Skin graft shock

Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community

I haven't had a skin graft so don't have the experience you're looking for but I noticed that no one had come forward yet to tell you about their experiences with a skin graft. By responding to you it will 'bump' your post back to the top of the page where it'll hopefully be seen by someone who's had this done recently.

While you're waiting for replies you could use the search bar in the group to look for previous posts on this topic. If you type in 'graft' it should bring up lots for you to look at and you could then respond to any where you feel the poster might be able to help you.

When you have a minute it would be really useful if could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit 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.

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Hi Tesso2019,

The whole process can be a real rollercoaster, just as you think you’ve coped well with one part and the worst is over along comes another worry. I also had a bcc removed from the side of my nose and a skin graft some 5 weeks ago now. Initially I had a pressure bolster over the graft for 13 days so couldn’t actually see what was lurking underneath. I stupidly thought the bolster was a lot larger than the hole underneath but soon found out I was wrong on that one! My graft was taken from my neck and wasn’t covered so that was clear to see and black, blue, purple...pretty much every colour you could imagine but that’s healing over nicely. 
I was told not to get the graft area wet when the bolster was on but to apply antibiotic cream around it and then it was removed after 13 days. Nothing prepared me for what was underneath and the huge hole that faced me when I looked in the mirror. The surgeon did say that it would gradually lift out but it had been pressed in for nearly 2 weeks to allow the graft to take. I was told not to cover it at all as it needed to breath now to heal. I was told to gently pat it with cooled boiled water and continue putting antibiotic cream on it and when that ran out to use Vaseline. It’s now just over 5 weeks and all scabs are off, I’m allowed to get it wet and although it still very much looks like a random piece stuck on my nose, it is much less conspicuous than it was and it is filling out now too. Not sure how long it will take to look more pink and I’ve been told I may need a further op as they had to take very close to the rim of my nose away but things do improve honestly.

Thank you Murphy1965 for your reply.  It is good to hear that after 5 weeks your scab is gone and that you are noticing improvements.  I believe over about six months it should blend in.  Isn't it funny the slight differences in treatment. My dressing on for one week and told to cover for another week. I can shower now which is amazing but otherwise not to put anything on it for six weeks.  I started going around it last nite with e45 cream as the dryness at this stage is severe. 

It is so helpful to lnow how others felt when dressing was removed. Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

Thank you Latchbrook

I have updated my profile now

Thank you for the warm message.

Hi Tesso2019,

I would suggest that you contact your doctor again to double check the recommendation to not put anything on the graft area. I have had 4 skin grafts and as soon as the dressing was off was told to use sun cream during the day and to always hydrate the area with a good face cream as the skin does not have the same oil glands as normal skin.

I too found the moment my dressing was removed very distressing. But it does get better every day, I promise

Best wishes

Miranda

Hi Miranda 

Thank you for your advice

I am due to see my doctor soon so will ask him then. I will have a lot to say including providing patients with detailed information of what to expect, colours, scab and healing.  Left to my own imagination was the scariest part of this.

I noticed this morning that a teeny bit of my scab had started to loosen so am feeling a lot better bout it now.  I can see the end as such.

I am sorry to hear you have had four of them done as I found this whole experience a lot more difficult than I imagined and dont think it would be any easier to repeat.  

Thanks again for your advice 

Theresa 

I am not alone. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I am 24 hours post mohs with grafts. I am so clogged up with dry blood and sending hubby out for vaseline. 
we all seem so different for wound coverage. Mine has had no dressing. Wish it did though. I  hate the weeping  and hate seeing it and the kids saw me for the first time today. 
I am constantly looking for signs of infection. I feel so yucky. My donar site was behind both ears so I have no idea how low before I can wash my hair. To be honest I still feel rather alone post op. Would prefer to go back to the old days where you are kept in for days. 

That sounds like an awful way to be leaving you

Mine was covered for a week and then I struggled

Six weeks on now and scab has fallen off

It is a diff colour but that is ok

It will blend

I hope that helps for the long haul though I know doesn't help today xxx

I'm 4 weeks out from MOHS surgery & subsequent skin graft on the sidewall of my nose. I can really relate to the shock of seeing the wound after a week when the bolster came off. It looked like a piece of meat stuck to the side of my face. Now, 4 weeks later it is a light skin colour & looks more like a piece of chewing gum stuck there. I've been told to apply Vaseline liberally so do that morning & night. the skin was taken from my neck & is a very different colour & texture. It's also very thick around the bottom edges & I'm despairing that it will ever look ok. I had two other bccs 18 months ago that required MOHS but they were able to be repaired with flaps & are not as noticeable.

I'd love to hear how those of you who had skin grafts are going now.

Many thanks,

Emily

Hi Emily. I had mine done end of November. Its still thick and lumpy and red looking but I think I have changed mentally. It is no longer the first thing I see when I look in the mirror . I have come to terms with what it looks like now. If you want to Connect properly please look me up. It will be good to have a friend to walk along side.