Well, that sounds like what I have to look forward to.

I went to see the plastic surgeon and they suggested in the future getting some injections in my nose to break down the tissue so it won't be so thick. sounds fun! they also mentioned that the laser would be cosmetic...well, it was a direct result of the surgery--something else no one told me about.

Anyway, I'm finally taking a break from it all. I can go out with make-up on, and unless you're standing close to me you can't tell (close aas in 5ft or so). (Not quite the "you'll only be able to tell after sitting next to you for 20 minute: speech I got after the operation.)
Did the laser work for the blood vessels?

You got the same speech I did, except they used the term "at a conversational distance" you won't be able to tell. What distance is that? 10 ft? I'm being sarcastic, but you understand what I'm talking about.

The laser helped a lot, but it takes more than 1 treatment. I had 3 and still had stubborn vessels. My nose looked much better. It is uncomfortable and feels like rubber bands snapping on your nose. It's totally worth it, but again, it requires patience to see the final results. We're used to that!!

Tell me you make-up secrets. I have struggled with this and have tried many different make-up counters, stores, and even the plastic surgeon's office for a "professional" consultation and finally ended up using Oil of Olay Regenerist spf 50, then a primer, and then Bare Minerals Foundation. It's okay and the coverage is good, but it doesn't last all day.

Enjoy your break! You certainly deserve one after all this!
Lisa

No make up secrets. It took 2 months for my scar to heal, so when I didn't have to wear bandages on my nose anymore, being able to put on make-up was a big step.

I wear my regular make-up. it doesn't hide anything up close. but at least from a distance my nose doesnt' stand out.

When is the big day?

Just got my appointment set for March 2 at 7am. I'm glad I will be the first patient of the day in the Mohs Clinic, that way I'll be in and out in about 2 hours with no waiting in between because of other patients.

Did your doc have you put anything on your scar during healing?

they sold me some scarfade (plus the very expensive foundation/make-up to hide the scars, which almost made me cry the first time i used it, because it was like clown make-up).

The PA recommended scarfade again...but it says on the tube it may cause redness,etc. and I haven't read anywhere on the web that it works, so I'm hesitant to try it.

As for now, i put Vitamin E oil on my scar and nose everynight. I think it helps. But, I'm going to have a scar down the frornt of my nose and along the side, no way around it. It's too soon to tell how it's goign to really look.

did you find anything that helped?

March 2nd!! I'm nervous for you! is that a lot of procedure for a local? I'm am very positive it will go well. I would think the doctor understands all you've been through (or you've told him), and he or she wouldn't do it if it wasn't going to make improvements.

I have the same doc, so he knows my case and says that he can improve the look of the scar. The injections to numb my nose are the worst part. They will give me Valium to ease my nerves. I did get bumped to March 16th. They gave my appt. to someone with squamous cell who needs it removed ASAP. Oh well.

For my scar, I used Kelocote which didn't help. It was recommended by my doc. It was expensive! I also wore those silicone sheets and I don't think those helped either. I started using vit. E, but my doc said no and I can't remember why. He told me the best thing to do is to massage the area twice a day for 5 min. I think all these scar remedies are like wrinkle creams, they say they work, but really they don't.

And... why do they think we want to wear "clown make-up"? I don't know how many make-up counters I went to and came out with an orange nose!

Lisa,

Did you have the surgery yesterday? How did it go?!?

Yes, I did. Thanks for asking! I hope it went well. My doc revised the scar and raised my nostril a bit. I had only a local (4 shots to the nose) and no Valium! It didn't hurt at all, I just felt tugging. My nose is pretty much numb anyways from the first time. Without Valium, I had to really calm myself down. I have to say, since I had very little sleep the night before, I was able to relax on my own.

I still have it all bandaged up so I don't know how it looks. I'm nervous to take the bandage off tomorrow because if my nostril is not just right, I will be really depressed. I won't see the results of the scar revision until Mon. when he removes the steri-strips and stitches. Even then, it will take a year for the final results. My next step is laser to get rid of the broken vessels. Then, hopefully, that will be it and I will have to accept my nose, scars and all.

How is it going for you?

Oh I hope it worked! The results for the nostril will be immediate? that's great!

I'm hanging in there. I am actually ready to go back to the plastic surgeon to see what the next steps are in making my nose look better.

I'm thinking of finding a new surgeon. I really don't like the one I have.

When i first asked him about my nostril, he said "Well, some things will never be the same.' I was shocked! but then last time i was there he discussed steroid shots to help the scar tissue break down and later down the line laser for the blood vessels.

But he said the steroid shots would be from inside my nostril-ouch! Anyway, a second opinion wouldn't hurt (I guess).

Oh, also, I think have another BCC on my forehead. I went to the derm, but I didn't have him take it out, b/c I had a dinner party that night (I really couldn't stand the idea of going to a party with nose and then another bandage on my forehead!)

In either case, i'm not goign back to Moh's. I'm will have him cut it out.

Let me know how it goes!

I am so thrilled! My nostril looks the same as the other one! I am really happy with the results so far. Wow, this is such a long process!! My mohs was in Dec. 07. Two revisions later, and I'm finally happy with the result. We'll see what happens on Mon. when I get the steri-strips removed and stitches out. Then, after a few months of healing, it's the rubber band torture (laser) to get rid of all these red vessels!

I went for second opinions. I think it's a good idea. Before I went in for my first revision, I asked my mohs doc if he could refer me for a second opinion. He refered me to the head of the dept. and what a difference. All my questions were answered before I even asked. He knew exactly what my concerns were and addressed them. Needless to say, I changed docs. After the first revision was healed, I wasn't too happy with the final result. Went to another doc. for another opinion. Then I had to decide which doc to go to. I finally went back to the dept. head and I am so glad I did. He knew what he was doing, but I wanted perfection too soon and too fast. I didn't give him enough credit for what he was doing for me. Anyway, because I got second opinions, I was able to make a decision with more info. and pretty much heard a repeat of what my doc said.

Why aren't you going back to mohs?

Lisa! That's so great! I am so happy for you!!!!! That must feel so good! Oh, really, I'm so glad it worked! Oh, I really can imagien how good that must feel to have them look the same! (Plus, it gives me hope that they can fix my nostril. Ha!)

Where are you? the head of the deaprtment at a hospital?

i can't go back to the Moh's surgeon. I can't believe that she cut off half of my nose and didn't give me any warning or any idea of what the consequences would be. I feel it was truly negligent on her part not to explain things. When I had to go back to her b/c "they didn't get it all" I was literally physically shaking, even though she gave me two ativans. I can't deal with it.

Yes, that's what i want. A doctor who understands and demonstrates that he has some idea of what you're thinking and going through. (It really floored me how a plastic surgeon could be so seemingly oblivious that one cares ALOT about how your face looks?!!? It just seems clueless!)

Well, it sounds like he knew what he was doing! Good luck on Monday! Again, I'm so glad for you!!!!

Hiya nyiaca ,just thought i would drop by to ask how are you feeling today ?

thanks, I'm OK. I still get by and am getting used to this day by day.

Unfortunately, I went to derm last week and have another BCC on my forehead. They said you need to go back to Moh's and i hung up on them. hane't called them back yet.

I think I will go to the derm to just cut it out, and then when it grows back, I'll have it cut out again. Hopefully, they will agree to that, b/c I am in no condition to go back to Moh's again.