Excision

An excision is where our plastic surgeon will take what he visibly sees as the skin cancer or atypical mole and a margin around that site. The specimen he removes will be sent to pathology to make sure that the margins are clear. We get those results back in about 1 week to 2 weeks. We let the patient know if there is any further treatment necessary (if the margins are not yet clear). The patient usually leaves the excision with sutures and needs to come back for suture removal in approximately one week – 2 weeks (depending on the location). During the time the sutures are in, there is no swimming in pools, ocean or sitting in Jacuzzis, because that water could be contaminated. Bathing in a shower is fine (that is clean water). Also refrain from anything that would put tension on the wound (for example if it’s on your low back, don’t do activities like yoga that involve bending at the hip). Otherwise normal activity is permitted within reason. The site should be washed with a gentle cleanser daily and covered with Polysporin antibiotic ointment and a bandage until sutures are removed.