Removing a mole

[college21]

Hey everyone!

I just have a quick question: I am a 21 year old student and am going to a dermatologist tomorrow because I want to have a mole removed, however I only have a basic student health inssurance so I am not sure if this is going to be enough.

basically I am willing to pay if it comes to that because this mole is raised above the skin and it is very annoying. Can the dermatologist have this removed on the first visit? I am positive it is not cancerous sinc I have had it forever and it has not changed in appearance.

I am asking this because I don't want to have to pay for numerous visits since I might have to cover this myself.

Thanks!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
There are many procedures of mole removal like by shave or deep elliptical excision, excision with cauterization (a tool is used to burn away the mole) and laser removal. Your dermatologist may choose excision with or without stitches, depending on the depth of the mole and the type of cosmetic outcome desired. You are usually given local anesthesia before excision and pain killers after these techniques. Hence you won’t feel any pain.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[martikadragoon]

Just let the doctor know this is something you want to be rid of, and that you don't want to have to worry about checking it all the time for changes and you'd like the peace of mind you'd get from it being gone. I wouldn't lie about it.  

[college21]

Thanks for letting me know! It ***** not having a good inssurance but If I can get rid of this mole, fantastic. is there anything I should say to encourage the doctor to have it done right away? It is definitely bigger than usual, hopefully he won't make a big deal out of it.

[martikadragoon]

Hi,
Yes, you can have a simple mole removal done on a first visit. It's easy and relatively painless.  Speak with whoever handles the insurance at the office to make sure your covered by your insurance plan. If your not fully covered, they can tell you how much your going to be charged ahead of time.

In my experience I got a small shot of some numbing medication, the derm used a special razor to cut the mole off, then usued a cauterizing tool to burn the blood vessels and prevent infection.

What will happen after your removal is they'll send it off to be tested for malignancy and you'll be contacted back once they get those results. Even if you believe it to be a standard mole, they'll have it tested.   There are such things as precancerous cells, and catching a mole in the early stages before it starts having obvious change.