Mohs Surgery and Forehead Flap Nose Reconstruction

[carlotacarver]

No, my eye wasn't swollen afterward, but I have learned through many who have responded to this video that everyone's experiences vary. The only swelling I had was at the forehead. That area stayed tender for a full year afterward. Even now, it feels bruised. I know you hate that cast. They're uncomfortable and they smell awful! Hang on... The end is coming!

[Kfolkl12]

Thanks for the video! My mother is going through this process and your video is so helpful. She has had her flap connected for almostt 3 weeks, and  the third surgery will be this week. How long did it take you for the color of the flap to begin to match the color of your nose? She is also anxious about it turning blue once it is detached! How long did it take for the discoloration to go down?

[carlotacarver]

@Kfolkl12

They disconnected my flap after a month. I was very concerned that it was so purple/blue but that is normal. It takes a while for your nose to develop all those little blood vessels and capillaries that actually create the natural color we are used to. I used some of that make-up used to cover those port stain marks etc. That works pretty well. If you look at me now, you'll really have to go up close to see the difference. Tell her it will be fine & show her my now photo

[marjmmn1977]

@carlotacarver

My surgery to get this flap disconnected is the 23rd of Feb. After 11 long weeks with this on my face, I will be so happy to look (somewhat) normal again. I am also worried about it being discolored. Can't be any worse than I have looked..ha ha! Hope I can find that make up you talk about! So for anyone else out there, yes, there is light at the end of it all, but I can see that some situations take a little less time that I did.

[carlotacarver]

@marjmmn1977 You are going to be SO relieved when they finally do remove the trunk. By now yours must have shrunk a lot and be very tight. It'll feel so good you won't care if your nose IS purple. It's only like that for a little while. You're over the worst of it. I just finished my last laser treatment. My hair is too light and it didn't work but it did eliminate the very red area around the scar and it's much less noticeable now. Good luck to you!

[marjmmn1977]

@carlotacarver

Thanks for the reply! Yes,as a matter of fact,it is very tight and pulls up the side part of my nose.I pointed that out ot the dr. and he said it is scar tissue contracting and the fact that it is still attached. It should move down once cut,to make the side nostril look even with the other side. Just imagine what it will feel like to wear my good ol glasses again and the relief of it gone. Even though it is going to be full general anesthetic again..will let you know how I do!

[marjmmn1977]

@carlotacarver Looking to see if your eye was swollen after the division. My eye is almost swollen shut and I have a cast on my nose. You looked fantastic after you got yours divided!! I didn't actually think it would be this bad, but thankful it's the last and can't wait to get this cast off my nose next week!! See what's under there and hopefully release the swelling in my eye. Your forehead, I believe you mentioned it was bumped out. Mine is too.

[marjmmn1977]

Going on 6 weeks with this flap connected..looking at about another 3 before it's disconnected at least I'm hoping. I keep looking back at your video to see what to expect! Overall, most people can't believe what I've been going through, so we're pretty tough people those of us who have this done!!!

[carlotacarver]

@marjmmn1977

Hang on... You will be happy with the results. You know.. we could have been left without a nose. I am so grateful for this procedure.

[marjmmn1977]

Was your flap two stages? Mine is turning into at least three, so I have 6 to 9 weeks to go before I get this flap disconnected. Next is cartilage from my ears removed and put into my nose. Was your flap also thinned out while on? They say they're going to thin my out in order to shape before they can remove it. This is funny for anyone having this done...eventually I will also have to get electrolysis on my nose since the flap reached into my hairline. Just a little tidbit of info ;-)

[carlotacarver]

@marjmmn1977

Good morning,

Yes, I had to have mine done in 3 stages, although I did not have to have the cartilage replaced. They did what was called "de-bulking" which removed some of the flesh underneath the flap to a more normal appearance. After about 4 months, I went back to have the area at my forehead/eyebrow worked on again because it was very poofy and made me look angry all the time. They removed some of the scar tissue beneath it and now it's hardly noticeable.

[carlotacarver]

@marjmmn1977 I'm on my 6th laser removal hair treatment and it's not working too well for me. It's because my hair is so light. If I had dark hair, it would work better. I'm still shaving my nose.... Oh well. At least I still have a nose right???

Happy new year. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Carlota

[marjmmn1977]

@carlotacarver That's the funny part to all of this! I have black/brown hair with gray and my hair grows fast! I have to keep clipping it or else I'll have a ponytail on my nose! Ha ha! Laser? Is that different from electrolysis I wonder..

I am starting to wonder if my surgery next week will leave me as bad off as last time. Just starting to feel back to normal. Thanks Carlota! You are the inspiration for a lot of others as I see on here!!

[carlotacarver]

@marjmmn1977

There is a difference between the laser and electrolysis. The laser actually zaps and fries the hair follicle where with electrolysis, they use a tweezer type dealie and electrocute the follicle. If this doesn't work, I'll try that. Oh, and the laser will also zap out those little surface blood vessels that make the scar stand out. I recommend that highly.

[okblaze1]

Thank you so much for sharing - I have my forehead flap reconstruction on Monday. I'll be happy when it's all done!

[carlotacarver]

@okblaze1

I hope it was helpful to let you know what to expect. Best wishes for a great result.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

Carlota

[marjmmn1977]

It's hard not to get discouraged as I'm only 34 with a 3 year old and a husband who works away two weeks at a time, so being housebound is going to be difficult and the care of a three year old difficult, so I'm glad you say you went back to work soon after. The worst part is that I can't go out Christmas shopping! I'm glad to hear you went out not worrying about looks. Thanks for your replies on here!! We appreciate it! I have until Thursday yikes!

[carlotacarver]

@marjmmn1977

It sounds like you have a lot to be happy about and celebrate. It's not the end of the world. Just one of those life lessons that make us appreciate when things are going well. Do not be afraid. Be brave and show others how they should handle life's challenges. email me and I'll send you recent photo. carlota.carver@gmail.com

[Msjmsj2447]

I am so glad to have found this video. My mom is about to undergo this operation for sqaumous cell carcinoma and we've been told they have to remove her entire nose. Did you just stay home for six months? How did you deal with your appearance and going out of the house? I am so worried about her I can't sleep or eat. Her cancer is on the inside at the tip of her nose just inside the nostril. Apparently this location makes reconstruction even more challenging. Appreciate any support or advice.

[carlotacarver]

@Msjmsj2447

I did not let the appearance affect my daily life at all. I sell real estate and went back to work 1 week after surgery. Most people were very supportive and understanding. I'd get an occasional weird look at the grocery store, but I just laughed it off. It is only temporary. I also used it to encourage sun-worshipers and tanning bed addicts to use precaution or this could happen to them. All I suggest is keep a sense of humor about it. It'll be over soon.

[marjmmn1977]

Thank you for sharing this video. I am about to undergo this on Thursday and I'm frightened. The spot is on the side of my nose that they removed. I also require a second surgery to lift the flap and insert cartilage to reshape the nostril. It seems like I will look terrible forever. How long was your recovery in total? I did not think for a minute that a little spot would require such traumatic surgery and reconstruction..

[carlotacarver]

@marjmmn1977

Don't be frightened. As you can see from my ordeal it doesn't last forever. They left the flap attached for a month. It was about another week before they removed the stitches from the detachment. My nose was a purple/blue for a while until the blood vessels developed more. It took a full 6 months for all the swelling to go down. You can see this picture of me now. I went from alien to person again. You will too. Do not get discouraged. Look how fast the past 6 months went.

[peanutplays]

Thank you for sharing the photos of your recovery. I had a mohs surgery on my nose Oct. 5, 2011 somewhat similar to yours except that the cancer was at the very top of my nose. I am amazed at how quickly it has healed up and I looked pretty beat up afterwards, I had a forehead flap reconstruction with a skin graft. I still have scaring on the lower portion of my nose but hope that will heal up eventually. Are you pleased with the way yours looks now?

[majimafia]

what were the cancer symptoms? Can you elaborate, thank you. And you look great! Good luck!

[carlotacarver]

@majimafia

I had a sore on my nose that wouldn't heal. I went to 3 doctors who said it wasn't cancer. If you suspect something, go to an expert. The sooner the better

If you look at the photo before the removal you will see what mine looked like but there are more types of cancer that look different. Be safe not sorry

Carlota

[dandig11232]

Carla, Thank you so much for this. Almost weeks ago, my husband had a large part of his nose bit of by a dog we got from a rescue group. He has now had the flap sewn on for almost 3 weeks, and his next surgery, to disconnect it, is on Monday. The way yours looks is almost exactly like his. The more I see of cases and people who have had this, the better we both feel. It means a lot to have other people go through this.

[mrsportia10]

Since looking at this video my Mohs and reconstructive surgery is in a couple of days. I reviewed looked at this video to give me the inspiration that I will need while going thru this. My cancer is at the tip of my nose and also above my lips so it's going to be a bumpy ride. Hope you are doing well and enjoying the holidays.

[carlotacarver]

@mrsportia10

I want to wish you the best for your surgery. The removal is the only painful part. Get through that and it's uncomfortable but not painful. Please stay in touch and let me know how you're doing or if you have questions. I'll be happy to help any way I can.

[TheIkaika777]

Hi. My friend is going to have the same operation soon. How long was the healing process from the time you got home after the procedure to the complete finished result? Thanks for posting this, it's going to help a lot of people.

[TravelinBobbz]

Well I gotta say congrats on all that you have been through. You look amazing! I will be having this surgery here next year. It will be a little different because of the areas they will be patching up but it will be the forhead flap surgery. Gotta say I am scared to death! Even all I have been through already surgery wise. I already lost part of my upper palate and pretty much everything behind the nose due to Squamous Cell Carcinoma but this video did help. Thank you for sharing with us. ~B

[dewsky44]

Carla, I wanted to thank you for posting this clip. It helped me to decide to have the same thing done to my nose. I had the skin flap put on on Tuesday, and it is healing very nicely. I just have to get over the weird things like feeling my forehead on my nose. Your wisdom in sharing your experience helped me and countless others to get through this. GOD BLESS YOU!!

[carlotacarver]

@dewsky44

Hi there,

I am very happy to have helped. The unknown is always more frightening than the reality. The worst is over and now you can get to healing. Make sure you keep it clean with peroxide, moist with the polysporin and you'll be all over it before you know it. Actually, it was about a year ago now that I had mine done. No one notices it until I specifically point it out. I'll bet it's the same with you. I'd love to keep up with your progress. Drop a line from time to time

[DrSandmann]

That’s a pretty impressive result! And I’m glad you are back to good health!

[carlotacarver]

@DrSandmann

Thanks. From your name, are you an anesthesiologist or a public speaker??? :-)

[DrSandmann]

@carlotacarver

Neither. I’m a surgeon. (But I don’t perform Mohs surgery).

[carlotacarver]

@mustwinder

Thanks. The spot/sore on my nose was there for a VERY long time. Years in fact. It really should have been diagnosed properly sooner, but oh well... That's behind me now.

I would say the swelling is completely gone now. It did take several months. Now, the only really noticeable scar is the one at my eyebrow and that is minimal.

I hope your biopsy results are good news. If not, don't be discouraged. You'll be fine.

Let me know how it works out for you.

Carlota

[mrsportia10]

Thank you for this posting. I was just diagnosed and have to have my Moh's procedure in a few weeks and then the reconstructive surgery. The diagnosis was like a bomb hit. I do have a great circle of friends and husband that I know will get me thru this.How long were you attached to the flap? How long has it been from the first post picture surgery to our last......am I looking at 6 months

[carlotacarver]

@mrsportia10

You are welcome.

Please don't allow yourself to get too worked up over it. It's inconvenient and a bit uncomfortable but not life threatening. The "trunk" will be attached for about 30 days. Oh, gotta run but I'll check back with you later.... sorry work

[cancerbeat]

I have just had a similar procedure 4 days ago, but on my lip. I asked for the photos taken by the theatre photographers before, during and after the surgery and have also been taking photos daily since. I will also be uploading my video soon and updating it as time passes along.

I read your fascinating description and was not surprised, but disappointed to see that like myself, the doctors missed your cancer.

You look a million dollars now. Very well done and kindest wishes to you.

[carlotacarver]

@cancerbeat

Thank you and thank you for posting. This little video has helped a lot of people who are fearful and yours will too. Let me know about your progress and best wishes for a successful outcome.

Carlota

[Warrencparker]

What an absolutely heart-wrenching ordeal. You look absolutely fantastic, love. Cheers to your health!

[carlotacarver]

@Warrencparker

thank you Warren.

[PaitonamoreWantsYou]

Thanks for sharing this video my brother may be having this procedure done after his cancer surgery.

[DrWhoGal1]

THanks you so much for sharing this. My 40 year old buddy had his nose removed and will be undergoing this surgery this coming thursday. 8/25/2011

[bfeinauer]

Thank you for posting!

[gigiqt83]

my uncle will be having this procedure done soon. this was a wonderful slideshow of progression. thanks for posting it .

[carlotacarver]

I'm glad to have helped.

[longhairred]

You are so incredibly wonderful to have made such a detailed, brave, and informative video! My 1st surgery for skin cancer was almost 2 years ago. *chuckles* I expect there will be more to come in my future. Never sunbathed... just fair skinned and the outdoorsy type.

Thank you, thank you!

[carlotacarver]

You are so very welcome. I look even better now.

It's scary when you don't really know what to expect. I'm glad I could help.

Best wishes to you for a successful procedure. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me or facebook and I'll be happy to offer any support I can.

Carlota

[FiddleandMando]

Dear Friend,

I found out last, week after results from my biopsies were received by my dermatoligist, that I have to have Mohs Surgery. The news of course was upsetting. Thank you for all the time you took creating this video and for opening up your personal diary to allow other "scared" friends to see what you went through. You look beautiful and I am so happy for you that your end result turned out so well. Best wishes for your continued recovery and thanks again for sharing!

[grapeboy83]

great results! good for you!

[BluegrassMaddie]

Marvels of modern medicine. So glad you were able to access good doctors and have the issue taken care of.

[fabeddie]

Carlota,

This is an amazing video and shows your caring for other people. Because Linda and I love and Cherish you, we are thankful to have friends that share and help others. As always,

Ed