Skin Cancer Reconstruction

Offered at our convenient location in Baltimore, Maryland

Why Choose Dr. Wells for Skin Cancer Reconstruction

Dr. Alyson Wells is a double board-certified plastic surgeon and teaching physician. She leads Valley Plastic Surgery & Medi-Spa and, with more than 25 years of experience, shares her compassion, perfectionism, excellent medical judgment, and technical skills with patients and peers to effectively produce natural-looking results in each procedure.

Her expertise positions her as a leader in skin cancer reconstruction, making her a trusted expert to help patients achieve superior aesthetic results. Working with Dr. Wells ensures you are in great hands. Contact us online or call our office at (410) 628-8200 to learn more about how she can assist you with your skin reconstruction.

About Skin Cancer Reconstruction

Skin cancer reconstruction is a surgical procedure that restores the appearance and function of the skin, tissues, and cartilage that were disrupted or removed during cancer treatment.

Skin cancer can develop from overexposure to sunlight. The UV rays from the sun damage the DNA in your skin and cause abnormal cells to form and rapidly grow in a disorganized manner. This forms a mass of cancerous cells. (1) In advanced cases, skin cancer can also break down connective tissues, nerves, muscles, and deeper organs. (1)

Skin cancer reconstruction repairs the outer skin and minimizes scarring after skin cancer removal, especially after Mohs surgery (a precise technique that removes skin cancer while preserving healthy tissue). Reconstruction is often necessary to help treatment areas heal properly and appear seamless and natural when cancer removal creates large, deep, and disfiguring wounds and skin marks on the face, nose, eyelids, ears, or lips. Many patients achieve great results that allow them to feel more confident after healing from a skin cancer treatment that caused previous damage.

Why Choose Dr. Wells?

Dr. Wells uses advanced surgical techniques in all facial and body procedures. With her wealth of knowledge and training in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the face and body, she delivers beautiful and natural-looking results. She has more than 25 years of experience, and her surgical skills position her as a leader in skin cancer reconstruction.

After completing her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of Tennessee and her Doctorate at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, she deepened her expertise by focusing on general surgery, otolaryngology, and plastic and reconstructive surgery during her residency.

Dr. Wells is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. Her background in plastic surgery and utilization of advanced dermatologic expertise enable her to achieve superior aesthetic results during skin cancer reconstruction. She combines both practices to minimize functional and cosmetic deformity. She has a nuanced understanding of microscopic margin control and tissue preservation, and her reconstructive surgical approach addresses complex defects to minimize scarring and restore function in the eyes, nose, eyelids, and more.

Candidates

Any patient who has undergone skin cancer removal surgeries such as Mohs surgery, wide local excision, curettage, electrodesiccation, or others can qualify for skin cancer reconstruction. Patients must have completed their cancer treatment and have no active infections. Patients must also be in relatively good health and hold realistic expectations for their results.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr. Wells will evaluate your medical history, the results of your skin cancer removal, and your goals for your procedure. She will assess the size, depth, and location of the surgical removal to determine the best approach for your skin cancer reconstruction. After examining your treatment areas, Dr. Wells will tailor a personalized treatment plan to your concerns and reconstruction goals. She will also thoroughly explain the procedure and address any questions or concerns you may have.

Dr. Wells is here to assist you in every step of transforming your skin. If you are ready to boost your self-esteem and reconstruct skin post-surgery, contact us online or call our office at (410) 628-8200 to explore your options.

Skin Cancer Reconstruction

Dr. Wells will begin your procedure by injecting local anesthesia to numb the treatment area and maximize comfort. She will examine the area and determine the best closure method for the wound’s location, carefully selecting to minimize tension and deliver seamless results. Typically, very small or shallow wounds can remain open to heal naturally, or they can be stitched. For larger wounds, Dr. Wells uses other methods, such as a local tissue flap technique, which repositions or rotates adjacent skin to cover the affected area, maintaining its original blood supply.

Another approach is the island flap technique, which targets complex areas by detaching a piece of skin from the surrounding skin, leaving it connected to the underlying subcutaneous tissue for blood supply. Dr. Wells will move the skin flap to the reconstruction area and then close the donor site with the adjacent skin. This technique is most common on the face, resulting in a V-to-Y closure.

Lastly, Dr. Wells may also use skin grafting, during which she will remove the skin from a discreet donor area, often the ear, and transplant it to cover the wound and mimic its natural shape and texture. This is ideal when local tissue is not available.

After reconstructing the skin, she will place deep, dissolvable stitches under the skin and staple the top layer to align the skin edges, resulting in a seamless closure. She will apply a bandage to protect the site and help manage swelling. She will monitor you briefly post-procedure and then allow you to recover at home.

Recovery and Results

After your reconstruction procedure, you may notice mild swelling, bruising, and mild soreness lasting up to 48 hours. You must leave the protective dressings on to protect the incision. Applying ice packs around the bandage can help reduce discomfort. During the first two to three days, you can participate in light activity, but you must avoid strenuous exercise. Dr. Wells advises that you clean your incision daily and apply ointments as directed to minimize scarring. (2) After two weeks, Dr. Wells will remove any non-dissolvable sutures. You will need to keep the area clean and dry, and you should still avoid heavy lifting and intense exercises. After three weeks, your scar may appear raised, red, and itchy, and you may feel numbness or a tingling sensation around the site as it continues to heal. During this time, you may resume physical activities, but you must protect the healing skin from direct sunlight.

Final results begin to appear after four months and refine throughout the following year as the scar continues to flatten and fade. (3) Dr. Wells will support you throughout your recovery, continuously monitoring your progress at follow-up appointments and recommending best practices to deliver flawless results.

Cost of Skin Cancer Reconstruction in Baltimore, MD

The cost of your skin cancer reconstruction procedure largely depends on the size and location of the treatment area. Dr. Wells will provide a cost outline for your procedure during your personal consultation. She also offers financing options to make your treatment more accessible. Certain patients may also qualify for insurance coverage, and Dr. Wells and her staff can assist in compiling all necessary documentation. To learn more about the cost of your procedure, contact us online or call our office at (410) 628-8200 to schedule your personal consultation!

FAQ

What is skin cancer reconstruction?

Skin cancer reconstruction is a surgical procedure that restores the function and appearance of the skin, tissues, and cartilage after skin cancer removal.

What makes Dr. Wells the best option for skin cancer reconstruction?

Dr. Wells has more than 25 years of experience and expertise, cementing her position as a leader in skin cancer reconstruction treatment and a trusted expert who helps patients achieve superior aesthetic results during their reconstruction procedure.

How long does it take to see results after skin cancer reconstruction?

Depending on the severity of your concerns and their location on the body, your results may be visible after three to four weeks. For larger and deeper wound reconstruction, you will notice results after three months, with scars continuing to fade for up to a year.

How much does skin cancer reconstruction surgery cost?

The cost of your skin cancer reconstruction depends on the size of the treatment area, its location, and your goals. Dr. Wells will provide a cost outline for your procedure during your personal consultation.

References

  1. Lee KS, Kim JO, Kim NG, Lee YJ, Park YJ, Kim JS. A Comparison of the Local Flap and Skin Graft by Location of Face in Reconstruction after Resection of Facial Skin Cancer. Archives of Craniofacial Surgery. 2017;18(4):255-260. doi:https://doi.org/10.7181/acfs.2017.18.4.255
  2. Commander S, Chamata E, Cox J, Dickey R, Lee E. Update on Postsurgical Scar Management. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2016;30(03):122-128. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0036-1584824
  3. Wood FM. Scar Resurfacing. Springer eBooks. Published online January 1, 2020:311-316. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44766-3_36