Is cyst removal covered by insurance?

Most symptomatic cysts (painful, infected, growing) are considered medically necessary and covered by insurance. We verify your coverage before your appointment and will let you know what to expect.

How long does cyst removal take?

Most cyst removals take 20 to 45 minutes from start to finish. The procedure is performed in our office under local anesthesia — no hospital visit required.

Will my cyst come back after removal?

With our complete sac removal technique, recurrence is very unlikely. Cysts return when the sac wall is left behind, which is common with simple drainage. Dr. Kim removes the entire cyst wall to minimize the chance of recurrence.

Is cyst removal painful?

We use local anesthesia to numb the area completely. You will feel a brief pinch during the injection, then no pain during the procedure. Most patients describe mild soreness afterward, easily managed with over-the-counter medication.

What is the difference between draining a cyst and removing it?

Draining (incision and drainage) provides temporary relief but leaves the cyst wall intact, meaning the cyst will almost always return. Surgical excision removes the entire cyst including its wall, providing a permanent solution.

Can I get my cyst removed the same day?

In many cases, yes — especially for urgent or infected cysts. Call us at (423) 777-7570 and mention that your cyst is bothering you. We will do our best to see you quickly.

How long is recovery after cyst removal?

Most patients return to normal activities the same or next day. You will need to keep the area clean and return for suture removal in 7 to 14 days. We provide complete aftercare instructions.

What type of doctor removes cysts?

Cysts can be removed by dermatologists, surgeons, and dermatology-focused physicians. At Clear Derm, Dr. Eli Kim is a board-certified physician who has focused exclusively on dermatologic surgery for over 14 years, with thousands of cyst removals performed.

Sebaceous Cyst Removal in Chattanooga & Ooltewah, TN

Expert cyst removal with complete sac excision — preventing recurrence and infection

Schedule Your Consultation → (423) 777-7570

What Is a Sebaceous Cyst?

If you’ve noticed a firm, round lump beneath your skin that seems to be slowly growing, you may have a sebaceous cyst. Despite the common name, most of these growths are technically epidermal inclusion cysts or pilar cysts — closed pockets of tissue that fill with keratin, a protein produced by skin cells. True sebaceous cysts arising from sebaceous glands are actually quite rare, but the term has become the widely accepted name for these benign lumps.

Cysts typically present as smooth, dome-shaped bumps that range from pea-sized to several centimeters across. They develop most commonly on the back, neck, face, scalp, and behind the ears, though they can appear almost anywhere on the body. You may notice a small dark opening (punctum) at the center. If a cyst ruptures or is squeezed, it often releases a thick, yellowish material with a characteristically foul odor — something patients frequently mention during their first visit.

Sebaceous cysts are benign and not cancerous, but they can become a real nuisance. They may grow steadily over months or years, become inflamed, or develop painful infections. Many of our patients from Chattanooga, Cleveland, Hixson, and surrounding East Tennessee communities tell us they have lived with a cyst for years before deciding to have it evaluated — often because it finally became uncomfortable, visibly noticeable, or started draining on its own.

When Should You Have a Cyst Removed?

Not every cyst requires immediate removal, but there are clear situations where treatment is the right choice. We recommend scheduling an evaluation if your cyst is:

Growing in size — even slowly, a growing cyst will not resolve on its own
Becoming painful or tender — pressure on surrounding tissue can cause discomfort
Showing signs of infection — redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage indicate a problem
Located in a visible or uncomfortable area — the face, neck, or areas under clothing lines
Ruptured or repeatedly inflamed — recurrent flare-ups signal that the cyst needs to come out
Causing embarrassment or anxiety — your quality of life matters

The best time to remove a cyst is before it becomes inflamed or infected. Inflamed cysts are more difficult to remove completely, more painful to treat, and more likely to leave a larger scar. If your cyst is currently calm and stable, that is actually the ideal window for a clean, straightforward removal with the best cosmetic outcome.

How We Remove Cysts at Clear Derm

At Clear Derm, we perform complete surgical excision — not simple drainage. This is a critical distinction. Draining a cyst (also called incision and drainage, or I&D) provides temporary relief by releasing the contents, but it does not remove the cyst wall, also known as the sac. Without removing the entire sac, the cyst will almost always grow back, sometimes within weeks.

Here is what to expect when you visit our Ooltewah office for cyst removal:

Evaluation and marking: Dr. Kim examines the cyst, confirms the diagnosis, and marks the planned incision site.
Local anesthesia: We inject a numbing agent around the cyst. You will feel a brief pinch from the needle, then nothing during the procedure.
Small incision: A carefully placed incision is made directly over the cyst, kept as small as possible to minimize scarring.
Complete removal: The cyst and its entire sac wall are dissected free from surrounding tissue and removed intact whenever possible.
Closure with sutures: The wound is closed with sutures, and a sterile dressing is applied.

The procedure typically takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on the size and location of the cyst. Everything is performed right here in our comfortable Ooltewah office — no hospital visit, no general anesthesia, and no lengthy preparation required.

Same-day removal is often possible for urgent or infected cysts. If your cyst is actively bothering you, call us and we will do our best to see you quickly.

Why Complete Sac Removal Matters

The single most important factor in preventing a cyst from returning is the complete removal of the sac wall. The cyst wall is the living tissue that produces the material filling the cyst. If even a small fragment of this wall remains after surgery, the cyst can — and usually will — refill and return.

This is why simple drainage is considered a temporary measure, not a cure. Dr. Kim’s approach emphasizes meticulous dissection and complete sac removal with every procedure. With true complete excision, recurrence rates drop dramatically, giving you the confidence that the problem is resolved for good.

If you have had a cyst drained elsewhere and it has come back, you are not alone — this is one of the most common reasons patients seek us out for a definitive solution.

Types of Cysts We Treat

Our team evaluates and removes a wide range of cyst types, including:

Epidermal inclusion cysts — the most common type, often called “sebaceous cysts,” found on the face, neck, trunk, and extremities
Pilar (trichilemmal) cysts — firm cysts that develop on the scalp, often in clusters
Infected and inflamed cysts — red, swollen, and painful cysts requiring prompt attention
Ruptured cysts — cysts that have burst beneath the skin, causing intense inflammation
Recurrent cysts — cysts previously drained or partially removed elsewhere that have returned
Multiple cysts — some patients develop several cysts that we can address in one or more sessions