Our Services / Skin Lesion Excisions

What are skin lesion excisions?

Skin lesion excisions involve minor surgery to remove soft-tissue masses from your skin. You might benefit from a skin lesion excision if you have:

• Moles
• Warts
• Cysts
• Lipomas

Dr. Al-Kalla specializes in treating cysts and lipomas.

What are cysts and lipomas?

A cyst is a fluid-filled lump. Most cysts are soft and spongy, but sometimes they can be firm. Ganglion cysts are the most common type. They generally affect the hand or wrist but occasionally appear on the elbow. The liquid in a ganglion cyst is thick like jelly and probably comes from the synovial fluid in your joints and tendon sheaths.

A lipoma is a tumor that develops when fat cells grow in the soft tissue beneath the skin. It often feels like a rubbery, soft lump and will move slightly if you press on it with your finger.

While most lipomas are harmless, you should always have new lumps and growths evaluated by your health care provider to rule out more severe conditions.

Why would I need a skin lesion excision?

Cysts and lipomas are benign (noncancerous) and often painless. They frequently go away without treatment; if they aren’t affecting you, there’s no reason to remove them. However, if a cyst’s appearance bothers you, Dr. Al-Kalla can do a needle aspiration, where he withdraws the fluid.

A cyst or lipoma sometimes interferes with joint function or becomes painful because it’s pressing on a nerve. Nerve compression can also cause burning, numbness, and tingling sensations. A skin lesion excision might then be appropriate.

How are skin lesion excisions performed?

Liposuction is one approach to lipoma removal. Your surgeon uses a needle and syringe to remove the fat.

Excision surgery is another option and is a relatively simple surgical procedure. An injection of local anesthesia keeps you comfortable. Dr. Al-Kalla makes a tiny incision to gain access to the lipoma and carefully removes it. Depending on the incision’s size, you might need a few stitches. Sometimes, a simple bandage or medical adhesive is all it takes to close the incision.

Cyst removal is an in-office procedure. Dr. Al-Kalla removes the entire cyst and the stalk connecting it to your joint or tendon.

Call Optimal Weight Loss and Surgery Consultants today or book an appointment online for expert skin lesion excisions.