Minor Surgery

Minor surgery covers short procedures on or just under the skin, such as removing a mole, a cyst or a lipoma, done with local anesthesia so you walk out on your own. At Clínica Hispana Nueva Salud Hammerly in Spring Branch, Houston, we perform them during the visit itself, with no appointment and no hospital stay.

Which lumps and lesions can be removed?

• Mole: a brown or black spot, flat or raised.
• Sebaceous cyst: a small ball under the skin, sometimes with a black dot in the middle.
• Lipoma: a soft fatty lump that slides when you press it.

A mole that changes color, shape or size, or bleeds without being bumped, should be checked soon.

How does the procedure go at the clinic?

First the medical team examines the lesion and explains whether removing it makes sense. If you decide to go ahead, the area is cleaned, local anesthetic goes in through a thin needle and, once the skin is numb, a small incision lets them take the whole lesion out. The opening is closed with stitches and covered with a dressing. Most of these procedures are over quickly.

What should you mention beforehand?

• Whether you take aspirin or any blood thinner.
• Whether you have diabetes, since healing can be slower.
• Whether you ever reacted badly to numbing shots at the dentist.
• Whether the lump is red, hot and full of pus: it may be an abscess, which is handled with drainage before any removal is considered.

What will recovery look like?

You can go back to light activity right away. For a few days avoid effort that stretches the area, keep the dressing clean and dry, and return for stitch removal when you're told. Some soreness is normal and eases with an over-the-counter pain reliever.

If a lump is bothering you, stop by 8538 Hammerly Blvd Suite B so we can take a look, and ask about the price of the procedure.