Thank you for the question. A changing mole on the lip should be checked out to rule out any underlying malignancy.
For a biopsy on the lip, this is usually done under local anaesthesia. You do not need to fast before the procedure.
The anaesthetic is injected into the lips to numb the area and a piece of skin is removed. A punch biopsy is usually performed.
This wil be closed with stitches, often with absorbable sutures. Post-surgery, a lip ointment may be prescribed. The wound will usually take about a week to heal.
The cost of the procedure is estimated at between $200 to $300 for the biopsy. This is likely to be cheaper if you are a subsidized patient at a restructured hospital.
