Minor Surgery FAQs

Welcome to our FAQ section. Here, you'll find answers to common questions about our surgical procedures, including how long they take, the risks of skin cancer, and what to expect during recovery. We want you to feel informed and confident about your surgery. Our experienced surgeons are here to provide the care and guidance you need
Minor Surgery FAQs - The Minor Surgery Center

Minor Surgery FAQs

Find answers to all your questions about minor surgery procedures

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💳 Insurance & Coverage

The Ministry of Health determines which procedures are covered by OHIP and which are not, based on a number of factors. Most benign (noncancerous) skin lesions are not covered as their treatment is considered unessential by the Ministry of Health.
Coverage Note: Coverage decisions are based on medical necessity as determined by provincial health guidelines.
Basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, carpal tunnel syndrome, and trigger fingers are covered by OHIP.
Important: These are the primary OHIP-covered procedures at our clinic. Coverage may vary based on individual circumstances.
No, you do not need a referral for the procedures that are covered by OHIP.
Direct Access: You can book directly with us for OHIP-covered procedures without a family doctor referral.

⚕️ During the Procedure

The length of a procedure is different for each case. Ask your surgeon for a more accurate answer.
Typical Ranges: Most minor procedures take 15-45 minutes, depending on complexity and location.
No, you will not be put to sleep, as all of the procedures are performed using local anesthesia.
Local Anesthesia: You'll be awake but completely comfortable. The area will be numb, and you won't feel any pain during the procedure.
We administer local anesthesia with a tiny needle. Although pain levels vary based on the condition that is being treated, we aim to minimize your pain during the procedure as much as possible.
Pain Management: Most patients report minimal discomfort. The initial injection may cause brief stinging, but the area becomes numb quickly.
Although this varies on a case-by-case basis, we avoid operating on multiple conditions per person on the same day. This is to help ease the recovery process, and also to ensure that the total dosage of local anesthesia doesn't exceed the daily recommended limit.
Safety First: This policy ensures optimal safety and recovery outcomes for our patients.

📋 Preparation & Pre-Surgery

Each of our patients receives a consultation with one of our board certified plastic surgeons. Your consultation will include a review of your medical history as well as a physical examination of the skin lesion.
Yes. Eating before your surgery is encouraged as it would curb the chances of "light-headedness" or "jittery" feelings occurring prior to and through your surgery.
Recommendation: Have a light meal 2-3 hours before your procedure to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Unless instructed, you do not need to stop taking medications before your surgery. If in doubt, call the TMSC office well in advance of your surgery.
Important: Always inform us about all medications, supplements, and blood thinners you're taking during your consultation.
You may postpone your surgery, but we do not recommend it. If your lesion is cancerous, postponing your surgery may lead to the growth and spread of your lesion, which may further complicate reconstruction and recovery. If melanoma and squamous cell carcinomas spread to other parts of your body, they can be fatal.
⚠️ Important: For cancerous lesions, timely treatment is crucial. Delays can affect outcomes and increase complexity.
If you're feeling unwell before your procedure, please contact our office immediately. Minor illnesses may not affect local anesthesia procedures, but we'll assess each case individually.
Safety Protocol: We may reschedule if you have fever, active infection, or significant illness to ensure optimal healing.
Allergic reactions to local anesthesia are extremely rare, occurring in less than 1% of patients. We use modern, well-tolerated anesthetics and always review your allergy history during consultation.
Precaution: Please inform us of any known allergies to medications, especially lidocaine or similar anesthetics.

🔄 Recovery & Aftercare

Unless the surgery was on or near your eyes or on your hands, you may drive home by yourself after the surgery is complete. There is a possibility that your automobile insurance policies may not be in effect during your recovery time; if in doubt, contact your insurance broker for clarification.
Safety Note: Even if medically cleared to drive, consider having someone accompany you for support and assistance.
Most patients can return to work within 1-3 days, depending on the type of procedure and your job requirements. Desk work can typically be resumed the next day, while physical labor may require more time.
Work Considerations: Factor in your job's physical demands, dress code requirements, and ability to keep the surgical site clean.
Whether you get stitches or not is determined on a case-by-case basis, and is based on factors such as the condition that is being treated, the depth of skin growth being removed, and more. That being said, most of our cases do have stitches.
Stitch Care: If you receive stitches, we'll provide detailed care instructions and schedule a follow-up for removal if needed.
A completely scarless surgery is a myth. Any cuts, scrapes, or incisions made during surgery do leave scars. However, our board certified surgeons understand and empathize with our patients' inclination to want little to no scars, and are extremely diligent about practicing the best techniques to minimize scarring as much as possible. We also use scar management gels after surgery.
Scar Minimization: We offer "tiny scar" cyst and lipoma surgeries. Ask about our advanced techniques during your consultation.
Individual Healing: How a scar looks after healing varies case-by-case. No two people will have identical healing, even with the same procedure.
Most patients require 1-2 follow-up visits. The first is typically within 1-2 weeks to check healing progress, and a second visit may be needed for stitch removal or final assessment.
Follow-up Schedule: We'll customize your follow-up plan based on your specific procedure and healing progress.
Local travel is generally fine within 24-48 hours, but we recommend avoiding long flights or extensive travel for at least one week to ensure proper initial healing and allow for any necessary follow-up care.
Travel Planning: Discuss travel plans during your consultation so we can provide specific guidance based on your procedure.
Time off varies by procedure and job type. Office workers often return the next day, while those in physical jobs may need 2-7 days off. We'll provide a medical note if required by your employer.
Planning Ahead: Discuss your work requirements during consultation to plan appropriate time off.

🩺 Medical Concerns

Yes. If melanoma and squamous cell carcinomas spread to other parts of your body, they can be fatal. Basal cell carcinoma is rarely fatal, but if left untreated it can grow in size and become severely disfiguring. It can also affect nerves and lead to poorer functioning eyes, lips, cheeks, and other areas on the body. Basal cell carcinoma does have a real potential to lead to death.
⚠️ Critical: Early detection and treatment are essential. Don't delay seeking treatment for suspicious skin lesions.
If you leave melanoma and squamous cell carcinomas untreated, they can rapidly spread to other parts of the body. They can also lead to death. Basal cell carcinomas do not spread to other parts of the body in most cases, but their growth continues. Basal cell carcinomas also have the potential to grow down to a nerve and spread.
⚠️ Warning: Typically, the longer you leave these cancers untreated, the larger and more disfiguring they become.
Blood-thinning medications and supplements may need to be temporarily stopped before surgery. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, fish oil, and certain herbal supplements. We'll review all your medications during consultation.
Important: Never stop prescribed medications without consulting your prescribing physician. We'll coordinate with your doctor if needed.

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Have more questions?

Contact us and we'll be more than happy to answer them

How long will my procedure last?

The length of a procedure is different for each case. Ask your surgeon for a more accurate answer.

Can skin cancer kill me?

Yes. If melanoma and squamous cell carcinomas spread to other parts of your body, they can be fatal. Basal cell carcinoma is rarely fatal, but if left untreated it can grow in size and become severely disfiguring. It can also affect nerves and lead to poorer functioning eyes, lips, cheeks, and other areas on the body. Basal cell carcinoma does have a real potential to lead to death.

Can I postpone my surgery?

You may postpone your surgery, but we do not recommend it.

If your lesion is cancerous, postponing your surgery may lead to the growth and spread of your lesion, which may further complicate reconstruction and recovery. If melanoma and squamous cell carcinomas spread to other parts of your body, they can be fatal. It is also imperative for you to be on time for your procedure to ensure you undergo the surgery as scheduled.

What happens if I leave my skin cancer tumor(s) untreated?

If you leave melanoma and squamous cell carcinomas untreated, they can rapidly spread to other parts of the body. They can also lead to death.

Basal cell carcinomas do not spread to other parts of the body in most cases, but their growth continues. Basal cell carcinomas also have the potential to grow down to a nerve and spread.

Typically, the longer you leave these cancers untreated, the larger and more disfiguring they become.

Can I have multiple surgeries on the same day?

Although this varies on a case-by-case basis, we avoid operating on multiple conditions per person on the same day. This is to help ease the recovery process, and also to ensure that the total dosage of local anesthesia doesn’t exceed the daily recommended limit.

Can I eat before my surgery?

Yes. Eating before your surgery is encouraged as it would curb the chances of “light-headedness” or “jittery” feelings occurring prior to and through your surgery.

Will I need to stop taking medications before my surgery?

Unless instructed, you do not need to stop taking medications before your surgery. If in doubt, call the TMSC office well in advance of your surgery.

When can I return to work?

Unless instructed, you do not need to stop taking medications before your surgery. If in doubt, call the TMSC office well in advance of your surgery.

Can I drive home by myself after the surgery is complete?

Unless the surgery was on or near your eyes or on your hands, you may drive home by yourself after the surgery is complete. There is a possibility that your automobile insurance policies may not be in effect during your recovery time; if in doubt, contact your insurance broker for clarification.

Will I have a scar? What will it look like?

A completely scarless surgery is a myth. Any cuts, scrapes, or incisions made during surgery do leave scars. However, our board certified surgeons understand and empathize with our patients’ inclination to want little to no scars, and are extremely digilent about practicing the best techniques to minimize scarring as much as possible. We also use scar management gels after surgery. Ask our surgeons about the “tiny scar” cyst andlipoma surgeries performed at TMSC.

How a scar looks after healing varies on a case-by-case basis. Our surgeons can control where and how long each incision is, and are fastidious about trying to minimize scarring, but no two people experiencing the exact same procedure will have the exact same healing.

Will I get stitches?

Whether you get stitches or not is determined on a case-by-case basis, and is based on factors such as the condition that is being treated, the depth of skin growth being removed, and more. That being said, most of our cases do have stitches.

Will I be put to sleep?

No, you will not be put to sleep, as all of the procedures are performed using local anesthesia.

How painful will my surgery be?

We administer local anesthesia with a tiny needle. Although pain levels vary based on the condition that is being treated, we aim to minimize your pain during the procedure as much as possible.

Will my doctor examine me before my surgery?

Each of our patients receives a consultation with one of our board certified plastic surgeons. Your consultation will include a review of your medical history as well as a physical examination of the skin lesion.

Do I need a referral for the procedures that are covered by OHIP?

No, you do not need a referral for the procedures that are covered by OHIP.

Which procedures are covered by OHIP?

Basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, carpal tunnel syndrome, and trigger fingers.

Will OHIP cover my surgery?

The Ministry of Health determines which procedures are covered by OHIP and which are not, based on a number of factors. Most benign (noncancerous) skin lesions are not covered as their treatment is considered unessential by the Ministry of Health.

Book a Free Consultation
Our procedures are quick, effective and as painless as possible. Each case is tended to with great care, and scarring is always minimal. Book a free consultation to meet directly with one of our board certified plastic surgeons.
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