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Mole Removal
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| ?ole removal surgery procedures
and information. Find plastic surgeons in your area who specialize
in mole removal procedures. |
 Moles
most frequently develop in young adults until about the age
of 40. Depending on their location, moles may go unnoticed
-- or they may become a nuisance by rubbing against clothing
and getting in the way of shaving. Moles can also lead to
dangerous health problems. Many skin cancers, including melanoma,
begin in the shape of a mole.
If you have a mole that seems atypical in any way -- one
that changes in size and appearance, bleeds, is asymmetrical,
is not uniform in color, has ragged edges, or in any other
way seems unusual -- it is very important to have it examined
by a doctor with experience in treating moles, related skin
conditions, and skin cancer.
Not all atypical moles turn out to be cancerous, but they
are more likely than typical moles to develop into cancer.
If a cancerous mole is diagnosed early, it can often be
completely removed. You may also want to have normal moles
removed, especially those that rub against clothing or get
in the way of shaving. Prominent moles may also be removed
to improve appearance.
If you are considering having one or more moles removed,
the following information will provide you with a good introduction
to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a plastic surgeon who has completed a residency program that includes instruction in this procedure.
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What are some of the most common benefits of this procedure?
What will happen at the initial consultation?
How are moles removed?
How long does the procedure take?
Where will the procedure be performed?
How much pain is there?
What can I expect after the procedure?
What is the recovery period like?
What is the long-term outcome like for most people?
Ideal Candidate
Alternatives
Risks and limitations:
Costs:
Choosing a doctor:
Questions to ask your doctor:
Be sure to:
How do I finance this procedure?
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| What are some
of the most common benefits of this procedure? |
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If your doctor determines that a mole
is potentially cancerous, removal will most likely be
recommended. It is very important to follow your doctor�s
advice if he/she recommends that you remove a mole.
Removing a mole can stop the spread of cancerous or
potentially cancerous skin cells.
The removal of normal moles can also lead to smoother,
clearer skin, as well as reducing any skin irritation.
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| What will happen
at the initial consultation? |
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During the initial consultation, you�ll
be able to talk to your doctor about the changes you
would like to make in your appearance. He/she will explain
the different options available to you, the procedure
itself, and its risks and limitations. He/she will also
explain the kind of anesthesia
required, surgical facility and costs.
Your doctor will begin with a complete medical history
and examine your mole. He/she may also take photos
and give you specific instructions on how to prepare
for the procedure. Take this opportunity to ask all
the questions you have about the procedure. Learning
everything you can about your options, risks and benefits
is the key to making an informed decision. See Questions
to ask your doctor below.
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| How are moles
removed? |
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Because moles can be cancerous, doctors
will usually examine them carefully by performing a
biopsy or microscope analysis. A small portion of the
mole will be removed for this purpose. It may be removed
with an instrument that quickly punches out a small
section of the mole, or it may also be cut with a scalpel
or scissors. This tissue is then sent to a pathology
lab to be examined.
If lab examination shows the mole to be normal, the
doctor can remove it either by shaving or cutting
it. The shaving method works by removing the protruding
surface of the mole so that it is flush with the surrounding
skin. This technique is common for patients who have
moles that become irritated by clothing or movement.
However, it can leave some of the mole cells beneath
the skin, and the mole may grow back again over the
next several years.
The cutting method of mole removal may be used for
both normal and atypical moles. (Potentially cancerous
moles are nearly always removed using this technique.)
This procedure is often called elliptical excision
because the mole, as well as the surrounding and underlying
tissue, is removed in the shape of an ellipse, or
oval. All of the mole is removed, both above and below
the skin. A small medical blade may be used, or a
laser may be chosen to reduce bleeding and allow for
quicker healing time. If a blade is used, sutures
(stitched) are used to close the incision if it is
cut. If a laser is used, sutures will not be needed.
After the procedure, a bandage is usually applied.
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| How long does
the procedure take? |
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Mole removal typically takes less than
an hour to perform. |
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| Where will the
procedure be performed? |
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Mole removal can generally be performed
in the doctor�s office or in a surgical suite, depending
on your preferences as well as your doctor�s. It may
be performed under local
anesthesia with light sedation, or local anesthesia
with deep sedation. If you have many moles to be removed,
or if the procedure is expected to take a long time,
general
anesthesia may be recommended. You may be allowed
to return home within a few hours of the surgery and
spend the night in the comfort of your own home.
If you have other medical problems, concurrent procedures,
or a lengthier procedure performed under general anesthesia,
it may be necessary to spend the night in the hospital
so your recovery process can be monitored by a medical
staff.
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| How much pain
is there? |
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Most doctors use a local anesthetic to
reduce pain and discomfort. You should feel little or
no pain during the procedure itself. Often when a laser
is used, no anesthetic is needed because there is not
pain, just a tingling sensation.
Discuss your goals, budget, and pain tolerance with
your surgeon in order to help him/her determine the
procedure, or combination of procedures, that will
produce the best results for you.
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| What can I expect
after the procedure? |
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The amount of pain afterward varies, and
depends on the method used. After a mole is removed,
a scab will develop and then heal within 1-2 weeks.
Any redness around the area should disappear within
2-4 weeks. |
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| What is the recovery
period like? |
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Immediately after surgery, you should
avoid swimming, dishwashing, and other activities that
might dampen the treated area. Follow your doctor�s
instructions carefully to avoid any possible complications
or delayed healing. |
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| What is the long-term
outcome like for most people? |
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Most scars slowly fade with time. Applying
sunscreen to the treated area may help keep any scarring
remaining from darkening. Using sun-protection lotions
and reducing exposure to the sun can lessen the risk
of melanoma (a type of mole/skin cancer). |
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| Ideal Candidate |
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In general, the best candidates for mole
removal are:
- Fair skinned
- Knowledgeable about the procedure
- In good physical and psychological health
- Wanting to improve their appearance and/or comfort
- Realistic in their expectations
- Not users of marijuana or anabolic steroids
- Not heavy users of alcohol
The above is only a partial list of the criteria that
your surgeon will consider in determining whether or
not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to
ask your surgeon if he / she considers you an ideal
candidate for this surgery. |
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| Alternatives |
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Each case is different, depending on the
presence or absence of a cancerous condition. Discuss
with your doctor what options you may have in addition
to surgical mole removal. |
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| Risks and limitations: |
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The risks associated with mole removal
are minor. If the shaving method is used, there is a
risk that the mole will grow back within several years
following the removal. Elliptical excision can sometimes
produce scarring, especially in younger children. However,
if scarring does occur, it can be eliminated by cosmetic
surgery or skin resurfacing techniques. |
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| Costs: |
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| Choosing a doctor: |
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It is very important that you select a
physician adequately trained and experienced in this
procedure. See our Physician
Locator feature to find a surgeon in your area,
including detailed profile information for many of the
listed doctors. Also read How
to Select a Plastic Surgeon for a more detailed
discussion on choosing the right doctor.
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| Questions to
ask your doctor: |
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- Are the desired results I described realistic?
- Should I have other moles on my body examined/removed?
- Is there an alternative remedy that I should consider
as well?
- How long will the procedure take?
- What kind of anesthesia is used, if any?
- How much does it cost?
- What is your experience in performing this procedure?
(How long has he/she performed this procedure, and
how many he/she has performed in the past year?)
- What percentage of patients have had significant
complications? (The physician should disclose this
information to you.)
- Will you repeat or correct procedures if it does
not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure
must be repeated / corrected, will I be charged
again? (The physician should provide you with his/her
policy on this issue.)
- May I see "before and after" photos of recent
patients? (The physician should provide many photos
of recent patients.)
- Could I observe the procedure I am considering
before I decide to have it done? (Either on videotape
or ask to view one in real life.)
- What should I expect after the procedure in terms
of soreness, what to watch for, medication, bathing,
and level of activity?
- Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage
denied, revoked, suspended?
- Do you offer patient
financing?
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| Be sure to: |
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- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have
(to foods, drugs, environmental elements)
- Tell your doctor about all medications you are
taking (both prescription and non-prescription)
- Carefully follow any instructions your doctor
gives you.
The information on this web site is only intended
as an introduction to this procedure. This information
should not be used to determine whether you will have
the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result.
The best method of determining your options is to consult
qualified surgeons who are able to answer specific questions
related to your situation. |
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| How do I finance
this procedure? |
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Did you know that 29% of all Americans
have considered having an elective procedure? Of those,
60% would schedule a procedure immediately if financing
was available. With iEnhance's patient
financing options, money no longer has to be the
barrier between you and your new image. By filling out
our on-line
application you can qualify for a loan in as little
as 30 seconds. |
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