Birthmark removal... please help me - Cosmetic / Plastic Surgery Message Board

Arti · 11-02-2002, 12:33 AM

I am seeking advice from anyone that knows any information on how to remove a PWS birthmark. I have had pulse dye laser treatments before and I did not get the results I needed. Does anyone know of anything else I can do? Plastic surgury or other lasers? I can't seem to get much information. It is so difficult to live with this on my face and I really would appreciate any information.

sweetypi · 11-03-2002, 09:55 PM

Hi, Arti!
I'm not sure what the PWS stands for in your post but my son (who is almost 3) was born with a 4cmx4cm birthmark on his back like the shape of Texas and we were instructed by our peds doc to have it checked out with a dermatologist. We took him the the derm and she said she wanted us to have it removed. She said there was a possibility (as with lots of birthmarks) of cancer later on and also teasing in school and such so she said we should really have it removed. Because he is so small and not a lot of excess skin, this procedure would consist of 3 surgeries. If they did it with just one surgery she said it probably would leave a hideous scar and if he had to have it redone our insurance probably wouldn't cover it because it would then be considered plastic surgery. You could have it surgically removed and if you have insurance and your doc feels it's necessary to have it removed, your insurance company would probably cover it. Sorry this was such a lengthy reply but I thought I'd give ya the whole story before giving you any advice. Let me know what you decide! Good luck!

Sweety

Arti · 11-07-2002, 11:34 AM

Sweety,
Thanks for your information. A PWS is a Port Wine Stain. It is a red birthmark and it's on my left cheek. There is a safe removal and that is laser treatment. Most recommended for young kids. It's not a bad idea for your son. I have had over 20 treatments and my birthmark began as a purple color. Now it is pink, but I can't seem to get rid of it completely and I do not have insurance. It would be better for me to get surgery once and get it over with istead of 10 or 15 more treatments(and I stil may not get the results I need). What is the name of the surgery? Who would I contact? Plastic surgeons? It is so painful living like this. I cannot express to you how some people look at me and how it makes me feel. Thank you again so much.

ffsmith · 11-24-2002, 10:34 PM

I have a mark on my face too.
I guess it is like a mole but large.
It is under my nose and above my lip.
Since I was small it has grown but not that fast
Still I worry about it
I want to get it removed also.
But am very afraid that there is not enough skin there to do anything.
Or may be I will have a permanent ‘Elvis-like’ sneer.
That scares me
When I ‘fold’ my skin to kind of cut it out it looks very bad
I should really see a doctor but I do not.

I do not think I feel the extreme pain that you are describing Arti. Maybe because I do not interact with people too much ever?
But I can understand your pain.