What is Skin Surgery?

Skin surgery involves short procedures usually lasting 10 to 45 minutes that are performed under local anaesthetic to treat skin problems or to obtain a sample of skin for testing under the microscope (biopsy).

Which conditions can Minor Skin Surgery be used for?

Here are examples of the sorts of lesions that can be treated by a short procedure:

Which techniques are used in Minor Skin Surgery?

  • Shave excision: this involves literally shaving lumps and bumps off flush to the skin surface
  • Curettage: scraping away lesions
  • Excision with stitches
  • Cauterising: using heat from an electrical current
  • Cryotherapy: using liquid nitrogen to freeze things
  • Acid therapy: to dissolve cholesterol deposits and certain types of scars

Specialist skin surgery consultation

Your journey with us begins with a skin surgery consultation where you can benefit from an assessment by an expert to determine if a surgical procedure is suitable and, if so, which. Other aspects that are discussed at a skin surgery consultation are:

  • What is the concern you have?
  • What kind of surgical procedure is best to treat this concern?
  • What will the scar be like?
  • Are there other options?
  • Will more than one procedure be required?
  • Will further tests or assessments be required?
  • The impact of any possible histological findings and how these will be communicated to you.
  • How to manage medications such as blood thinning medications before and after the procedure.

When considering any procedure, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits as they apply to your individual circumstances. Here are some examples of things that may be discussed for you to take into consideration:

Benefits and risks of a procedure

One of the major advantages of a skin surgery consultation is that you should leave fully understanding the benefits and risks of any procedure. This allows you to make an informed choice on whether you would like to proceed. Exampled of benefits and risks that are discussed are:

Benefits

  • The likelihood of complete removal or cure from the procedure (often this is very high)
  • The likelihood of any symptoms resolving

Risks

It is always important to be aware of any risks of a procedure and taking these into account when taking the decision to have surgery. The doctor will be able to go through any risks that may apply to you. Some examples include:

  • Scar formation – a surgical procedure will usually leave some form of scar and at the consultation it is possible to discuss the likely length and orientation of any scars
  • Discomfort – there can be discomfort after some procedures
  • Bleeding – there is a risk of bleeding from a wound especially in the first 48 hours. The risk of bleeding may be increased for some people who may need to take extra precautions.
  • Infection – there is a risk of infection following any surgical procedure in the first week. The risk of infection is increased with certain risk factors such as diabetes and immunosuppression.
  • Delayed healing – some people may suffer from slow healing.
  • Keloid and raised scars – some people are prone to elevated scar which may need additional separate treatment
  • Numbness and nerve damage can also occur

Will I need time for rest and recuperation?

The surgery consultation is also a good time to discuss the time that may be required for rest and recuperation. For example you need to plan time off work, or from heavy physical activity for a period. You may need to plan to have help for a period of time.

Timing of surgery

It is important to consider when the best time might be to have a surgical procedure. A gap between the consultation and procedure gives additional time for reflection and a ‘cooling off’ period in case you decide against having the procedure.

Same day consultations and procedures

For certain minor procedures we are able to offer consultations and procedures on the same day. The same considerations are still made for these procedures.

Fees

The fees for a specialist skin consultation are provided on our fees page.

The fee for any procedure can be confirmed at the skin surgery consultation. Guide prices may have been provided to you in advance and can be reviewed here. Fees for surgery include any aftercare that is required such as nurse appointments for wound checks, dressing changes and stitch removal.

What is included in the procedure fees?

The following are included in quotes provided by us for procedures:

  • Procedure fees including surgeon and theatre fees
  • Aftercare advice and support during working hours
  • Dressing and spare dressings for you to use at home
  • A wound check as and when required by a highly trained nurse
  • Prescription for any antibiotics in case these are required (you would pay the pharmacy for the medications)
  • Removal of sutures if sutures have been used

The following are not included:

  • Treatment of keloid or adverse scarring
  • Treatment for recurrences
  • Follow up consultations if required, for discussion of histology results (such as after a skin biopsy or mole biopsy) and to discuss further management