Gross Poses Mohs Nose

[jesse_the_k]

As detailed in "My Fall Vacation," overview post, I had Mohs surgery last Thursday to remove a wee cancer on my nose. This entry contains photos during and after that operation. There’s blood and stitches — proceed at your own risk.

truly gross photos inside here

For the first removal they outlined the small sore — expanded to 9mm by biopsy — with tiny blue dots — grimdark clown makeup:

After the second removal, there was a thumbprint-sized crater on the ridge of my nose, ending just below my nostrils.

They’ve found clear margins and removed both squamous and basal cell tissue. Now they get to put me back together.

There are internal stitches which magically dissolve, but this photo shows many external stitches. They start 2.5cm above my eyebrows, filling in the crease between them. Stitches then swerve over to the ditch between my right cheek and nose down to the swell of my nostril. At this point the stitches make a U where the flap covers the "primary defect" in the elegant language of medical charts, finishing halfway up my nose on the left side.

Two days later and finally being able to remove the thick bandages, I’m seeing rainbows on my face and the swelling going down. I can wear my glasses again (although they create 4-6mm pits in the swelling around my nose). Despite the purple, green, rose and black stripes on my cheeks, despite the thick black stitches all over my nose, I’m hardly having any pain. It compares with a skinned knee.

Wound healing protocols have changed since I was little. Now I’m told to keep the wound covered in vaseline, and to not bandage it unless I have to.

Wound healing protocols have changed since I was little. Now I’m told to keep the wound covered in vaseline, and to not bandage it unless I have to.

I’m uncertain whether my healing face would perturb folks in public. Adding bandages might make it easier for folks who get queasy seeing surgical results. On the other hand, I’m a "let your freak flag fly" kinda person. What do you think?

Comments

[sheafrotherdon]

I think it looks pretty good, all things considered! The crater is much more disturbing (I am not personally disturbed - but that's a serious photo!) I say let it fly :D I hope you continue healing well!

[jesse_the_k]

<3

[julian]

Colorful bruising, there. Also, the flap size is impressive. But I'm glad y'all caught it!

I think if you were explicitly told to keep it unbandaged as much as possible, then other people can just deal.

[jesse_the_k]

<3 There's a groundswell of this opinion.

[mdlbear]

You could wear a mask in public -- a good idea anyway, these days -- but it might not be a comfortable fit.

Or if you want to put a more rakish spin on it, you could tell anyone who asks that it's a dueling scar.

Heidelberg!

[jesse_the_k]

...was famous for someone's dueling scar.

When I mask up I need to apply gauze to prevent the mask sticking to the wound.

As the dermatologist was closing me up, she asked, "What story are you going to tell people? Dueling scar?"

[horse_spirit]

We only get to live once. Let those surgical looks fly :)
When I had both of my eyes removed in 2014, after 24 hours overnight hospital stay for observation purposes, I went to Olive Garden and enjoyed their endless breadsticks and salad. My entire face was bandaged up…but I didn’t care about others looks/potential comments. I wanted what I wanted, dammit.

Hmmmmm

[jesse_the_k]

Oh those lovely breadsticks.

Unanimous "no bandages" from those answering, and I guess those are my sort of people.

[chanter1944]

I think thank God they got it all, and may it never, ever return.

*hugs offered*

[jesse_the_k]

hugs happily accepted through my bubblewrap*

[lilysea]

I vote for bandaging it IF you need to bandage it for either
- woundcare reasons and/or
- in order to wear a face mask to avoid catchinG COVID

or not bandaging it if the Dr says it will heal better unbandaged

Indeed

[jesse_the_k]

I just realized this morning that I will need a layer of gauze between me and the mask for greater comfort.

Everyone answering gave me permission to not bandage -- I guess those are my sort of people.

[cmcmck]

Thankfully all the stuff that got adjusted in my case wasn't anywhere where it could be seen unless someone was very up close and personal indeed and by the time I allowed anyone that up close and personal it was all healed! :o)

Amen!

[jesse_the_k]

Hooray for successful surgery. I've had vulvar surgery with dilator PT and it's great when it works!!!!

[luzula]

Oh wow, I'm glad you're okay!

And no worries, I think you can go out.

Thanks!

[jesse_the_k]

What does it say about my subscribers that they all agreed I don't need to cover up?

[starshipfox]

I'm glad they got it all, and it's good to hear it's not too painful! The bruising always surprises me, but it makes sense - you've been through a lot. My only caveat about going out uncovered is that people may ask questions and that can get frustrating. I had a fairly minor scratch across my lips / chin once, and everyone asked me about it!

Oh, the willingness to subject strangers to inquiry

[jesse_the_k]

...never surprises me.

When I'm feeling secure, I answer those inquiries with a head shake and aww, honey, did you know you said that out loud?

[peachpai]

I'm camp, let your freak flag fly, of course. I'm glad healing is going well and that it's not too painful! <3

[jesse_the_k]

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

[forests_of_fire]

Oh, that's a neat way to do a reconstructive surgery. I'm glad they got all the cancer!

Me too.

[jesse_the_k]

(Why am I always zebras not horses? The BCC was interwoven between two layers of SCC.)

I thought of you the whole time I was reading the surgical report. The dermatologist/surgeon documented events that didn't occur -- I'm assuming that Epic offers some cut-n-paste or macro features. The surgical result seems fine -- is it worthwhile to say, "hey, you claimed to discuss four approaches to reconstruction and that I agreed on the way you went. Neither myself or MyGuy remembers anything like that."

[replyhazy]

Wow, amazing. So glad for those clear margins.

How about a silver nose like Tycho Brahe? That will shut up the observers!

Ahhhhhh!

[jesse_the_k]

What a wonderful idea!

Back from a shortish Tycho Brahe rabbit hole. There's debate on the metal involved: silver, gold, brass and copper are all advocated but none proven. For anything long term I'd go with milleflori-style polymer clay -- but now that I think of it, wouldn't a leather nose be the closest match?

[susanreads]

Wow, that's a saga and a half! I'm glad they got it all.

I agree with everybody else about not covering the scar.

[jesse_the_k]

Thanks

Better living through drugs: just 0.5 mg clonazepam gave me a welcome, "don't care attitude.

[jesse_the_k]

<3

[vass]

Congrats on your surgery, and best wishes for the recovery.

And yeah, I agree with everyone else who said don't cover it (unless medically necessary or to wear a mask.)

If people ask, you could tell them you played "got your nose" with the wrong person.

[jesse_the_k]

Tell me of this game, "got your nose" -- when I deploy this excellent comeback, I need to know whereof I snark.

[vass]

It's the sort of joke a dad plays on a small child. Thus.

Ahhhhhhh!

[jesse_the_k]

Well polish my buttons! Thanks for an education.

[toft]

I'm glad it was caught and that there's no further treatment required! Wishing you a swift healing.

[jesse_the_k]

Thanks!