Dermatologist Removed Fatty Tissue During Mole Removal

Question

This is in continuation to my erlier q about whether i should get stitches since there is a depression now where the mole was because, according to the dermitologist, "fatty tissue under the mole poped right out!"

	I would like to know if the dermitologist made a mistake and removed the fatty tissue under the mole by mistake? Is this a rare case to have fatty tissue under the mole? Isnt all my face having fatty tissue under the facial skin?Arent all the moles suppose to have fatty tissue?

Robert Kasten, MD · Answer

Suspicious moles should be removed completely. Punch biopsies usually will not give enough information, as the architecture of the complete lesion is crucial for the diagnosis many times.

	The depression you were talking about very often results from the tension on the wound. Wound healing takes about 1.5 years. Only then the scar has matured. Your scar will also improve. Usually wounds in the face heal very well.

Larisa Ravitskiy, MD · Answer

There is fat under all skin. Whether or not the fat is removed depends on the type of biopsy performed and the reason(s) behind choosing that particular biopsy type. If melanoma was suspected, then a punch biopsy would have provided the most information as it can sample all layers of the skin and fat right under the skin. In your particular situation, it is difficult to advise what to do now without a physical examination or a photograph. Generally, if the depression is mild, there is a good chance it will become less shallow with time. If you are still unhappy with how it looks after a year, then a consultation with a good reconstructive surgeon (Mohs, plastic, etc) would be a good idea.

Brent Spencer, MD · Answer

Fat is a protective layer underneath the skin. So to answer your question, there is fat underneath all moles. It is difficult to speculate about the fatty tissue "popping out" and causing a depresssion. A picture may help.

Dermatologist Removed Fatty Tissue During Mole Removal

Answers (3)

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