Surgery

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Some skin conditions can be managed with medication or other conservative methods. When possible, your board-certified dermatologist will rely on these to address your dermatologic health. If you have a condition that does not improve with non-surgical treatments, your doctor may recommend a more comprehensive approach.

Dr. Linda Banta is an experienced dermatologist who has mastered the performance of several types of dermatologic surgery. If you are trouble by a persistent condition that is affecting your skin health or appearance or that is causing you concern, contact our San Antonio office at 210-494-0504 to arrange an appointment.

What Surgical Procedures Does Dr. Banta Specialize In?

Dr. Banta specializes in the most thorough treatment of a wide variety of skin conditions. Surgical procedures that she may recommend in certain situations include the following;

  • Excisions of moles, cysts, lipomas, and skin cancers.
  • Electrocautery of sebaceous hyperplasia (enlarged oil glands) and skin cancers
  • Biopsies

What Conditions May Need to Be Treated with Surgery?

The most common reason that a person may need dermatologic surgery is to remove known skin cancer. Dr. Banta offers comprehensive skin cancer screenings that can enable you to fully know your skin and the moles or spots that appear so you can determine if or when you may need to seek care. To diagnose skin cancer, the first procedure may be a biopsy. This brief test is performed using a local anesthetic that allows the doctor to painlessly remove a small section of tissue from a suspicious growth. For diagnosed skin cancer, treatment may involve excision, which removes the entire growth as well as a small amount of surrounding tissue.

Excision or electrocautery may be performed on squamous cell carcinomas, basal cell carcinomas, melanoma skin cancers, and also rare skin tumors. The same procedures may be performed on benign skin growths that are causing physical discomfort or self-consciousness. Examples include seborrhoeic keratoses, scars, and large moles.

Who Would Be an Ideal Candidate for Surgery?

If you have a growth that is causing pain or is a cosmetic nuisance, you may be a good candidate for dermatologic surgery. Likewise, if you have a growth or spot that looks suspicious, itches, bleeds, or shows other signs of potential skin cancer, you can benefit from a thorough consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. There may be some contraindications to surgery. These can be identified and discussed during your visit in which the doctor reviews your condition, your medical history, and other factors that could influence your treatment outcome.

How Should I Prepare for My Surgical Procedure?

Please inform the doctor if you take a blood thinning medication such as Coumadin© (warfarin) or Plavix© (clopidogrel). Generally, it is necessary to avoid all substances that can unnecessarily thin the blood. In the 10 days prior to a surgical procedure, you may be advised to avoid the use of over-the-counter medications like aspirin and ibuprofen products. Some supplements, such as Gingko Biloba, can also thin the blood. Prescription blood thinners may be an exception to this rule. If you take a prescription blood thinner, the doctor may advise you to continue its use as normal. If a change may be warranted, you must consult with the prescribing physician before altering your dosing schedule. In addition to avoiding over-the-counter products as recommended, you should also avoid alcohol use for at least two days before having dermatologic surgery. This, too, is to prevent excessive bleeding and bruising. If there are additional precautions that you must take before surgery, such as taking an antibiotic, the doctor will discuss them during your consultation.

What Kind of Recovery Should I Expect After Surgery?

Your recovery after dermatologic surgery should be mild. The length of time that it takes for your surgical side effects to resolve may be determined by the size of your biopsy, excision, or other treatment. Excisional surgeries tend to be the most invasive. The recovery period after this type of procedure may span one to three weeks. During that time, you must follow the aftercare instructions provided to you. These should discuss your activity limitations and how to clean and protect your surgical wound. It is necessary to wash the surgical site at least once a day and apply any topical medications as directed. The wound should be kept moist to facilitate healing, and it must be protected from direct sunlight. If you have questions about your surgical recovery, our team is available to provide guidance and assistance as needed!

Why Should I Choose Stone Oak Dermatology for My Surgery Needs?

At Stone Oak Dermatology, we are driven by a strong desire to help our patients look and feel their best. We understand that unknown skin conditions can raise a lot of concerns. Dr. Banta is an experienced, board-certified dermatologist who has served the San Antonio area for more than 15 years after retiring from a thriving military career in which she received the outstanding faculty award for her role as part of the dermatology residency teaching staff. You deserve to receive care from a physician with a wealth of knowledge and clinical experience, which Dr. Banta has. Additionally, her approach to patient care keeps you fully involved in your treatment decisions.

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