I just had surgery today (minor) to remove the melanoma.  Am I out of the clear?
964470
Well, to start out, nobody can ever assure you that you are in the clear. Not even a doctor can assure you that. I'm not an oncologist, but my dad has been fighting a rare form of reoccurent melanoma for over a decade. He's had lots of "spots" removed, and they have had to go back in because they didn't go deep enough to get all of it. If my dad's statistics are any indication, they often do get it all the first time. However, you still need to be viligant in watching your skin because it can reoccur.\n\nBest wishes for good health.
360512
Nope, did the endometriosis ablation and it helped tremendously...outpatient surgery..less then 1 hour.
771583
I would check the med board certification and if they are certified in plastic surgery specifically(any dr can be a plastic surgeon,even a dentist!) and find out how many surgeries they have performed, make an appointment with the drs and get a feel for them as well as a peek at other patients .  Ask them point blank about certification, # of surgeries performed etc.  If they act insulted or make you feel 'icky', RUN!!  A good dr would incourage a patient to do his/her research and be glad to tell you about him/herself and will do his/her best to make you feel comfortable.
302664
I have known a lot of people who have had this surgery. The surgeon always ensures that the line is as small as possible and ideally in a crease line. \nInitially the scar is quite obvious whilst it is still healing. Once it is healed you hardly notice anything. It is very small and faint. Often I have not noticed until people have told me about it.\nOne other thing I would like to mention is that I would take your surgeons advice. S/he would not operate unless it was necessary.\nGood luck.
426276
Have you been to your Dr. and have him/her a look at it to see if it's cancerous or not? Also the Dr would be the best to ask about the laser surgery too. All the best and good luck to you.
674608
I have neurofibromatosis and have had Gamma Knife laser surgery for a tumor that kept growing after two open head surgeries. It was so much better than being cut open. I stayed one night in the hospital, as opposed to a week with the other procedures. I had no scaring on my head whatsoever, no regrowth of the tumor. It is important to discuss the risks of this type of surgery with your doctor. And only the doctors that perform this procedure can tell if you are a candidate for it by looking at MRI's. Good Luck to you.
132704
That depends on how your body takes to the surgery. The doctor will give you an estimate.
676617
That is such a major surgery that i would be carefull taking any advice from the internet. It's not the common cold question. you should ask your physician who will probably make that determination based on your individual case. People heal at different rates. It probably wouldn't be wise to base your actions on someone elses experience. Especially not knowing their health background and such. I'm sure if you called your doctor tomorrow then he/she will be able to tell you.
232631
you need to check whether its safe to do so much surgery coz removal also creates wounds on your face which will need time to heal. Check with a dermatologist - that's a skin specialist and get at least two opinions about this, after all this is your face we are talking about!
1045135
This "little thing" on my arm that might be melanoma.\nMy mom died from it.
761396
I have been there and done that.  I too had cancer on my back, and I waited to have it removed.  I guess I was waiting for it to go away or something.  I wish I had done something about it when it was still small, but on the other hand all cancers are not the bad kinds, but they do all grow and grow.  If left alone they will take over your body and that would be bad.  By the time I had it removed it ended up as a hole the size of a grapefruit in two places.  If I had waited any longer it would have grown around my spine and I would have been in real trouble.  I guess what I'm trying to tell you is; don't give it a chance to get a strong hold on you, and the longer you wait the worse it will be to get it all out.  They must cut, check, cut, check, and so on, until they have it all out.  This is a time consuming surgery, and it still could come back somewhere else even after you have it removed.  I just tank God I'm still alive, and I try to live each day as if it were my last day on earth.  Yeah, it made a different person out of me, but it is all for the better.  I now appreciate life, as I now know how fragile life is.  I hope this helps.  Good Luck!!!
139299
I had it done back in the 1990's and it's a simple operation.  Three small cuts are made and one small cut at the bellybutton.  I do not know what the doctor did during the surgery, but recover was a snap and my scars are so small and so far down below the panty line, they can't be seen.  I'm glad I had it done.
212990
as a plastic surgical RN.....isn't your first visit coming up soon?. didn't they give you a phone number to call with any questions, eventhe smallest concerns?\n\na little infection turns into a large infection and then onto a nightmare.....put a dry, sterile bandage over wound and call md now....they will instruct you on what to do this evening and to come on in tomorrow....\n\ngood luck!email is you have any questions.....glad to help you more of a one on one
844757
Not sure what was going on in the world on that date because I was in the hospital having surgery.
54195
Tumor get it removed.....I don't know you didn't give enough information that I can give advice for.
804753
If the burning just started, your feeling is probably coming back.\n\nIf you have NOT consulted your surgeon about this, what are you waiting for?  Call them now.
1111848
Hello..First those two moles can be not removed if they are not suggested to by a doctor(maybe you'd like to remove them from Aesthetic appearance).First you should know that it is nowadays a very routine and easy to deal procedure and just stay aware who will be the surgeon that will do the procedure.Done with laser is even better.After the procedure you have to apply for protection a high protective UVA and UVB sunscreen cream,because after such removel plus sun rays it may cause you even skin cancer..As a whole the thing is not big.Don't worry!! Best of luck!!