Skin Cancer Removal
Los Angeles, Palmdale and Valencia
Skin Cancer Removal
Hearing a diagnosis of “cancer” is very difficult to accept. Understanding that treating your skin cancer may result in scars or disfigurement can also be troubling. Your plastic surgeon understands your concerns and will guide you through treatment and explain the resulting effect on your health and appearance.
Quick facts about skin cancer treatment:
Treatment of skin cancer, much like any form of cancer, may require surgery to remove cancerous growths. Your plastic surgeon can surgically remove cancerous and other skin lesions using specialized techniques to preserve your health and your appearance. Although no surgery is without scars, your plastic surgeon will make every effort to treat your skin cancer without dramatically changing your appearance. For some people, reconstruction may require more than one procedure to achieve the best results.
What kind of anesthetic is used during Skin Cancer Removal?
Skin Cancer Removal Los Angeles is normally performed under general anesthetic, although some patients elect to have the procedure done under local anesthetic.
How long does Skin Cancer Removal take?
Skin Cancer Removal can take from one to four hours to complete.
What do I have to do to prepare for Skin Cancer Removal?
You will be examined by a physician and undergo blood work testing to ensure that you are medically fit for surgery. You should stop taking aspirin, or any anti-flammitory drugs.
You will be given a prescription to antibiotics and painkillers, which you should fill before your surgery so that you have them easily available on day of surgery and your driver and/or caregiver is not running around to drugstores on the day of your surgery.
What happens on the day of Skin Cancer Removal?
A friend or family member must bring you to the Beverly Hills Institute of Plastic Surgery. Our Patient Care Coordinator will greet you and bring in into the an examining room, where your Plastic Surgeon will mark outlines on the parts of your body that will indicate where the treatment will be administered.
Your surgeon will call you once you are safely at home to see how you are doing and to make sure you are recovering normally.
What is the Skin Cancer Removal recovery process?
Following your skin cancer surgery, incision sites may be sore, red or drain small amounts of fluid. It is important to follow all wound care instructions such as cleansing and applying topical medications exactly as directed
- You may be able to return to light activity the day of your surgery
- Make certain to keep your incision sites clean and well protected from potential injury
- Try to limit movement that may stress your wound and your sutures
Be sure to ask the plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.
- Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
- What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
- Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery? When will they be removed?
- Are stitches removed? When?
- When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
- When do I return for follow-up care?
Healing will continue for many weeks or months as incision lines continue to improve. It may take a year or more following a given procedure for incision lines to refine and fade to some degree. In some cases, secondary procedures may be required to complete or refine your reconstruction.
Practice diligent sun protection every day of your life and quit smoking to insure continued healing and good health. Sun exposure on healing wounds may result in irregular pigmentation and scars that can become raised, red or dark. Sun exposure may result in a recurrence of your skin cancer, or the development of skin cancer in another region of your body.
What are the risks of Skin Cancer Removal?
Like all surgery, they are always risks. Typical Skin Cancer Removal Los Angeles risks include: bleeding (hematoma), infection, poor healing of incisions, anesthesia risks, unfavorable scarring, frozen-section inaccuracy, recurrence of skin cancer, systemic spread of skin cancer, change in skin sensation, skin contour irregularities, skin discoloration/swelling, allergies to tape, suture materials and glues, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents, damage to deeper structures — such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs — can occur and may be temporary or permanent, pain, which may persist, possibility of revisional surgery.
Once you are deemed a good candidate for a Skin Cancer Removal procedure, your Plastic Surgeon will discuss the risks in detail with you during your initial consultation.
What is the cost of Skin Cancer Removal?
Costs are based on the unique needs of the patient. Your Patient Care Coordinator will discuss the cost of a Skin Cancer Removal procedure and the payment options available to you.