BCC on nose skin graft op - how to recover?

FormerMember over 7 years ago

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Hello community,

I joined last night after finding a link to the site. I have a BBC on my nose and I'm booked in for my op on the 26th Oct.

I met my plastic surgeon a few weeks ago and he explained that he'll have to cut around 10mm x 12mm out and then do a skin graft (taken from behind my ear) to fix me up.

He also said I should expect to be off work for 2-3 weeks and that the first 7-10 days would be when the graft 'takes'.

The nurse who did my punch biopsy simply said you shouldn't look down in the early days. What I'm curious to know is what happens after the op to make sure the healing works best? I can't seem to find that info in any of the threads I've found so far.

Thanks

FormerMember over 7 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hello

I am glad the procedure went well for you.

Do you have bolster dressing stitched to your nose to prevent the graft from coming away and also to prevent too much blood collecting under the graft!!!

The bolster dressing I had blocked my vision a little from my left eye and this caused my to become tired and ache a bit.

I did have one nice experience in the operating the theatre when the surgeon told the nurse who was helping him to clean/wash my face before the procedure started.

The nurse leant over me and jokingly told me it is not often you get a facial on the NHS!!!

I am glad they told you to take things easy and to avoid bending and straining. These are important instructions as it so easy to over do things without realising.

I suffered an itchy graft but this is a common side affect as the following advises.

"Normally grafts heal within twelve to fourteen days but they can be very itchy – do not scratch it as this could lead to infection and prevent healing.”

I found all the following advice useful hope you find it useful too:

"If your head or face has had a skin graft, wash your hair with a gentle shampoo such as a ‘baby’ shampoo. This will reduce the likelihood of irritating newly healed areas.”

"It is important to moisturise your skin after you have had a wash. The oil and sweat glands are often damaged after a skin graft, making the scar area drier than normal skin.”

“New skin will benefit from massage with a moisturising cream to improve its quality, ideally 2-3 times a day.”

Take care and get plenty of rest. Fingers crossed you will get a good result.

FormerMember over 7 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi All

I have found amazing results from silicone dressings such as mepitel which I got from my practice nurse. I started using it 3 weeks post op and my scar is flattening out nicely. It can be left in place for a few days which promotes healing.

In one month I plan to start using dermatix or scarsil gel which is a silicone based gel that apparently can be used to improve scars of up to two years old. I thought I would share this with you in case it helps anyone in the group.

Best wishes

Millise xx

FormerMember over 7 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hello Westward!

Thanks for your lovely message and top tips.

Yes, I have a bolster dressing - I'd forgotten that's what it was called - and hence a really neatly dressed nose. Fortunately my graft is nearer my nose tip so the dressing isn't in my way. Wearing glasses is a tad tricky with my ear dressing but hey! Better than having an untreated BCC....!!

I'm taking it easy and being very careful not to lean over.

I'm glad you mentioned the itching. My nose is definitely itchy!!

And I got a facial too. :-) Pauline, the scrub nurse leant over and said, now for the famous Coventry facial !

I'm back at the hospital tomorrow afternoon to get my dressings checked.

I'll let you know how that goes.

Cheers!

FormerMember over 7 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Thanks Millise - more top tips. I really am grateful for all the advice and I'm looking forward to using some of this magic cream just as soon as I'm able. Happy days.

FormerMember over 7 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi Rainbow Frantida

The silicone dressing cuts down on the itching too. If you check with your practice nurse I think you can use the mepitel as soon as the stitches are removed but worth double checking as I have been out of clinical practice for years so a bit rusty on wound care

Best wishes

Millise xx

FormerMember over 7 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi again

Once the bolster dressing was removed I was given Polyfax Ointment by the plastic surgeon to apply three times a day for two weeks on both the graft and the donor graft site.

Polyfax is a special antibiotic ointment which can only be given on a prescription.

As soon as the bolster dressing was removed the plastic surgeon wanted my wounds left uncovered and the application of the Polyfax Ointment was to keep infection out and help with the healing process. Once two weeks were up I was encouraged to massage the site at least three times a day. Boots do a good Scar Reduction Serum I bought some and massaged the graft and donor site with it and I feel it has helped. I have even used E45 moisturising lotion to massage both the graft/donor site to help in the healing process and to help lessen the appearance of scars.

I was interested to note you had a Coventry facial, my operation / procedure took place in the hospital in Nuneaton and was completed by a plastic surgeon based in the hospital in Coventry.

Hope your follow up goes well tomorrow.

FormerMember over 7 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Treat yourself to a hairdresser to get your hair washed.

FormerMember over 7 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hello everyone.

Dressings off today and and the nurse & Doctor both said how good the graft looks. I guess it's all relative - looks red & angry to me - but they've reassured me that it will get a little better every day and then in 12-18 months only I'll know it's there at all. I have the magic polymax ointment to get things started.

With the dressing on I felt a bit of a fraud having time off work - what was all the fuss about? Now I'm jolly glad that I have some time off work to take it easy & start recovering before I have to face the throngs of colleagues who'll quickly realise I haven't been on away on luxury cruise!!

Glad also that I can bend over, lie down & shower - hooray!!

The only bit that surprised me is how sunken down the graft is. I know this is how it's meant to be but rather naïvely I thought that a full thickness graft meant it was the same depth as the hole when in fact it just means it's different layers of the skin.... Doh!

My husband & son collected me from the hospital. I sent them a quick selfie so they wouldn't have too big a shock. It was still a shock though!! The big advantage for me is I'm on the inside looking out, so I can actually forget what's there. Harder for everyone else....

Still, I'm determined not to hide away. I've already arranged to have some close friends over on Wednesday afternoon & forewarned them with a photo which didn't put then off - lol. One of them is a hospital nurse so she's probably seen a lot worse. And I have some cuppa & natter sessions booked in with those neighbours that I like to meet up with but never seem to find the time what with working full-time, having kids and all that.

Just feeling rather sorry for my husband. He's running around doing everything and working shifts. Still, it isn't for ever.

Thanks as always for your support, bright ideas, top tips and encouragement.

And with Halloween tomorrow, I can do my own trick or treat horror show with no makeup required. Scare a few of the neighbour's kids. Hee Hee.

FormerMember over 7 years ago in reply to FormerMember

I am glad it went well today.

Seeing the surgeons work for the first time, it is a little like jumping into the unknown as you do not know what to expect.

I was pleasantly surprised to see my graft for the first time after the bolster dressing was removed.

Like you my graft was purplish in appearance but this disappeared as graft healed further over the following weeks.

I was amused with your idea of using your appearance to scare off trick and treaters.

My nose grafts initial healing period took place when Red Nose Day took place, I did not need purchase a Red Nose this year!!!

I live alone so I had make my own way home from hospital once the bolster dressing was removed, I just went about as though my nose had a normal appearance and took no notice if people started looking at me oddly.

Life has to go and the best way is to accept your nose as it is and go out in public as when it is necessary.

Just take care and do not do too much.

FormerMember over 7 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Great attitude... Just a lot of patience is needed now!

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BCC on nose skin graft op - how to recover?