Two Years (and a day) Since Graft

The graft scar improved and softened noticeably over the summer, so I arrived at the 2-year mark with a decent looking scar finally. But I still wanted to undergo a revision of the stubborn raised tissue near my nose which was always white. Monday I had it done, and I'm glad I did. My surgeon performed this minor procedure in his office while I sat in the chair. The sutures are staying in for a week, and there was no bruising or swelling. I believe the scar will ultimately be softer and slightly smaller in the long run. I had this done because it is my face and I'm still a little self-conscious about it. By this time next year, I expect the scar will look smoother than it ever has. Through this entire experience I have learned a couple of things: hurry up when you hear the melanoma word (and get it removed), then be very patient while your scar heals. Patience, patience. And even little freckles can be melanoma.

August 2011. This photo also shows the scar on my collarbone where the graft skin was harvested in '09, plus a white scar above my lip where a precancerous lesion was "frozen" off in 2010.

Scar revision September 2011

The raised scar tissue has been removed

Optimistic About Scar Repair

Next week I'll have my first (and probably only) scar revision. I'm excited and nervous. Waffling between feeling vain for wanting to remove a small bit of scar tissue to believing that after two years I somehow deserve to have a little repair done on the scar that never healed very well in the first place. Mainly because this is on my face. If it were located anywhere else on my body I would not be the least bit interested in fixing it. I have felt in my gut that this particular ridge of scar doesn't belong on me, and remain hopeful that my very minor slice & suture in-office procedure will allow that spot to blend better with my skin after two years of looking at my scarred reflection. The graft scar will always be there, but this is one way of making it ever-so-slightly smaller and less noticeable. Never looking forward to having my face cut, especially on this voluntary basis, but I'm feeling optimistic that it will give me a sense of completion on the whole graft thing. It's my way of taking control over it in some small form. When you're first told that you need a skin graft, there is a feeling of loss of control over the entire matter. I'll post photos as it heals.