I have only had a precancerous lesion removed from my arm with no follow up medication other than OTC NAISIDS but I did take Vicodin for pulled muscles and it caused me to feel wobbly and not in control. I do not remember that it did anything for the pain at all.

I am more concerned that your episode in Mexico may have left an infection in your body. If you still feel in pain Monday morning call the doctor you saw yesterday for suggestions. If you feel wobbly which should not be connected to your surgery call your gastro doctor and explain what happened in Mexico and how you feel.

Sounds like you had a Mohs procedure. They keep cutting away the edges until they get a clean margin and all cancerous cells have been removed. I’ve had two or three Mohs procedures. The only thing that bothered me was the big piece of gauze taped to my face. I never was given painkillers nor did I need them.

whatever you have to put up with is well worth getting rid of those skin cancers. Glad you’re taking care of yourself.

It depends how big the area is, and how deep they had to cut. mine was near my temple, and they had to cut more, and more. I didn't need pain pills after the first night. My opening was between a dime size and a penny, with other words, rather small.

Do what you need to do, to be able to sleep. your body needs to recover.

Moni

Lars, your dermatologist should have been able do a stellar job on your basal cell. DH had a spot removed from his shoulder with 8 stitches a few years ago, but he was fine with tylenol. His doctor is one who goes for the 'moist wound' healing so it needed the white petroleum jelly and a clean bandage after his shower every morning, that was the most tedious of the whole process. He went for a 6 mo checkup his first year then back to the once a year full body checks that we both make appointments for.

Many years of lots of sun for both of us. I've had two basal cell spots removed, one on each shin. No stitches, but both left scars. So of course, bare legs without stockings when wearing a dress is what's current ;0) Stockings would cover the marks.

Please don't worry, just continue to go for your checkups. Hopefully by tomorrow you will feel much like your usual self...although it doesn't sound like you've quite recovered from your trip. Did you think to mention any symptoms of your Mexico experience to him? I hope you sleep well tonight.

I'm not a doctor.

What are your concerns? Pain? Of course you are going to have some discomfort after such a procedure, especially in the few days afterwards. It would be best to follow your doctor's directions as to pain medication, not take a strong medication like Vicodin which can cause dizziness. Some doctors recommend Tylenol at first because it won't increase any bleeding. I've taken Advil after danger of bleeding is past. Surely the doctor's office gave you a wound care sheet along with recommended pain medication.

Be happy it's basal cell and can be handled with this procedure.

I’ve had many basal cells removed and zapped with nitrogen and never required more than an aspirin or Tylonal. I would suspect that your other symptoms were from the Vicodin from Mexico. No way would I take any meds from there. I’m from SoCal, so have more than a nodding familiarity with that. If any symptoms continue, please get checked out right away. You don’t know the ingredients, how and where they were made, etc.

Is the pain in your chest related to your wound? Mine wasn't a very deep basal cell, but it was on my back and made it hard to sleep. I also just found the idea of it disturbing, and that was a little draining emotionally. The wobbly thing could be the Vicodin.

Like dedtired, I had a MOHS procedure where they keep removing and testing until a clean edge is found; only two steps for me and a check. I suppose I took ibuprophin, but don't recall and it didn't really hurt. I was surprised that the hole/wound was deep. I'm in agreement with the others who suggest a speedy visit to your GP or a return to the dermatologist.

The pain medication can make you feel that way, especially if you aren't used to taking it. I can't take Percocet or Lortab, both make the room spin. After any surgery now I just use Tylenol.

I didn't take any more pain medication after I first got up, and the pain is subsiding on its own now. The pain is on the surface of my chest - it's not internal. I still feel weak, however, but I was doing my workouts just before this last operation. I also have to put Aquaphor on my wound when I change the bandage each day, and that is mostly petroleum jelly. That was what the doctor's office recommended, and I happened to have some that I had used for chapped lips.

I'm glad there was nothing on my face, and I think the scar on my chest won't be all that noticeable after a few weeks (or months). I hope I feel less tired tomorrow.

I would never buy or take any medications from Mexico. I've been to various resort cities in Mexico and have seen the "pharmacies" where various "drugs" are sold. Our FDA standards for drugs are way different than Mexican standards.

I had that done. incision was from the tip of the corner of my right eye down my cheek/nose line to the end of my nose. I didn't expect that long of an incision. They took I think 3 scrapings after the 3rd (I waited almost 2 hrs after that one), then they stitched it up. They also gave me some pain pills in case I needed them, but I didn't. I just took some Tylenol and was fine. my nephew drove me there and home even tho they told me I could drive. I knew better, getting out of there most likely at high traffic time and it was about 40 min from home without rush time traffic. I was fine but I didn't recover from that one like I did the 2 eye surgeries prior to it. I just didn't think I bounced back from it, but it was more than cataract surgery. it's healed up fine and isn't noticeable.

I wouldn't have taken Vicodin but then I had a bad experience with it yrs ago - it did make me very loopy and wobbly. it was scary.

they gave me a number to call if I had any questions or concerns that night. If you still don't think you're feeling well enough tomorrow, call the on call number and ask about it. that's why they're there.

4 layers, wow! The doctor must have gone more than skin deep. Its my understanding there are only 3 layers of skin: epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous. Subcutaneous is the fatty layer.

Just to add my bit.....I have had 3 melanoma removed, all by local anaesthetic.....my biggest scar is 27cms on my leg. ...the mark of Zorro according to the surgeon.....needless to say no awful pain. There must be something else you should be concerned about. Deffo go and see your doctor.

I don't know what layers were involved, but the doctor said that several people had to have multiple layers removed that day, and I talked with some of them in the waiting room where people went while the tests were being done.

I don't feel wobbly today, but it's early, and I'll see how it goes. The pain I feel now is just the feeling like a bandage wrapped too tight, and so it's probably from the stitches. I know he had to pull skin together to cover what he cut. The cut was round (9 cm diameter), but the stitches pulled it into a line. I need to get some more bandaging supplies because I really don't have the right kind of tape.

When you go back to the dermatologist, ask for specific guidance to reduce scarring . Also ask about silicone sheets available from pharmacies. It’s good to reduce scarring not only for appearance but because scar tissue can build up and be itchy or uncomfortable. Carry on, follow doctor’s orders, you’ll be fine. Glad you are feeling better.

I know absolutely nothing about what you have had done,but consider it a surgery and a shock to your body/system, Lars.

Take it easy for a day or 2 and you'll feel more like yourself by Monday-Tuesday.

Best of luck.

Lars...just wanted to say, hope your feeling like your old self, no wobble, soon! Take care.

I've had five melanomas and four MOHs surgeries for basal cell removal in the past few years. I was not offered anything strong for pain relief, even tho a couple were in "high movement" areas (top of shoulder, shoulder blade on the back, and my right forearm). As others have mentioned, I'd suspect the vicodin for the symptoms you're experiencing. My dermatological surgeon did not use stitches with MOHs, left the wounds open to "fill in" as they healed. This wasn't terrible for most, but caused a terrible long-term problem with the site on the top of my shoulder. I've since changed surgeons, and this new one was appalled at what I'd been through.

Depending on the location of your surgery, keeping the area fairly immobile in the first couple of days can be a challenge. And then, of course, the stitches start to pull. The Aquaphor is good to keep those stitches moist and that helps a lot.

I just took a bath and changed my bandage, and now I feel very tired and wobbly again, but as I said, I'm off the pain medication. My doctor has recommended Tylenol if I did have pain, but the pain I have now is very bearable. You are right that I have to restrict my movement very much, and my doctor's instructions said no heavy lifting for three weeks!

We're going to the drug store next to get more bandages and the right kind of tape.

I'm a bit surprised at how common this type of surgery is. I think I would be upset if my surgeon did not use stitches. He formerly specialized in cosmetic surgery (and so he is very concerned with aesthetics), but I heard him tell his assistant that he got tired of giving Botox shots and felt that removing cancer cells was more important and fulfilling for him.

I am suspicious of the pain meds too.

And it's on your chest? No wonder it's sore. That can be a sensitive area.

Lars, I haven't had MOHS, but spouse and children have with no symptoms like you are experiencing. I would be very concerned about a heart problem with your earlier chest pain and continued tiredness. Dizziness and lightheadedness are also symptoms of heart problems, which might be causing your feeling of being wobbly. Please check it out with medical professionals.

Vicodin or any narcotic pain reliever can affect a person this way. Be sure that you are drinking more water than usual, that will help.

If the fatigue and wobbles last for more than another day or two, though, I would contact your regular MD. The stress of 1) being sick followed by 2) having the procedure might have stressed another system of your body a bit too much.

I too am concerned about either a heart, lung, or low blood pressure problem while there is still a chance that your "bug" is still in your body. What you are describing is not "normal" for the type of procedure that you just had with or without the Vicodin. Get thee to the doctor. If caught in time you will not end up like some that "just did not want to bother their doctor with a small problem".

There Lars. Enough of us have said get to a doc, so get! Better safe than sorry.

I'll call my doctor on Monday. I began to feel fatigued again, and I have a sharp pain in my chest where the wound is. Kevin took me to the drug store to get the proper wound care products (including stretchable paper tape), but I'm going to go back to bed for now.

My dermatologist's instructions warn about redness or swelling on the wound, in which case I might have an infection, and this is supposed to be checked 3-4 days after the surgery. I'm also supposed to avoid strenuous activity for three weeks that could affect the wound area, and I probably have not been giving it enough rest.

I'm off from work next week, and I think I can drive myself to my doctor's office.

Thanks for your concern and advice!

FWIW, sometimes pain relievers can have a backlash effect when they wear off.

Only if you are a chronic user^^

Lars, I just hope that Monday isn't too far away.

I don't think that's strictly true, sleeperblues. What if the drugs are keeping inflammation down?

carolb, I believe sleeperblues is an experienced nurse anesthetist. If you think you know more about pain relief meds than she does, proceed.....

Lars, when my late husband had each of his cancerous cells removed, and there were many from the size of a pea to the size of a half dollar, they gave him pain killers, but he stuck to Tylenol. These were cancer cells on his head caused by the immune suppressants he had to take after his heart transplant. The first surgery kept us at the hospital from 7 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. They had to remove a good portion of his ear. He did not suffer any of the dizziness or wobbling afterwards so I think the painkiller was your villain. When I had the breast cancer surgery, I took 600 mg. Ibuprofen a time or two and was fine. Each person's body is different, but if either of us had the symptoms you have had, we would have contacted our doctors as soon as possible. Take care and do call your doctor just to be on the safe side. An ounce of prevention, you know.

Madonna