Skin Cancer Surgery Before and After

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Skin cancer surgery is a procedure to remove cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions from the skin. It is the most effective treatment for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and some forms of melanoma or actinic keratosis.

The primary goal is to completely remove the cancer with safe margins while preserving as much healthy tissue and skin function as possible. When performed by a skilled plastic surgeon, the surgery also considers aesthetic outcomes, especially for visible areas like the face, scalp, ears, or hands.

• Biopsy-confirmed basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
   
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or actinic keratosis
   
• Early-stage melanoma
   
• Atypical skin lesions with irregular growth
   
• Skin tumors in delicate or high-visibility areas
   
• Lesions causing discomfort, ulceration, or bleeding

Before surgery:  Medications that cause bleeding or easy bruisability like anticoagulants should be stopped 1-2 weeks prior to surgery.

Anesthesia: local anesthesia for small lesions; IV sedation or general anesthesia for large complicated lesions

Incision: Skin cancer surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia, where the surgeon removes the cancer along with adequate safety margins of surrounding normal-looking skin to ensure complete excision of abnormal cells. The removed tissue is often sent for microscopic examination to confirm that all margins are clear of cancer. For larger or more complex lesions, reconstruction may be more involved and can require techniques such as skin grafts or local flaps to close the wound and restore form and function while minimizing scarring.

Procedure Time:  1-3 hours depending on severity

• Post-op Course: Oral antibiotics and pain reliever are taken for a week.  Expect swelling for 1-2 weeks.  Frequent ice compress is advised to help with the swelling.  

• Suture Removal: sutures are removed after 7 days for the face, and after 10-14 days for the body
   
• Downtime: 7-14 days for swelling; most can return to work after procedure

• Scarring:  scars are usually visible for 1-3 months and will gradually fade over 6-12 months
   
• Results: you will see immediate results after surgery.  Final histopathology will be needed to ascertain if all of the cancer has been excised

Q: How do I know if a skin lesion is cancerous?
A: Any mole or spot that changes in size, color, or shape, bleeds, or does not heal should be evaluated. A skin biopsy is the only way to confirm diagnosis.

Q: Will I be left with a scar?
A: Yes, but Dr. Aicee uses refined plastic surgery techniques to make scars as small, flat, and natural-looking as possible — especially on the face or visible areas.

Q: What happens if the cancer is not fully removed?
A: In rare cases where margins are not clear, re-excision may be recommended to ensure all cancerous cells are removed.

Q: Is surgery better than laser or cream treatment?
A: For confirmed skin cancer, surgery is the gold standard for complete removal and long-term cure — especially for aggressive or deeper lesions.

As a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Aicee Bernal combines oncologic safety with cosmetic finesse. She performs precise excisions to completely remove cancerous tissue while also restoring the skin with advanced techniques like local flaps, skin grafts, or layered closures.

Dr. Aicee works closely with dermatologists and oncologists for a multidisciplinary approach, ensuring patients receive thorough care, expert reconstruction, and ongoing monitoring.

Don’t ignore a changing mole or persistent skin lesion.
Schedule your skin cancer consultation with Dr. Aicee Bernal, and receive expert diagnosis, safe removal, and reconstruction by a trusted plastic and reconstructive surgeon.