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Not an emergency service. If you or someone else is seriously unwell — for example chest pain, breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding or collapse — call 999. For urgent advice when it is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.

Procedure guides

Preparation and aftercare for every procedure carried out at Tower Bridge Hospital. Search, or browse by specialty below.

Important. Your individual instructions from your treating clinician take precedence over this general information. These guides are general information and do not replace the advice you are given for your own treatment.

Urgent help

Life-threatening emergency

Call 999 — for example chest pain, breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding that will not stop, or collapse.

Urgent but not life-threatening

Call NHS 111 for advice at any hour.

A question about your procedure

Call the hospital on 020 7916 0029, 9am–7pm, Monday to Saturday.

Skin surgery & lesions

Procedures performed under local anaesthetic in our treatment room.

Minor surgeryRemoval of skin lesions, cysts, lipomas and similar under local anaesthetic in our treatment room.Skin surgery · 7–14 daysMole removalSurgical removal of a mole under local anaesthetic, with laboratory analysis of the tissue.Skin surgery · 7–14 daysCyst removalRemoval of a sebaceous or epidermoid cyst, including its lining, under local anaesthetic.Skin surgery · 7–14 daysLipoma removalRemoval of a benign fatty lump under local anaesthetic, with laboratory analysis.Skin surgery · 7–14 daysSkin tag removalRemoval of small benign skin tags, usually in a single short appointment.Skin surgery · 1–2 weeksSkin lesion & mole check, with biopsy or excisionAssessment of a skin lesion, with removal or sampling on the same visit where appropriate.Skin surgery · Same day, or 7–14 days if excisedVerruca & wart treatmentCryotherapy or other treatment for viral warts and verrucae, usually over several sessions.Skin surgery · Course over several months

Surgical procedures

Planned procedures with a defined recovery period.

CircumcisionNon-medical circumcision performed by a GMC-registered surgeon.Surgical procedures · 2–4 weeksHair transplantFUE or DHI hair restoration under local anaesthetic, with a structured aftercare period.Surgical procedures · Visible growth 3–4 monthsPlastic surgery proceduresScar revision, keloid treatment, earlobe repair and cosmetic-focused lesion removal under local anaesthetic.Surgical procedures · 5–14 days to stitch removal

Joint & soft-tissue injections

Image-guided and landmark-guided injections.

Joint & soft-tissue injectionsInjection into a joint, tendon sheath or bursa to reduce pain and inflammation.Joint & soft tissue · Rest 48 hoursUltrasound-guided joint injectionsJoint or soft-tissue injection performed under live ultrasound guidance for accurate placement.Joint & soft tissue · Rest 48 hoursPlatelet-rich plasma (PRP)Treatment using a concentrate prepared from a sample of your own blood.Joint & soft tissue · Soreness 2–5 days

Aesthetic treatments

Non-surgical treatments with short, treatment-specific aftercare.

Anti-wrinkle injectionsInjections that temporarily relax specific facial muscles.Aesthetics · Effect at 2 weeksDermal fillersGel injected to restore volume or contour, with immediate but evolving results.Aesthetics · Settles over 2 weeksSkin boosters (Profhilo)Injectable hydrating treatment given as a short course, usually two sessions four weeks apart.Aesthetics · Blebs settle in 24 hoursPolynucleotide treatmentInjectable treatment given as a short course to support skin quality and repair.Aesthetics · Settles in 48 hoursChemical peelsControlled skin exfoliation using a topical solution, with peeling over the following week.Aesthetics · Peeling days 2–7MesotherapyMicro-injections of a tailored preparation into the skin, usually given as a course.Aesthetics · Settles in 24 hours

Short aftercare notes

Brief guidance for procedures with minimal recovery.

Cervical screeningA short screening test. Minimal aftercare, but some things are worth knowing.Short aftercare · No recovery neededShort aftercare noteVitamin B12 injectionAn intramuscular injection, usually into the upper arm. Minimal aftercare.Short aftercare · No recovery neededShort aftercare noteHay fever injectionA seasonal injection given after assessment. Minimal aftercare, with a short observation period.Short aftercare · No recovery neededShort aftercare noteEarwax removal (microsuction)Wax removed under direct vision using gentle suction. No recovery period.Short aftercare · No recovery neededShort aftercare noteTravel vaccinationsVaccinations given after a travel risk assessment. Minimal aftercare.Short aftercare · No recovery neededShort aftercare noteIV vitamin therapyInfusion given through a cannula, with a short aftercare period for the cannula site.Short aftercare · Same dayShort aftercare note

A–Z of procedures

Every guide, alphabetically.

Clinical reviewer
Dr Haydar Bolat, Clinical Director
Review date
21 July 2026
Review by
21 July 2027
Version
1.0
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