Mole removal gone wrong?

Hi 2 days again i had 3 moles removed from my back. The moles were removed by cauterization. After taking the bandages off today, i found the larger 2 of the 3 moles were still there. They are black on top where they were cauterized, but they are definitely still completely there. The doc told me to give it up to a month and they would fall off. After reading around the internet, every description of cauterizing moles i found describes then as being cut from the surface by the cauterizing tool. Is this normal?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
In cauterization, the mole is burned away using a cautery tool. Stitches are not required for this procedure as the wound is burn-sutured, and will heal naturally. Whenever a mole is removed there are some mole cells left remaining in the skin. Sometimes, the cells will grow a new mole which is usually darker than the original mole. So it can be due to incomplete removal of mole or the remnants of the mole cells. Wait out a few days and see if there is any regowth of the mole. If there is any regorth then you may need to get it excised again.

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 dermatologist/ urologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.