Questions about skin graft on back of leg
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Questions about skin graft on back of leg

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Questions about skin graft on back of leg

  • Post
    • October 21, 2017 at 7:22 pm
    seathingchild
    Participant

      I have had a recurrence of melanoma on the back of my leg just above the heel. Its insitu, which is good, but will need to be excised, which sucks. Because my surgeon will be taking a wider margin i will have to have a skin graft. He said I'll be off work for a month and not allowed out of bed except for the bathroom two weeks. Silly question, but how do you keep your leg elevated but not put pressure on the skin graft when your skin graft is just above your heel? Having trouble picturing it.

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    • Replies
        • October 21, 2017 at 11:36 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          You put pillows under your knee/calf.  My elderly mother had heel sores and couldn't put any pressure on her heels and this is how she was cared for.

            • October 22, 2017 at 1:46 am
            seathingchild
            Participant

              Thanks, it's funny but that's the only part I'm worried about right now, how I'm going to recuperate. We have two active dogs and a kitten and I'll be spending a lot of time on the sofa and I  just don't want to screw up the graft and have to do it again. 

               

            • October 25, 2017 at 3:51 am
            TexMelanomex
            Participant

              You might be surprised at how quickly you'll heal. They took a good size graft from the back of my leg (and put it on my head!). I was in some pain for a few days and back to work in about 4 or 5 days and feeling ok. Of course listen to what your doc says, and everyone heals differently, but if he gives you a month enjoy the down time…I have a hunch you'll be mobile and feeling ok much sooner (at least thats my hope for you!).

              Tex

                • October 29, 2017 at 2:20 am
                seathingchild
                Participant

                  Thanks, thinking of a month recovery time is freaking me out. The big obstacles seem to be keeping the leg imobile and possibly my age, I'm 60.

                   

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