Skin Lesion Removal: Before Your Procedure

What is skin lesion removal surgery?

Skin lesion removal is a procedure or surgery to remove growths on your skin. You may have a skin lesion removed because it is too big, bothersome, or uncomfortable. Or you may have a lesion removed because it could be cancerous or precancerous.

Often the doctor can remove simple skin lesions during a routine visit. In some cases, the doctor may remove the lesion in an operating room. This depends on the size and type of lesion. The doctor can remove a skin lesion in many ways. These include:

• Biopsy. The doctor cuts out or shaves a small part of the lesion. A doctor looks at the sample to see if there are any cancer cells.
• Excision. The doctor cuts out the entire lesion and, often, some of the area around it.
• Cryosurgery. The doctor uses a very cold liquid or special tool to freeze and destroy skin cells.
• Curettage. The doctor uses a special tool to scrape away parts of your lesion.
• Electrocautery. The doctor uses a device that gives off an electrical current to destroy, burn, or cut out skin cells.
• Laser surgery. The doctor uses a device that gives off laser light to destroy skin lesions.
• Mohs surgery. The doctor removes tissue a little bit at a time while checking to make sure that any cancer is gone.

After it is removed, the tissue may be checked under a microscope to see what the lesion is.

Most people are awake during these procedures. Your doctor may give you medicine to numb the area so you will not feel pain. The doctor may use stitches to close your wound. You will have a scar that fades with time.

Most of these procedures take about 5 to 20 minutes. Sometimes the more complicated procedures, such as Mohs surgery, can take a few hours. Most people can go back to their normal routine on the same day or the day after the procedure.

How do you prepare for the procedure?

Procedures can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your procedure.

Preparing for the procedure

• Understand exactly what procedure is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your procedure. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the procedure and how soon to do it.
• If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if you should stop taking it before your surgery. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. These medicines increase the risk of bleeding.
• If you are having your skin lesion removed in a hospital or surgery center, be sure to have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.

What happens on the day of the procedure?

• Follow your doctor's instructions about when to bathe or shower before your surgery. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.

At the hospital, clinic, or doctor's office

• Bring a picture ID.
• If you are having your skin lesion removed in a hospital or surgery center, you will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. You may get medicine that relaxes you or puts you in a light sleep. The area being worked on will be numb.
• You will probably go home right away, or within 1 or 2 hours.

When should you call your doctor?

• You have questions or concerns.
• You don't understand how to prepare for your procedure.
• You become ill before the procedure (such as fever, flu, or a cold).
• You need to reschedule or have changed your mind about having the procedure.