Sebacious Cyst (scalp) removal - experiences?

crackerberry

Hello,

I have a sebacious cyst on my scalp (lower back of my head) which I've had for years but, since its steadily growing in size, I'm embarrassed by it and it is also now constantly uncomfortable, I'm at the point of steeling myself to arrange to finally have it removed.

Has anyone here had one removed from their scalp? Even at just the thought of having this done I'm utterly petrified. It's the thought of being awake while they do it that's bothering me most. Anyone who's already gone through this like to share their experience?

lola34

I've had the procedure done 3 times now, the first time I went to hosp, this was about 11 years ago and it was a rough ride, but the last two times probably about 5/7 years ago it was fine no probs, they inject the cyst/near to the cyst with local anesthetic then basically cut with scalpel move the cyst and stitch you back up - normally at this point I'm talking rubbish to keep my mind of it, go to the docs a week or so later to have the stitches removed. If they dont' get it all out they can come back which is what happened after the first time but luckily the doc I saw the past two times is excellent and its only in the surgery, think they had to shave a little around the cyst and you will probably find the hair doesn't grow back - I've had about 8 out in total, I understand your worry though its the thought but I'd definately say have it done especially if its uncomfortable

katglasgow

I am having one remover from my head next month. Its quite small (broadbean size). They do it at the doctors surgery now. The doc says they will lift a section of my hair up before shaving so although I will have to have some hair shaved to get to the cyst hopefully it wont be too noticeable and the hair will grow back. I am definitelty not looking forward to having it removed, but it did get a bit bigger recently and I would like it to go before iot gets bigger still and becomes more of a problem!

lola34

You'll be fine- second time they showed me one after they had cut it out, I didn't ask they offered:o

crackerberry

I think mine's about the size of a walnut and kind of pear shaped. Having long hair and being female, the hair-shaving thing used to be a concern but the thing's so big I think hair's already stopped growing there and pretty sparse already now already.

I'm such a coward that actually turning up on the day and then not running for it if I do worries me too. I'd happily have it done if they put me to sleep first but awake throughout is another matter.

lola34

I have long hair so luckily even after they shave a little the rest of the hair will cover it, its psychological I think more than anything - the brain goes into overdrive about whats going on, honestly you will be fine, at least you'll be in and out, if they knocked you out you wouldn't be able to drive home etc afterwards and would have to have someone with you for 24 hrs.

pattycake

I have no experience of a cyst on my head but I had one on my neck. It became infected and swelled up really painfully. I had it lanced under a general anaesthetic. I had BUPA at the time and they kept me in overnight afterwards.

A few weeks later, when it had settled down, I had the cyst itself removed under a local anaesthetic. I had driven myself to the hospital as I did not know the surgeon was going to remove it that day. He decided to do it there and then. It was no problem at all. The worse part was having my face covered while they isolated the area they were working on.

Afterwards, I drove myself home and carried on cooking the dinner!

Mayflower10cat

Crackerberry, please do go through with the procedure! I know it sounds scary but my Mum had a cyst (about pea-sized) removed from the very top of her head about 15 years ago. This was prompted by her Mum, my lovely Nan, who died of cancer (and yes, she had some very elderly, large cysts on the side of her head which turned cancerous.) She had it done at a clinic in the local Hospital, with local anaesthetic and they only cut a tiny piece of her hair away. She said she didn't feel anything, just some pressure, and she couldn't see what was happening anyway. A couple of stitches and she was heading home. Admittedly later, as the local wore off, she did say it was sore and achey and had to take Ibuprofen. Make sure you ask about pain relief at the time. You also have to a bit careful washing your hair for a few weeks! I'm glad my Mum had her cyst removed as we're a 'cyst-y' family and you can never be too careful. The very, very best of luck to you; I hope all goes smoothly and easily.

liz_uk

Please don`t worry, i`ve had one removed!

I was petrified, but it was over very quickly..

I had mine done as everytime I went to the hairdressers, they kept catching it!

Do it! Don`t be scared x

Mags30

I had one of those removed over a year ago, same as the others described. I was promised by the surgeon that no hair would be removed. I don't think any was, but if there was it was so tiny an amount that I wasn't aware of it. I was told not to wash my hair for 2-3 days but I was afraid to wash my hair in case I interfered with the stitches (probably me being over cautious) so I didn't until the stitches were removed. I'd advise you to not make the appt for a week when you have a wedding or other event that you need to get done up for.

There were 2 nurses (one was a trainee) as well as the surgeon and his assistant. The nurses did nothing except chat to me and one held my hand. I think the main purpose of having them there was to calm and distract the patient by chatting which was very helpful.

The actual procedure took 5 minutes literally but you will be there much longer than that because you will have to fill forms in advance and they will probably make you stay for a bit afterwards just to make sure you feel ok after the procedure. It's just a precautionary thing, dentists do the same sometimes.

Think about it like this 5 minutes of discomfort is better than constant worry about it and feeling uncomfortable at the hairdressers every time you go.

elfen

My dad had one for years. Had it removed a few years ago and its healed up fine, you can barely see the scar and hair grew fine on it (it is, however, now a little sparse on that spot as he's VERY slowly going bald)