Welcome to our Minor Surgery information page. We provide minor surgical procedures for patients requiring treatment for skin lesions, cysts, lipomas, and similar conditions.
If you have been referred for minor surgery or would like to discuss a skin concern with one of our clinicians, please contact us today to arrange a consultation.
📞 Call us on 020 8857 1900
💻 Or submit an online request here
Non-urgent advice: What is Minor Surgery?
Minor surgery is a simple, outpatient procedure carried out under local anaesthetic to remove skin lesions or cysts. These procedures are typically quick and require minimal recovery time.
What we treat:
| Excisions: | All benign lesions of the face, scalp, trunk and extremities |
|---|---|
| Examples: | Benign Naevi, Cysts, Skin tags, etc. Lumps & bumps on trunk & limbs <5cm / painful, Bowens Disease |
| Exclusions: | Lesions >5cm Lesions in hazardous locations- wrist; lesions on the face: minimum distance from the eye for an excision = the margin of the orbit; etc. (Please also see below in “additional procedures”). Removal of ganglion Keloid scar removal |
| Referral notes: | For all lesions, please include a clear description of appearance, site and measurement in your referral letter. |
| Incisions: | Cysts |
|---|---|
| Examples: | Sebaceous cysts. Please inform patients that they should contact their own practice to arrange treatment of any infection. Any patient with an infection should be treated with antibiotics for 4-6 weeks before attending a minor surgery appointment. |
| Exclusions: | Cysts >5cm. Cysts in hazardous locations- wrist; face: minimum distance from the eye for an excision = the margin of the orbit; etc. |
| Injections: | |
|---|---|
| Joints: | Shoulder, knees, elbow, thumb, ankles, toe, fingers |
| Soft tissue: | Tennis elbow (refer to physio in the first instance), trigger finger, Epicondylitis, Tendonitis (supraspinatus, biceps, De Quervains), Carpal Tunnel (treat with splint initially; if there is permanent numbness, refer to secondary care), Keloid Scars (limited to 1 initial appointment and 3 follow ups before a clinical review should take place), Plantar Fasciitis (refer to MSK foot clinic in the first instance), Knee Pes Anserinus. |
| Exclusions: | Achilles Tendons, Facet joints, epidurals |
Before your procedure:
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
- Wash on the day
- Do not shave the area
- Have a good breakfast
- Continue all regular medications, including blood thinners, unless instructed otherwise
- Bring a friend or family member if you wish
Non-urgent advice: Please inform us if you:
Have allergies (especially to anaesthetics)
Have a pacemaker, joint replacements, or metal implants
Struggle to lie flat for 30 minutes.
Have diabetes or another condition that affects wound healing
Would like a chaperone present.
Non-urgent advice: On the day of surgery
Procedures last 15 to 45 minutes.
Avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day.
Most patients can drive home but may feel tired.
Please let the GP Surgeon know if you feel faint or unwell
Non-urgent advice: Aftercare & Recovery
General Wound Care
Keep dressings clean and dry.
You may shower after 24 hours, but pat the wound dry
Avoid rubbing the wound or using perfumed products until fully healed.
Apply Vaseline or an unscented moisturizer (e.g., E45) once healed for better skin recovery.
Physical Activity
Avoid heavy lifting, exercise, or stretching the wound area while stitches are in place and for 2 weeks after removal.
Swimming & Sun
Avoid swimming until the wound is fully healed and closed (minimum 4 weeks).
Avoid sun exposure on the wound for at least 2 weeks (cover with clothing or a hat).
Non-urgent advice: What to expect after surgery
Bruising Timeline
Day 1-2: Red, turning purple or blue.
Days 5-10: Green or yellow.
Days 10-14: Fades to brown and gradually disappears.
Pain & Swelling
Mild discomfort is common once the anaesthetic wears off.
Over-the-counter pain relief (e.g., paracetamol) is usually sufficient.
Mild swelling and bruising are normal and will improve within a few days.
Stitch Removal Timeline:
| Body Area | Stitch Removal Time |
|---|---|
| Face | 5-7 days |
| Scalp | 5-10 days |
| Arms | 7-14 days |
| Legs | 10-14 days |
| Trunk | 9-14 days |
Non-urgent advice: When to Seek Medical Advice:
Contact us immediately if you notice:
Worsening redness, swelling, or heat
Yellow or green discharge
An offensive smell from the wound
Severe or worsening pain after 48 hours
Bleeding that does not stop after applying pressure for 15 minutes
Contact us immediately if you notice
Non-urgent advice: Contact us
If you have any concerns following your surgery, please contact the practice directly. Out of hours, please call 111