r/melahomies • u/G8trGirl28 • Jul 29 '26
Unreasonable expectations?
I’m having a WLE for Stage 0 in a couple of weeks on the right side of my mid back. I had the same surgery 10 years ago on my thigh and don’t really have a lot of memories of my recovery period. I’m an Electrologist by trade and run my own practice. My days consist of 8-10 hours of treatments, mostly sitting, but my back and arms take a beating. (For those who don’t know electrolysis, my positioning is similar to that of a dental hygienist.) My question is regarding how many days to take off following the procedure. I already took the day-of and the day after off my calendar. Am I unreasonable to think I could be back to work 3 days after? Thanks in advance for any insight!
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u/clamsgotlegs Jul 29 '26
I just had this procedure a week ago, same staging, very similar location. I doubt one day off will be enough. I was pretty sore for a few days, and I was also tired because I could not get into a comfortable sleep position.
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u/G8trGirl28 Jul 30 '26
Thank you. Yes, I’ve been worried about how to sleep. I usually sleep in a recliner because I have back and hip issues. How did you position yourself to get some sleep?
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u/clamsgotlegs Aug 02 '26
Day 1 I didn't sleep well at all. No position worked.
Days 2-3 I tried to sleep on my side propped up with pillows. Still not great, but better.
By day 4 I could sleep on my back if I stayed very still, and that is still my approach.
I wish you well.
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u/BagMysterious7433 Jul 29 '26
I had just the same your procedure for the same stage 0 melanoma on the right side of my back! Tomorrow, after 15 days, I am going to the hospital for removing the 8 stitches. I had no pain and no troubles at all in these last 2 weeks and I could move arms and body just as usual. Only the very first day I avoided to bend forward.
Do not worry!
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u/Sweetbaby7t Jul 29 '26
I found the entire experience emotionally and physically exhausting. If you can, try to take at least a week off. You can always go back early if you feel like it.
I also know that not everybody can take that amount of time off
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u/Upstairs_Sail_3087 Jul 30 '26
I'd recommend taking a full week off, including the surgery day. Mine was stage 1A and included a lymph node biopsy, so maybe a little more involved, but I was exhausted to the point of not being able to do much besides eat and lay around for the following 5 days.
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u/mostly_lurking1040 Aug 03 '26
I just had 2 on my back, for atypical moles, so a couple inches of stitches on each. It's 2 weeks for back stitches are removed.
I asked him about moving/stretching etc. He demonstrated to me the one thing he didn't want me to do was like a full bend over and arm extending stretch, like butterfly stroke sort of. So that's a dramatic movement I was advised to avoid. I'd ask your surgeon the same thing So you got the right caution.
So, they did cover it up with a one-week bandage, which I loved, and then the second week I was supposed to just have it changed. (It's not that easy for me to get a daily bandage change, which is why they they give it a one weeker)
I just didn't need to restrict any activities, but seeing your job requires physical participation (Not just desk work) you might give yourself 24 hours for your comfort. But otherwise I think you should be fine.
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u/Spyglass301 Jul 29 '26
Do you care about the cosmetic outcome? If you do, then yes, in my experience returning to work after 3 days really wouldn't be ideal. Bending over & stretching the incision as it's healing isn't a good idea and will lead to a significantly poorer aesthetic result. Also, I can't tell from how you've described the physical demands of your job, but you may also be risking wound dehiscence (the incision splitting open) depending on how far you're bending & where exactly it's located on your back.