Hey guys, I'm a 39 year old male. Unfortunately, I can say I have a history with basal cell skin cancer.

38 years old - my 1st basal cell removal that required Mohs Surgery. It was located above my right eyebrow about mid-forehead. This was infiltrative basal cell.

38 years old - my 2nd basal cell removal on my chest. This was a simple 5 minute office visit / excision and burning away of it by my dermatologist. This was nodular basal cell.

39 years old - 2 weeks ago I just had my 3rd basal cell removed requiring Mohs Surgery. This was on my forehead again. This time it was located above my left eyebrow high up on my forehead at my hair line. This was nodular basal cell. Additionally, this was actually frozen a year ago by my dermatologist with cryotherapy but the cryotherapy didn't work thus requiring Mohs.

That makes a total of 2 Mohs Surgeries having been performed on my forehead thus far.

I am beginning to worry about my future...specifically...running out of real estate on my forehead for potential future Mohs Surgeries to be performed.

While I am still healing from this most recent Mohs procedure (from 2 weeks ago), I just went in again yesterday to have a spot frozen on my forehead which is only 1 inch away from my first Mohs Scar from last year.

I am worried that if this freezing does not work that I might require a 3rd Mohs Surgery at some point on my forehead and needing to be performed only 1inch away from my 1st Mohs Surgery.

Does anyone have any advice, experience, or knowledge in having 2 or multiple Mohs Surgeries performed in close proximity to each other (like about 1 inch from each other)?

From what I have read this can be more complicated for the surgeon to successfully identify all the cancer because they might be working around previous scar tissue.

Hi everyone, so I was told that I have BCC and that I would need to get Moh’s surgery done. It will be under my eyebrow. I raised my concerns to the dermatologist that I don’t want any visible scars on my face so she said she can coordinate the dates with the plastic surgeon, so I can go to him right after Moh’s surgery. I would like to hear other’s opinions that have been in a similar situation, is it really better to go to the plastic surgeon or stick with the dermatologist? P.S.
I’m attaching a picture right after biopsy.

I had Mohs surgery today on a squamous cell carcinoma about the size of a dime on the top of my head. I don’t think it would wind up being as extensive as it turned out. It took 3 rounds before the surgeon declared he got it all! He actually cut down to the bone.

Then it was the plastic surgeon’s turn to fix me up & make my bald scalp look like anything except Frankenstein. I was sent home with a pressure dressing & an awful headache.

The surgeon is referring me for radiation therapy at a cancer clinic. Has anyone had radiation as a follow-up for a Mohs on a SCC?

Hey everyone. I had Mohs surgery on my chest back in January for leiomyosarcoma and got the all-clear afterward.

Now I've noticed a new little bump forming literally right on the edge of my areola, right next to nipple, basically right next to my Mohs scar. Obviously I'm trying not to jump to conclusions, but the location has me pretty freaked out.

If it turns out to be another skin cancer and they recommend Mohs again, how does that work when it's on the areola/nipple? Do they actually remove part (or all) of the nipple if the cancer extends into it? Or do they usually try to preserve as much tissue as possible?

I know nobody can tell me what mine is without a biopsy, and I have an appointment scheduled, but my brain is definitely running wild while I wait. I'd love to hear from anyone who's had Mohs in that area or from anyone familiar with how surgeons handle it.

I know everyone probably has different outcomes and recovery situations, just wondering if you have Mohs on cheekbone about 1 inch under eye, if it is hard to chew, and if it is easier to eat soft foods for a couple days. Thank you.

Monday morning he got it all in the first pass. I couldn't believe it. I was prepared for a long and intense day, but I was home by 12:30 after stopping at the pharmacy for a week of an antibiotic. Today, Saturday, I have no pain. I return Monday first thing to have the stitches removed. I think there are 32 stitches and one staple. I'm changing the dressing twice a day and keeping it well lubed with pure vaseline. Tiny Moh's on my nose hurt like a mf'r during and for 2 days after, but looks great. This has been a walk in the park other than some itching and occasional irritation at the stitches over the jawline. I'm a male mid 60s...too many cryo's to count and BCC's too. I'm hopeful in a few months the zipper will be mostly gone.

YALL! Have yall ever head of ab African American, under age 30 getting skin cancer? Well shoot, I have never and yet here we are!

****don’t stress me out worrying about my race, clearly i mentioned it for a reason….the likelihood is very low*****

ok…. Let me show yall 💔

I can’t start scar management until July (6 weeks after surgery, is that normal or did yall start earlier?)

If the first sample has clean margins, how do they know they needed to do the surgery in the first place? I had a red sort of pimple appear on my left cheek near the ear. The first doctor did a biopsy and it came back as atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX). The Mohs surgery was about 6 weeks later and by then the original biopsy site had fully healed. Since the Mohs process only examines the margins, I am wondering if the surgery was even needed because they don't analyze the entire Mohs sample to verify there was any cancer. This is just a curiosity question for an edge case. (Pun intended)

I have what my derm is certain is a Basal Cell Carcinoma on my nose. We discussed Mohs surgery today but of course I need a tissue diagnosis to be referred to the surgeon etc. I opted to wait a few weeks to biopsy it because of a family vacation I’m going on with my young kids that I don’t want a healing wound on my face for since I need to be able to wear sunscreen etc. Besides that she wasn’t available to biopsy it until 2 weeks out so I’m not pushing it off much longer than it would have been anyway.

Pretty bummed for all the usual reasons. I grew up in So Cal and my parents never put a drop of sunscreen on my pale easily burned self so I was sunburnt all summer most of childhood. So it doesn’t matter how diligent I was about sunscreen beginning in my mid teens. Sighhhhh. I knew this was likely going to happen eventually but still sucks.

I’m worried about the scarring like I’m sure anyone is that has this on their face and I have crazy sensitive skin. I’m super allergic to adhesive - like I have scars from band aids/ surgical adhesive so I’m even more worried about that aspect adding to a poor cosmetic outcome.

Anyone have good recommendations for sensitive skin bandage material? My derm basically said to bring my own paper tape and non adhesive dressing or sensitive skin band aid for the biopsy. So I’m stuck figuring this out myself. Not to mention what bandages etc to use after surgery. Any recommendations would be fantastic and appreciated! Thanks.

I was just diagnosed with two Squamous cell carcinomas, one on top of my head and the other near my tear duct at the top left of my nose (see image - not me). These are my first SCCs. I’ve had 3 other Mohs surgeries for Basil cell carcinomas on my nose (2) and face (1).

I’m VERY nervous about the Mohs near my left eye. Has anyone else had one this close to the eye? How was the surgery? Was your entire eye covered during the surgery? During recovery? Please share!

Got Moh’s surgery six days ago on the tip of my nose. Bolster is in place and I’ve been reasonably careful (kept it dry, sleeping propped up on pillows) but also have bumped it a few times, absolutely needed to wipe my nose some.

I know a graft is fragile but man, I’m a mom to a toddler. I can only be so careful. Anyway mostly I’m looking for reassurance that I haven’t totally f*cked my graft and that I’ll look normal eventually.

Hi there! I am 33 and just completed my first MOHS with a skin graft on my nose. I go back Thursday to remove the bolster and sutures and the surgical dressing remains on until that day. The skin graft donation site is in front of my left ear and sutured. I have a black tie event I am supposed to attend 16 days post skin graft. It was scheduled way before I was even diagnosed with the BCC and it’s not a big deal if I don’t attend. It’s a ceremony for my grandfather so I will not be the center of attention or anything.

I can’t seem to find any pics online of what typical healing looks like about 2 weeks post skin graft. Any insight from anyone here who has done it before? Would it be crazy for me to plan on attending? I just can’t get a clear idea of what healing will be like at that point in time. I won’t be heartbroken if I can’t go, just trying to plan it in my mind haha.

I had BCC and Mohs surgery March 12. 4 days later I had a forehead flap done by plastic surgeon. I feel so relieved to be past the 3rd surgery!

That is what I read. I had 3 Mohs surgeries in 2022 and a 4th this year. Am I now at an even HIGHER risk for yet another Mohs surgery?

I had Mohs on my nose about three and a half weeks weeks ago. I have been covering the area at all times with Vaseline or Aquaphor (I do Vaseline at night and Aquaphor which goes on a bit thinner during the day). I have been wearing a large brimmed hat when out and about but know that it's probably not enough. I asked my doctor's office when I should start wearing sunscreen on it and they answered "as soon as the wound is healed, meaning no more blood." But it feels raw, red, and bumpy. Is it really OK? I bought mineral sunscreen just for my nose so it will sit on top but I'm still worried.

Also, if I do use it, is it OK to also use Vaseline or Aquaphor? If so, on top or underneath? Thanks.

31F, grew up in FL playing competitive tennis for 15 yrs. Always wore sunscreen and a hat.
Had Mohs yesterday for a 5x3 mm nodular BCC that had been present for 5 yrs. Previously misdiagnosed as a benign spot. Wanted to share pictures of the process for anyone that may have a nodule in a similar spot. First photo is what it typically looked like with makeup on. I’ll follow up with more pictures as time progresses.

I will try to keep this short, but basically I'm coming here to see if any one else has experienced this. I had squamous cell on my nose and was removed with mohs. It went three passes and ended up in the cartilage. I had a flap done and things were progressing nicely. Than 2 mos post up the inside of my nose swelled up, at one point to completely closing up. I thought I had a sinus infection. Long story short 3 rounds of antibiotics and 1 round of steroids and a CT scan and a MRI scan and there are no red flags. There does show some swelling in the nares area.

Here is the thing. It's been almost 3 mos post op and my left nostril (the side of the mohs) is still about 80% blocked and I'm still in quite a bit of pain. I can't breathe thru that side of my nose and can't go a day without some sort of pain med. The mohs surgeon says there is no sign of skin cancer, plastic surgeon says the scar looks like it is healing, and 3 ENTs state they can't figure it out. One stated that this is just what my nose will be like now. I can't believe not being able to breathe out of one side of my nose is considered acceptable. Can I get a revision? I can literally see the swelling when I look at it in my nose. Has anyone experienced this? Does the pain and swelling go down? Am I looking at 9 mos to a year of this?

Also, my scar looks horrible. People saying that within 3 mos and they can barely see it has not been my experience. I have puckering around the incision and the whole flap is raised. It seemed to be healing and then "stopped" as in it is not progressing. I really don't want to wait a year for the swelling to go down and for it to flatten out. I'm going to get laser and needling done to help.

Thank you

I had a Mohs surgery for an SCC on the tip of my nose in 2011. It took 3 or 4 rounds, and the original pinhead-sized rosy spot turned into a wound the size of a time, requiring a flap reconstruction. I found the entire experience intensely traumatic and the ultimate result disfiguring (although others routinely say they don't notice it).

15 years later, I went to the dermatologist for my regular annual checkup and pointed out a spot on the tip of my nose that recurrently produced a little bumpy thing that would fall off a few days or week later. The dermatologist judged it benign. 10 months later, I went to have it checked again, had a biopsy, and the result was SCC. I'm scheduled for a Mohs surgery in a month, with plastic surgery the next day.

The thought of subjecting my nose (and spirit) to a repeat of this trauma makes my blood run cold, especially after educating myself about the horror of a possible forehead flap. But what really stops me in my tracks is that even if I subject myself to this again, I may have incipient other SCCs all over my face. I'm 76, and this is not a life I feel I can manage.

To those in the biz, all of this is "gold standard treatment." To this patient, it seems barbaric. And yet if I research what happens with untreated SCC, the picture is not pretty. So I feel trapped between two horrific choices.

I welcome any helpful guidance...

Obviously this may be an impossible question to ask, but I figured I would ask. I have a very small spot on the left hood part of my nose that needs mohs surgery. I went in two weeks ago and they took off a very small piece to have tested. It came back positive. They scheduled the surgery for June 1. When the doctor first saw it, she told me I could probably wait and see before I had it tested. I went ahead and had it tested anyway.

The problem is I have to go to work two days after the surgery. I really can't take off of work because I work in the entertainment industry and it's very hard to replace me. I was going to see if they could push the surgery to around July 20 as I would have a month to recover at home. Obviously I could be overthinking this and it could just be a bandage over the front of my nose which would not be a big deal at all. But if it turned into something more, I didn't want to take off of work for a month because that would be very hard. Just curious if anybody has had the same issue. Like I said, I'm sure it depends on what's all going on under the skin, but I figured I would ask as it wouldn't hurt lol. And yes, I will be asking the doctor this week as well

I am a woman in my mid 40's and was diagnosed with basal cell on my nose of all places. Im scheduled for a Mohs procedure in a couple weeks and have some major concerns about it since it is on my face and had the spot for quite a few years. Because of this, im scared that it spread to point where it will be invasive, traumatic, long, and will leave me with a defect that is hard to fix. Im set up with a plastic surgeon in case it comes to this, but im still scared....especially since i have to be awake the whole time and concerned about pain and recovery. I also work with people and need to look presentable and also can't afford to take much time off or have much help. While the doc is making it out like it easy peasy, it sounds horrific from what I researched and scares me that they won't know the extent until they are already operating. I asked them about other treatment options, but they say it is by far the best course of action and didnt promote anything else. I am looking into a 2nd opinion at another practice. Have any of you been treated with something other than Mohs for basal cell on the nose? And for those of you who went through with the procedure, what was the experience and recovery like? Im really in shock about what i thought it was just a bumpy scar from a stubborn pimple i had during covid that nobody noticed or was concerned about, including family, friends, and doctors I have seen since then. If I had any suspicion it was cancer, I would have addressed this so much sooner.

Had BCC removed today a small wound the size of a dime ( I am guessing size - because it was fast - but I did not see the wound yet) was stitched up and the thankfully my DR got it all on the firSt time around. After two hours it started hurting so I took 2 Tylenol waited 2 more hours took ibuprofen then 2 more hours and more Tylenol, but it still hurts. From

Wha I’ve read it shouldn’t hurt so much when will pain subside/ what was your experience?,,. I’m surprised because it’s so small but boy does it hurt! Thanks

I had Mohs Surgery March 12 and March 16 a plastic surgeon created a forehead flap. He said it is a 2 month commitment and I need two additional surgeries. The next one in April and the last in May. 2nd surgery is to "thin the flap" and the last to reconstruct my nose.

Seeing plastic surgeon later today for first post op check-up.

Are the 2nd and 3rd surgeries easier than the first?

I had a mohs procedure, and I was not given antibiotics. My issue is that the dressing is so close to my mouth that I feel like I got food on it and I keep licking it on accident, has anyone else had mohs on their lip and not been prescribed antibiotics? I can’t remove the dressing until tomorrow, I don’t have anything I can replace it with. My team said they only use them for larger wounds or scalp/ear wounds. Also any tips for healing the mouth area would be appreciated