This procedure is considered for individuals who have a soft tissue mass that is either bothering them physically, concerning them medically, or displeasing them aesthetically.
A new lump or bump can be unsettling, even when it is likely to be benign. People often notice a small change under the skin, a firm spot that was not there before, or a lesion that becomes more obvious over time. Some lumps remain stable for years. Others change in size, become tender, or sit in an area that catches on clothing or equipment at work. For many patients, the main concern is clarity: what is it, why is it there, and what are the sensible next steps.
Dr Yezdi Mistry is a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in Charlestown, NSW. He assesses and manages a wide range of lumps and bumps affecting the face, scalp, neck, trunk, arms, hands, legs and other areas where careful surgical planning is important. Dr Mistry’s practice approach is patient-centred and based on clear clinical reasoning. Consultation focuses on accurate assessment, discussion of management options, and realistic explanations of what surgery involves, including what to expect during healing.
This procedure page explains how lumps and bumps are assessed and, when appropriate, removed. It is written for adults in Charlestown, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the wider Hunter region who want reliable information before a consultation with Dr Yezdi Mistry.
“Lumps and bumps” is a broad term that covers many different skin and soft tissue lesions. Some sit within the skin, some lie in the fatty layer beneath the skin, and others are deeper and may be close to nerves, tendons, joints or blood vessels. A careful assessment helps clarify the likely diagnosis and the most appropriate management.
Common examples that may be discussed during a consultation with Dr Yezdi Mistry in Charlestown include:
A precise diagnosis is not always possible based on appearance alone. For this reason, when a lump or bump is removed, tissue is often sent to a pathology laboratory for histological assessment. Pathology helps confirm the diagnosis and can guide any further care when needed.
Assessment is particularly important when a lesion has one or more of the following features:
Dr Yezdi Mistry’s role as a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in Charlestown is to evaluate the lesion in context, explain what is known and what remains uncertain, and outline management options in a way that supports informed decision-making.
People seek consultation for different reasons. Some want a clear diagnosis. Others want management because the lesion is uncomfortable, repeatedly inflamed, or interfering with daily activities. Some patients are referred by their GP or dermatologist, particularly when there is a need for careful removal in a cosmetically sensitive area or when reconstruction may be required after excision.
During consultation, Dr Yezdi Mistry will usually discuss:
For some lesions, imaging may be recommended before surgery. Ultrasound can help clarify whether a lump is solid or cystic and can provide information about size and depth. In selected cases, other imaging may be appropriate depending on location and clinical findings.
Surgical removal can be appropriate for many patients, but suitability depends on the lesion, the location, and overall health. Dr Yezdi Mistry considers both clinical and practical factors when advising on surgery in Charlestown, NSW.
Patients may be suitable candidates for removal when:
Surgery may be delayed or modified when:
In all cases, Dr Yezdi Mistry aims to match the plan to the patient’s needs and the clinical situation rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
The primary aim of lump and bump removal is to remove the lesion in a controlled manner while taking care around nearby structures. In many cases, complete excision also allows for definitive diagnosis through pathology.
It is also important to understand what surgery cannot do. No surgeon can guarantee a specific scar appearance or guarantee that a lesion will not recur, particularly with certain cysts or lesions with ill-defined borders. Healing varies between individuals and can be influenced by factors such as skin type, location on the body, tension across the wound, smoking, diabetes, and aftercare.
During consultation in Charlestown, Dr Yezdi Mistry discusses:
This discussion supports informed consent and helps patients understand both the goals and the limits of surgical management.
Clinical images can help patients understand the general principles of lump and bump removal, including incision placement and typical healing patterns. Any images used are educational and are not a promise of a particular outcome. Individual results vary due to anatomy, lesion characteristics, and healing response.
Dr Yezdi Mistry follows professional and regulatory guidance when using clinical imagery in Charlestown, NSW.
The surgical plan depends on what the lesion is likely to be, how deep it sits, and where it is located. Many lesions can be removed under local anaesthetic in a procedure room setting. Some may be better managed in an accredited day surgery or hospital environment, particularly if the lesion is large, deep, near sensitive structures, or if additional anaesthetic support is appropriate.
Before removal, Dr Yezdi Mistry assesses the lesion with the patient. Incision planning takes into account natural skin lines, nearby anatomical structures, and the need for adequate exposure. For lesions on the face, scalp, neck or hands, incision placement is planned with extra care because these areas can be more noticeable and may have important nerves and vessels.
Local anaesthetic is used to numb the area. Patients generally remain awake. Dr Mistry explains what sensations to expect, including pressure or pulling. Pain should be controlled by adequate local anaesthetic, but patients can alert the team if any sensation becomes uncomfortable.
The aim is to remove the lesion appropriately. For a cyst, this generally means removing the cyst wall as well as the contents so there is less chance of recurrence. For a lipoma, the goal is removal of the fatty mass through an incision that allows safe dissection. When the lesion is near a nerve, tendon, or vessel, careful technique and exposure are important.
After removal, the wound is closed in layers when appropriate. The closure method depends on depth and location. Dressings are applied and postoperative instructions are provided.
In many cases, Dr Yezdi Mistry recommends sending the specimen for histological assessment. Pathology can confirm the diagnosis and guide further care if something unexpected is identified. Patients are advised about how and when results are discussed.
All surgery carries risk. The type and likelihood of complications vary based on the patient, lesion type, lesion location, and the extent of surgery. Dr Yezdi Mistry discusses relevant risks in detail during consultation in Charlestown so patients can make an informed choice.
Risks that may be discussed include:
A patient’s personal risk profile may change with factors such as smoking, diabetes, immune conditions, anticoagulant medication, and previous surgery in the area. Dr Mistry considers these factors when advising on timing and setting for surgery.
Recovery depends on lesion size, location, and how deep the dissection needs to be. Many patients return to routine activities within a short period, although restrictions may be recommended to support healing and reduce strain on the wound.
Common experiences in the days after removal can include local soreness, mild swelling, and bruising. These changes generally settle over time. Dressings may need to stay in place for a specified period, and showering advice will be tailored to the wound.
Dr Yezdi Mistry provides written postoperative instructions and explains what to look out for. Patients are advised to contact the practice if they notice increasing redness, heat, swelling, discharge, fever, worsening pain, or any concern about the wound.
Activity advice is individualised. For lesions on the back, chest or limbs, avoiding heavy lifting and repetitive movement for a period may support healing. For lesions on the hand or wrist, activity modification is particularly important because motion can place tension on the wound.
Some sutures dissolve. Others are removed at a follow-up appointment. The timing depends on location and skin tension. Follow-up also provides an opportunity to review healing, discuss pathology results where relevant, and plan ongoing scar care.
Scars change over time. Early scars may appear pink or firm. Over months, many scars become paler and softer, but scar behaviour varies widely. Dr Yezdi Mistry discusses scar management options that may include silicone gel or silicone sheeting, massage once the wound is closed, sun protection, and review if there are concerns about raised scarring.
For most benign lesions, no further treatment is needed after healing. Longer-term care focuses on scar maturation and awareness of any new or changing lesions.
If a lesion has recurred or if new lumps develop, patients are encouraged to arrange reassessment. Recurrence does not necessarily mean something serious, but it warrants a clinical review, particularly when the new lesion behaves differently from the original.
Where pathology identifies a diagnosis that requires additional care, Dr Yezdi Mistry will discuss appropriate next steps. This may involve wider excision, additional imaging, referral to another specialist, or a structured follow-up plan depending on the diagnosis.
Fees for lump and bump removal vary depending on lesion size, location, complexity, the setting required for surgery, and whether additional anaesthetic support is recommended. Some lesions can be managed under local anaesthetic in rooms, while others are more appropriately managed in an accredited day surgery or hospital.
Dr Yezdi Mistry’s practice in Charlestown, NSW provides written fee information after assessment and once a surgical plan has been discussed. Patients are encouraged to ask questions and take the time they need to consider options. The practice team can also assist with administrative questions related to theatre fees and pathology charges where relevant.
Preparation starts with a thorough consultation. Patients can support the assessment by bringing:
Patients should inform Dr Yezdi Mistry about:
Preoperative instructions may include guidance about adjusting certain medications under appropriate medical advice, avoiding smoking, and planning time off work depending on the location of the lesion. Patients are encouraged to arrange support for transport if a sedative or hospital-based anaesthetic is planned.
Choosing to have a lump or bump assessed is often about clarity and planning. Dr Yezdi Mistry, Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in Charlestown, NSW, provides structured assessment and, where appropriate, surgical removal with careful attention to technique, pathology, and follow-up care. A consultation allows patients to understand the likely diagnosis, management options, and the practical details of recovery in a way that supports informed decision-making.
Yes. The same type of lesion can feel soft in one area and firmer in another depending on skin thickness, underlying tissue, and how close it is to muscle or bone. Location plays a significant role in both assessment and surgical planning.
Temporary changes can occur due to inflammation, fluid shifts, or irritation from pressure or movement. These fluctuations do not always indicate a change in diagnosis but should be discussed during assessment.
Incision size is planned to allow appropriate access rather than to meet a specific length. In some cases, a slightly longer incision allows safer removal and more predictable healing.
Yes. Some lesions extend deeper than expected or sit near structures not obvious on examination. This is why imaging or specialist assessment may be recommended before removal.
Active inflammation, infection, or certain medical factors can make immediate removal less suitable. Allowing the area to settle can support clearer tissue planes and more predictable healing.
Yes. Prior drainage or partial excision can alter tissue planes and increase scarring, which may make subsequent removal more complex. This is taken into account during planning.
No. Some lesions have a clear boundary, while others blend into surrounding tissue. This difference influences both surgical technique and the chance of recurrence.
Discomfort can occur when a lesion sits near a nerve or in an area subject to frequent movement or pressure. Size alone does not determine symptoms.
Yes. Repetitive movement, tension on the wound, or pressure from clothing can influence healing, particularly in areas such as the back, shoulders, or hands.
In most cases, no further treatment is required once healing is complete. However, any new or changing lesions should still be assessed rather than assumed to be the same as a previous diagnosis.
Fill in your details and our friendly team will be in touch with you
Please Note: Information provided on Dr Mistry’s website is provided as a basic guide, it does not constitute a diagnosis and should not be taken as medical advice. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
“I care because it’s my job as a surgeon, as a plastic surgeon, to do the appropriate thing and to give you a good outcome. I want to leave knowing that I can tell a patient, hand on heart, that I did the very best I could and that I looked after them, so when I see them post op later that day or the next morning, that they feel they were in good hands.”
– Dr Yezdi Mistry
Request a Consult
