Recovery guide · Melanoma surgery
Melanoma surgery
recovery
Melanoma surgery typically involves wide local excision (removing the lesion with a margin of healthy tissue) and often a sentinel lymph node biopsy. Recovery depends on the size of the excision and whether lymph nodes were involved. This guide covers what to expect after each type of procedure.
🚫 This guide is for people who have already had melanoma surgery. For concerns about undiagnosed lesions, see your GP. For questions about your staging, results, or treatment plan, contact your oncology team. Melanoma management is individualised: general timelines here may not apply to your situation.
Recovery essentials
Little things that make a real difference: the kind of practical help other patients wish someone had mentioned.
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Start once the wound is fully closed to improve post-excision scar. Silicone scar sheets →
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Wide local excision wounds need to stay dry while healing, especially if on the back, leg, or somewhere awkward to keep dry. Waterproof wound protectors →
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The scar needs UV protection for at least 12 months after excision, sun exposure prevents the scar from fading and risks hyperpigmentation. SPF sleeves are particularly practical for arm and leg excision sites. UV protective clothing / SPF sleeves →
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Sterile wound dressings are essential after wide local excision. Keep the site clean and covered as directed by your surgical team. Wound dressings →
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After melanoma surgery, rigorous daily sun protection is critical — both for the healing scar and to reduce your risk of new melanomas. SPF 50+ sunscreen →
Postopcare.info may earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you. These are things patients have told us genuinely helped their recovery: nothing else.
Your recovery toolkit
Free interactive tools to track your recovery day by day. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or shared.
Daily dashboardMeds, vitals & wound photos in one view
Discharge packTurn discharge notes into a day-one plan
Last-dose tracker“When can I take the next one?”
Vitals trackerTemperature, heart rate, BP & oxygen
Wound photo journalSame angle every day — spot changes early
Pain trackerSpot the trend, share it with your GP
These tools support — never replace — the advice of your surgical team. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor or emergency services.