Minor Surgery

The Problem: Weeks of Waiting for a Procedure That Takes Under an Hour

A bothersome mole. A cyst that keeps growing. A skin tag in an uncomfortable location. These are not emergencies, but they are real concerns that affect daily life. And yet, getting them addressed often means waiting weeks for a dermatology referral, followed by another wait for the actual procedure, all for something that a skilled physician can resolve in a single office visit.

Many patients also have legitimate medical concerns about skin lesions, particularly those that have changed in size, shape, or color. Delays in evaluation carry real risk. The system was not designed with that urgency in mind.

Our Approach: In-Office Procedures Without the Runaround

At M. Chavez MD, SC, Dr. Chavez performs a wide range of minor surgical procedures in-office. No referrals required. No specialist waitlists. You come in, the procedure is done under local anesthesia, and you leave the same day. Most procedures take less than an hour from start to finish.

All excised tissue that raises clinical concern is sent for pathological review, giving you both the treatment and the diagnostic clarity you need. Dr. Chavez will review any specimen results with you directly and advise on next steps if warranted.

Procedures Performed In-Office

• Mole Removal: Excision or shave removal of benign or suspicious moles with option for pathology review.
• Skin Tag Removal: Fast, clean removal of skin tags using excision or cryotherapy.
• Cyst Removal and Drainage: Incision and drainage of infected cysts, or full excision of sebaceous and epidermoid cysts to prevent recurrence.
• Lesion Biopsy: Punch, shave, or excisional biopsy of skin lesions for pathological diagnosis.
• Cryosurgery: Liquid nitrogen application to freeze and destroy warts, actinic keratoses, and other superficial skin lesions.
• Wound Care and Management: Evaluation, cleaning, closure, and ongoing management of lacerations and wounds.

Skin Cancer: Evaluation and Treatment Without the Wait

A suspicious spot should not sit on a waiting list for months. Skin cancer is among the most treatable cancers when caught early, and delays in evaluation change that calculus significantly. At M. Chavez MD, SC, Dr. Chavez can evaluate, biopsy, and in many cases treat skin cancer concerns in-office, saving patients the time and hassle of waiting for a specialist who may be booked weeks out.

Many cases of squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma can be managed and treated directly in the office. For patients concerned about malignant melanoma, Dr. Chavez performs a thorough skin survey and biopsy as needed to reach a diagnosis quickly. From first appointment to resolution, the goal is a clear, fast path forward, often without a referral ever being necessary.

• Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Evaluation and in-office excision for many presentations of squamous cell carcinoma, with pathology confirmation.
• Basal Cell Carcinoma: Assessment and treatment of basal cell lesions in-office, avoiding specialist waitlists for the majority of cases.
• Malignant Melanoma Screening: Full skin survey with biopsy of concerning lesions. Rapid pathology turnaround and clear follow-up plan to resolution.

What to Expect on the Day of Your Procedure

Most procedures begin with a brief consultation at the same appointment. Dr. Chavez will examine the area, confirm the approach, and answer your questions before proceeding. Local anesthesia is applied so you remain comfortable throughout. After the procedure, you will receive wound care instructions and a follow-up plan.

Recovery time depends on the procedure and location. For most minor excisions, patients return to normal activity within one to two days. Dr. Chavez will let you know exactly what to expect for your specific procedure.