BCC Removal - What to expect on the day of surgery and after

FormerMember over 6 years ago

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Hi,

I have a bcc on the side of my nose. My doctor spotted it and I was fast tracked to be seen at a local hospital a week later. Since then I have been waiting for surgery to remove it. I was told surgery would be in happening in weeks not months. The waiting has been very stressful. Its very hard not to put life on hold whilst you are waiting.

Friday afternoon over 2 months later i had a phone call to say it will be 12.30 on Wednesday. Also it will be at another hospital. I was given a name and number in bookings to ring if I can't make it.

I rang today (Monday) asking for more information - at least where do I need to go in the hospital !!! After being passed from department to department someone rang me back and told me where I needed to be. As the hospital is 90 minutes from home I asked what sort of time should arrange to be picked up after the surgery as I assume I can't drive - or can I !!

I was told the surgery should take an hour but it will depend on where I am on the surgery list as all patients for that afternoon are booked in for 12.30. The woman was quite abrupt on the phone and ended the call.

Now I have so many questions and feel unable to call again :- I know I am having a local anaesthetic to remove it (not Mohs) and they intend on doing a flap skin graft. What should I expect? Can I / should I eat before? What do I need to take with me? Will I need to change into a gown etc? Where will the skin flap come from? Can I drive home? Will I be in work the next day? ?????

thanks Carole

BillBill over 6 years ago

Hello Carole,

I've had four BCCs and SCCs removed in the last four years and I'm happy to answer your questions based on my experiences....

1. You can eat and drink normally beforehand

2. Take with you a bag to put your clothes/belongings in, a good book or newspaper as you'll probably have some waiting time. If you take medication make sure you have the details with you.

3. Don't take valuables or jewellery.

4. You will be given a gown to change into but, as I say , best to take a bag to put your own stuff in.

5. Where the skin flap will come from will be at the surgeon's discretion but you will be informed beforehand.

6.It would be best to have a lift home as your mind is likely to be on things other than the road ahead.

7. Its hard to say whether the next day you will be at work or not - with three of mine the answer would be yes but with the other one I had a lot of post-operative bleeding and taking things easy for a couple of days was sensible.

8. There is nothing unusual about not being given a specific time for surgery - in my experience (in Leicestershire), they have a morning and lunchtime intake and quite when you are seen within that block is pot luck.

9. Don't worry about the day itself - everything will be explained by a nurse who will run through your medical history, weigh you, take your blood pressure and so forth. She will answer whatever questions you may have. You will also see your surgeon who will run through what he/she will be doing and again deal with your questions.

10. Afterwards, you will be given a cup of tea, have your blood pressure checked again, and a nurse will explain how you should look after your wound and whether and when you need to be seen again.

Hope this helps. Good luck! Bill

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