General surgery includes simple procedures to remove common skin issues like lumps, bumps, cysts, or fatty growths, often done under local anaesthetic. We also do skin grafts to help wounds heal by covering them with healthy skin from another part of the body. These are usually quick, safe procedures with a short recovery, helping you feel more comfortable and confident.

Lumps and Bumps (Minor Skin Lesions, Cysts, Lipomas, etc.)

What are they?
Lumps and bumps are common growths or swellings that can appear under or on the skin. These might be cysts (fluid-filled sacs), lipomas (soft fatty lumps), or small benign (non-cancerous) tumors.

Why might surgery be needed?
If the lump is painful, growing, infected, or bothersome (cosmetically or functionally), we may recommend removing it under local anaesthesia (numbing the area).

What happens during the procedure?

• The area is numbed.

• A small cut is made to remove the lump.

• Stitches may be placed to close the wound.

• The lump may be sent for testing (called a biopsy) to confirm what it is.

Recovery:
You can go home the same day. Mild swelling or discomfort is common and settles quickly. You may need to keep the area dry and return to have stitches removed.

Skin Grafts

What is a skin graft?
A skin graft is when we take healthy skin from one part of the body (called the donor site) and move it to another area where skin is missing or damaged — often due to injury, burns, ulcers, or after removing a skin lesion.

Why is it done?
To help wounds heal, protect underlying tissue, and improve function or appearance.

How is it done?

• Usually done in theatre under local or general anaesthesia, depending on the size.

• A thin layer of skin is taken from a healthy area (like the thigh).

• This is carefully placed over the wound needing coverage.

• Both the donor site and graft site are dressed for healing.

Recovery:
You may need to rest the area for a few days. Dressings stay on for about a week. The graft takes time to “stick” and heal properly. We’ll monitor it closely.

General Reassurance for All Minor Skin Procedures

• Most of these are day procedures with quick recovery.

• We use local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable and pain-free.

• The risk of complications is low.

• We’ll explain every step and provide aftercare instructions to help you heal well.