Pediatric Dermatologists

We saw Annette Wagner at Children's Memorial for the exact same thing when my daughter was 3.5. Her mole was on her stomach. Initially we were told it would be 2 procedures as well due to size. However, she put on a little weight before the procedure, and with the added padding, they were actually able to remove it in 1 procedure, much to our relief. Be prepared, the initial scar looks rather alarming - bright red and very very noticeable. Over time, it has faded to a thin white line. They do give you recommendations to apply a scar reducer and massage the skin, as well as be very vigilant about sunscreen for a year. We were very happy with the doctor and procedure. Our only complaint was the office wait times.

A friend saw Dr Annette Wagner in AH. Her son had to have a cluster/mole removed. She was happy w/her experience. Another friend has seen Dr Mancini over at Children's in Glenview and likes him/her.

If you want to run your question by some other local moms, you can go to ArlingtonHeightsMoms.com (my site). Or I can put you in touch with one of the moms who had the recommendations...

Best of luck! :)

M.

I took my son to see a pediatric dermatologist at Children's for a different reason than your child, but I was EXTREMELY happy with their thoroughness and information. I had taken him to a dermatologist for his condition (not pediatric), and he misdiagnosed it. The doctors at Children's knew immediately what it was even though it was a rare condition.

You don't mention where on the body the mole is located.

I think you're in excellent hands if you are at Children's Memorial.

You might want to consider a 2nd opinion from a plastic surgeon, depending upon the location, especially if it's near the face.

Also, depending upon the depth of the incisions and your ethnicity, scarring and keloids and potential allergic reactions to internal sutures should be discussed. I had a severe allergic reaction to internal sutures and found out they had used cat gut, as they are supposed to dissolve on their own. Mine did not and caused infection, swelling, puss and scarring on my face. Oh well...

Sorry, I don't have personal experience with your son's specific pigmented mole, just surgeries to remove moles. I find that Dermatologist do not cut as deep as the plastic surgeons.