Dermatologist/Cyst Removal

 I had my fist-ever dermatologist appointment.  I went in to see about a hideous, annoying cyst that was on the back of my neck, just below my hairline.  It basically was a big zit trapped under my skin, growing bigger by the month.  If I had the option of cutting it out myself, I would have long ago.  However, since it was so huge and I can't see the back of my neck, I wasn't going to take any risk of infection or bleeding out, so I left it up to the professionals at Arrowhead/Epiphany dermatology to deal with.

I waited forever and a year to finally be seen (they had just switched to a new computer system and everything took FOREVER).  I almost left, but they called me back at last.  I told the Dr. that the cyst was the main reason for my visit, but I also mentioned the ugly, raised mole popping out of the side of my head. He said he could take care of that right then and there.  I said okay.  3 minutes later, it was off! All he did was inject some numbing medication and scrape it off with a razor.  Could I have done that myself at home?  Maybe.  It would have saved us $200. Then again, I do not feel comfortable taking a razor to my face, nor am I experienced in doing so.
I came back a week or two later to have the cyst removed.  I was looking forward to the appointment, which is saying a lot because I hate appointments.  All of them.  The procedure took about an hour. It was pretty straight forward: numb, cut, stitch.  I saw the cyst after they took it out and it was pretty nasty. An alien glob floating in pink liquid.
The next few weeks was the healing period. The wound did not really hurt, thankfully, but it was slightly itchy for the next few weeks or so. The first few days were the most uncomfortable, but after about 5 days, it was much, much better.  I came back after two weeks and the stitches were taken out.  I could have saved myself a visit and had Erik take them out, but I wanted to make sure all was looking well with the healing wound (now a scar):  

 

My cool band-aid, just after my first appointment (first or second week of October)

 Oct. 15-the date of the procedure.  I don't have a good shot of the cyst's lump, but believe me it was there and it was BIG.

Healing.  It looked pretty gnarly there for a couple of days.

Nicely healed and ready for the stitches to be removed 

Now (2 months later).  Just a small scar!