anyone ever have " pre-melanoma?"

so i have very fair skin and went for a skin check back in may and had 2 spots biopsied. well, i went back today and found out that they both came back as a "pre melanoma", which is the worst kind of skin cancer. now, they totally stressed that its NOT cancerous, NOT full blown melanoma, and NOT life threatening at all... but i'll still need surgery to remove some more skin from around both of the spots to get any more " bad" cells that could turn into melanoma.
i know its vain, but one of the spots is right on my cheek, so they will need to remove skin from my cheek and it will leave a couple inch scar. im really upset about that! they said that i could have the derm work with a plastic surgeon and have the plastic surgeon do the closure to minimize the scar... so i'm looking into that.
just wanted to see if anybody else has been through this, or know anyone who has.....

Re: anyone ever have " pre-melanoma?"

if it means alot to have the plastic surgeon do it, then go ahead.
Unfortunately melanoma runs in my family so a few members have had this procedure. The scar isn't as bad as they said it would be.

Re: anyone ever have " pre-melanoma?"

I would recommend having your derm work with the plastic surgeon. It's on your face....no questions about it.

I have been through it but not on the face.

Re: anyone ever have " pre-melanoma?"

I had one on my torso. It needed about 7 stitches. I just had my full body check today and she didn't see anything else to worry about.

ETA: My scar is pretty pronounced, so if you have the option of working with a plastic surgeon, I say go for it.

Message edited 6/30/2008 7:50:55 PM.

Re: anyone ever have " pre-melanoma?"

I have had several removed. my scars are not bad right now. they are all about 2 inches long but they fade over time. since you are having it removed from your face definately go with a plastic surgeon.

Re: anyone ever have " pre-melanoma?"

def have the plastic sugreon help!

I had a mole removed from my back- and it left a scar!

I wouldn't like a regular derm touch my face

you'll be ok- my bother recently had something removed that was cancer- he is only 28

(but he lives in FL and teaches lacrosse on the weekends- shirtless!- I yelled at him)

Re: anyone ever have " pre-melanoma?"

I just had a biopsy done on my face and I completely understand. Although I have not gotten my test back yet, he assured me it was most likely nothing. I completely understand how you feel though. Just having the bandage on my face for a week made me self-conscious.

Work w/ the plastic surgeon and dermatologist to decrease scarring. Also ask if there is after care you can do to help as well.

I hope all turns out well. So glad they found it in time!

Re: anyone ever have " pre-melanoma?"

i had a melanoma removed from my cheek in 2004. its a scar about 2 inches long but its worth it because of the damage that could have come with it. i had the original mole removed by my derm and then once we found out it was melanoma i went to a plastic surgeon to remove the surrounding skin. he then sent it into the lab to find out if there were anymore cancerous cells. none luckily but it changed my life forever. please fm me if you want any other information and i would recommend going to a plastic surgeon for the one on your face. good luck and please wear your sunscreen

Re: anyone ever have " pre-melanoma?"

I have not had pre-melanoma, but one of my mother's friends had skin cancer removed from her face (right near her eye). I know it was a large area. She had a plastic surgeon do the work. I never recall seeing a visible scar on her. I'd get some recommendations on a good plastic surgeon and go that way.

and many

Re: anyone ever have " pre-melanoma?"

I've not had skin cancer on my face, but have had it removed from other areas of my body, primarily my legs. I have had regular incisions and, more recently, moh's surgery for a melanoma. This is where they take layer by layer and test it while you wait in the surgery until they have removed all the affected cells.

I went to a group in the city - Laser and Skin Surgery Center - they are affiliated with NYU medical center and the surgeon I had was terrific. She stitched the incision from the inside so that there is no "train track" look to the scar. The most recent incision was originally 4 inches and it is now no more than 2 and has faded so much.

I can understand your concerns with having surgery on your face, but I would recommend going to a surgeon in Manhattan. My own regular Dr. had the same procedure done above his lip by a local surgeon on LI and he has a very obvious scar.

Good luck