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Garrett Wirth, MD, MS, FACS is a Board Certified plastic surgeon in Orange County with years of specialized experience in skin cancer surgery. During the surgical process, you can trust him to preserve both your health and your appearance.

Am I a Candidate for Skin Cancer Surgery?

You may be a potential candidate for skin cancer surgery if you have one of the following:

  • Melanoma
  • Basal Cell Carcinoma
  • An irregular mole
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  • And more

Skin cancer surgery is best performed on early stage skin cancer and can be completed in stages, as needed. During your consultation with Garrett Wirth, MD, MS, FACS, he will be able to determine if skin cancer surgery is right for you.

How Does Skin Cancer Surgery Work?

Prior to surgery, a local or general anesthesia will be administered. For smaller forms of skin cancer, Dr. Wirth will be able to remove the cancerous lesion through excision (removal by cutting). A portion of healthy skin around the lesion may be removed as well. The incision will then be sutured with thin stitches.

Larger lesions or those located on the face, hands or feet may require skin grafting to close the wound. More invasive cancers may require reconstructive surgery. For larger forms of skin cancer, Dr. Wirth may recommend Mohs’ micrographic surgery to be done in combination.

This technique allows Dr. Wirth to ensure that all cancerous cells have been removed. He will complete the surgery by repairing the wound with a flap, graft or side-to-side closure. Sutures will also be required to close the wound.

What Happens After Skin Cancer Surgery?

Following surgery, Dr. Wirth will provide you with specific aftercare instructions. It is likely that you will experience some swelling and discomfort during the initial recovery phase. Incision sites may be sore and red and may drain small amounts of fluid. The treated area will be covered with a bandage for up to one week until stitches are removed. Healing may continue for several months and it may take up to one year for incision scars to begin to fade.

After skin cancer surgery, it is essential for you to use daily sun protection. Extended sun exposure may result in irregular pigmentation of your scars and it can also increase your risk of skin cancer recurrence in other regions of your body. Following surgery, Garrett Wirth, MD, MS, FACS will be able to provide you with skincare routine recommendations.

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