Surgical Solutions for Skin Growths
Lipoma, Cyst & Mole Removal Leesburg, Ashburn
Patients with lipomas, cysts, moles and skin tags often turn to a plastic surgeon to have the lesions and growths removed, despite the fact that they are generally harmless. When these dermal conditions reach a certain size, they may cause discomfort, and patients may feel self-conscious of their visibility. Dr. Timothy Mountcastle eliminates uncomfortable skin conditions, restoring patients’ confidence in their appearance. Contrary to popular belief your insurance will most likely cover the treatment of these conditions. To have a lipoma, cyst, mole or skin tag evaluated for removal, contact Dr. Mountcastle at his Ashburn or Leesburg practice. Procedure time varies by patient, but he typically performs in-office, same-day treatment.
Lipoma Removal
Lipomas are doughy, fatty growths that develop between skin and its underlying muscle layer. Often patients notice that the lump moves beneath the skin when pressure is applied with the finger. While a lipoma doesn’t pose a health threat, the slow-growing fatty tumor may expand to the point where it becomes painful, or may be in a prominent location, and require removal. Dr. Mountcastle may perform a biopsy or an ultrasound to ensure the correct diagnosis of the lipoma before removing it. Surgical removal is typically accomplished with a simple excision method, although liposuction may also be used to eliminate some of the fatty tissue.
Cyst Removal
Unlike lipomas, which are comprised of fatty tissue, cysts are closed sacs that can contain fluid or semisolid material. The material contained by a cyst is enclosed by an outer capsule. Cysts can range in size, from the size of a pea to uncomfortably larger sizes. Most cysts require removal due to their high chance of infection and growth potential.
Pilonidal Cysts
As a member of a medical community dedicated to the research and treatment of pilonidal cysts, Dr. Mountcastle is exceptionally skilled in their removal. Containing hair and skin debris, pilonidal cysts are most often found at the base of the tailbone. Often asymptomtic, pilonidal cysts may cause discomfort when inflamed or irritated.
Pilonidal cysts are treated by a number of techniques, including excision with suture closure, or the open packing method. Being one of the first surgeons in the DC area to become a member of the Pilonidal Support Alliance allowed Dr. Mountcastle to train and treat patients who have had pilonidal disease recur after being treated by other surgeons. Some of these patients had multiple surgeries without success and Dr. Mountcastle was able to cure them with a karydakis flap, a new surgical technique that cures patients of recurrent pilonidal disease.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
When sweat glands do not release fluids completely, cysts can form, causing a condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa. Symptoms include swollen and painful lesions in areas that contain apocrine (sweat) glands, such as the groin and armpits. When hidradenitis suppurativa has advanced to moderate or severe stages, Dr. Mountcastle will use a technique known as wide local incision to remove both the affected area and its surrounding healthy tissue.
Skin cysts occur in a wide variety of locations and forms. If a lump on your skin is troubling you, contact Dr. Mountcastle today.
Mole Removal
While certain celebrities are known for their trademark moles, not everyone considers the spots on their skin to be beauty marks. When moles become large, prominent, or noticeably dark, many patients choose to have them removed regardless of whether they pose a health threat.
- The shave technique: The shave method preferred by Dr. Mountcastle is quick, simple, and can often be performed the same day as your mole removal consultation. By numbing the area with a local anesthetic, in the form of cream or injections with an ultrafine needle, Dr. Mountcastle is able to shave the portion of the mole that lies above the surface of the skin with a scalpel. Bleeding is stopped with a cauterizing instrument, so no stitches are required. The entire procedure can be accomplished in approximately five minutes.
- Excisions: For moles that are flat and cannot be removed with shaving, or are irregular and potentially cancerous, excision may be necessary. The excision procedure extracts the entire mole, including the parts that exist beneath the skin’s surface. Numbing injections are administered to the area before Dr. Mountcastle makes the necessary incisions to remove the mole. Stitches are used to close the treated area.
All moles removed by Dr. Mountcastle will be biopsied and sent to a pathologist to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Nearly all mole removals will be covered by your insurance. Dr. Mountcastle will advise you on how to care for the treated area as it heals and may recommend skin care products to further reduce your risk of post-procedural scarring.
Skin Tag Removal
Skin tags are extremely common, and can occur on any area of the epidermis. While often inconspicuously small and flesh-colored, skin tags are sometimes noticeably darker than surrounding skin and patients may choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. However, when friction from clothes or bodily movement causes skin tags to become irritated, removal can alleviate discomfort as well as improve the skin’s appearance. Skin tag removal is accomplished quickly and painlessly, using the methods of excision, cauterization or cryosurgery, which freezes away the tag with liquid nitrogen.
Contact our Cosmetic Surgeon
If you are interested in having a lipoma, cyst, mole or skin tag removed, contact Dr. Mountcastle today. Dr. Mountcastle accepts all forms of insurance except Kaiser, making the achievement of your aesthetic goals as convenient as possible. If a referral is needed, please be sure to acquire this prior to your appointment.
