I have a mucocele.

[divex07]

I have/had a mucocele on my lower lip for about 3 weeks, my family doctor today used a method I believe called "cauterize"(burning) to remove it.  But right now it looks even worst! It looks absolutely terrible.  I am in horror when I look at my lip where the mococele is and see a white and lightish black surrounding that area.  Almost like a bomb went off.  I've read that there was BETTER ways in removing this without having these hideous results.

  But it's only been 1 day so.. What I am asking is was this the correct method to deal with this problem, and will I have scars?!  I can't even eat because I kept drooling. It feels awkward.

I hope this is the right section.  
Please I would love to hear an answer I would be very, very grateful to you!

Yours Truly,

Michael

[Nonameatallokay]

I have a mucocele and I have had it for 2 or 2 1/2 months...i have to go to the oral surgeon and get it removed...will they put me to sleep? I am wondering scared 0-0

[parkskt95]

Hello, I was reading over this thread because I have a mucocele and I am trying to figure out what to do, which doctor to go to and what method of removal will lead to the least amount of scarring. I was wondering why you had the surgery after already having it cauterized? Is that just part of the process or were there issues with the first attempt?

[divex07]

Hello,

I recently noticed my lip sometimes swells on its own, near the incision area not at the site but near it. (It occurs usually when I eat.) It looks like I got stung by a bee cause of the size.   *But to be clear it looks pink and it does not hurt whatsoever just feels puffy whenever I close my mouth I could feel it with my upper lip.

I don't know if this is normal during post-surgery since 3 weeks ago.(Feb 05, 2010) I just wanted to know if these are the things I should be expecting during the healing process. And will go away after that period?

Thank you, for helping me during these times of question.

Sincerely,

Michael

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

Fibrosis occurs normally as a physiological mechanism during scar formation or healing of a wound. it cannot be stopped. However the swelling should subside with time. The treatment mentioned above is for your dry lips. If there is any increase of swelling,then please get it examined.

Kind regards. Take care.

[divex07]

Hello,

Thank you for your immediate reply like always Dr.  I have just booked an appointment with my Doctor, it will be on March 9th.

I know you've said add Vaseline on lips and take Vitamin B Complex, but I am assuming that is for the dried lips and not the Fibrosis.

Yeah at the incision site there is a small bump raise that give an impression that it's swollen. The line itself is a bit hard.    Now you've said it's due to "fibrosis", Is there a way to treat that?    So it's nice and soft again like 'normal'.  

I know you told me to ask my doctor but he won't be seeing me in 2 weeks time.  I just wanted to know if there was ANYTHING I could do in the meantime to help treat it.

Thank you Dr. Bhupinder, for your time and addressing my concerns.

Sincerely,

Michael

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
How are you? The hard line of incision is due to the fibrosis that has occurred. The dryness of lips can be due to cheilitis. Apply some Vaseline on the lips and take some vitamin B complex for some days. If the symptoms persist then topical steroids may be needed for which I suggest you to consult a doctor.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[divex07]

Sorry I can't find the edit button.

I just wanted to add I could still see the "line" of the incision site and it's a bit hard when I touch it.  No it doesn't hurt, it just feels a bit hard.  

  My skin on my lip seems to be peeling skin but I think it's because of the POLYSPORIN.(maybe I'm wrong).

So in summary,  the lip looks bit swollen but does not hurt. It has been 2~ weeks since my minor surgery.  A bit of skin white 'dried?' skin on my lip that peels off.

I apply POLYSPORING once every night around my lower lip.

I hope that information would be sufficient if not please don't afraid to ask for more. :)

Yours Sincerely,

Michael

[divex07]

Greetings,
It has been 2~weeks since my minor surgery to extract the mucocele from the lower left lip., the stitches are gone now but my lip still seems a bit swollen still.   It is noticeable because my friend pointed it out to me. I am wondering will this go away? will my lip be aligned normally again.  Thank you for your time Dr. Bhupinder.

Sincerely,

Michael

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

Yes this tinyole will heal on its own unless and until it gets infected. keep on applying the Polysporin till your doctor recommends. Regards.

[divex07]

Hi,

  It's great to talk to you again, Dr. Bhupinder!

Thank you for your quick reply, yes the swelling has gone down but not completely back to regular size.

Just about 10 minutes ago after brushing my teeth one of the stitches fell out. No, it did not untie, it just fell out; it has left a tiny hole on my lip  ?@incision site(I think)?  

Questions:
What I want to know is will that tiny hole close up on its own?
Are there minimal scaring when these procedures are done?

I've been cleaning my lip with warm salt water 3 times a day and then applying POLYSPORIN (healing ointment).

Thank you Dr. Bhupinder, for your time in helping me answer my concerns.

Kind Regards,

Michael

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Swollen lip that you are having 1 day after the mucocele surgery is normal inflammatory reaction of the lip to the trauma caused by surgery. Please do not cut out the long ends of the stitches yourself and let them dissolve themselves. The ends are kept long so that the stitches do not come out or there is gaping of wound. Take care of the wound as directed by your doctor and it should heal in a few weeks.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[divex07]

Hello,

I've had a minor surgery yesterday afternoon to extract the mucocele; the doctor used dissolvable stitches to close it.  What I am concern of is today is it's VERY swollen like I had an allergic reaction or had been stun by a bee. It hurts if I do anything that touches the area. I just wanted to know if this is normal and part of the recovery process.  I was also told the stitches should dissolve on its own in approx. 4 days. The overall healing should be 2 weeks ~ from what I understood.

So my questions are:
Is the fat lip swelling normal for the recovery?; how many days does this last until it deflates?  

I've also cut 1 of the stitches for it to be shorter so I don't keep feeling it; just so you know that stitches ends are long. So I think that it wouldn't be a problem to do so.

Thank you for your time,

Yours Sincerely,

Michael

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

Thanks for your kind words. I am glad that it is healing and symptoms are improving. I wish you al the best and a speedy recovery. Warm regards.

[divex07]

Greetings,

  It has been 3 weeks since my cautery was done to my lip for the mucocele.  I can say it looks ALOT better now BUT* it is still raised which is a bit noticeable*. However the color of the "bump" has matched my lip tone now.

  What I wanted verify is will this will gradually reduce in size given more weeks?  (back to flat; alignment with my lip level) ;normal.

I want to Thank you for your help during my time of confusion.  

Thank you Dr. Bhupinder Kaur


Best Wishes,

Michael

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms and picture it looks like it is healing. Apply some gentle moisturizer or plain Vaseline and take some oral anti-inflammatory drugs after consulting your dermatologist. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken but please consult your dermatologist to get a prescription first.
I hope it helps. Take care and best wishes.

[divex07]

Dear Dr. Bhupinder Kaur,

Quick Update.
To get a better image of what I'm trying to say here is a picture of my lip.
It peeled off when I was eating. Doesn't "hurt" just stings a bit. Also the area is doesn't feel like skin. Its more like under the skin? slimey

Warning: this is a picture of my lip where the mucocele was treated at.

source:  http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2r3wf2h&s=6

I don't know if this is progressing correctly or not.  But is this what you meant earlier by  "red and raised"  if so, will it returned back to normal?  day by day? in the given weeks should be leveled an not noticeable at all right.

Sorry for being is persistent with these questions, I really have a self esteem problem when I was growing up.  I am very fixed on how I look.  Just because of this complication I've been home all week.

Well, Thank you Dr. Bhupinder Kaur for answering and helping me through this situation.


Best Regards,

Michael

[divex07]

Today it seems to be bleeding from the area a bit.  I covered it w/ salt/water for a good minute then washed it off.  Is that okay?  I think it is bleeding because my lips are really dry today and yesterday (probably because of healing causes dry lips.). And when I talk or smile that's where it opens up and bleeds.


Best Regards,

Michael

[divex07]

Thank you for clearing that up Dr. Bhupinder Kaur.
Today Day 4ish. It began to peel enough that I could see under the dried up top of the dead "skin" (I think that's what it is) well under it is a "layer"? of white and almost looks like I believe translucent skin.

Questions I have.
1) Is this part of the healing process? like is it a good thing.
2) Do I apply anything or just leave it dry like you've suggested? After when it gets wet.
3) Could I continue to add salt to the area? To clear it from infection.

It doesn't seem to infected.

ps. Thank you so much Dr. Bhupinder Kaur.  For answering these questions for me. It gives me peace of mind. I really appreciate it.

Kind Regards,

Michael

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Soory i meant to say 36 hours.

[divex07]

. The scar will initially be red and raised but usually reduces in color and size over several months.

Like is that noticeable?!  several months oh my. "Red and raised.." that concerns me on how it may look after the '2-3 weeks' process is complete.

and when you said 3 years my heart sunk.  Does this mean I will have to live with a fat lip for that long? (if I understood what you meant correctly)

Yours Sincerely,

Michael

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
You are of course taking a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy fitness regime. The wound from cautery will take approximately 2-3 weeks to heal over. The scar will initially be red and raised but usually reduces in color and size over several months.
You have to leave the wound dry for 36 months and then after that wash the lesion and pat dry with a soft towel. Then apply little Vaseline on the lesion for the moisturisation. If there is persistent redness or pain, then possibility of infection has to be ruled out.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[divex07]

It has been Day 2 and my lower lip is still really swollen, when I close my mouth it is pretty visible that the left side of my lower lip is bigger than the right side.
Is this normal? will it return to back to symmetry?  
Thank you

Best Regards,

Michael

[divex07]

..Sorry!
another thing I would like to ask that is quite important.  I couldn't find the edit button so I'll post it as another reply.   For the situation I have do I  have to do anything to it? at the area where it is cauterized do I apply anything at night? morning? or just leave it completely dry.  I completely have forgotten what my doctor has told me to do to help it heal fast and stay clean.

Yours sincerely,

Michael

[divex07]

Hello Dr. Bhupinder Kaur,

Thank you for taking your time out of your busy day to help me with this concern of mine.  
"Whether there will be scarring or not depends on your health and immune status and the depth of the mucosa where the cautery has been done."  This statement actually gave me quite alot to think about.  
I am 20 years old.  I jog every morning and go to the gym every evening; 5 times a week. I have a balanced diet.  I hope this is sufficient for the healing process..
oh and one more thing how long would it take for this to heal?  
Sorry if I'm being to persistent with this question,s I'm just really concerned that I may end up with a deformed looking lower lip.


Kind Regards,

Michael