Most of us picture surgery as something that happens in a hospital, under general anaesthetic, with weeks of recovery to follow.
However, several common procedures, from removing a suspicious mole to draining a stubborn cyst, fall into a completely different category: minor surgery.
But what is minor surgery, and how is it different from what most imagine when they hear “operation”?
Minor surgery is a term used to describe a straightforward procedure that’s usually carried out under local anaesthetic, takes less than an hour, and doesn’t require an overnight hospital stay. Common examples include lipoma removal, wart and verruca treatment, ingrown toenail procedures, and milia removal.
For many people, the biggest barrier to getting a minor procedure done isn’t the surgery itself; it’s the waiting. NHS waiting lists remain under significant pressure. The latest Referral to Treatment figures show the waiting list has risen to 7.28 million cases, with approximately 2.51 million of them waiting longer than 18 weeks.
For something like a troublesome cyst or a mole that needs monitoring, that kind of delay isn’t just inconvenient; it can be genuinely worrying.
The good news is that a lot of minor procedures can be carried out at private clinics, without the long wait or hospital referral you might expect.
We’ll explore more about minor surgery below, including the most common procedures, how it compares to major surgery, and what to expect if you’re considering treatment.
What is the Difference Between Major and Minor Surgery?
It’s easy to assume “surgery” always means the same thing, but minor and major surgery differ in several important ways.
Anaesthesia: Minor surgery is usually performed under local anaesthetic, so you’re awake and alert throughout, with just the treatment area numbed. Major surgery more often requires general anaesthetic, meaning you’re asleep for the procedure, though some operations use regional anaesthesia instead.
Setting: Some minor procedures can be carried out in a GP clinic or outpatient setting, without the need for a hospital operating theatre.
However, NHS provision varies by practice and area, so patients are often referred to a hospital outpatient department even for straightforward procedures. Private GP clinics like Lagom offer minor surgery in-house as standard, avoiding that referral step altogether.
Recovery time: Many minor surgery patients are back to normal activity within a few days, although this varies depending on the procedure and the individual. Major surgery tends to involve a longer recovery, often weeks or months, along with a more extended period of aftercare and follow-up.
Preparation: At Lagom, minor surgery generally requires little preparation, and some procedures can be done on the same day as your consultation, depending on the type and complexity of the procedure. Major surgery, by contrast, involves pre-operative assessments and sometimes a hospital stay beforehand.
Common Types of Minor Surgery
Minor surgery covers a broader range of procedures than most people expect. The following reflects how these procedures are typically carried out at the Lagom Clinic specifically, rather than general NHS practice, which can vary.
Depending on the procedure, some can be assessed and treated in a single visit, though others require a follow-up appointment, particularly if a sample needs to be sent for analysis first.
Skin tag removal: A quick procedure, usually done for comfort or appearance, with minimal downtime and often little to no anaesthetic required.
Cyst removal: Particularly sebaceous cysts that have become painful, infected, or simply bothersome. Smaller cysts can often be removed under local anaesthetic in a single visit, though larger or infected cysts may need to be managed first before removal.
Mole and skin lesion removal: Often carried out for cosmetic reasons, or because a mole has changed in shape, size, or colour and needs to be checked and removed as a precaution.
Joint and soft tissue injections: Such as steroid injections for conditions like frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, or other joint pain that hasn’t responded to other treatment.
Lipoma removal: Lipomas are soft, benign fatty lumps that develop under the skin. While harmless, they can be uncomfortable or cosmetically unwanted. They are usually removed under local anaesthetic, although larger or deeper lipomas may take longer to treat.
Ingrown toenail treatment: Ranging from conservative treatment to partial or full nail removal under local anaesthetic, for toenails that are persistently painful or prone to infection.
Milia removal: Milia are small, hard, white bumps that commonly form around the eyes and face. They can usually be treated quickly and comfortably during a short in-clinic procedure.
Wart and verruca removal: Treatment depends on the size, location, and how long the wart or verruca has been present. Options may include cryotherapy, topical treatment, or surgical removal where appropriate.
Some of these procedures are considered straightforward, while others are more complex and require a higher level of surgical skill.
Why Choose a Private GP for Minor Surgery?
Choosing a private GP clinic means you can bypass the wait altogether. One of the main advantages of the Lagom Clinic is that you don’t need a hospital referral for your minor surgery, whether the procedure is straightforward or more involved.
Simple and more complex procedures are carried out by our in-house surgeon, Mr Alex Trevatt, an experienced plastic surgeon who also works at Southmead Hospital, or Dr Jack Ogden, who has also undertaken surgical training in various NHS hospitals.
Having a plastic surgeon on hand means patients get the same considered approach to appearance and healing they’d expect from a hospital-based specialist, without the referral or the wait.
What to Expect During and After Your Procedure
Here’s what the process looks like at the Lagom Clinic, so you know exactly what to expect.
Booking: You can book online or by phone. We’ll ask you to email a photo of the area beforehand, so we can allocate the right amount of time for your appointment.
The procedure: Your doctor or surgeon will examine the area, talk you through the procedure, and carry it out under local anaesthetic, so you’ll be awake but shouldn’t feel pain.
Aftercare: We use dissolvable sutures wherever possible, so many patients don’t need a follow-up visit. More complex procedures may need a review one to two weeks later.
Results: If a sample needs testing, for example with a mole, we’ll talk you through the results and next steps once these are back.
Book Your Minor Surgery Consultation in Bristol
Minor surgery doesn’t have to mean long waits or a trip to the hospital.
Whether it’s a mole that needs checking, a toenail that’s become bothersome, or a cyst you’d like removed, the Lagom Clinic offers a faster, more personal route to treatment, right in the heart of Bristol.
Book your consultation today and speak to one of our doctors or our in-house surgeon about the options available to you.
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