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Skin lesions are marks on the skin and include a great many different things including moles and warts. A vast majority of them are benign meaning they are non-cancerous but if they prove to be painful, irritable or an eye sore you may decide that you want to have them removed. This usually involves a surgical procedure although there are other ways now that many of them can be removed. Moles that have changed shape or color may turn out to be cancerous and it is advised that these are removed through surgery. A sample of the removed lesion is normally sent to a laboratory in order to be tested. This procedure is referred to as a biopsy.

1- Small and relatively harmless moles and warts can be removed with a liquid gas that freezes them or by smearing on a substance that has a similar effect. For larger lesions it may be necessary to have them cut off through surgery. This surgery is a relatively unobtrusive operation that will not necessitate an over night stay.

2- Usually a surgical removal of moles and warts will be done under local anesthetic. The area around the lesion will be completely numb but you will be awake to watch it. Sometimes it is necessary to have a general anesthetic that will put you to sleep for the duration of the removal. You should be fine to return home within an hour or two of having the operation but if you had a general anesthetic you should arrange for someone else to drive and stay with you for the next 24 hours in case you have a reaction to the drugs.

3- Once you've had moles and warts removed you are basically free to carry on your daily life. Care should be taken for the next few days to ensure that you don't knock or scrape the effected area. There may be some discomfort and possibly a little pain around the operation area but Paracetomol should do a good job of numbing this pain.

4- Unless you have had non dissolvable stitches you should not need to go back to your doctor. However, you should keep a close eye on the area of the operation and if there is any excess swelling, oozing of liquid or the pain becomes worse then you should consult your doctor immediately in case it has become infected.

5- This is a very safe surgical procedure and most of the possible side effects are those that are due to the anesthetic. However, you may feel a little pain around the area of the operation and if the lesion was quite large then you may have a permanent scar.