KWR: Moles

ETA: I know this is a total first world problem lol

Have you consulted the advice of a physician or health care provider?

I don't have health insurance I'm planning on going after the new year and just paying out of pocket.

I had 2 removed by my dermatologist years ago. Believe it was around $250. They numb the area and cut it off, simple procedure.

I've had several removed. They give you a numbing cream beforehand, that you put on about an hour before you go. Then they inject additional numbing stuff, then they take a scalpel and dig out the mole. They bandage it up and that's it. Is there a reason you don't have health insurance? I have no idea how much mine cost because that was when I was under my parents' insurance, but dermatological procedures are typically pretty pricey, even with insurance coverage.

They cut mine off and then cauterized it. I have a flesh colored scar. It didn't hurt.

I can't afford health insurance right now.. I have vision, dental, life, and cancer insurance. But I'm only working part time until the new year. My dad has the same mole in the same exact place. And his is like a dark purple color now. I'd rather just cut it off than live with it for the rest of my life

Is there a very visible scar after?

No, my scars are flesh colored. But I don't have any feeling in those spots because it's technically a layer of skin that covers a hole.

Everyone scars different though. I had a mole removed in February on my hip over my butt and I have an ugly purple scar for now. But I typically scar dark, so just know how your body works in regards to that.

I had my first removal this year. It was a fairly large mole. I couldn't feel any pain when they cut it off. The bill I got says before my insurance it would have been $350 for getting it removed. Also, without my insurance, getting the tissue from the mole examined for precancerous cells would have been $135.

That may be high though - I have never had anything like that done before to compare prices. It is definitely less with insurance.

As far as scarring goes, I don't know if mine is fully healed (it was removed at the end of July ). But right now it looks like a dark pink line with a light pink circle around it. Don't know if that will be the end result, but I'm sure everyone's skin heals differently.

This might be a stupid question but don't you need to have insurance by law?

Annakay - there is a tax penalty now if you go more than 3 months without a health insurance that meets the minimum requirements of obamacare (or whatever the new law is called). They put that into place last year or the year before I think.

I had moles shaved off and surgically removed. I had one on my forehead that I went to see a plastic surgeon and you cant see the scar. If its in a location that people will see daily and may make you self conscious, see a plastic surgeon. If it's covered, go to a dermatologist.

I don't think this works for everyone, but I read on pinterest that you could remove them by putting an apple cider vinegar soaked cotton ball over the mole and covering it with a band aid. Then change it 3 times a day. I did it on one of my moles and it worked. Eta: It took about 1 week for me to notice a difference and about 2 1/2 weeks for it to completely go away.

I've had 1 removed by the dermatologist, which I honestly don't recall the price of because insurance covered most of it. I had 2 others removed by a plastic surgeon for vanity reasons, and they were very expensive, because it's technically "surgery" (one on my face and one on my upper back), and required stitching. I think it will depend significantly on who you go to. My dermatologist won't remove moles unless there is a health concern, which is why I had to go to a plastic surgeon.

I have minimal scarring, but from what I understand it can take up to 10 months for the scar to heal depending on the location. Just something to keep in mind.

This is what the scar will look like. This one is kinda big but it's the only one I could take a picture of. The rest are on my back. I have moles removed all the time. It's not bad at all. The wort is the numbing medicine. It burns a little.

I had one taken off about 6 years ago. Can't remember cost since I have really great insurance. Pretty simple procedure. My doctor numbed it, cut it out, stitched it up. I was in and out in an hour, tops.

Please, please, please don't try to remove a mole yourself. Dermatology isn't typically covered by health care anyway (not cosmetic derma), so you'd be paying out of pocket either way. My FH got a mole removed and came home with a bunch of bandages and medicine that I had to put on it 2x a day. If it's not done right it can get infected.

Some people get an exeption if they dont make enough to pay for insurance. When i tried to sign up for insurance i was told they had no plans available to me and gave me a tax break code.

So yes its a law but certain people still cant afford it. ETA: I have a full time job with benefits now butnworkednpart time then