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barry_g

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      • October 11, 2017 at 12:21 pm
      barry_g
      Participant

        Update:

        Based on a highly respected recommendation, I traveled to Cambridge MA and had an excision with 5mm margins and reconstruction done by Dr. Stephen Sullivan. Melanoma excision with reconstruction is a specialty of Dr. Sullivan and he has done specific work/research with Dr. Frank Isik in Seattle (both are plastic surgeons) on exactly this. I highly recommend both these doctors. My procedure was done under local anesthetic only (by my request) and I was impressed with the degree of care Dr. Sullivan exercised during all phases of the procedure, and particularly during the reconstruction (fitting with my facial contours, suturing in such a way that the scar would be minimal and flat, etc etc)

        • October 3, 2017 at 12:22 am
        barry_g
        Participant

          I've been searching on the Web and from what I can tell, it appears that there are a select few doctors now performing Mohs surgery for melanoma in situ and that it's a fairly recent advancement. Here's an example of what I found: http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2016/06/24/in-situ-melanoma-patients-now-eligible-for-quicker-procedure-at-stanford-medicine/

          Do I have this right? This would seem a desirable option over blind 5mm margin excision, even if I had to travel for the surgery.  But I'm not sure these doctors are going to be easy to find.

          • October 2, 2017 at 5:14 pm
          barry_g
          Participant

            Thanks!  The facial location is of major concern.

            • September 28, 2017 at 10:41 am
            barry_g
            Participant

              Thanks very much for a thorough explanation.  I will proceed with a plastic surgeon.

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