Excision of a skin lesion refers to the removal of a skin lesion by completely cutting it out.
Common reasons to excise a skin lesions are listed below:
An excision (removal of a skin lesion) is usually a simple and quick procedure. The appointment involves the area to be excised to be marked with a surgical marker. A local anaesthetic injection will numb the area of skin ensuring that you are pain free during the procedure.
Your surgeon will then cut around the lesion with a scalpel and remove it from the skin and close the defect in the best way to minimise scarring. Depending on the size of the excision, this could include closing the area with stitches and applying a dressing. Your consultant will then advise how to care for the area in the days and weeks following the procedure for the best cosmetic result.
We normally work on a quick turnaround of two to three days, your surgeon will usually arrange a follow up consultation with you within a week of your procedure to discuss your results. Sometimes due to extra tests being required there may be a delay in your result but this will be discussed with you.
Yes, full recovery usually takes around two weeks until the scar is fully sealed. We usually recommend not doing any exercise, swimming or heavy lifting for at least a week following this procedure. You should expect some mild pain, bruising and swelling following your procedure but this will settle overtime and leave you with a flat straight line scar that should fade overtime. Your surgeon will always endeavour to give you the best cosmetic result possible. We would recommend ensuring that you have a supply of paracetamol following the procedure in case of unexpected pain.
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