Hi, so this is how I got here...
I have a mole on my shin, its always been there and was just small perfectly round and uniformly brown. About 6 months ago I notice a small white dot in the middle, and it started to change shape.
I went to the gp who took a photo, wasn't concern ceres and said I'll probably just have to go every 6 months to her for new photos.
Anyway a week later I get a letter asking to go the hospital for a check. I went, was told it looks like I'd cut it at some point and it's just where its healed. Come back in 5 weeks for another check and get it boxed off.
I went back today and saw a different doctor. She said it doesn't look usual and has multiple browns, pinks and whites in it and to come back tomorrow to have it all removed.
I was a bit shocked so I didn't ask anything and now I'm worried.
Do they just remove it and that's that? Do they check it for cancer? Could it be cancer? How long will I wait after it removal? Do they take alot (the mole is only about 1-1.5cm wide? Does it heal quickly? Will it hurt?
My mind is awash tonight!
Thank you for listening to me rant!
Hi and welcome to the online community
The feelings that you have are perfectly normal when you've just discovered that something you've always had, your mole, has changed and now needs investigating.
I was going through the same experience as you three years ago so I understand how you feel. It's good that you're having the mole removed so quickly as at least you don't have time to worry about the wait. However, I realise how hard it must be for you as it's all happening so quickly.
The mole will be removed under a local anaesthetic and sent off to the pathology labs to be examined. It isn't possible for anyone here to say how much skin will be removed as it will depend on the surgeon. They will want to make sure that enough is removed in case it is cancerous as they will then have got it all out in one go.
The wound will be closed with stitches and you'll have a dressing applied. Sometimes the stitches are dissolvable and sometimes they have to be removed by one of your GP's practice nurses. By the time you have your stitches removed, if they're not dissolvable, your wound will have healed. Stitches are removed anytime up to 2 weeks later depending on the instructions you're given.
When you're given the local anaesthetic it does sting but you soon can't feel anything. I was advised to take ordinary painkillers for 24 hours after the excision and then just see how I felt. I didn't need them any longer than that.
My biggest tip would be to ask tomorrow how long it's currently taking in your area of the country to get biopsy results back. Generally it's anywhere between 2-6 weeks with most people getting them after about 4 weeks. Also ask how these will be given to you, ie will you have an appointment to see the consultant or will they send you a letter with the results.
Do come back tomorrow after the excision to let me know how you got on and, if you think of anything else you want to know, do pop back.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi
I was wondering if you'd had the results back yet from the mole that was removed?
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
