changing dressing after MOHS

Hi

Slightly different but I had a basal cell removed from my nose which was left to heal by secondary intention.

I went back to the hospital a week later for it to be checked and redressed.

After that I went fortnightly.

I was also given a supply of dressings and steristrips after the the second check up to redo the dressing myself if needed.

The dressing was left off at 6 weeks.

I then  saw the surgeon monthly until Feb this year.

I'll now see him in a year's time unless I have any more problems

At the start the post op checks are to check wound healing and then to check skin in general and to discuss any issues.

I was very impressed with follow up as it was the surgeon that did all the dressing changes and follow ups 

Thank you so much, that is very reassuring. My brother lives on his own, so if he has to change the dressings himself at some stage I will probably help him. As it may be a fairly large wound I am a bit scared of what it may look like and that I may do something wrong. We will certainly take him back to the MOHS unit the first couple of times and see what they advise after that. I just wasn't sure how we would manage if we had to do the trip every day. Did you have to leave the dressing untouched for the first week and were you able to shower etc. Did the dressing stay on ok. Just getting more nervous as tomorrow approaches, worse than if it was me who was having it done. Brother seems to be taking it in his stride but probably a bit nervous, just not showing it. I am a nervous wreck but I am 75 and I think you worry more as you get older.

For the first week it was left completely alone. As it was my nose I did have to do a bit of patching up on it though as the dressing worked loose.

The nose isn't good for dressings.

Of course, your brothers consultant may do things differently.

Don't worry if you have to help change the dressing as they'll show you what to do and it all may be do e at the hospital.

I think mine was difficult as the dressings don't stay on the nose well.

Hope all goes well and please let us know how he gets on.

I expect you already understand that MOHS can be a lengthy procedure?

Thank you for all the helpful information. I thought the consultant was excellent when we saw him. Very kind and we didn't feel rushed at all. Yes he explained all about MOHS so it could be a long day depending on how many layers etc. Because of the journey we are picking my brother up at 5.45 tomorrow morning. Will really be glad when it's all done. I will certainly let you know how we get on. Many thanks again for your help.

You're welcome and of course your brothers consultant may do follow up differently.

You're right we do worry more as we get older and these skin cancers are often not taken seriously by people but those of us who have them or are looking after someone having surgery understand that they're not as easy as some think 

Sorry for the delay in letting you know how things went. My brother had the scalp bcc removed and it went well. The mohs surgeon said he managed to remove it all at the first attempt. Still more amazing he managed to completely close the wound with stitches. He was so relieved not to have a skin graft as he has no hair and the bcc was right at the front of his scalp. We are taking him to have the stitches out tomorrow and the dressing has stayed in place the entire time. It is till weeping a little bit through the dressing but there is no sign of an infection or anything nasty. Not sure if the weeping is normal but we will see what happens tomorrow. Many thanks for your help and interest.

Hi there

So glad It all went well. It must be such a big relief.

Just got back from dressing appointment. Stitches all removed OK, still a little weeping but no infection and something applied to help it dry up. New dressing to be left on for 6 days and then start massaging after 3 weeks. Many thanks again.