At A Glance

Price:

From £1250

Expected Results:

Restoration after skin surgery

Length of Surgery:

Up to 60 Minutes

Anaesthesia:

Local Anaesthetic

Recovery:

Usual Activities by 1 Week

What is Plastic Surgery Reconstruction After Skin Cancer

Plastic surgery reconstruction is a term used to describe the various techniques used by plastic surgeons to restore the appearance and function of a body part after the surgical removal of skin cancer.

It is often performed by a plastic surgeon who specialises in reconstructive procedures.

After the removal of skin cancer, especially in cases where a significant amount of tissue is excised, there may be a noticeable defect or deformity in the area. Plastic surgery reconstruction aims to address these issues and improve the cosmetic outcome. It involves various techniques to rebuild or repair the affected area using different procedures.

Plastic surgery reconstruction after skin cancer removal not only helps restore the physical appearance but can also improve the function and quality of life for individuals affected by skin cancer. It is essential to discuss your goals and expectations with your surgeon to ensure a personalised and successful reconstruction outcome.

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The Consultation

During the consultation with a consultant plastic surgeon, they will discuss what the surgery involves and the type of reconstruction which will be used. Before your treatment they will give you an idea of what to expect in terms of aftercare requirements, recovery time and what the appearance may look like. There is usually quite a bit of information to take on board so this procedure will be scheduled shortly after your consultation, giving you time to reflect upon the initial consultation and think about any further questions you may have.

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The Procedure

The custom-built operating theatres and facilities at The Day Clinic mean that we are able to undertake skin cancer surgery and simultaneous reconstruction without the need to enter a stressful hospital environment. The majority of skin cancer surgery is carried out under a local anaesthetic and patients can go home shortly after their procedure.
Two of the most common plastic surgery reconstruction techniques used after skin cancer removal include:

1. Skin Grafting:

This technique involves taking a piece of skin from one area of the body (donor site) and transplanting it to the surgical site. Skin grafts can be either full-thickness (including both the outer layer and the underlying tissue) or split-thickness (including only a portion of the underlying tissue). Skin grafts help cover the defect and promote healing.

2. Local Flap Reconstruction:

In this technique, nearby healthy tissue is mobilised and repositioned to cover the defect created by the skin cancer removal. Local flaps can be based on blood supply from adjacent tissue, such as rotational flaps or advancement flaps.

The choice of reconstruction technique depends on various factors, including the size and location of the defect, the patient’s overall health, and the surgeon’s expertise. Our plastic surgeons who specialise in reconstructive procedures can determine the most suitable approach for your specific case.

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Aftercare & Results

After your procedure, you will be given personalised aftercare guidance from your consultant. This will vary depending upon the procedure you’ve had. It is very important that you follow the aftercare advice to achieve the optimum results.

If a dressing has been applied after the procedure you will be given instructions on how to look after the area and change the dressing.

Following your procedure, it is quite likely that you will have stitches. Your consultant will advise you if your stitches are absorbable or not. If not, they will usually require removal about one week after your treatment with one of our nurses at The Day Clinic. It’s important to keep the wound clean and dry and to follow any specific instructions you’ve been given regarding wound care.

You may wish to manage any pain or discomfort you feel with painkillers such as paracetamol. If your pain is not manageable or you have any concerns, we can advise you how best to proceed.

Your consultant may want you to attend a follow-up appointment to monitor the healing process and see how your recovery is going or to discuss the results from your treatment.

If you have had skin surgery this will result in a scar, but there are steps you can take to minimise its visibility. Massaging the area regularly for a few minutes at a time can help the scar tissue to soften, producing a nicely faded scar. Your consultant will advise you when to start this and how to go about it. We also advise using a high SPF sunscreen on the area for around 12 months after your procedure.

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What our clients think

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Dr Misha Zee Malik 3 months ago
Lovely experience . Dr abood was very kind and reassured me well before the procedure
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Neil Francis 3 months ago
The Day Clinic staff and Dr Abood were exceptional. Greeted with a smile, offered a drink while I waited for my appointment, on time and procedures explained with detail, super friendly. I went ahead on the day, having two moles removed. Aftercare explained and off I went. I wish I had it done sooner. Highly recommend

Thanks Dr Abood!

Plenty of parking and easy to find.
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Richard Davey 4 months ago
Very happy with the professionalism of the The Day Clinic staff and Dr Abood , everything was explained to me from start to finish of the procedure of the removal of my lipoma , which I’m very happy with.
The Day Clinic is very easy to find and plenty of parking available.
I would recommend Dr Abood to anyone wanting a procedure.
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Sally Marriott 4 months ago
I thoroughly recommend Dr Abood and his team. The Day Clinic is bright, super clean & modern. I felt informed, relaxed & looked after during my procedures
where I had a Lipoma and a small cyst removed from my face. I shall be returning next week to have my stitches removed.
The Day Clinic is also very accessible being on the outskirts of Cambridge.
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Kay Morland 4 months ago
Dr Abood and his team were recommended to me for his seamless minimal scaring small operations. I had a small op to remove a lump in a visible area. The operation was very seamless, quick and low fuss. Free parking, easy to find, and the team were extremely friendly and attentive. They made a real effort to squeeze me in in a short time frame which I really appreciated, and sent me away with an after care plan. The actual wound was extremely tidy and I felt the operation was extremely thorough and professional. I had an appointment to view and operate on the same day but I also know that if I had wanted to postpone the operation to have time to process what he had told me, they would have done so, and made every effort to make me comfortable moving forward.
Although I'm still to see the final healed result I would thoroughly recommend the day Clinic for small ops like mine.
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John Dowdell 4 months ago
No problems, would recommend. Operation was quick and painless. Recovery is not too sore.
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simon bowers 4 months ago
So terrific to be seen and treated quickly. I had 100% confidence in Dr Abood, both in terms of his professionalism and his communications to me as a patient.
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sharon wollaston 4 months ago
lovely clean professional treatment, care and information easy to understand and looked after very well
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Cheeze Muphinnz 5 months ago
Very pleased with my experience at The Day Clinic. The staff are all exceptionally kind and helpful, and the surgery went smoothly.
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Potential Risks

While surgical excision and plastic surgery reconstruction is generally considered a safe procedure, there are some potential risks and complications you should be aware of. These may include:

Infection

Any surgical procedure carries a risk of infection. Warning signs may include increased pain, redness, swelling, warmth or discharge from the wound. Most infections will present themselves around 9 days after a procedure and the treatment is usually a one week course of oral antibiotics. Should you have any concerns about the presence of infection we will be available to see and advise you accordingly.

Bleeding

Bleeding may occur during or after the removal procedure. In rare cases, excessive bleeding may require medical attention.

Scarring

Following any form of surgery there will be a scar. The extent of scarring can vary, and is dependent on your particular case and how you heal. We will do all we can to minimise the appearance of any unavoidable scarring.

Nerve Damage

In rare cases, if the lesion is particularly large or deep, surgical removal procedures may damage nearby nerves. This could lead to temporary or permanent numbness or altered sensation in the area.

Recurrence

With certain types of skin lesion there is a small risk of it coming back, also known as recurrence. If your surgery involved removal of a skin cancer we will advise an annual skin check with a skin expert to look for early signs of recurrence or other skin cancers.

Related FAQs

How soon after skin cancer removal can plastic surgery reconstruction be performed?

Plastic surgery reconstruction is usually done straight after the removal of skin cancer as part of the same procedure.

How long is the recovery process after plastic surgery reconstruction?

The time frame for recovery is dependent upon the extent of the procedure as well as your individual healing and other factors which your consultant will explain during your consultation. It can take several weeks for the surgical site to fully heal. There may be some restrictions on physical activity during the early healing phase. Following the aftercare guidance will help to ensure an optimal recovery.

Is plastic surgery reconstruction painful?

The reconstruction procedure will be performed under anaesthetic which will make it painless. After the procedure  and once the local anaesthetic has worn off there may be some mild discomfort. This can usually be well controlled with over the counter painkillers such as Paracetamol. Your consultant will give you guidance on how to manage aftercare.

Will my health insurance cover plastic surgery reconstruction?

In most cases, health insurance plans will cover the cost of plastic surgery reconstruction following skin cancer removal. However, coverage depends on your particular insurance policy and would need to be confirmed before the treatment. If you have difficulty navigating your insurance policy the administrative team at The Day Clinic will be able to assist you.

How will I look after plastic surgery reconstruction?

The aim of plastic surgery reconstruction is to restore the body’s appearance, as far as possible, to how it was before the surgical excision. Our reconstructive techniques can achieve excellent cosmetic outcomes and are planned to reduce the visibility of scars as far as possible. We understand that treating serious skin conditions and successful cosmetic reconstruction go hand in hand.

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