Private Skin Cancer Treatment: “I’m over the moon with how well its healed.”

Our patient visited our Leeds clinic after a family member noticed a new lesion on his scalp. The lesion was removed by Miss Stephanie Young and reconstructed using a skin graft from the neck. Histology confirmed it as a basal cell carcinoma. Our patient has shared his experience, with progress photos below documenting his journey.

“I recently had surgery at Skin Surgery Clinic in Guiseley, my daughter noticed a small lesion on the top of my head that she wasn’t happy with how it looked. She had me booked in within 3 days to see a Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Ms Stephanie Young. We chose Skin Surgery Clinic as I had been here before, with a different surgeon, for Skin Cancer removal so I knew I was in great hands and would be well looked after.

Ms Young looked at the lesion with a dermatoscope and agreed it needed to be removed and sent off for histology. I was given the option of a biopsy or full excision, I chose to just have the full excision. I was booked in for surgery two days later, Ms Young felt it needed to be removed as quickly as possible.

On the day of surgery, I arrived and was greeted by the admin team and taken to the waiting area. I was swiftly taken into the operating room and had another chat with Ms Young who talked me through what was going to happen and checked I was happy to proceed. She did explain that she would need to remove a bigger margin than the actual lesion to ensure anything sinister was fully excised. She also explained that I would require a skin graft that she would take from my neck (this was also previously discussed at the consultation.)

I was injected with local into the scalp and neck then the surgery began. It was painless and the whole experience was very relaxed, music playing in the room and Ms Young and her team were chatting away with me. It was over in under an hour. Caroline was great, she explained the aftercare to me, and I was booked in a week later for a wound check.

The following week I returned so they could check that the skin graft was taking and everything was healing as it should. Jodie the nurse was lovely and removed the stitches and cleaned the wound. Ms Young also popped in to check how I was doing & was happy with how it was looking.

3 weeks later, you can’t even see the graft that was taken from my neck, it’s like it never happened, looks great. My scalp is still recovering however it’s healing well (it was a very large hole initially) I was told it could take up to 6 months to fully heal.

This was my second operation at the Guiseley clinic, I appreciate how quickly I can be seen as they have so many medical professionals available, the clinic is always spotless, parking is onsite and free and the full team are fantastic, welcoming and friendly.”

Immediately after surgery – “I felt fine, no pain. Given lots of after care information.”

24 hours after surgery – “I woke up to a little blood on my pillow. No pain on head or neck area.”

Day 3 – “Felt a little tight around the scalp, no pain, no medication required. Started wearing a cap to keep it covered as it’s a little unsightly.”

Day 5 – “Getting tighter around the scalp, assume this is the healing process. Looking forward to stitch removal in 2 days and hoping the skin graft has taken.”

Day 7 – “Stitch removal with Jodie, quick, easy & feels better now the sponge has been removed. Feel reassured that the skin graft has attached well.”

Day 10 – “I have continued wearing a cap when out as I’m worried it’ll get knocked. My neck is pretty much healed, you can’t even really see anything was done.”

Day 14 – “Neck healed completely, can’t even see a scar. The hole in my head has reduced size significantly and is looking better each day, can be a little tender but nothing more than that.”

Day 20 – “The hole size is reducing every day. I think in another few weeks it may just be a small dent rather than a hole. Hopefully by the time I get to 12 weeks it will be fully healed. I will keep you updated but I’m really happy with the way I’m healing.”

12 Weeks after surgery – “I was expecting it to look much worse and still have a substantial dent in my scalp but in all honesty, you can’t even really tell I have had any thing done, if you look closely there is a small pink scar that just looks a little dry. I have kept applying SPF 50 as advised.”

“I’m over the moon with how well its healed and that the skin graft has taken well. I would recommend this to anyone with any concerns. Such great service from start to finish, thank you everyone.”