Forehead Flap Surgery Practicalities

Hi

I'm glad to see that things are moving for you. Do you have a date for your operation yet?

I didn't have the type of operation that you're having but I've had a look in the group to see who's had it recently and who wears glasses. I'm going to tag and hope that they can answer your questions as I think they've had the same op as you fairly recently.

x

Hi Mcc65

Im sorry to hear this, I have just been through everything you have been through, being prepared is the best thing to help you, I couldn’t wear my glasses to read but could sort of hold them to see things, wash your hair day of 1st surgery, I was very lucky to have a friend with a salon so she washed my hair for me, although my surgeon went into my hairline by an inch, but hey ho I don’t have a wrinkle on my forehead now, so every cloud. The toughest thing is the flap and it hard to cope with as it oozes quite a bit, but it’s only for 4 weeks, once separated and everything starts healing it’s all fine, I am really pleased with outcome, my new end of nose does have hairs growing on it and am waiting for electrolysis for that, but I just pluck them at the moment. The key thing when you are able is to massage the scars I do this religiously, It was October 19 I started my surgery and I promise you can hardly notice I’ve had surgery am happy to private email you photos if you think it could help. 
good luck

Frankie1

Tracey x

Hi Tracey, thanks for the reply. Sounds like I might be relying on hubby and daughter to chauffeur me around for a few weeks as I’m short sighted so driving without glasses probably isn’t the best idea. I’ve been told it could be up to 12 weeks until the surgery although they did say that was worst case scenario so plenty of time to get things sorted out. Funny enough I’m good friends with my hairdresser so I did think about that as leaning backwards over the bowl is probably the easiest way. The surgeon did warn me about the hairy nose but promised me it would get sorted lol. I’ve seen a video of the op on You Tube but it was an American video where they use a jagged incision near the brow line during the separation stage so I’m totally hoping for a Harry Potter style scar :-) If you are happy to share your photos I would love to see them. Thanks again. Maria xx

Thank you. Had a lovely reply from Frankie1. xx

Hi

I had the forehead flap done August 8th 2019 and am now near back to normal and will answer some of your questions

You dont need to keep your fringe off your forehead but i couldn't wash my hair for a week, then got my daughter to do it for me, i lay on the bathroom floor head in the shower and she washed it for me so my face never had shampoo or conditioner on it , glasses are a problem but you can manage them ok just try not to leave them on for long periods of time as it causes pressure on the wound.

Personally my head was quite bandaged for a few days so there was nothing on the face to wash but as the dressings get smaller you can wash with a non scented face wash round the area left, i continued to do this till all dressings were off and still use the same wash for my face morning and night.

If you look at my posts you can see what happened to me , i wont lie it was a traumatic thing to have the forehead flap done  and i had mine done with local anesthetic so a long time lying still listening to all the noises of the procedure.

7 months later i am practically back to normal, people who dont know me dont know i ever had anything done, it was a long journey and you have to be patient very patient till you fully heal.

I was in touch with two other girls on here at the time we were all going through the same thing it was helpful to follow each others journey.

follow my posts and you will see them pop up

I hope everything goes well for you keep me posted

Thanks Janet

I just had the forehead flap surgeries....which consisted of 3 surgeries that were 4 weeks apart. I could not wear my glasses which was a real pain. I bought a magnify glass and had to read with that. Showers were kind of weird at first....you can wash your hair and face in the shower my letting the water run over it. My left side of my face and scalp are numb so it was and still is a little harder to do. I had my third surgery o Feb. 4th so I am just a month into recovery. If you have any other questions just ask.....

Hi mcc65,

I haven't been on the forum in quite some time but logged in today and saw your post. You may have already had surgery by this point, but thought I would respond also. 

I too had the forehead flap surgery after removal of BCC on my nose in August 2019. I had three surgeries approx 4 weeks apart after the initial MOHS surgery. I also had an additional laser surgery and steroid injections of scar tissue. It has been 8 months and I would say I am "back to normal" as much as one can be. I can see the scars but most people don't notice. Being prepared is a very good plan if you haven't already had the surgery. I was not able to wear my glasses for many months and used a magnifying glass for up close work. I was able to wash my hair in the shower by hanging a mirror on the shower wall so I could see what I was washing. As most will probably tell you....you can't really "feel" your scalp and face after the surgery and that makes it pretty hard to wash your hair or face.  After staples and sutures were out, I was able to let water and mild soap run over my face but then needed to dry the flap with gauze and cotton swabs. I did not have a bandage covering the flap except for the large pressure bandage that stayed in place for 48 hours after initial flap construction (that looked like a silly crown.....my surgeon had a sense of humor and even made little symmetric  knots that looked like flowers to me, HAHA) 

You will get through this with patience, persistence, and trying to focus on the positive. Time moves slowly after this but in the end it will be ok. I was glad that I purchased lots of different kinds of gauze, micropore tape  and bandages in advance. I was able to fashion some pretty interesting bandages to cover the flap so I was able to venture out a few times in that first 6 weeks. 

Good luck to you. Hang in there. 

Hi Teddi,

thanks for the reply. Not had surgery yet - and in the current situation I’m not sure when it will be.

It is good to hear from people who have had positive experiences as the idea of it sounds so awful lol. My plastic surgeon seems really lovely and seems pretty confident of a good result although he did say it might be a good job that I have a fringe.

One possible fly in the ointment is that I saw my GP on Monday and it seems as though I may have another tumour developing on the other side of my nose. So he’s referred me straight to the regional centre that I have to have surgery in with a hope that it may make things easier.

Thanks for the tips - I’m sure they will come in handy when the time eventually comes.

I’m hoping my surgeon has a bit of a sense of humour as I totally want to come out of the separation surgery with a Harry Potter scar. Partly because I think it might make the scars a little less scary for my young grandsons but mainly because I love the books lol.

Take care and keep safe.

Maria