The truth about removal..

Ok so I have been trolling this site for a while now and thought I would post my findings and share my experience. 

I developed a mucocele about a month ago. Not quite sure how it happened, but it just did.  I found this site and was able to confirm the diagnosis.  I tried some home remedies offered here but none worked.  I sought help of an oral surgeon and he was great.  Here is what he told me:

Mucoceles are a result of a damaged saliva gland.  The gland keeps producing saliva although there is a blockage and since it doesn't know when to shut off, a bubble forms.  Sometimes they go away on their own.  many of the "remedies" are just coincidental.  Some may help control the size of it but they won't cause them to go away.  They either go away on their own or need to be removed.  Typically if they don't go away in a few days, it may take several months or years for them to go away. So then you have the decision...either live with it or have it removed.  Mine was quite annoying and I started developing a canker sore on it, so I opted for removal.

I saw an oral surgeon who I feel is great.  I got a fast consultation, and he removed it the next day.  My medical insurance would have covered some of it but the doctor was out of network, so I had to pay out of pocket. It cost $700 for removal.  This doctor was in Manhattan so I am sure it will cost slightly less elsewhere. 

The surgery was done with a local anesthetic.  It was novicane.  Same as they do for cavities.  Anyone who wants to put you under general is crazy.  Seek out a new doctor. It isn't too invasive.  He injected my lip and 20 minutes later it was good and numb. The only thing I felt was the first pinch of the needle.  He slowly cut around the lesion and eventually pulled out the sac of saliva and sent it for a biopsy.  He stitched me up with dissolvable stitches and sent me on my way with an ice pack and some gauze.  The bleeding stopped in about 10 minutes and I have a small incision inside of my lip that is stitched up. 

I really didn't feel any pain at all.  A few hours later after the numbness went away, I felt some itching and pinching in the area, but went to bed fine and woke up today feeling great.  It has been less than 24 hours and I am feeling no pain at all.  I haven't even had to take pain killers.  The only thing is the lip is a little swollen, but nothing too bad, and I have some stitches that I feel.  They should dissolve in a few days and I'm done. 

So based on people's suggestions/opinions here. I say, let it run its course. If it goes away in a week or two with home remedies, great.  If not, get it checked out by a good oral surgeon.  Pay up for it if you have to.  This is your health you are dealing with, it doesn't pay to skimp.  I've heard horror stories of mucoceles developing where the original one was removed, and my doctor said it could happen if the adjacent ones aren't cut out, but in his 500 mucocele removals, he's never had a recurrence. 

An ENT surgeon could likely do this too. I'd stay away from a traditional dentist unless he/she frequently does oral surgery as well.  Some people have suggested popping it with a pin or removing it themselves.  Unless you are a skilled surgeon, don't try it. 

I didn't take any time off from work (I left an hour early one day to make my appointment) and it was very easy.  Have no fear!