Dent in skin graft - advice

Hi and welcome to the online community

I didn't have the treatment you've had so can't share any experiences with you but I wanted to take the opportunity of welcoming you to the group.

I can understand how self conscious you might feel about going out and about at present and hopefully someone will be along to tell you how they coped.

While you're waiting for replies you could use the search bar in the group to look for previous messages on this topic.

There is a company called Changing Faces who offer appointments with trained practitioners but 'm not sure if you have to be referred by your GP or dermatologist.

x

Dear Aplaca01

i just wanted to say that I’m sorry to hear what you are going through and how brave I think you are. 

My story is slightly different and I am further along the line compared to you but what I will say is that several months after my operation, my face is looking much better than it did three weeks after my operation (I had a mole removed from my left cheek and was left with a scar which resembled a swollen and very bruised star fish). So please try and be hopeful as I am sure that things will eventually settle. Although it is very had to see that when you are going through it. 

There are lots of helpful and supportive people on here who I am sure will reply, and Latchbrook Is amazing. 

Wishing you the best of luck. 

Rebecca x

HI Rebecca 

Thank you for your kind words.  Thank you also for sharing your experience.  I'm sure you are right about the skin settling down, it's just that you are sent away, without any assurance of the outcome of the graft.  It's lovely to hear that you were much happier though, further along the timeframe xxxxxxx

I agree with you, Latchbrook is amazing.  They have already suggested Changing Faces and, from that, I've looked at the links to various camouflage make up companies ect.  

Take care xx

Hiya. I had a BCC removed 12-years ago which left a large crater in my nose. Unfortunately it grew back and I had it removed my Mohs in December 2018. I had a flap from my forehead and cheek. I lost the skin on the whole side of my nose and needed 35 external stitches. . My eye was completely black and swollen. I was so upset when I saw it. Now 2 and a half months on it looks so much better and can be mostly disguised under normal make up. I too have a dent but it is slowly filling out.  I hope your recovery goes well x

Hello.  I am, feeling exactly like you at the moment.  I had my op on 27th February and was quite upset when the plasters were removed a week later.  I have been putting yellow paraffin on three times a day as instructed.  I have been out without dressing as I was told that it would heal quicker with the open air.  It looks very unsightly and I was told not to apply makeup to it.  It is very embarrassing.  I was told that I wouldn't need to be seen again as it was healing nicely.  The graft was taken from near my ear.  How are you looking since you posted your statement on 5th March?  The instructions said to apply the yellow paraffin and let scab fall off naturally.  However, it doesn't dry up to form a scab.  Was also told to carry on with the lotion twice a day rubbing in circular movement for 5 minutes twice a day for 2 -3 months.

Hi Amlee,  Sorry for the late response, I didn't seem to get an email prompt on your answer.  You poor thing going through the mill x

Gosh, 35 stitches, what a major procedure xxx  Phew, thank goodness you are happier 2.5 months later.  It's interesting to hear that your dent is slowly filling out.  I have read, online, that you can get fillers which can last up to 2 years! - will be looking into that if all fails :)   Wishing you a speedy recovery and that all goes well xxxxxxx

Hi Ruby Ann, 

Where do you get your yellow paraffin from please?  I ended up paying £15 for 3 small tubes (15g each) online! gulp!  

I actually fainted when my dressing came off, as I was not prepared to see the skin graft itself!  My graft is about 1/3 size of my nose and is getting pinker now (looks more like a nose than a purple blob!).  I actually put Metipel dressing (cut up to just fit the area) over the graft (after I have applied the soft yellow paraffin).  The Metipel is a silicon dressing so keeps the moisture in over the graft (and hides it, which I love).  I've been told to keep the area moist and not to let it dry to a scab!  I only gently add the paraffin (really gently) and put loads on twice a day (no harse rubbing).  I also gently wash the area with wet cotton wool (with a tiny bit of Simple Soap on) and dry gently and apply the paraffin.  I have to say that the graft is looking much better since the 5th March, but the dent is huge, and I mean massive :(  - have you got a dent in your graft?

I have bit of yellow pus at the side in one corner and I've been given some antibiotics today.  Apart from that, I'm still keeping my head up without looking down too much (as I find that my poor nose throbs if I look down for a few minutes!).  

I had my MOHS on the 11th and Plastic surgery on the 12th Feb....... and you do see a dfference over the weeks 

WIth regards to makeup, I've been told that you can't apply makeup until it heals...... I've already self referred myself via Changing Faces for a local camouflage consultation (as the waiting list is between 1 to 2 months). I'm getting in now in readiness :) 

We'll get there!

Take care

HI.  Thank you so much for replying. I think maybe I have been putting too much pressure on it this first five days so will ease up.   I was given a tube when the plasters came off and told to use it until it finishes and then use other moisturising lotion.  I did google it and it can be bought for just £1.53 from medisave.co.uk or £1.89 on ebay or £3.79 also on ebay by another seller I guess.

My instructions read:- To stop the graft drying out, apply the yellow soft paraffin to the wound 2 -3 times a day until the wound has healed and looks like normal skin. I was told that scabs would come off in 5 - 7 days.  Once all the scabs have come off the graft site and it is healing, then massage is recommended to break down any scar tissue formation and provide elasticity to the skin. This should be performed with the paraffin or other moisturiser for 5 minutes twice a day.  Firm pressure should be used in a circular motion for the next 2 -3 months. Do not remove any scabs that may form, allow them to fall off naturally.  Skin grafts cam take a few weeks to heal completely and a few months for the skin to blend in to the surrounding area.

I have sometimes massaged it in for perhaps longer than I should this first week and hence making it look worse. Thanks for all your advice. You have obviously seem someone again to get the antibiotics.  Presumably they think it is healing ok now and I wish you well.

I do have a dent but perhaps it won't look too bad once all the redness has gone.  I haven't looked at Changing Faces yet.  I had no idea that I wouldn't look normal after my op.  I will see how I look in another couple of days.  If it doesn't seem to be healing, then I may contact the number on my letter.  By the way, good luck with the results of your lesion.  I am told that I will hear about that in 4 weeks.  More worry!

Hi Ruby Ann,

Thanks for letting me know where you purchased your paraffin lotion, i will have a look on google x

Yes, I got antibiotics as there were some yellow pus appearing at the edge of the graft and the GP said it's best to catch it early.  

I have been not told to massage the ointment and to handle the area gently (it's odd how we get different instructions unless we have different style grafts I guess).

I had a biopsy done, prior to my MOHS surgery and it was confirmd BCC.  They removed the tumour on the 11th Feb :) and the plastic surgery on the 12th Feb (skin from neck).  

Please don't worry about your results.  The teams are so experienced with different biopsy results and you are in good hands xxxx  

The plastic surgeon did say to me that they can 'tweek', but i have to wait a year for the skin to fully heal.  I am, in the meantime, am looking at camouflage makeup  (when the skin graft is acceptable to it). 

I wish you well and let me know how you get on please xxxx  Gentle hugs

This thread is being marked for retention by the moderator, as some members are still finding this useful.