Oncology

Wide Local Excision Surgery

Also known as: melanoma removal surgery, wide excision, skin cancer excision, margin excision, surgical excision of melanoma, WLE

Removes melanoma tissue along with a surrounding margin of healthy skin

Last Updated: October 31, 2026

Surgery Type

Select to compare approaches

Calculate costfor Standard Wide Local Excision

What happens in this surgery?

Surgeon marks the excision margin based on melanoma thickness
Tissue is removed along with a cuff of surrounding skin
Wound is closed directly with sutures when the defect is small
Sample is sent for pathology to confirm clear margins
Procedure is typically done as a day case

Ready to take the next step?

Connect with a specialist to see if Wide Local Excision Surgery is right for you.

Post Surgery Recovery

What to expect after your procedure

Most patients go home the same day and can resume light activity within a few days. Sutures are typically removed in 1–2 weeks, while wounds involving a graft or flap take longer to heal. Full recovery, including scar maturation, generally takes 4–6 weeks.

Hospital Stay

1–7 days

Varies by procedure

Initial Rest

1–2 weeks

Light activity only

Follow-up Visit

2–4 weeks

Wound check & review

Full Recovery

6–12 weeks

Back to normal activity

Recovery & Wellness Tips

Share full medical history and current medications with the care team
Stop blood-thinning medications if advised beforehand
Arrange transportation home after the procedure
Follow fasting instructions if general anesthesia is planned
Plan for limited arm or leg movement if excision is near a joint

All Surgeries·Oncology