Skin Lesion Procedures

Removal of many skin lesions, lipomas, cysts, skin tags, or moles can be done in our office. You may be referred to this office from your primary care provider, a dermatologist, or self-referred. Many of these procedures are done using a local anesthetic with minimal recovery and down time after the procedure. We may be able to remove it on the day of your consultation. Factors that determine when your growth can be removed will be your current medication(s), your insurance and the size and location of the growth. When booking your appointment in our office, please let us know if you take any type of blood thinner (coumadin, for example), a daily aspirin, or other types of medication. Insurance patients should be prepared to pay the estimated patient portion for copay, coinsurance and deductible as well as any unpaid balance prior to the removal.

What do I need to schedule a skin lesion consultation?

appointments

If you are interested in a Skin Lesion consultation, you MUST have your referring provider send us notes and pathology from your office visit with them documenting information about the location, size and description of the growth. If you are referring yourself to our office, that step won’t be required. A history of the growth would be helpful in terms of how long has it been present, rate of growth and characteristics such as painful, bleeding, etc....

Your referring provider can fax the information to Pioneer Valley Plastic Surgery at (413) 731-7870. Once we receive the information, we can schedule a consultation for you.

If you have any further questions or would like to schedule a consultation as Self-Pay, you can call our office at (413) 731-7877. You will need to pay the $100 consultation fee over the phone when you schedule the appointment.

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Skin lesions, lipomas, cysts, skin tags, and mole removal FAQs

Am I a good candidate for skin lesion removal?

During your consultation, Dr. Johnson or her Physician Assistant, Christina will provide you with their expert opinion as to whether the removal of your growth is a good option for you. The risks, benefits and possible complications of surgery will all be discussed. Once you are fully informed, you will be able to determine whether having a skin lesion removal is for you.

Will I be seen by the surgeon?

Yes. Dr. Johnson will meet with you and she will discuss all your surgical options. Dr. Johnson will provide you with the necessary information so that you feel confident and comfortable with your surgical decision.

Will I be charged for an initial consultation?

If your issue is covered by insurance, then your initial consultation will be billed through your insurance carrier. After your consultation, if all criteria is met, we will attempt to obtain authorization through your insurance carrier to cover the surgery.

If the office visit or procedure is not covered by your insurance carrier (for example, skin tag removal), you will be responsible for the consult fee as well as the procedure costs. Consult fees of $100 are due when booking the appointment. The consult fee will be applied to cost of the procedure you have done by Dr. Johnson.

Is the plastic surgeon board certified?

Yes. Dr. Johnson is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is a proud member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Additionally, she is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, which recognizes surgeons who specialize in cosmetic plastic surgery.

Are there different types of skin lesion removal procedures?

Yes. There are a number of different techniques that can be performed to remove the growth you are concerned about. The technique chosen is dependent upon the size of the lesion, the location of the lesion and the estimated time required to remove the growth.

Where will my skin lesion removal incision be?

An incision will be made in an effort to remove the lesion, to minimize the scar and to position the scar in a favorable location. The incision chosen is dependent on the size and location of the growth. The incision may be closed with dissolvable sutures. They aren’t always dissolvable.

What is the surgical process for lesion removal?

The procedure is performed at our office or at a local hospital. If the procedure is done at our office, you will receive local anesthesia and if it is done at the hospital you may receive local and/or general anesthesia. The surgery will not take a long time. After you are done, you will be discharged home.

How will I know what type of lesion was removed?

After your procedure, the growth removed will be sent to Pathology for identification. Our office will contact you with the results.

What if the entire lesion wasn’t removed?

Sometimes the margins or edges of the lesion are unclear. If Pathology shows that there may still be some of the lesion remaining on your body, we will contact you to schedule a follow up procedure to remove the growth.

How should I prepare for my skin lesion consultation?

Research on reputable internet sites such as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons can be very informative to help provide basics about the procedure and your recovery. However, the best information will be obtained by making an appointment and speaking with Dr. Johnson. At the time of your consultation we will provide you with all the needed information for you to be able to make a comfortable, confident decision about having surgery. It's a good idea to write down any questions or concerns you have so they can be fully addressed at your consultation. Know what your surgical expectations are so Dr. Johnson can discuss them with you. If you are a smoker we recommend you quit to help reduce risks during wound healing. We also recommend a healthy lifestyle to help your recovery process.

Where will my skin lesion removal surgery be performed?

When possible skin lesion removal is done in a procedure room at Pioneer Valley Plastic Surgery. Dr. Johnson also has privileges at Baystate Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center. Both are accredited by the Joint Commission and have been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval, and both are conveniently located in Springfield, MA.

Are there risks involved with skin lesion removal

Yes, there are risks with any surgical procedure. The most common risks with a skin lesion removal are pain, infection, hematoma/seroma, unsatisfactory scarring or results, or skin numbness.

What is the recovery process after skin lesion removal surgery?

The first couple of days you may feel itchiness or soreness at the removal site. Download our Post-Operative Instructions for Skin Lesion Excision/Removal for more information.

Will my insurance cover skin lesion removal surgery?

If you meet all the criteria of your insurance carrier we will attempt to get authorization from them to cover the procedure. Each insurance carrier has a set of criteria that they require for a skin lesion removal to be considered a medically necessary procedure. If you do not meet the criteria it will be considered a cosmetic procedure and will not be covered. To find out more about your own insurance, please contact them and ask for a copy of the medical policy.

Can I finance my skin lesion removal surgery?

Yes. We offer patient financing through CareCredit or ALPHAEON CREDIT. See our Financing FAQs for more information.

What forms of payment are accepted?

We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, cash, money orders, and certified bank checks, or you can finance through CareCredit.

Can I make payments online?

Yes. You can make credit card payments securely online.

Skin Lesion, Lipoma, Cyst, Skin Tag, and Mole Removal

in Springfield, MA Just minutes off I-91 at exit 11.