BCC on nose skin graft op - how to recover?

Hi Millise,

I'm so grateful for your time and helpful advice. You also sound very upbeat which is fab. Good luck with your ongoing recovery.

It's amazing to think that just a week ago I was absolutely clueless about my post op recovery and now I've found a whole bunch of lovely people out there happily sharing their experiences. 

Thank you one and all. ;-)

What would have been useful is if someone at my local hospital had told me about this online community. I shall suggest it when I have my post op appointment. 

Cheers!

Hello all

Evening Jamsha. 

Super news that you're healing well. ;-) 

Take it gently or hit the town (if you fancy taking a leaf out of Jay Bird's book)!! Either way, be happy that everything is moving in the right direction. 

Clever lot these plastic surgeons, eh?

Best wishes,

Hello again Westward. 

Well, you're making great strides. Only 9 months on and the scars faded nicely. Gives me hope. 

You're right that we need to go with whatever advice our surgeons/nurses give us. I'm not exactly sure what treatment I'm going to get so I'll listen up when they start handing this out. 

And a timely reminder about sun protection too.  As I'm fair haired (well rather grey these days) and fair skinned, I have always tried to be careful but clearly failed on many occasions. Are you saying that you wear SP50 every day or just when it's sunny? And does the Ultrasun cream stain your clothes? A small price to pay not to get another bcc so I'm not complaining, just curious. 

Thanks

Hi Rainbow Otis

Maybe if you can't see the tv without your glasses you could treat yourself to a humongous one

You will be fine. It's just really nerve racking before your op and I promise you won't feel anything during the surgery. 

Emotional support can be gained by both Macmillan and changing faces who do support and skin camouflage. There can be a wait so look into it now in case you need a GP referral.

I agree with Jaybird the first few days just rest up but then go out each day. Yes people will stare and some will look away but that's their problem not yours. Stand up proud with your war wounds. I had a think about what I would say to other people if they asked and with my bandage on my face I said " hey you should see the other guy!"

Keep talking to others which is what I've learned. Some friends won't know what to say and may stay away waiting for you to call them and meanwhile you feel they should call you. Just tell them what you need. It's outside their comfort zone so guide them and if you need a hug tell them as they may be afraid of hurting you.

Best wishes 

Millise xx

Oh yes, one other slightly daft post op question. What happens if you need to blow your nose? Is it a complete no-no?! 

I ask as I have an unfortunate habit of having sneezing fits and a good blow often helps. I imagine sneezing won't be that comfortable either..... Hey ho. 

So sorry Rainbow Frantida I don't know where Otis came from. Blooming iPhone

Hi Westward

I agree that suncare is very important and I use sunsense factor 50 and they have a sale on now so go for it. They do a daily face cream with a tint in it which is nice. 

Yes to everyone you must wear sun cream every day as the UV rays can get through clouds. You need a broad spectrum sun cream which protects against UVA and UVB which sun sense does.

You can get some sexy factor 50 hats online including ebay and amazon and you can get factor 50 bathing suits and uv rash guard vests. Ladies no need to wear a burka because of skin cancer. Life is for living not hiding away.

As long as you wear sun cream, sun hat and glasses you have it pretty well covered. I have asked for a uv factor 50 cardigan for Christmas because you can wear it over your "normal" clothes. I hope that helps anyone who thinks they have to stay pinned to a sun Brolley on holiday. 

Best wishes 

Millise xx

I did wonder!! :-) 

Frantida means Future in Swedish. Not that I'm Swedish, I just liked the word.... 

And I liked your thing about 'you should have seen the other guy'! 

Since my hubby and I chatted the other night, I've taken the plunge and have been telling more work colleagues. Some tell me about friends who've also had a bcc while others are as ignorant about it as I was. I'm thinking about doing an awareness campaign once I'm back at work. 

Just need to let my b-in-law know so we cam meet up while I'm off. Funny how some people are harder to tell than others. I think it's because I don't like doing it over the phone.

I love your positivity!

Hi Rainbow it can be tricky if a little uncomfortable to blow your nose but you can blow your nose. Sorry if this sounds gross but just literally put the tissue up the affected nostril and push on the unaffected side and let rip. To blow the other nostril keep the tissue up the affected nostril and use another tissue to catch anything you blow out of the unaffected nostril or there are always cotton buds.

Apologies if this is graphic and gross but it's a valid question and ultimately you will find your own technique and the answer is yes of course you can blow your nose carefully and a bit messily. Something to be done in private me thinks Xx