Basal cell carcinoma and no date in sight for the Mohs surgery.

Hi Lky and a very warm welcome to the group which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

You do seem to have been waiting a long time but I don't know if that's normal for Mohs surgery. When I had a BCC removed it was done by simple surgery so was only 4 weeks from seeing the consultant to it being removed by a plastic surgeon.

As you say you're now getting numbness to that side of your face and the BCC has changed shape, it might be worthwhile getting in touch with your consultant, via his/her secretary to tell them about this.

It would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and proposed treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

Thank you for your reply , I have added to my profile now .thank you again 

Hi. I have a bcc on the side of my nose and am awaiting MOHs surgery with a cheek flap. I had all of my consultations and biopsy done privately between September 2024 and January 2025. I was then transferred to NHS and was given a surgery date of September. I was given this in April so a 5 month wait but it does seem to have been going on forever since I had my first skin check. I will be having it done in Guys and St Thomas’s in London. 

I hope you get your appointment through soon. I think you have been waiting an unacceptable period of time.

Hi Lky

Sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with a BCC. I had my MOHS surgery about 3 years ago and I think I waited about maybe 8 or 9 months for the surgery. I was first diagnosed in 2021 and there were still a lot of covid cases at the time and I suspect I was bumped up the list a bit as I was in a low risk group for covid as it was earlier than I had expected to get an appointment. I had been told at the time that it could be up to 18 months to get a date. 

I know that MOHS is not done in that many hospitals so I think the waiting lists are large and if you need any further surgeries following the MOHS the planning of dates for this needs to be factored in when setting a date.

One thing that seemed to work, although I don't know if it was a coincidence, was ringing the consultant's secretary to see if they had any news about a date for the surgery. It always seemed that I heard something not long after that! 

As Latchbrook has said,  as you have noticed changes which are worrying you it's probably worth ringing to let them know this. 

I hope you hear something soon and that your surgery goes well

Best wishes 

Dearheart

1. Hi Lky my husband was referred by gp for a BCC, top of nose close to eye, in Oct 23. After many appointments & 2 cancelled by the hospital flap surgery appointments he had his flap surgery in June 24. Unfortunately this left deep positive margins. Radiotherapy was booked 30 appointments & mask made. 2 days before 1st appointment all Radiotherapy was cancelled due to risk to eye. He is now on the waiting list for mohs surgery we saw the surgeon in June 25 and was told it could be another year to wait. However same surgeon same hospital couple of weeks if paid privately.

It is all very frustrating and worrying. 

Hi sorry to hear that your husband has had a bit of a tough ride . I eventually had my mohs surgery in August .Surgeon was very patient and understanding and really listened to my worries .They tried a different technique for me as I was unsure if to have the traditional skin flap closure of let it heal on its own .The closure we went with brought the flap up just from the nose side .Whilst it will take some time for the flap to go flat which at the moment makes the eye look different , I am confident that when fully healed it will have a favourable cosmetic outcome .I do occasionally find I see the flap in my vision the eye has been left without any deficit .On the whole the wait for surgery was frustrating and full of worry I am content with the outcome and happy that all of the bcc has been removed .Not sure if we are allowed to send photos ,but if we are I would be more than happy to send photos to help out yours and your husband mind at ease .

Good to hear your all sorted now. It must be such a relief. Healing takes time his 1st surgery has healed with hardly a scar. Did they do the mohs reconstruction at the same time? My husband will be awake for the mohs then be put out for reconstruction the following day.

Unfortunately is a waiting game.Hopefully we will get a date soon and can start planning ahead.