Private Dermatology Minor Ops in Plymouth, Exeter and Barnstaple
Sentinel Healthcare provides a minor surgery service for the removal of skin lesions such as moles, cysts, lipomas and skin tags. Minor skin lesions such as these are no longer removed on the NHS unless they pose a significant danger to health.
We have a team of highly skilled and local experienced clinicians who perform minor surgery. We have a strong focus on delivering high quality care and continually collect feedback from our patients to ensure the service provides excellent care to all.
Mole Check Service
If you are concerned by a mole we offer a photo-based service via our partners at Map My Mole where you can get an expert opinion from the team of consultant dermatologists within 3-4 days. Select “Mole Check at Home” from the menu above to explore your options.
Plymouth Veins
Our partners at Plymouth Veins provide specialist varicose vein and thread vein treatments from our HQ in Plymouth. The principal and founder of the clinic is Mr Simon Ashley, Consultant Vascular Surgeon & Vein Specialist, formerly the senior vascular surgeon at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust (Derriford Hospital). We offer a bespoke and highly personalised service.
Weight Matters (coming soon)
Our highly experienced team are developing a compassionate, non-judgemental approach to understanding and managing weight for a healthier life. Our team of healthcare professionals with many years of previous NHS experience focus on long term health gains rather than short term weight loss.
We aim to provide a number of self funded programs to support individuals to manage a healthier weight and to help those who may have already had a weight loss intervention such a bariatric surgery or the use of GLP1 medications.
The self-pay service is under development and will be available in early 2025.
How does it work?
Our private treatments are carried out by highly experienced local GPs and Associate Clinicians with extensive expertise in minor surgery. You will receive a Face to Face pre-operative assessment where our clinicians will be able to provide advice and offer a package for removal. In some circumstances we may be able to assess moles via photograph – please speak to our friendly team to discuss options.
The price includes treatment at our modern clinics and includes all consulting and surgical facilities, nursing staff, consumables including surgical treatment room, surgical instrumentation, local anaesthetic, dressings, biopsy assessment of lesions where appropriate together with a follow-up letter.
Next Steps
The first step is to call our patient line or email us.
Please call us on 0333 332 2105 or complete the form below.
Our private services
Mole removal
Moles are small coloured spots on the skin made up of cells called melanocytes. These produce the colour (pigment) in your skin.
Skin tag removal
Skin tags (acrochordons) are small flesh-coloured or brown growths that hang off skin and look a bit like warts. They’re common and harmless.
Lesion Assessment
When you have identified a mole or lesion for removal one of our clinicians will see you in person to assess and plan for the procedure.
Cyst Removal
A sebaceous cyst is a small, closed sac under the skin – a smooth, firm bump or lump, most often on the face, scalp, neck, or middle of the body.
Lipomas
Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that grow under the skin. They’re harmless and can usually be left alone or we can remove them for you.
wart removal
Warts are small lumps that often develop on the hands, either singly or in clusters.
Most people have warts at some point.
Seborrheic Keratosis
A seborrheic keratosis is a harmless type of skin growth, but can be difficult to distinguish from melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer.
What our patients say
Feedback from our patients really does matter. 98% of patients say that they would recommend our service to friends and family.
Winter sunrise over Start Point Lighthouse, Devon – Photo by Red Zeppelin on Unsplash
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BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
We will send you a confirmation email or letter, directions to the clinic, your payment receipt and a consent form which you should read but which you do not need to sign until you are certain you wish to proceed with the removal of your lesion.
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CONSULTATION
Your appointment includes a consultation with the clinician followed by the procedure, where it is agreed to proceed. The clinician will discuss your general health and medication. They will explain the procedure, whether there is a likelihood of recurrence and scarring, and how to prevent infection.
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TREATMENT
If you wish to proceed, you will sign a consent form. You will be awake throughout the operation and can ask questions. You will feel an initial sting from the local anaesthetic injection. The anaesthetic will wear off after a few hours and you can take paracetamol (not aspirin) if you have any mild discomfort.
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THE PROCEDURE
Clinicians use a variety of techniques to remove skin lesions including excision and cautery. The procedure sometimes involves stitches or sutures. The clinician will advise you when you will need to make an appointment at your own surgery to have the stitches removed.
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AFTERWARDS
Although it is unlikely that your lesion represents a danger to your health, we may send it for examination and let you and your GP know the result as soon as we receive it. We will also send you a patient satisfaction questionnaire which we hope you will complete.
