Recovery from forehead flap nose reconstruction

Hi Loretta

Thanks for your email.  I have to say that the main op was the worst really, I really had gone back to work too quickly, once I had the 2 weeks off I felt much better.  It's difficult to gauge how each person will react as we are all different, but for me I think the worst of it was the effects of the general anaesthetic.  I worked 3 days per week until the beginning of July.  Depends what your daily life is like, but you really should take some time to relax and take it easy.  They tidied up the graft on my nose at the second operation in June but left the pedicle there, I went back to work a week after that op.  I then went full time at work at the beginning of July.  My final op was on 7th August, when they removed the pedicle and I went back to work 4 days after that.  I've been out in public since the beginning really.  People have stared but it really hasn't bothered me that much at all.  Family, friends and work colleagues have been brilliant.  I don't want to spout a load of cliches but it really has given me a new zest for life.  I'm quite a positive person anyway but that isn't to say that like most people I don't have a moan about things at times.  But it has really made me realise that there are people a lot worse off than me. Please feel free to contact me if you want anymore details. Let me know when you are having your operations. All the best. Jackie

Hi Loretta, no problem at all, you can ask as many questions as you like.  I had my operations at Guy & St Thomas' in London.  The surgeon doesn't allow his patients to cover the pedicle.  My pedicle was attached for just over 3 months, the surgeon's view is that the longer the pedicle is left the better the result.  My nose is looking quite good, it is only recently that it is feeling more like my own nose, previously when I touched it, it felt a bit like rubber, takes time to get the feeling back.  Can still see I've had something done, but the graft is merging in well with the rest of the nose. Again, I can't predict exactly how it will be for you but my experience was that the sight on the forehead where they took the graft was the most painful.  Scarring is getting better on forehead but it is still quite sensitive and it's likely there will still be some sort of visible scar left there.  I go back for my final check up in December.  Might not happen but if any refinements on nose are needed they said they can do that under a local anaesthetic.  Have you seen any pictures of the various stages?  If it would help, I could send you some of mine.  Not very pleasant looking, although I have to stress that it looks worse than it feels.  Just another piece of advice, if you need any dental work done, get it done in advance.  I haven't been able to go to the dentist for months and it is only now that I am booking an appointment to have some work done.   Jackie x

I had the same surgery on may 1. the first thing my plastic surgeon told me is I would need 4 weeks off work. three for the first surgery, and then one following the 2nd stage. today is my 1st day back to work. i cant imagine them sending you to work before the surgeries were complete?

Hi mamtrac,  I had the same surgery on September 25th.  I will be having the second stage surgery to detach the pedicule on October 17th.  Any recommendations?  Did you do a local anesthetic?  I would appreciate any advice or recommendations you can give me as to what to expect.  I am planning to go back to work November 1st.  Does that sound plausible?

THANKS

I had general anesthesia for both surgeries and was off a total of 5 weeks.. my surgeries were 3 weeks apart.. I was amazed how good it looked after the 2nd surgery Nov 1 totally sounds reasonable.. good luck

Hi,

I was diagnosed with BCC on the right of my nose. In April I had surgery to remove it. This was done under local anesthesia. A small flap from the top of my nose was used for repair. All was healing nicely until I got a letter saying that it wasn't fully excised. 

Now that was a bit of a shock to say the least! On the 4th October I went in for surgery to remove what nasty remained. The surgeon cut (local anesthesia) and then tested as I was there.. three times this was done and to say it was a long day was an understatement. On the 9th October I had my reconstruction done (general anesthesia) using a forehead flap. I must say the experience of this type of surgery is strange, you feel like you've been beaten up while eating ice-cream really fast.. brain freeze!! I went in today to have my dressing changed and all looks good. The look on my wife's face wpould suggest a horror film member. I will be off work in total about 5 weeks and as someone mentioned earlier, you feel fine and then all of a sudden not. My only regret is not having this small lump that grew, looked at sooner. I have nothing but praise for the health professionals that I have come into contact with.life goes on regardless!

What a few days I've had. The day before I had my first surgery, I got an ear infection.. bloody painful, hurt more than my nose! Up to the walk in go on Saturday and I still have an ear infection, so more antibiotics and a spray. I've had a small weep from the crease of the forehead flap which has been irritating my eye. This morning my eye hurt so much I went to my local medical centre to see if I could see a nurse just to clean the area and look at my eye. The receptionist looked at me, bearing in mind I look bloody awful because of the surgery, didn't even see my red eye and said .. sorry can't get you in you have to go to a walk in centre! Unbelievable. Ended up A+E for 5 hours. Now I have an eye infection too. Doesn't rain but it pours. My surgery area doesn't hurt, well, a constant headache but I can handle that.  it's just everything else that's causing problems!

Went to have my surgery area redressed yesterday. The nurse took all dressings off but before the area was redressed, my consultant wanted to see the area. He was very pleased about how it was healing and suggested that the third surgery to disconnect the flap, should happen around the end of the first week of November. This is good news indeed. The bad news is he said to the nurse to take out alot of the stitches! I was surprised how little pain there was as she was doing this. The area was redressed and my next appointment is next Wednesday. 

Today has been a bit of a low day though. I've had a headache all day. Where the top part of the flap was dressed has really hurt. I suppose it's because the area was disturbed. I have felt low in myself too. I wear glasses all the time but cannot wear them, I drive but cannot as I can't see, I need a hair cut but the flap was cut just from just in my hairline and that area is very tender. I'm sure tomorrow I will feel better. Good days and bad come hand in hand I suppose.