Open wound healing

I was diagnosed a couple of weeks ago with melanoma skin cancer stage 1a. Had an appt with plastic surgeon this morning to discuss WLE on my lower leg. I went along expecting to be told about skin graft or flap but he said he would be doing it by putting a couple of stitches each end of wound but leaving the rest open to heal from inside. Hospital or GP visits twice a week for dressing change and it will take quite a while to heal. Should be getting it done within a month. It’s thrown me a bit to be honest because on the plus side only one wound and scar but can’t say I like the idea of an open wound and it taking longer to recover. My daughter goes back to work after her maternity leave in August and I’m supposed to be babysitting my grandson 2 days a week but the dr this morning I won’t be able to and for them to have a plan B. I keep telling myself I know this has to be done but dreading it and the recovery

Has anyone else had their WLE done this way ? X

  • Hello Ladybaba, 

    I can completely understand why this threw you a bit as you were expecting something else and it's normal to be worried about the idea of an open wound and that it might take longer to recover. It's a real shame that as a result of this you won't be able to babysit your grandson immediately and I hope you are not too much disappointed about this but your doctor is right that you have to concentrate first on your recovery and hopefully it will all go well and you can then spend lots of quality time with your grandson. 

    You will find on our page on surgery for melanoma information on the wide local excision which mentions that "most people who have a wide local excision don’t need a skin graft or flap. The area can heal up well without one" so I hope that it will heal well for you. 

    I hope that you will hear from other members of our community who have had their WLE done in this way and that they will be along shortly to share their recovery experience with you. 

    Wishing you a quick recovery and that it all goes well for you!

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Thanks for your reply. I got an appointment in the post today for 17th July for my surgery. I haven’t come across many people who have had it done this way on forum or Facebook groups. Would be great to hear people’s experiences x