Skin Cancer Reconstructive Surgery in Houston, TX

This procedure can be highly effective for reconstructing skin after a skin cancer removal. This is a well-established treatment that is performed regularly. Most patients are very happy with the results and find that they are a significant improvement over the previous state. However, it is important to note that, depending on the extent of the damage from the removal, the reconstructed results may not be perfect. Dr. Streitmann will discuss what you can realistically expect during your consultation.

The procedure is not typically painful. We will use either local or general anesthesia to help manage any pain during the procedure. During the recovery period, the site may be uncomfortable. However, this is usually relatively mild and can be managed with over-the-counter medication. If necessary, Dr. Streitmann may prescribe different pain medications.

As with any surgical procedure, there is a recovery period following skin cancer reconstruction. For most patients, there is minor bruising and swelling immediately after the procedure. Within about 48 hours, you should be able to shower normally. However, you should avoid submerging the wound for up to three weeks.

Typically, patients feel significantly recovered within a week and ready to return to normal day-to-day life after two weeks. The full recovery process may take up to two months or more, depending on the extent of the surgery. Patients should avoid any vigorous exercise for six weeks.

Like any surgery, skin cancer reconstruction carries some risks and possible complications. However, there are quite rare. The following are some of the main risks:

• Poor Healing: Sometimes wound sites heal poorly. This may require an additional procedure to correct. We mitigate this and other risks by applying the best plastic surgery techniques.
• Infection: All surgeries carry a risk of infection. We manage this by using antibiotics during and after the procedure.
• Anesthesia Risks: General anesthesia carries some risks. Additionally, patients may have a reaction to a local anesthetic. We manage both risks with a careful exam and medical history.
• Allergic Reaction: Rarely, patients have allergic reactions to tapes, medicine, glues, or other surgical products. Again, a good medical history can avoid this risk.
• Change in Sensitivity: Any surgical procedure, especially those on the skin, may change the sensitivity in the area. This often subsides with time.
• Graft Not Taking: Sometimes, skin grafts do not “take” properly. This is rare when using surgical best practices. However, if it does happen, a follow-up procedure may be necessary.

Yes, anesthesia is used to help manage the pain during this procedure. Depending on the extent of the surgery needed, either general anesthesia or local anesthetic may be used. We will determine the appropriate pain management plan before your procedure.

Yes, we can offer several non-surgical procedures that may help with the appearance of the skin. These are most effective for relatively mild skin marks following a cancer removal procedure. Dr. Streinmann will discuss whether any of these options could help you.

Skin cancer reconstructive surgery is highly effective at treating a wide variety of skin defects from cancer removal surgery. This can range from small skin flap adjustments to skin grafts to major facial reconstructive surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Streitmann will discuss your current situation and your goals for reconstructive surgery. He can provide guidance on what results you should expect.

Yes. Dr. Streitmann is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive training and years of experience in plastic surgery for people recovering from skin cancer. He has helped many patients regain their appearances after extensive skin cancer removal surgery. Performing reconstructive plastic surgery on regions with delicate skin like the face, neck and breast is more complex than somewhere like the back or upper arm, but Dr. Streitmann has extensive experience doing just that.

It depends on the area of treatment and what kind of procedure will be performed. Reconstruction may be done all at once, or in stages, depending on your particular situation. A skin graft may be necessary if a lot of tissue is taken away during skin cancer removal. Local anesthesia is absolutely going to be used so that you don’t have to experience the physical pain and discomfort that goes along with surgery. General anesthesia may be used, when necessary, if you aren’t very responsive to local anesthesia or if the procedure is expected to be very painful.

In most cases, yes. Skin cancer removal involves cutting away a fairly large region of skin. While a tumor the size of a pea sounds small, that’s pretty large compared to a nick that wouldn’t leave a scar and much, much larger than a skin cell. That being said, Dr. Streitmann understands how important your appearance is – not just to yourself, but for your social and professional life. He will do absolutely everything that he can to minimize scarring and will provide you with post-op instructions to help prevent scarring after the procedure.

You can also take measures to minimize scarring, so try to:

• Avoid sun exposure to the wound as much as possible
• Keep the wound clean
• Follow Dr. Streitmann’s instructions for wound care
• Apply sunscreen to the wound site once it’s healed

Not necessarily. If a lot of affected skin was removed, it may be necessary to perform a skin graft. Pieces of skin from one part of your body that is less visible will be collected and then moved to the area where the surgery was performed, creating a “base” of skin to work with. It will significantly reduce scarring and speed up the healing process.

That depends on the extent and location of the surgery. In many cases, reconstruction is a necessity to ensure proper healing. Our team will review how much plastic surgery must be performed and share what treatments are considered cosmetic, or optional, based on what your insurance will provide for. Some insurance companies do, in fact, cover plastic surgery, especially in the case of reconstructive surgery.