Experience of WLE

Hi Pricilla 

When I had my WLE and SLNB I was in and out of hospital the same day. 

My WLE was on my arm and the SLNB in my armpit, so not in the same places as you. I only needed over the counter painkillers for a couple of days and by the time I went back for my post op check-up and results two weeks later I had full mobility back in my arm. It did take a long time though for sensation to return in the operation sites.

There are lots of people in the group who've had a WLE on their leg and hopefully some of them will be along soon to share their experiences with you. Where are you having the SLN removed from?

Hello,

Did you have a skin graft?  I have been told I will need one as my WLE on my upper arm will be about 8cm.  I’m worried about the graft but hopefully will feel more reassured when I see the plastic surgeon on Friday.

No, I didn't have a skin graft. Originally the surgeon thought I might need one but, on examining me on the day of the operation, thought I had enough spare skin on my arm that he would be able to close the wound without me needing a graft.

I had a WLE on my lower left shin with a skin graft and a SNLB in February this year. I was advised to bring an overnight bag with me just in case. It all depends on what time of day, how well the op goes and how well you recover from the anaesthetic, as to whether or not you stay overnight. For me, there was also the distance travelled to take into account. I had my op late morning and was allowed home that evening.

You will be told to rest your leg as much as possible and to keep it raised for the first two weeks. This is to enable the graft to take. The donor site feels like a graze and many people find this site the most uncomfortable. I was unlucky with my graft and it died due to a number of infections. Recovery is a very individual thing, but I was told to start increasing walking time on it after the two weeks. I was driving the third week after the op and back looking after my horse. I was back on the bike (albeit inside as I was told 8 weeks for outdoor riding) on week 5.

Take some baggy elasticated trousers with you for coming home after the op and also some boy short style knickers. I’m guessing your SNLB will be from your groin and the wound is right in the line of normal knicker legs. Also, push for crutches. I was refused them, but managed to borrow some from a friend.

That’s good!

Thank you, can I ask what happened when the graph failed?

I was told the graft had died after six weeks of weekly dressing changes and as it had most likely been dead a while, there was nothing they would do for it. So, it had to heal by its own means. It’s taken a lot longer to heal than it would have done with a graft and the scarring will be more obvious. It’s taken five months to get it to where it is now, a practically healed wound (it still sloughs off dried skin every so often) from. the 7cm diameter hole it started with.

Thank you for the update, I hope you continue to heal. X

I had a WLE on my calf with a skin graft yesterday. All done under a local anaesthetic. I went in at 7:30am and was home by lunchtime. No pain where I had WLE but graft donor site stings quite a bit. You’ll be in good hands.

Thank you, I hope all goes well for you. X