Getting a mole removed

hayser · 03-07-2010 3:30pm #1

Apologies it this is in the wrong forum. I'm having a mole removed from my arm soon and was just wondering would anyone have any experience with this? Basically will it hurt much, will I need time off work, will I need more than one treatment, etc? I know I'll be asking my doctor all this at the consultation but just wanted to get a general idea. Thanks in advance.

biddywiddy · 03-07-2010 3:37pm

I had a mole removed from my forearm last year. I'm guessing the amount of discomfort you experience will depend on the size of the mole - mine was about 5mm in diameter.

The whole procedure was over in about 5 minutes. They gave me an injection to numb the area around the mole, and just cut it out. I got a couple of stitches in it and a plaster over the area. I drove straight back into college afterwards. It did feel a bit tender for a few days, not throbbing with pain though. I was told not to do any heavy lifting for a few days - like a cup of tea should be the most that you lift.

Got the stitches out the following week.

Skerries · 03-07-2010 3:44pm

i like to sneak up behind them

katie99 · 03-07-2010 5:01pm

I had a mole removed from my arm and face two years ago in one session.
The whole procedure took about 20 minutes and involved received an injection to numb the areas in question.
I also had skin tags removed from my underarms.
there was no pain and I just had a few stitches to close the wounds.
Don't worry.

Carawaystick · 03-07-2010 8:49pm

It depends on the mole.
usually you'll get a local anaesthetic injection, which will sting ( a decent amount) and then there'll be no more pain while the mole is cut out and the stitches go in.

you should make sure if there's a biopsy to be done: i.e. if the procedure is not entirely cosmetic, that it is done, a person I know got a tiny mole removed which had the beginnings of melanoma so they had to get a much deeper re-work on the site, leaving a scar but there was no melanoma.

hayser · 03-07-2010 9:54pm

Thanks everyone. Has anyone ever had to go for more than one session to remove one mole? Thanks in advance.

Faith · 04-07-2010 8:41am

I've had two moles off - one on my upper arm and one under my arm. The local anaesthetic stings alright, but apart from that you can't feel a thing. When the local wears off, it'll probably sting for a day or two. I really doubt that you'd need two sessions to remove one mole! Unless they do a histology and find something; in which case, you'd probably need to go back.

hayser · 04-07-2010 2:52pm

I just want the one removed. Do they have to check all over for more?

Faith · 04-07-2010 3:45pm

No.

Pythia · 04-07-2010 5:23pm

How much does it cost approx to get rid of moles for cosmetic purposes?

hayser · 06-07-2010 2:21pm

I'm paying the dermatologist 180 for the 1st visit and then 100 for every follow up after that. Make sure to save any receipts so you can claim tax back. Does anyone know if you can get more than one mole done at a time if they are close to each other?

blahhh · 06-07-2010 3:43pm

I had two removed. On from my boobie and lower back...or ass if you will ha. Went to my GP, quite concerned as thet were large-ish, and raised. He said they looked suspicious, said it was best to remove them and have a biopsy.

I went to hospital and had them removed under local anesthetic. No pain during the procedure, a little tender after. The one on my boob healed perfectly. But the other one left a scar. My GP took out the stitches even though I told him that I didn't believe it had healed sufficiently, it split 5 mins after I left hs offlice :rolleyes: biggish scar as they cut around the mole to remove everything intact. Luckily there was no cause for concern with those, but the surgeon did say they had a high possibliity of developing melonoma in the future.

vicecreamsundae · 07-07-2010 7:07pm

i've had moles removed twice.

the first time i had two removed from my neck, and i was asleep for it because i happened to be getting something else done at the same time.

the next time was a small mole on my upper arm. i was awake for that one, yeah the just numbed it and cut it out, put in a couple stitches. i HATE doctors/needles/ all that stuff but it really was grand and only lasted a couple minutes. think i felt a slight sting and that was it. i just had my ipod on and blared it haha.

with the first two, i got the stitches out and it was grand. with the one on my arm, i got the stitches out and an hour later it bust open [EW] and the scar is grosser than the other ones! but no harm haha.

hayser · 23-07-2010 1:13am

Could anyone tell me as well, will a doctor remove the mole on the first visit or will they only take a look at it? It just seems such a waste to pay nearly 200 for him / her to look at it for 5 minutes. I'd rather just get it removed on the day.

PrettyInPunk · 23-07-2010 1:35am

katie99 wrote: »

I had a mole removed from my arm and face two years ago in one session.
The whole procedure took about 20 minutes and involved received an injection to numb the areas in question.
I also had skin tags removed from my underarms.
there was no pain and I just had a few stitches to close the wounds.
Don't worry.

do you have any scarring from the one removed from your face?

hayser · 23-07-2010 2:18pm

katie99 wrote: »

I had a mole removed from my arm and face two years ago in one session.
The whole procedure took about 20 minutes and involved received an injection to numb the areas in question.
I also had skin tags removed from my underarms.
there was no pain and I just had a few stitches to close the wounds.
Don't worry.

Thanks Katie. I have a couple of more questions if you don't mind? The 1st one might sound a bit stupid but anyway, did your stitches fall out or did you have to have them removed? Also can you claim this procedure back in tax?

hayser · 24-07-2010 4:40pm

Sorry to bump this up, just need to know about my questions on the post before this asap

Miaireland · 24-07-2010 5:24pm

hayser wrote: »

Sorry to bump this up, just need to know about my questions on the post before this asap

Sorry for crashing the thread.

Most likely you will have to get the stiches removed a week after the op. I had it done on a mole in my hand and that was the way for me. I also work for a doctor and know that it is the case with patients coming in.

As far as I know you can claim it back in tax one your medical cost are over a certain limit during the year.

hayser · 24-07-2010 6:14pm

Thanks Miaireland. Do you know does it hurt much getting the stitches out? I've never had stitches before so I'm dreading that more than anything.

Miaireland · 24-07-2010 9:10pm

It didn't in my case. Just make sure that you follow the after care instructions and make sure that you get them out the day that you are told (avoid leaving it longer). If you are nervous about it hurting take a painkiller before hand but to honest you most likely wouldn't need it.

hayser · 27-07-2010 1:03am

Thanks miaireland. One last question, do you think the doctor will most liley check and remove the mole in the fiirst session? Or is is standard for them to check the mole in the first session and then get it removed in a second session? I'm hoping they'll check and remove it in the one session as it will cost a lot less that way.

Getting a mole removed

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