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General Surgeon Doing Husbands surgery?
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General Surgeon Doing Husbands surgery?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › General Surgeon Doing Husbands surgery?

  • Post
    • August 15, 2018 at 5:40 pm
    Kfred
    Participant

      My husbands surgey is Scheduled for in the morning 8/16/2018.

      There are no surgical melanoma specialists in my area. Because the mass is fairly large, at least 3.45 mm and staging is at Least Pt3a, They feel it has to come out now and we should not wait to search for a specialist. I trust this surgeon but am wondering if we are making the right choice.

      The pathology report came in this Monday. Dermotolgist had us in the surgeons office yesturday and surgey tomorrow. I like the aggressive approach they are taking, but it scares the hell out of me that they are moving that fast. Any suggestions? or at least positive thoughts for me!

      Thanks,

      Karen

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    • Replies
        • August 15, 2018 at 6:09 pm
        jennunicorn
        Participant

          A lot of general surgeons do these surgeries, not everyone has the ability to find a melanoma surgeon or have access to a specialist right away. I had a general surgeon do my first surgery as well. Beforehand I asked him how many of these surgeries he had done before and he said probably in thousands at this point, which made me feel a lot better about the surgery. It went well and I have no complaints about that surgery. 

          Sending good vibes for a good surgery and quick recovery for your husband.

          • August 15, 2018 at 6:11 pm
          Bubbles
          Participant

            Sorry for what you and your husband are going through.  Fast is better than slow.  If this is a good surgeon, he or she should be able to the needed wide excision and sentinel node biopsy – understanding of course that the sentinel node needs to be extracted at the same time because later, post excision, lymph pathways will probably have changed and determining the sentinel node will no longer be accurate.

            It is also important that the lesion be prepped and tested appropriately.  Sometimes this is one of the reasons why being at a melanoma center can be helpful…in that their lab/pathology department may be better versed and more capable in this regard.  However, as long as your derm and surgeon are well versed in what they need to prep the material for….it can be sent to any lab on the planet as need be.  Lots of melanoma specialists are very happy to consult with local oncs if they have questions.  Dr. Weber at NYU.  Dr. Sznol at Yale. Dr. Hamid at The Angeles Clinic.  Dr. Ribas at UCLA.  There are many more.  At the very least BRAF testing should be done, and additional testing can be done later as needed.

            Hope this helps.  I wish you and your husband my best.  Celeste

              • August 15, 2018 at 6:24 pm
              Kfred
              Participant

                Thank you! I am confident in the surgeon but not sure the derm did the biposy correct since the pathology report says the base of the lesion is transected  and Breslow thickness may require revision. The pathology report does not have a Breslow stage. Can the stage be correctly diagnosed without the Breslow depth?

              • August 15, 2018 at 10:40 pm
              BillB
              Participant

                Karen, Good luck tomorrow! I was diagnosed with nodular melanoma November 2016. 7 mm, clarkV, Neuro vascular invasion, ulcerated, mitotic 15. No one wants melanoma, but today’s options are bettter than mine were in 2016 ( adjuvant available was yervoy and interferon not great choices) but better than many others has like bubbles when she was diagnosed. Every day our options are improving and your choices are pretty good right now. 

                Keep us posted and try to get some sleep, hard to do I know but try anyway. You are welcome to contact me with questions about my experiences and treatment.

                Bill

                  • August 15, 2018 at 11:36 pm
                  Kfred
                  Participant

                    Thank you so much Bill!I it's just been a crazy 3 weeks! It went from normal to what feesl like chaos overnight!The worries can become overwhelming! From how bad is it? to how are we going to pay our bills and keep living!  His work wanting drs to fill out papers to confirm when he can return to work, All of it just took over our lives! (just like that) I am praying they remove it and he has clear nodes and we can go back to normal. Is there ever normal again? 

                    • August 15, 2018 at 11:52 pm
                    BillB
                    Participant

                      No, just a new normal. I went back to work after my WLE's. Worked until May, then surgery again, then radiation. You will get through it, and evrything will work out. Keep us posted.

                      Bill

                    • August 16, 2018 at 12:26 am
                    Ridingaroundwith27Jennifers
                    Participant

                      Quick is good.  It means they are taking this as seriously as they should be and not leaving anything to chance.  If you had a melanoma specialist they would be moving just as fast.  When I was first diagnosed they moved so quickly that I was scared as well.  It took me months to catch up mentally.  I liken it to getting on an express train.  There are no stops once you are on board 

                      I'm a firm believer that anyone with melanoma should have a melanoma specialist however you can find one for your husband to see post surgery.  Get the tumor out and then see the melanoma specialist regarding further treatment options.  I'm stage IV and am treated at Dana Farber.  There is a big difference between seeing a melanoma specialist versus a dermatologist and a surgeon.

                      Good wishes to you both.

                      Jennifer

                        • August 16, 2018 at 3:10 am
                        Kfred
                        Participant

                          Thank you! We plan to get one for sure

                        • August 17, 2018 at 1:57 am
                        MelanomaMike
                        Participant
                          Hi, thw good news is, if their using a General Surgeon it must be something he or she feels comfortable to do!..Example, i may not be a Certified Chevrolet mechanic but i am a mechanic and im confident i can fix yer problem..your hubs will be fine..Mike
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