Reconstructive Surgery for the Skin in Newton and Wichita

To find out more about reconstructive surgery for the skin at Dr. Lovelle’s clinic in Newton and Wichita, scroll down this page or click on any of the links below.

Surgical procedures are performed at Newton Medical Center and Newton Surgery Center.

Skin Cancer (Mohs)
Actinic Keratosis
Moles
Cysts
Keloids

Skin Cancer (Mohs) in Newton and Wichita

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Susan Lovelle offers Mohs Micrographic Surgery, a state-of-the-art procedure for skin cancer which offers the highest potential for complete tumor removal and recovery – even if the skin cancer has been previously treated by another method and recurred.

The microscopic analysis of resected tissue margins allows Dr. Lovelle to track the removal of the cancer and ensure the complete elimination of all tumor roots. As tumors often extend below intact normal-appearing skin (like the roots of a tree) this procedure allows Dr. Lovelle to see beyond the visible tumor to ensure its complete removal.

This technique is most often used to remove the two most common forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. At the new plastic surgery center serving the Newton and Wichita region, Dr. Lovelle will explain all the details of Mohs Micrographic Surgery. She will answer all your questions, and with her extensive background in the management of skin cancers, will partner with you to make the best treatment choice.

Actinic Keratosis in Newton and Wichita

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Susan Lovelle has extensive background and experience in the treatment of actinic keratosis, a scaly or crusty bump that forms on the skin surface. They are also called solar keratosis, sun spots, or precancerous spots. They range in size from as small as a pinhead to over an inch across. They may be light or dark, tan, pink, red, a combination of these, or the same color as one’s skin. The scale or crust is horn-like, dry, and rough, and is often recognized more easily by touch than by sight. Occasionally they itch or produce a pricking or tender sensation, especially after being in the sun. They may disappear only to reappear later. Often, the keratoses will go away on their own if one avoids all sun for a few years. Keratoses are most likely to appear on sun exposed areas: face, ears, bald scalp, neck, backs of hands and forearms, and lips. They may be flat or raised on appearance.

Actinic keratosis can be the first step in the development of skin cancer, and, therefore, is a precursor of cancer or a pre-cancerous lesion. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of active lesions, which are redder and more tender than the rest, will take the next step and progress to squamous cell carcinomas. These cancers are usually not life threatening, provided they are detected and treated in the early stages. However, if this is not done, they can bleed, ulcerate, become infected, or grow large and invade the surrounding tissues and may metastasize or spread to internal organs.

At the new plastic surgery center in Newton, Kansas, Dr. Lovelle offers a number of effective treatments for eradicating actinic keratoses. Not all keratoses need to be removed. The decision on whether and how to treat is based on the nature and size of the lesion and the patient’s age and health. Dr. Lovelle will work with you to determine which treatment, if any, will best serve each individual patient.

Following are some of the procedures offered by board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Susan Lovelle at the new plastic surgery center in Newton for the treatment of Actinic Keratosis:

Cryosurgery, one of the most common treatments done, freezes off lesions through application of liquid nitrogen. This is done with a special spray device or cotton-tipped applicator. It does not require anesthesia and produces no bleeding. The longer the spot is frozen the better the chance it will never come back. Longer freezes can result in hypopigmented areas, however.
Curettage is another treatment. Dr. Lovelle will scrape the lesion and may take a biopsy specimen to be tested for malignancy. Bleeding is controlled by cautery — application of an acid or heat produced by an electric needle.
Shave removal utilizes a scalpel to shave the keratosis and obtain a specimen for testing. The base of the lesion is destroyed, and the bleeding is stopped by cauterization.

Topical cream can also be effective in treating keratoses, particularly when lesions are numerous or diffuse. 5-fluorouracil (Efudex, Carac) cream works by directly attacking the precancerous cells. This is applied once to twice daily for 2 to 4 weeks. Treatment can leave the affected area temporarily reddened or raw and may cause some discomfort resulting from skin breakdown.

During your consultation with Dr. Lovelle she will work closely with you to determine whether treatment is warranted, and if so, which treatment approach will be most effective.

Moles in Newton and Wichita

Some people are born with moles. Other moles appear over time. Sun exposure seems to play a role in the development of moles and may even play a role in the development of atypical, or dysplastic, moles. Many families have a type of mole known as dysplastic (atypical), which can be associated with a higher frequency of melanoma or skin cancer. At the new plastic surgery center in Newton, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Susan Lovelle frequently removes moles, or nevi, for some of the following reasons:

To remove protruding moles that get in the way of shaving.
To reduce skin irritation that can occur when certain moles rub against clothing or jewelry.
To achieve smoother, clearer skin.
To enhance appearance and improving self-esteem.

Most importantly, if a mole is suspected to be pre-cancerous early on, it can often be completely removed before it causes a serious health risk. During your consultation with Dr. Lovelle, she will answer all your questions about your specific concerns in order to develop just the right treatment plan for you.

Cysts in Newton and Wichita

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Susan Lovelle posesses a unique background in management of skin cancer, skin care and in the treatment of cysts. A cyst is a closed sac-like structure that is not a normal part of the tissue where it is found. Cysts are common and can occur anywhere in the body in people of any age. Cysts usually contain a liquid, or semisolid substance. Cysts vary in size; they may be detectable only under a microscope or they can grow so large that they displace normal organs and tissues. The outer wall of a cyst is called the capsule.

Cysts can arise through a variety of processes in the body, including:

“wear and tear” or simple obstructions to the flow of fluid
infections
tumors
chronic inflammatory conditions
genetic (inherited) conditions

One of the factors Dr. Lovelle considers in the treatment for a cyst depends upon the cause of the cyst along with its location. Cysts that are very large and result in symptoms due to their size may be surgically removed. Sometimes the fluid contained within a cyst can be drained, or aspirated, by inserting a needle or catheter into the cyst cavity, resulting in collapse of the cyst. If there is any suspicion that a cyst is cancerous, the cyst is generally removed by surgery or a biopsy is taken of the cyst wall (capsule) to rule out malignancy. In certain cases, aspirated fluid from a cyst is examined under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present.

During your consultation with Dr. Lovelle at the new plastic surgery center in Newton, she will work patiently to answer all your questions and to develop the safest and most effective approach to your treatment.

Keloids in Newton and Wichita

Keloids can be considered to be “scars that don’t know when to stop.” A keloid, sometimes referred to as a keloid scar, is a tough heaped-up scar that rises quite abruptly above the rest of the skin and outgrows the original borders of the scar. It usually has a smooth top and a pink or purple color. Keloids are irregularly shaped and tend to enlarge progressively. Unlike regular scars, keloids usually do not subside spontaneously over time. Some keloids become quite large and unsightly. Aside from causing potential cosmetic problems, these exuberant scars tend to be itchy, tender, or even painful to the touch.

At the new plastic surgery center in Newton, Dr. Lovelle uses some of the following methods now available to treat keloids:

Cortisone injections (intralesional steroids): These are safe but can be painful. Injections are usually given once per month until the maximum benefit is obtained. Very little steroid gets into the bloodstream and usually the result is to flatten keloids; however, steroid injections can also make the flattened keloid redder by stimulating the formation of more superficial blood vessels. (These can be treated using a laser; see below.) The keloid may look better after treatment than it looked to start with, but even the best results leave a mark that looks and feels quite different from the surrounding skin.
Surgery: This is risky, because cutting a keloid can trigger the formation of a similar or even larger keloid. Dr. Lovelle often achieves success by injecting steroids or applying pressure dressings to the wound site after cutting away the keloid. Radiation after surgical excision has also been used.
Laser: The pulsed-dye laser can be effective at flattening keloids and making them look less red. Treatment is safe and not very painful, but several treatment sessions may be needed. These may be costly, since such treatments are not generally covered by insurance plans.
Silicone sheets: This involves wearing a sheet of silicone gel on the affected area for several hours a day for weeks or months, which is hard to sustain. Results are variable. Some doctors claim similar success with compression dressings made from materials other than silicone.
Cryotherapy: Freezing keloids with liquid nitrogen may flatten them but often darkens the site of treatment.
Radiation: Some doctors have reported safe and effective use of radiation to treat keloids

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Susan Lovelle brings her extensive and unique background, experience and training to the treatment of keloids. She will work closely with each patient to choose the safest, most effective and painless approach to your treatment for keloids.