Sedative needed before operation ?

Hi DW31 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I've had quite a few local anaesthetic injections over the years, although none on the tip of my nose, and I don't find them any more painful than having an ordinary injection. 

x

1. Hi DW31 I had 15 injections around my nostril and top lip when  I had a basal cell removed and skin flap surgery.  I can't say they hurt that much.  I did ask if I could be sedated and Consultant said not really as he didn't want me to fall out of the chair, as it was like a dentist chair I sat in.  It isn't as bad as you think they stung a bit by my lip but once they were done the procedure was fine and I never felt anything.  The worst part was the cauterisation because of the smell but not that bad. It was all over quite quickly.  My injections were all arounbd my nostril down my facial crease and over my top lip.  Good luck, keep in touch and wishing you all the best.  This site is brilliant, we are all here for one another xx

Hi

I have a real nose phobia and was terrified of having a basal cell removed from my nose. At first the surgeon said it wasn't necessary to be sedated but I i had a big panic attack in theatre and he decided I had to be sedated.

If you're really nervous ask for sedation. At the end of the day the surgeon needs to have a calm patient.

I wasn't in a chair like Harlyn I was in theatre so it was safer to be sedated as I was on the operating table 

Thanks Harlyn, that has put my mind at rest.  Wow 15 injections sounds a lot.  I'm not sure if I'm having skin flap surgery or a full thickness skin graft yet.  I'm hoping whichever it is they are quick.  Thanks for replying, this group is great and l'Il let you know how I get on. Take Care

Thanks Puckettyboo, I've had moles removed by lazer and that was fine but the injections were the worst part for me. (or maybe that was just the doctor who did it????)  I'm speaking to my GP next week re a sedation I can take beforehand.  Never had a sedation before either so that's worrying me too.  Take Care x

Hi again DW31. I had skin flap and skin graft. Can't say there was anythinbg to choose between them. Both took about the same time. Skin graft you have a donor site as well as your original site to heal, but mine healed fine.  The actual skin graft area was more "nasty" than the flap as it had an horrendous scab on it, which did come off with vasline but looked horrid.  Both scars are fine now so don't be scared (easy to say as I was terrified) but you will be fine.  I sat in the waiting room before they fetched me in and thought I'm going I'm not staying here then the Nurse came to get me and the Consultant was just so lovely, they both talked to me the whole way through.  Mine took about and hour and 30  mins from start to finish.  Keep in touch and good luck x

Hi DW31

In the end I didn't have sedation as the aneasthetist suggested a general. In fact it was her that said it was a phobia.

I've had major surgery in the past plus foot surgery done under local but with my nose it was totally different. It was way out of proportion but there really wasn't anything I could do to get it into perspective. It was weird.

People who have been sedated say that sometimes they're aware and others have said the opposite so I think it varies.

They've all said they were in a relaxed state tho 

Hi Puckettyboo and Harlyn, I hope you are keeping well. 

Just thought I'd let you know how I got on following my appointment on Wednesday for removal of bcc on my nose.  I should have been having either a nose flap or skin graft. However, when I got there the surgeon/consultant was like "where is it?????" as it appears to have healed over so you can hardly see it now.  It looks like a small dent now but is normal skin coloured. 

He said due to not being able to see the margins it would be difficult to know how much to remove, so decided to take a biopsy of it on the edge (ie half bcc and half normal skin tissue).  He suggested doing doing either Mohs surgery or an artificial skin graft which sounds a much better option/s.  

The original consultant said it was 1cm wide underneath the bcc, however the consultant I saw on Wednesday said BCC's don't grown underneath ? So conflicting advice? I will get another appointment in 6-8 weeks so hopefully they will do the surgery then.  

P.S I took some Diazapan and it was great, really helped me relax and no side effects of tiredness/confusion etc and was fully aware of everything. 

Hi Dw31 Glad things went ok for you yesterday and the sedation worked for you. Now just the wait for results. What is an artificial skin graft haven't heard of that.  I am doing ok now scsars are fading so everyone tells me, but I can still see them.  Hubby has to have a keratin horn removed in October as most are benign Consultant not too sure as raised blood vessels are showing at the base, so here we go again.  This is on his cheek.  Keep in touch with your progress, this site is brilliant xx

Hi DW31

Glad your appointment went well.

You must be feeling very confused with what the consultants have said.

I know basal cell can give an appearance of healing over and I was told that they take a 4 mm margin of normal looking skin in case of spread underneath.

I expect your keen to get your biopsy results so that you can then have a definite treatment plan.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on