What is involved in having a skin graft?
Your dermatologist will explain to you why the skin lesion needs excision and why a skin graft is required. He or she will explain the procedure involved. You may be asked to sign a consent form indicating that you agree to and understand the procedure. Tell your doctor if you are taking any medication (particularly aspirin or warfarin, which could make you bleed more), or if you have any allergies or medical conditions. Remember to tell your doctor if you take any herbal remedies as a number of these can also lead to abnormal bleeding. The area to be excised is marked with a coloured pen. Local anaesthetic will then be injected which will sting briefly. The dermatologist will then cut around and under the lesion with a scalpel and sharp scissors so that it is completely removed (excision biopsy). The lesion will be microscopically examined by a pathologist. There may be some bleeding in the area from where the lesion has been removed. The doctor may coagulate the blood vessels with di
