Hi all, I have just been diagnosed with having basal cell cancer on the skin on the skin of inner eye, it will be removed and a skin graft

[SKessex78]

Done, I have literally been sobbing all night as I'm petrified of how I will look afterwards. Has anyone else been through this?

[sidekick]

Hi SKessex, I am really sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I can empathise with how you are feeling, as nearly 6 years ago, I was diagnosed with a large BCC on my nose/cheek. The first thing that crossed my mind is that there was no way I was strong enough to get through it, but it is incredible the things you just get on with when you're faced with them. I know things probably seem quite terrifying for you at the moment, but there are truly wonderful things that are possible with plastic surgery.

Obviously I don't know what thoughts are going through your mind right now, so I won't ramble on about things that might not be relevant to you, but if there is anything specific you want to ask, please feel free, and I will do my best to answer as honestly and fully as I can.

Also, there is as fantastic charity called Changing Faces (for all kinds of disfigurements and differences of appearance), and I'm sure they can put you in touch with someone who can help with your anxiety about any changes in your appearance.

Here to help if I can.

[camillacampbell]

Ask your Dr. About Dynamic Photo Therapy. I had basal cell carcinoma on my nose and had PDT ,quite painful but no scarring. My nose looks like new again and 2 years later still free from BCCancer. Good luck!

[littlebirdiesmum]

Hi SKessexx78, I haven't had the same thing but have had cancer removed from the front of my leg. The scarring is minimal although I know it must be difficult for you when it's your face, The only thing I can say to you is the things they can do now is amazing and you have to help by thinking positive. I am waiting for the results of 4 biopsies at the minute and I do not worry now. It has to be done so if you can be positive and tell yourself that it will be fine, it does help. Hoping you feel better about it soon. You will come through this, believe it. love littlebirdiesmum

[markhp]

Hi back, I cannot speak of the experience of going through such a procedure myself of this type, but I can hopefully reassure you that skin is amazing stuff! Once the BCC has been removed completely, this leaves a defect in the skin, which then needs putting back together again. The surgeon has the skills and experience to achieve this, otherwise he or she wouldn't be carrying out your treatment. A consultant trains for many years to gain these skills, so be reassured, you are in great hands. After the surgery, it is normal to get bruising and swelling and a variable amount of discomfort. Be sure to take regular paracetamol, even if you don't have pain, as this can also help to reduce swelling and aid the healing process (no more than 8 x 500mg tabs in 24 hours). If you have a graft, this has to develop a new blood supply, so take it real easy in the first week especially, to allow these new blood vessels to grow into the graft. Initially, do not be alarmed after the dressings come off, as it will not look great necessarily. This is normal. Slowly but surely things will look better and better, assuming no complications and good healing. I have seen many such patients post operatively and know from my experience that what you see on day 1 following removing stitches, can be good straight away, but not always. What you see after a week is better, what you see after a month is better still. Wounds and scars will continue to look better and better for up to a year in most patients, and in some patients, myself included here from my surgery of a different type, my scar probably took 4 years to look and feel its best! Eyelids, however, do generally heal very well and quickly, like most facial wounds do. I really like sidekicks comments already sent to you. Changing faces are brilliant for advice about camouflage if required. Most important to listen carefully to the staff in charge of your care first and do follow any advice given, after all they have the experience of caring for many patients before you to know what is needed to help you to get through this best. I am a consultant dermatologist, and have carried out thousands of operations on the skin during my time and know that in most cases, with rare exceptions, the results from a cosmetic perspective are fantastic. Hang in there, they will have done their bit, you do yours and with Lady Luck on your side (you always need a bit of luck as well!), you will be amazed at just how well your skin can heal.

[Maryleeds123]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis and I know personally how worrying this can be. 5 years I had a BCC (this was a pink blemish, the size of my little finger tip) removed from the right hand side of the bridge of my nose, close to the corner of my eye. I was so worried how I would look after surgery and just wished I could have seen photos or spoken to someone who had gone through what I was going through. But I'm happy to say my fears were unfounded. I had MOHs surgery, the cancer was removed with me only needing one procedure. I remember being quite shocked at the size of the tear drop shaped wound, but the following day I had plastic surgery. I had 4 stitches running along the lower eyelid and 13 stitches to close the wound. All the while it was healing it didn't look too pretty but I'm very pleased to say that once the stitches were out and everything had settled down it's very hard to tell I've had any surgery at all. The plastic surgeon did a fantastic job and all that's there now is a very thin white line. I hope my story helps a little to allay your fears but as someone else mentioned please have faith in your surgeons.

[SKessex78 in reply to Maryleeds123]

Maryleeds, thank you so much, I have looked extensively and can't find any pics on the internet as to how it's actually going to look in the location mine is, I'm so worried that part of mine is so close to my eye, I know there will be a scar and that it will take a while to settle, but I'm more worried it will 'pucker' and distort the shape of my eye. I know it's got to be done, I'm afraid I won't look like me afterwards x

[Lolabear]

Hi I had basal cell removed from cheek in September by mohs surgery. Removed growth size of two pence piece. Once stitches were out the healing was amazing and now you can barely notice it. I scared myself silly before op looking at photos on internet. I think all the people are very aware that cancer on the face is very worrying for people and the way they will look afterwards. They have many ways of keeping scarring to a minimum. In the end I was just so glad to be rid of something that looked so small but underneath was growing. Good luck

[SKessex78 in reply to Lolabear]

Thank you for your reassurance x

[Daisy69]

Hi there. Don't worry yourself. I had 2 ops on my lower lid in the past 6 years. You cannot tell I have had any surgery. It will be sore and brushed for few weeks but you will be amazed how it heals. And hopefully one procedure will clear it. Good luck

[Jayzed]

I too get extremely itchy shins esp in the winter; I scratch so bad I bleed and it burns very painfully I was told low humidity in the air was the cause.

[mchal]

We have been advised to have a ocular plastic surgeon who specializes in ophthalmology. They usually do a lot of these surgeries.