melanoma.  I‘m  so relieved!  So now I stay as a Stage 1B, with 3 monthly  skin checks.  I know that there’s every possibility that I could develop another melanoma, and  that I have to be really vigilant, but I do feel more knowledgeable now and I hope that this time I’d be able to spot anything suspicious early enough.  

That is great news! Yes I’ll certainly be a lot more aware after this too!

Hi. Just to add that when you check your skin look out for under the skin lumps as well as for any dodgy looking moles. I was diligently looking for moles and wasn’t concerned about a small lump which appeared on my stomach. Turned out that was melanoma. 

Thanks I will be sure to note any lumps too! Hope you are ok now xx