Recovery time after BCC removal

Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community

I'm sorry to hear that you need to have a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) removed from your nose and it's perfectly normal to feel nervous about the procedure. 

My melanoma was removed from my arm and I didn't need a skin graft so I can't help you with how long your procedure might take to heal. Mine was done under a local anaesthetic and felt uncomfortable, rather than painful, for a few days afterwards. You should be given instructions on how to look after the wound sites and when to get stitches, etc removed if they're not dissolvable.

While you're waiting to see if anyone who's had the same procedure as you comes forward to tell you how they got on, you could have a look through the older posts as there have been lots of people pass through this group who have had the same treatment as you. Reading about their experiences will hopefully prepare you and you could respond to any of the more recent posts if you want to ask any questions.

All the best for Friday and do come back and let us know how you get on.

x

Hi

i had infiltrative BCC removed from the top of my ear and had reconstruction with a flap under sedation and local anaesthetic. The first week was really sore and I slept a lot - but I do have a lot of other health problems too. The second week was a bit better. 
Follow advice they give you in keeping it clean to avoid infection and aid a smooth recovery and healing 

everyone is different and mine due to the nature of it is still painful but a lot lot better and looking good too - get support around you - I’m sure you’ll be fine xx

My op was at the end of October x

Hi

I think until you have the BCC removed your surgeon wont know whats best for you.

My experience was the MOHS revealed what was an infiltrative  3.5x 2.3 cm tumor on the side of my nose toward to tip.

My surgeon came to me and said the good news is we have removed the cancer the bad news is for the best result in the end i recommend a forehead flap, i can do a graft but in his opinion the match wasnt brilliant and often the graft didnt take so reluctantly i said go ahead with the flap.

It was done under local anesthetic so a long time to stay still.

I had mine done in August now 4.5 months later im doing better than i expected, it takes a while to get used to your new looking nose and its different for everyone but better than the alternative.

If you want to ask me any questions im happy to answer you and theres lots of people on here going through the same thing its not the end of the world.

good luck with your surgery it might work out well for you

Janet 

Hi

I had an infiltrating bcc on tip and side of my nose removed by MOHs, then next day forehead flap, then separated and reconstruction, started beginning of October, I am amazed how good it looks now, I couldn’t have graft and because of position of bcc this was best outcome for me, with a graft it will just be one op and it is daunting but the surgeons are amazing, good luck 

Frankie1

Hi Janet

How are you doing? I have a question. Next Monday I will have Mohs surgery for a BCC on my chick, closer to the nose. Is the surgery painful? And do they do a graft skin or using stiches? I am a little nervous this being my first skin surgery. Have a lovely day ! Nicole

Hi Nicole 

My surgery was a forehead flap on the nose so you need advice from someone who has had a cheek flap done.

I would say it's not very painful in the hands of a good MOHS surgeon you should get a good result number one piece of advice is be patient it's not a quick fix after 5 months I've learned that being impatient gets you nowhere

Good luck and let me know how you get on

Janet

Hi Janet,

What do you mean to be patient? 

Hi Nicole

I just meant that after the procedure is done it will not be a fast recovery there are many healing stages to go through that could take weeks if not months so you have to learn patience and accept that it will be slower than you might think.

Personally my forehead flap is getting better after 5 months and with the help of a little makeup called oxygenetix bought on amazon people cant really see what ive had done.

My Surgeon told me it would take up to a year for everything to settle down and i will see him then for him to judge if anything else needs to be done.

so thats what it means to be patient 

take care

Hi Libra55 

Thank you for your great info. I understand now , I will try to be patient and hopefully the Mohs surgery next  Monday will be with good results . I will let you know how everything went. Take good care of yourself .