Minor plastic surgery before wedding? Advice please (gulp)?

Have you consulted with a dermatologist or board certified plastic surgeon? They'd probably be able to give you a better idea of where you'll be at in the healing process by the time your wedding rolls around. I would think for something this minor, if you had it done soon, you'd be 100% good to go.

For the record, you're beautiful. But I understand if you decide to make the change. It's your body and your life.

I had something similar on the side of my jaw, however I didn't get it removed before a big event.

It required a couple stitches and a butterfly bandage for about 2 weeks. I now just have a small white scar but nothing that is overly noticeable.

You still have lots of time before your wedding to heal fully, and any red markings that might remain can be easily covered with make up.

I know I was super self concious when I had it and I have felt way better since having it removed

You don't need to explain to anyone...especially to people who don't have a birthmark on their face. If removing it makes you feel better, then get yourself to a plastic surgeon without apology. Talk to your doctor about scarring. I'd venture a guess that an application of Dermablend would cover a scar more easily than it would cover a raised birthmark. You have every right to modify your own body. Good luck.

Wow, thanks for being super supportive. I was fully prepared for a backlash about how vein I am. I have been to one doc (derm in the cosmetic dept of Kaiser) and they said that if they remove it completely I would have a 3cm scar across my forehead which she said would be VERY noticeable. She could shave it down, but it could grow back.

Im going in tomorrow for a second opinion from a plastic surgeon who specializes in facial stuff. Hopefully he will be able to access more advanced technology then Kaiser has...

Attached is another pic where you can see it more directly

I say go for it. I'm considering a breast lift myself. Have a consultation in January.

Listen, it's your body and it's your face. The decisions about your body belong to you and only you. No apologies, okay? You are a beautiful young woman and if that birthmark brings an iota of negativity into your life, get rid of it and deal with the far more common facial scar. By the way, you look terrific in that gown.

I had one removed that was on my upper cheek just below my eye. (It was actually done at my physicians suggestion. He suggested it be biopsied but it came back clear) I work with children in my job and would get many of those same questions. In my case it was a simple in office procedure. No stitches required and within days it wasn't even noticeable. Now I can't even tell where it was.

Not vain at all. And have to agree with the others, you look amazing

I've done something similar. I have a bad scar on my back from a burn- the wound was huge- like I could fit my pinky into it. I had it injected and am doing laser treatments. I feel your pain. In my case, I want to wear a beautiful open back dress without worrying about the ugly scar.

I say, go for it. I have no doubt it'll be worth it.

Go for it! I think you look great! But if you would feel more you on your wedding day having it removed you totally should. It's your time to shine! Last thing you want to do is look back at photos and go I wish that was gone afterall.

I've had many moles removed. One was smack in the middle of my chest, just below my collarbone. Very visible! I got it removed because it was cancerous, but still an area you want a good removal. I've had moles shaved off and cut out.

I would recommend a plastic surgeon, honestly. That's what I did for the one on my chest. It took probably 9 months to really, fully heal and look more like my skin again (not a scar). I had to get a steroid shot in it because it was puffy. That was about 10 years ago, and while the scar is still slightly visible, they did a great job. Be prepared to use a LOT of sunscreen on it, especially during the healing process!

I don't think it's vain at all. It's your body and you should be able to do what you want with it. I would definitely talk with a dermatologist and/or plastic surgery. There may be laser treatments or at least less invasive options. It's worth the consultation fee to at least look into it. Surgical scars can fade, as well. I have a benign vascular skin tumor on my leg that makes it look like I always have a big bruise. Thinking about getting it cut off - means trading a big round bruise for a small incisional scar. I think it's worth it.

I've had several moles removed from my face (one right on my chin, one at my temple, a huge one on my upper back, and others) and my back and i'll say this - while i'm very glad i had them removed, i do wish my surgeon would have done a better job with the end result. i see the scars - and i'm probably way too critical but it is sometimes very frustrating. just make sure you get several consults and ask them what to expect the end result to be - get pictures if possible because it's your face.

good luck whatever you do!

I had a very large and noticeably raised mole on my chest. I refused to wear any low cut tops or even V neck sweaters because people would stare at my bust to look at the mole. My OB/GYN thought it was starting to look "suspicious" because it was so large and he said he could remove it in the office. He did and while it was nothing more than a mole, I was relieved it was removed. However, I had a bad allergic reaction to the sutures and there are two small lined scars on my chest. I had the mole removed 3 years ago and you can barely see where it was now. If the mole had not been removed I would have paid someone now to remove it since it was too large to cover and it would have been visible in my wedding dress.

I have had upwards of 40 moles removed. Including one from the side of my forehead. You can hardly tell. I was going to take a picture and show you, but you can hardly even see the scar in the picture. I had 1 removed on the inside of each of my elbows, one of which you can see started to grow back. But look how faded the scars are (also, if there are any nurses on the board, you'll notice how awesome my veins are). Of course, this was about 15 years ago.

Ask around for rec's on a good dermatologist. Even if you don't accomplish this before your wedding, I totally would do it after since it seems to bother you. Personally, I think it is pretty and you are pretty and adds character, but I have a lot of moles/freckles so I'm partial

Plus, there are some good scar treatments out there. Your dermatologist should be able to suggest them to you since I can't think of them off the top of my head.

Edited to add that you look great in your dress!

I had a huge mole removed from my left shoulder about 8 or 9 years ago because it had changed color and my dermatologist was concerned. I hated to see it go, but the dermatogist who shaved it off did a great job and it's just a flat less pigmented area. He told me when he removed it that if I did not like the results he would send me to a good plastic surgeon. Go for it!

Definietly talk with a cosmetic surgeon and see what they say about healing time. My mom had a mole removed on her face and couldn't be happier. I don't rememebr it taking too long to heal. Do what makes you happy!!

It's your face and your decision. As everyone else said, I'd go to your dermatologist now so you can plan around the healing and you don't have another thing to stress about closer to the date! The anticipation is much worse, usually, than the reality, so make that appointment, discuss your options and go from there!

You will have a scar depending on how deep or potential of growing back if you shave it down.

Ask your dermatologist rather then a cosmetic surgeon, insurance may not cover of you go the cosmetic route.

I have nothing to add that hasn't already been said. I just wanted to say I think you are absolutely beautiful the way you are. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I think you're lovely now, just the way you are

But you know yourself better than anyone. If it bothers you, and it's a safe and easy enough fix, then I don't see why you shouldn't.