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Squamous Cell Cancer Upper Lip and Philtrum
Melanoma & Skin Cancer | Last Active: Jul 3 5:07pm | Replies (30)Comment receiving replies
@grammato3
This week I saw both my MOHS surgeon and an ENT plastic surgeon. My discomfort level remains very high. My nostril is pulled on constantly and is irritated and swollen. My left philtrum is also irritated and rope-like as that is next to the straight line stitch that was done from my left nostril to the bottom of the upper left lip. I have asymmetry. My mouth pulls the left more so in movement. The left side of my lip will not move up and down with the right when I speak. Both Drs. really cannot offer any additional solutions other than giving more time. It has been 8 weeks today since my surgery date and I am really frustrated with the level of discomfort and my appearance. They say it can take 6 months to a year. I cannot think about tolerating my nostril being pulled on for a year and this level of discomfort. It is very hard emotionally and physically. I am not sure what else to do or where to turn to for some comfort and a solution to my issues. Is it common at 8 weeks to have all this tightness and pulling still. There are some concerns in using the Kenalog that it may cause atrophy and depression especially in this area philtrum and lip, so they held on that for now. What else can I do or seek out to try to get comfort.
Replies to "@grammato3 This week I saw both my MOHS surgeon and an ENT plastic surgeon. My discomfort..."
@moorjan3 You caught me right before I'm leaving on vacation but I wanted to second @gingerw's suggestion. I understand this is difficult for you as you're uncomfortable and your providers haven't been able to provide other concrete options at this time aside from waiting it out to allow for more healing to take place. The reason I suspect they're reluctant to do Kenalog in this area is the skin is already somewhat thin around the lip and Kenalog could cause existing fat cells to shrink, which could potentially make the situation worse before it has time to get better on it's own.
8 weeks seems like a long time when waiting for a post-op recovery, however, this is very much still in what is considered the early stages for many Mohs procedures. This may help to understand the evolving the process: https://www.mohscollege.org/for-patients/about-mohs-surgery/post-operative-care
When I was healing from my WLE on my face, I honestly thought I'd be scarred for life; I had lost sensation on that part of my cheek and I was terribly embarrassed. Within a year, I regained full sensation and people were telling me they couldn't tell I'd had any type of surgery. The day to day waiting is hard, I know. Can you circle the date on your calendar, say 8 months from now, as a target date to assess your improvement then?
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@moorjan3 My heart cringes just thinking about the discomfort you are facing. Often I have cuts or somewhat. One thing I have done over the years when there is an abrasion or scar in an awkward spot, that has keloids forming in scar material, is to do gentle massage often. It seems to break up the formation of the tightness. Using a vitamin E cream to help lubricate that area while doing the massage is helpful. My lower arms are a mess of scars in some very awkward spots. This has helped me. Do you think you could try this?
Ginger