Hello all
I was recently diagnosed with stage 1b nodular melanoma.Not wanting to bore anyone reading this post, i have put my treatment so far on my profile.
I have a consultation with a plastic surgeon on the 8th Sept & was wondering if i should be thinking of asking questions... or will the surgeon just advise me of what he thinks is the best treatment and i can then decide there and then.
The referral was for a SLNB & WLE.
If anyone can think of anything that would help me at this consultation i would be very grateful
Thankyou
Hi Tude
From my experience of having a WLE and SLNB, the plastic surgeon told me how big a margin he was going to take, which is either 1 or 2cms, and how he was going to close the wound. I then asked any questions I could think of, eg. would the stitches be dissolvable, when would the dressing need to be removed and who by, etc, etc.
I also wanted to know how much of a chance there was of being left with lymphoedema if I went ahead with the SLNB and how soon I'd get my results. Other things I asked was how long would it be before I could drive, how long before I'd get full mobility back in my arm as the SLNB was in my armpit, etc
You might have thought of different questions to ask, there are no right or wrong things to ask.
I hope this helps
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Thankyou so much Latchbrook, that has really helped. Tbh, all i could think of was whether a skin graft would be necessary and if so where it would be taken from! I couldnt think and now i will write those down as they are all relevant to me. I am pretty sure if he indicates both options are the right course of action i will go ahead as i am stressing now about the possibility of the cancer spreading. Every lump and bump is over analysed by me & my husband said its only natural i stress so much.
Not long now to wait for the chat, i am in no hurry in one way to get an op but in another i want it done asap ( if its right) so i can try & get back to being myself.
Thanks again 
Yes, I wanted to know if I'd need a skin graft but he thought I had enough loose skin on my arm not to need it.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
thank yuou once again Latchbrook, you really help!
