Why Would I Want Both a Dermatologist and a Plastic Surgeon to Have a Mole Removed?

asked 8 months ago by anon
Latest answer by Philip Young, MD
Question viewed 259 times
Tags: cancer, moles, reasons, removal, surgeon, surgery scar

If I'm just going to end up seeing a plastic surgeon to make the removal/scar area look right, then why see a dermatologist? Can the plastic surgeon send the tissue to a lab to check for cancer?

7 answers to Why Would I Want Both a Dermatologist and a Plastic Surgeon to Have a Mole Removed?

Plastic surgeons can biopsy a mole and send it off just like a dermatologist

Plastic surgeons can do that as well. You have check with the particular plastic surgeon that you are seeing to see if this something that he is comfortable with. I would get multiple opinions and see their results and ask them as many questions as possible. Below is a video to illustate our answer better. We have other informative videos and information on our website and a link is included to help you find us. see video

Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Plastic Surgeon vs. Dermatologist for mole removal

Both physicians can remove moles, as can other types of physicians. However, Dermatologists remove many more moles than Plastic Surgeons and therefore, are typically the most experienced "mole removal" physicians. Dermatologists are better trained in identifying the type of "mole" (or skin cancer) that you may have and hence, selecting the most appropriate and least likely to scar removal method. The choice of removal method is very significant in... more

Robert Strimling, MD
Las Vegas Dermatologist

Mole removal with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon

Whether a dermatologist or plastic surgeon removes your mole is truly up to you and your doctor. A board certified dermatologist has excellent training in mole removal and usually performs this procedure multiple times everyday as a routine practice. Some Dermatologists have also done a fellowship in procedural dermatology and are recognized as experts in cosmetic surgery as well as skin cancer removal. Therefore, This group of dermatologists will have extensive experience with... more

Shawn Allen, MD
Boulder Dermatologist

Both Dermatologists and Plastic Surgeons Perform Mole Removal

Most dermatologists perform mole removals several times every day. With that much practice, we get pretty good at the procedure. Actually most moles can be removed from the face with little or no scarring. Ones on the back also heal well when they are shaved off and allowed to heal naturally. Using stitches on the back, leads to a wide or "spread" scar. So it is usually best just to excise them and cover with a Band-aid. Moles on the legs are a special situation because it... more

T. Wayne Day, MD
Nashville Dermatologic Surgeon

Plastic Surgeon and Dermatologist?

Thanks for the question. Although not clear in your description it sounds like you may be undergoing the Mohs procedure. If this is a case, the dermatologist may specialize in this procedure (with the appropriate training and equipment) and the plastic surgeon's role is to reconstruct the “defect” after the Moh's procedure. If the Mohs procedure is not being done then the plastic surgeon should be able to do both the excision... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Mole removal

If you are going to a plastic surgeon for a mole removal, they will send the tissue for pathologic analysis to be sure it is benign. The reason for seeing a dermatologist is not because of THIS mole, but for future followup of other moles.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Plastic surgeon for mole removal

In my area of New York City, patients traditionally went first to dermatologists who then referred them to me for excision. What I have observed during the recession is that patients are coming directly to my office when they recognize that a lesion will require excision rather than to pay an additional copayment. All specimens in my office are sent to a dermatopathologist for evaluation. If a patient has additional lesions with questions as to their etiology or conditions requiring... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

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