Minor Surgery

Skin tags (acrochordons) are small, noncancerous skin growths that usually have a small stem and are similar in colour to the skin. They are more commonly found in skin folds or in areas where the skin rubs against itself during natural movement. Risk factors for developing skin tags include age, diabetes, pregnancy, genetics and obesity.

The safest method for removal of skin tags is to see a professional, such as a plastic surgeon. At home remedies may lead to excess bleeding, excess scarring or infection due to a lack of a sterile environment or proper technique. It is also important to ensure your skin tag is not actually a misidentified cancerous growth.

Two alternative methods can be used. One method is called “elliptical excision“ which involves removing the entire mole and underlying skin and stitching the edges of the incision back together. The other method is called a “shave excision” which involves shaving the the mole off to be flush with the surrounding skin. Sometimes electrocautery is also used as an adjunct to provide additional benefits such as bleeding control and shrinkage of the wound. Dr. Dreckmann will recommend the best excision method depending on your personal needs.

Local anesthetic is used so that the mole removal procedure will not be painful. There might be mild soreness or itching as the area heals. Prescription-grade pain killers are not required after the procedure.

What causes lipomas is not entirely understood. There may be a genetic influence. Lipomatosis refers to the presence of multiple lipomas and is thought to often be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. The presence of multiple lipomas has also been associated with several other conditions. A few examples include Dercum’s disease, Gardner Syndrome, and Madelung disease.

Generally lipomas are harmless and require no treatment. If you have a bothersome, painful or growing lipoma, you should consult your physician.

Your surgeon will use local anesthesia so that when your cyst is excised, you will not feel pain. Tenderness or mild pain after the excision can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication recommended by your doctor.

If a cyst is left untreated, there is a possibility it can grow over time or become infected. There is also the possibility that it can resolve on its own, depending on its size and other factors. A cyst (or any unusual lump for that matter) should always be assessed by a physician due to a number of risks. One potential risk is that the growth under the skin is not actually a cyst, but a cancerous growth requiring urgent treatment.

Keloids are raised scars and are largely influenced by genetics, location, age and ethnicity. Keloids are more common in Asian, African and Hispanic populations. There is approximately a 30 percent chance of experiencing keloids if a first degree relative experiences keloids. People between the ages of 10 to 30 have a higher likelihood of developing keloid scars.

Keloids are unlikely to resolve or go away without some form of treatment. Even after treatment, it is possible for the keloid to return.

The patches of cholesterol deposits known as xanthelasma usually will not regress on their own and may grow larger without treatment.

A dermatofibroma is a harmless growth that develops on the skin, but is not likely to go away on its own. An individual can opt for surgical removal if they want to get rid of their dermatofibroma.

A scar revision assists in making a scar less noticeable, but cannot fully erase a scar. Sometimes it is possible to reposition a scar to a more hidden or camouflaged area. It also might be possible to improve flexibility where scarring previously occurred.

Areola reduction surgery is a minor surgery that can assist with this. A ring of tissue can be removed from your areola with an incision made along the border of your areola to hide scarring.

Earlobe repair surgery recovery depends on the complexity of the procedure performed. It is done under local anesthesia and patients go home right after the procedure. Stitches are typically removed after about 1 week. It is typically not recommended to re-pierce the area for 3-6 months.