Which type of practitioner to remove benign facial "lump"?

[pearlkent]

I have a small skin-coloured bump on my cheek, near my nose, so it's really visible and makes me feel a bit self-conscious.
I just think it would please me if it wasn't there anymore.
A few years ago a doctor told me it was an intradermal nevus (sp?) and harmless.
I'd like to get it removed (privately, obvs) but don't know who to go to - dermatologist, plastic surgeon, specialist GP or some other sort of clinic?
Dermatologists, surgeons etc seem to want £200 just for the consultation, then presumably another lot of £££s for the procedure. It seems a lot of faffing and money just for a (hopefully) simple procedure. I already know what it is, so begrudge paying £200 to be told what it is again.
Also, what is the best method (I believe there are different ones), and which professional would be best at leaving no (or minimal)scarring?

I'd appreciate any advice, especially if anyone's had this done. I'nm in London. Thanks.

Plastic surgeon. And yes it will cost upwards of £500. They need to see you first to firstly confirm what it is as they are taking it off and also to plan the most appropriate removal. They dont just cut it off they go with tissue planes, facial creases etc to.minimize scarring. Get it wrong and you would have a bad scar far more noticeable than a skin coloured lump. You are paying for their skill, time and risk.

There cant be no scarring if something has been cut out your skin. It is likely it is not just involving the surface layer (like a seborrheic lesion might) and will need incision, removal and formal closure.

I had a fibrous papule removed from the side of my nose about 12 years ago by a surgeon. No scar.

Thanks Didi. I've read that sometimes they can be sort of "shaved" off, sometimes without even a stitch required. I feel a plastic surgeon might be overkill (it's a small lump) when dermatolgists surely remove other types of mole on a regular basis? I thought maybe derms might be even better at this sort of thing than plastic surgeons because they do it all the time.

Hi Annette - may I ask how it cost?

• how much

I recommend perfect image consultants in Ruislip, I had a mole removed by laser there was quick, completely pain free and healed amazingly. Think it was about £200.

Oh and no stitches or dressings required.

Thanks Newname, I will look them up. Ruislip is within easy enough reach for me.

It really depends on how deep the lesion is and how many layers of skin it goes down. Also what type of lesion it is. You don't want to pay for a shave removal if it's going to re grow and needed full excision in the first place if that makes sense. I personally would always choose a plastic surgeon over a dermatologist to remove a facial lesion if it involved cutting and closure. Its different if it can be treated with a shave or curette ( autocorrect just made that courgette - that definitely wont work ). If anyone offers to do it without a pre treatment consultation I would run a mile...

If it does need formal excision rather then superficial removal a good surgeon can sometimes literally hide the scar in a facial crease or line and it be invisible if it's in the right place.

I've been to, and highly recommend Cosmedics. They have several branches in London. I just had mole removal.

It was done by a doctor who specialises in cosmetic procedures. I did a lot of pre checks!

Some GPs do minor surgery- have you asked?

Didi - that definitely makes sense about the depth etc, and it is near a crease (nasio-labial fold, and that's another issue ), which I feel emphasises it (and the crease).
How can they tell how deep it (the lump) is before treatment?

Anna - what sort of procedure was it, and would you mind me asking the name of the doctor/branch you went to?

You want someone whos used to working with the face. You want someone who know how to get minimal scarring, hide the scar in the folds of your face etc. Theres no point having a small lump removed if your just going to be left with a massive scar

I wouldnt go for a GP. Id probably go for a plastic surgeon, or head and neck surgeon. A dermatologist would probably be fine too but its better to go with someone who specicilises in surgery to the face.

BitOfFun - pretty sure my GP doesn't offer this, but will check.
Can GPs be trusted with this though?

It was the London (City) branch. I saw Dr Ross Perry. It was mole removal on my face so I was very wary. But perfect results.

There's a lot of info about him if you google him.

Therw will probably be some crossover in the fact that some dermatologists will be good at skin work on the face. But a plastic surgeon will definitely be good at skin work on the face!

I had 3 moles removed in January by Tiago Guimaraes. Mine were excised due to risk of regrowth and it was £550. The scars are barely visible. He is a plastic surgeon with clinics in various locations including London - although I had my excision done in Liverpool which may well affect the cost. I'd imagine it would cost more in London.

plastic surgeon most definitely.
Near the nose could be awkward area (lots of changes in contours, nerves near surface of skin etc) to remove so you want someone who has the knowledge and skill to remove it both safely and leaving minimal scarring. You won't be paying any less for a dermatologist for an initial consultation, so there's no saving there. Some GPs do run minor ops clinics - but they will focus on easy areas to work on and I wouldn't want someone who isn't highly skilled working on my face.

Ask your GP who they would recommend locally; they will know who has a good reputation. You can always ring around a few plastic surgeons and ask them what they would charge for consultation and removal. You would also need to ask about minor ops theatre charges (can be high). You are probably looking at the best part of a £1000 all told. Don't try and cut costs for something on your face.

Thanks everyone, this is all very helpful advice and recommendations.
I will look up all the practitioners mentioned.
AnnaSW1 - I think I've come across the name Ross Perry before when I was googling a while ago. Think he works from Putney too, which would be very handy. Thanks for reminding me about him.

Ive just had one removed from my forehead for £200. I just googled mole removal clinic, as that is the process they use to take it off. Local anasthetic, shave off the surface and cauterise to stop the bleeding. Took less than half an hour including the consultation and paperwork.

Oooh thanks for that Cosmedics recc AnnaSW1, I’ve been looking for a good place to have a small raised mole on my shoulder removed for a while; it’s v recently been checked by a dermatologist (and I’ve had it for years) so I know there’s nothing dodgy about it and I don’t want to (nor can I afford to) fork out well over £500 for a plastic surgeon.

Cosmedics sounds worth following up on; I’ve seen other places for a bit cheaper but I want to go somewhere reputable.

Thanks for starting the thread OP!!