Referred by your GP for skin cancer surgery?

Being referred to a plastic surgeon for skin cancer surgery can feel unsettling, especially after a biopsy or recent skin check. Many patients want to understand why they have been referred, what surgery involves and how the area will be repaired.

As a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Dr Jeremy Richardson is experienced in planning and performing reconstruction with careful attention to both function and appearance.

If your GP has referred you for skin cancer surgery in Melbourne, Dr Jeremy Richardson can review your diagnosis and walk you through the surgical and reconstructive options.

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Why has my GP referred me to a plastic surgeon?

GPs can diagnose and remove many skin cancers. A plastic surgeon referral is usually made when the lesion is in a visible, delicate or complex area or if reconstruction is needed after removal. Areas such as, or nearby the:

Plastic surgeons are trained to remove skin lesions and repair the area in a way that supports healing, aesthetics, function and scar placement.

What happens at your first appointment?

At your consultation, Dr Richardson will review your referral, biopsy result, medical history and medications. He may ask about previous skin cancers, sun exposure, immune system conditions, blood thinners, smoking or vaping, allergies and previous surgery.

Then Dr Richardson will examine the lesion or biopsy site and assess nearby skin, tissue movement, blood supply and important structures around the area.

If possible, please bring:

• Your GP referral
• Biopsy or pathology results
• A list of medications and supplements
• Details of blood thinners, if you take them
• Previous skin cancer history
• Questions you would like answered

Your initial consultation is about review and discussion including what treatment is recommended and what the procedure involves more specifically to you.

What does skin cancer surgery involve?

Skin cancer surgery usually involves removing the lesion with a margin of surrounding skin. The margin depends on the type of skin cancer, its size, location and features.

The removed tissue is then sent to pathology for testing. The pathology report helps confirm diagnosis and the type of skin cancer, as well as confirm that it has been fully removed.

A smaller, simpler skin cancer may be removed and closed with stitches in a straight line. A larger, tighter, more visible or sensitive area may need a more involved repair.

Removal surgery is the most common treatment for skin cancer, though the treatment is ultimately determined by the type of skin cancer, its location and your individual diagnosis.

Reconstruction after skin cancer removal

Reconstruction means repairing the area after the skin cancer has been removed to close the wound, support healing and protect nearby function.

As a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Dr Jeremy Richardson is experienced in planning and performing reconstruction with attention to healing, function and scar positioning. Guided by the size, location and surrounding skin, repair may involve:

• Direct closure with stitches
• A local skin flap, where nearby skin is moved into the area
• A skin graft, where skin is taken from another site
• Staged reconstruction for more complex cases

Dr Richardson will explain why a particular repair is recommended and where the scar is likely to sit. In visible areas, incisions are planned along natural creases, borders or facial lines wherever possible, so scarring is less noticeable.

Recovery after skin cancer surgery

Recovery will depend on the size of the skin cancer, the repair method used and where on your body the surgery was performed. Swelling, bruising, tightness and tenderness are commonly reported in the first few days.

Dr Richardson and the team at Queens Parade Specialists will provide you with instructions about dressings, wound care, showering, activity limits and review appointments. Heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, swimming and activities that stretch the wound should be avoided until Dr Richardson advises otherwise.

If surgery is on the face, swelling and bruising may be more visible early on. Scars change over time and can take many months to mature.

Sun protection after skin cancer surgery also supports healing and recovery. UV exposure can darken healing scars and increase the risk of more skin cancer.

When will I get my results?

The removed tissue is sent to our pathology partners straight after surgery and the report is received back by the referring doctor or Dr Richardson within approximately 2 business days.

If the report is received by us, as soon as the results are reviewed, our team will advise you if the skin cancer has been fully removed or if further treatment may be needed. We also forward any correspondence back to your regular or referring doctor to support your ongoing care.

If margins are not clear, you will be requested to return for a follow up surgery to excise the remaining cancer. If margins are clear, our team at Queens Parade Specialists recommend you stay vigilant with your sun protection and in scheduling your ongoing skin checks with your GP, dermatologist or skin cancer doctor.

Increased risk, increased protection

Did you know that if you’ve had skin cancer, you are at a significantly higher risk of developing it again? Survivors of melanoma are 9 times more at risk of getting a subsequent melanoma compared to the general population. For non-melanoma cancers, like BCC and SCC, around 60% of people receive a second diagnosis within 10 years.

Skin cancer surgery may remove a cancerous lesion, but it does not remove your future risk of skin cancer. After diagnosis, sun protection and regular skin checks become even more important than what they were before.

What can you do now

Regular skin checks
Schedule ongoing skin checks with your GP, dermatologist or skin cancer doctor on at least an annual basis. If you have had more than one skin cancer or have been advised of other risk factors, a skin check every 6 months is recommended. Also check your own skin regularly and book a review for any new, changing, bleeding or non-healing spot.

Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide
Remember the five SunSmart steps from Cancer Council Australia:
+ Slip on sun-protective clothing
+ Slop on SPF50 or higher broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
+ Slap on a broad-brimmed hat
+ Seek shade
+ Slide on close-fitting sunglasses

Skin cancer surgery FAQs

What are the risks and limitations of skin cancer surgery?                            

All surgery carries risk. Skin cancer surgery risks can include bleeding, infection, delayed healing, scarring, altered sensation, wound breakdown, graft or flap healing issues and the need for further surgery pending the pathology result.

Does skin cancer surgery hurt?

Many skin cancer procedures are performed under local anaesthetic, which numbs the area while you remain awake. You may feel a brief sting, but this is reported to settle quickly.

Sedation or general anaesthetic may be discussed for larger or more complex procedures or when reconstruction is more involved.

Will I have a scar after skin cancer surgery?

Yes. Any skin surgery creates a scar. When your procedure is performed by a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, like Dr Richardson, the repair is carefully planned around the location, skin movement and nearby structures, with attention to function and appearance.

Skin cancer surgery in Melbourne

Dr Jeremy Richardson, MED0001204528, is a Melbourne-based Specialist Plastic Surgeon with qualifications including MBBS (Hons), BMedSc (Hons), DipSurgAnat and FRACS (Plast).

If you have been referred for skin cancer surgery, book a consultation with Dr Richardson to discuss your diagnosis, repair options, recovery and what to expect after treatment at Queens Parade Specialists in Fitzroy North.

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References

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2018). Skin Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment. https://plasticsurgery.org.au/procedures/surgical-procedures/skin-cancer/

Bradford, P. T., Freedman, D. M., Goldstein, A. M., & Tucker, M. A. (2010). Increased Risk of Second Primary Cancers After a Diagnosis of Melanoma. Archives of Dermatology, 146(3). https://doi.org/10.1001/archdermatol.2010.2

Cancer Council Australia. (2026). Surgery for skin cancer. https://www.cancer.org.au/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer/treatment-for-skin-cancers/surgery-for-skin-cancer

Cancer Council Australia. (2024). The five SunSmart steps. https://www.cancer.org.au/save-your-skin/five-sunsmart-steps

The Skin Cancer Foundation. (Updated 2025). More Than One?
https://www.skincancer.org/blog/more-than-one/

This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All surgery carries risk and results may vary. Consult Dr Jeremy Richardson, MED0001204528, MBBS (Hons), BMedSc (Hons), DipSurgAnat, FRACS (Plast), Specialist Plastic Surgeon, for personalised advice and tailored treatment.