4 Common Minor Surgeries and What to Expect

Have you found yourself facing the prospect of minor surgery? It's perfectly normal to feel a mix of apprehension and curiosity about what lies ahead.

Minor surgeries refer to a surgical procedures aimed at removing unwanted lumps or bumps. Most common minor surgeries include the removal of skin tags, cysts, moles, lipomas, verruca's, other skin lesions or scars. Minor surgeries include  curettage (scraping off ), shave excisions (slicing off ), cryotherapy (freezing off ) and full excision (cutting off ) of lesions. Lesions can either be completely removed, or a small sample taken, but all lesions are usually sent to the laboratory for testing to make an accurate diagnosis. 

Benign moles are non-cancerous growths on the skin that are usually harmless and are removed for cosmetic or medical reasons. If you have a mole on your skin that's bothering you or looks unusual, removal is possible.

To remove these moles, most people undergo a minor surgery known as mole excision or mole removal surgery. This skin surgery is performed by a dermatologist or specialist trained doctor/surgeon wherein they numb the area around the mole and carefully excise it, minimising the chance of recurrence. After the procedure, the wounds are stitched with sutures. All moles are sent to histology for testing.

Following the skin surgery, you may expect mild discomfort or irritation. However, these symptoms are expected to subside within a few days, provided you follow proper wound care and post-surgery protocols. 

When the sebum in the sebaceous gland, responsible for lubricating skin and hair gets blocked or trapped, it leads to the formation of lumps called sebaceous cysts.

Sebaceous cyst removal is one of the most common minor surgeries performed to eliminate these cysts on your skin. In this minor skin surgery procedure, a small incision is made on the cyst which helps the surgeon remove the contents and its outer sac. The entire cyst is removed in order to prevent the chances of recurrence.

The aftercare involves dressing changes, and in some rare cases, a course of medicine to prevent infection or scarring. 

Seborrhoeic warts are skin growths that can appear as small, raised and often scaly patches on the skin. Usually, these lesions appear on the sun-exposed areas of the skin such as the face, chest, back or neck.

If you have a seborrhoeic wart, removal is a minor surgery procedure that can be performed by a healthcare professional. Typically, the process begins with numbing the affected area with a local anaesthetic. Next, your surgeon will use a scalpel or an excision instrument to remove the wart.

Various methods, such as cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), electrocautery (burning with an electrical current), or excision (surgical removal) can be performed depending on the size of the wart and its location. 

​Lipoma is a benign (non-cancerous) tumour of fatty tissue, they are soft, fatty lumps that grow under the skin. Lipomas are caused by an overgrowth of fat cells that can be found anywhere in the body but typically found on the neck, back or shoulders. They typically start small and gradually enlarge over time. The Doctor will surgically remove the Lipoma by excision. This procedure can leave a small scar which will improve over time. The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic to reduce discomfort. The Doctor will use a scalpel to excise the lipoma, leaving a small linear scar roughly the size of the lipoma removed which will improve over time. The wound will then be stitched and a dressing applied. Prior to treatment, the doctor will go through a thorough minor surgical consultation with you. They will assess your lipoma and decide whether it is suitable for treatment.

While common minor surgeries may not be as complex as major procedures, they still do require careful consideration and follow-up care. While most common minor surgeries are safe and effective, the results of the treatment may vary from person to person. Consulting a trusted doctor or dermatologist is absolutely necessary. That's when Rippon Medical Services comes in.

At Rippon, our goal is to provide you with professional assistance. If you're considering a minor skin surgery, we offer expert care before, during and after the procedure.

What's more, along with minor surgeries, we also offer face, body and skin condition treatments with wellness products to promote radiant, healthy skin.

To find out more about minor surgery, contact us today!