Written by Dr. Vikneswaran Ragupathiraja, MBBS (AIMST)
Published: 11/09/2025 | Reading Time: 6 minutes
Can Your Regular Doctor Actually Do Minor Surgery?
So yesterday this guy walks into my clinic with this nasty cyst on his back that’s been driving him mental for months. He’s poking at it, showing me how it moves around under his skin, and he goes, “Doc, can you just cut this thing out, or do I have to go through the whole hospital nightmare?”
Classic question. I get this at least three times a week here in PJ Old Town. People assume that anything involving cutting means you need some fancy specialist at a big hospital, tons of paperwork, waiting lists, and your entire paycheck.
Truth bomb: Most family doctors can handle way more than people think. We’re not just here to write MC letters and check blood pressure. A lot of minor surgical stuff? Yeah, we can totally do that right here in the clinic.
But there’s obviously limits to what’s safe and smart to do outside a hospital. Let me break down what’s what.
What Even Counts as "Minor Surgery"?
When I first started practicing, I thought minor surgery was anything that didn’t require a massive operating theater and a team of 10 people. Turns out it’s more about risk level and complexity.
Basic rule: If it can be done safely with local anesthetic, doesn’t involve major organs or blood vessels, and you can walk out the same day, it’s probably minor surgery.
Stuff I Do in Clinic All the Time
Removing Annoying Lumps and Bumps Cysts, lipomas (those squishy fat lumps), skin tags that catch on clothes, suspicious moles—most of these come off easily in clinic. Last month this lady from Taman Paramount had been hiding this huge mole on her neck with scarves for years. Twenty minutes later, gone. She couldn’t stop touching the spot and grinning.
Fixing Cuts and Wounds Kitchen accidents, sports injuries, kids doing stupid things—I’m basically a human sewing machine some days. The trick is getting to it quickly so it heals nice and clean without looking like a horror movie scar.
Draining Infected Stuff Abscesses are these painful, pus-filled lumps that need proper drainage. People try to squeeze them at home and just make everything worse. Do it right in clinic, and the relief is instant.
Dealing with Ingrown Nails Super common here because our humid climate means everyone’s feet are constantly damp. What starts as mild irritation can turn into a proper infection if you ignore it.
Getting Foreign Objects Out You’d be shocked what people manage to get stuck in their skin. Splinters, glass bits, metal fragments from DIY disasters—most come out pretty easily with the right tools.
Why Regular Doctors Can Do This Stuff
Here’s what people don’t realize: medical school includes loads of surgical training, even for general practitioners. We spend months learning sterile technique, how to suture properly, anatomy, local anesthesia, the works.
At AIMST, I did rotations in surgery where we learned everything from basic stitching to more complex procedures. Just because someone isn’t a surgeon doesn’t mean they can’t cut and sew skillfully.
What Actually Matters:
- Knowing how to keep everything sterile
- Understanding anatomy so you don’t cut the wrong thing
- Being good with local anesthesia
- Recognizing when to stop and refer to specialists
- Handling complications if they happen
That last one’s crucial. Good doctors know their limits and when to say “this needs a specialist.”
Real Stories from My Practice
The Panicking Businessman This executive who works near Mid Valley had this lump on his wrist for months. He kept putting off dealing with it because he figured he’d need general anesthesia, time off work, the whole hospital drama.
Turned out to be a simple ganglion cyst. Removed it in half an hour with local anesthetic. He was back at work that afternoon with just a small bandage, looking like nothing happened.
The Terrified Teenager 16-year-old girl came in with her mom, absolutely hysterical about this massive abscess on her leg. She was convinced she’d need major surgery and was already imagining the worst-case scenarios.
Drained it right there in clinic. Immediate relief, proper antibiotics, healed perfectly. Sometimes what feels like a medical emergency is actually pretty straightforward.
The Frustrated Uncle This elderly guy had a skin growth that kept bleeding every time he shaved. His family was all worked up, thinking he’d need specialist appointments and months of waiting.
Simple shave biopsy, results back in a week—completely benign. Fixed his shaving problem and gave him peace of mind without the specialist runaround.
When I Say "Nope, You Need a Hospital"
Look, I’m not trying to be a hero. Some stuff absolutely needs specialist care, and recognizing that is part of being a decent doctor.
Too Complex for Clinic:
- Big masses that might involve deeper structures
- Anything near vital organs or major blood vessels
- Cases needing general anesthesia
- Suspicious lesions that need specialist expertise
- Complications beyond basic wound care
Hospital-Only Territory:
- Procedures needing overnight monitoring
- High bleeding risk situations
- Complex reconstructive work
- Cases requiring specialized equipment
I’ve never felt bad about referring someone when it’s the right call. Better safe than sorry, and patients appreciate honesty about limitations.
Why Clinic Surgery Makes Sense
Your Wallet Will Thank You Hospital procedures cost a fortune compared to clinic-based minor surgery. For simple stuff like cyst removal or wound care, you’re looking at maybe 10% of hospital costs.
Actually Convenient No waiting months for hospital appointments. No overnight stays. No getting lost in massive hospital complexes. Come to our PJ Old Town clinic, get it done, go home.
Personal Touch You’re not just another number. I know my patients—their medical history, what they’re worried about, how they handle pain. This personal knowledge makes everything smoother.
Follow-up That Makes Sense When I do a procedure, I’m the one checking how you’re healing, removing stitches, dealing with any concerns. No bouncing between different doctors who don’t know your case.
What to Expect at Our Clinic
Initial Chat We’ll discuss what’s bothering you, examine the area, and figure out if it’s something I can handle here or if you need a referral. No pressure, just honest assessment.
Procedure Day Most minor operations take 15-45 minutes. Local anesthetic means you’re awake but comfortable. Usually you can drive yourself home after.
Recovery Most people are back to normal activities within a day or two. We give clear instructions for wound care and what to watch out for.
Safety First (Obviously)
Just because we’re not a hospital doesn’t mean we mess around with safety. Our medical centre maintains proper sterile protocols, uses appropriate surgical instruments, and follows all the safety guidelines.
We also have clear plans for handling unexpected complications and relationships with nearby hospitals if emergency referral becomes necessary.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Perfect for Clinic Surgery:
- Healthy adults with straightforward issues
- People wanting convenient, affordable care
- Patients comfortable with local anesthetic
- Those preferring personal, continuous care
Better Off at Hospital:
- Complex medical conditions needing specialized monitoring
- High-risk procedures
- Cases requiring general anesthesia
- Situations needing specialized surgical expertise
Questions You Should Ask
Don’t be shy about asking:
- How many times have you done this procedure?
- What are the risks and complications?
- How long is recovery?
- What happens if something goes wrong?
- Why here instead of a hospital?
I actually encourage questions. Informed patients do better and feel more comfortable with their decisions.
The Malaysian Healthcare Reality
In our system, skilled family doctors doing minor operations helps everyone. It reduces hospital waiting times for complex cases, gives patients affordable options, and ensures continuity of care.
Many procedures that need specialist referrals in other countries can be
Bottom Line
Whether I should do your minor operation depends on several things: how complex it is, your comfort level, my experience with that specific procedure, and what our clinic can safely handle.
I never pressure patients into procedures they’re uncomfortable with, and I’m always upfront about what I can and can’t do safely. When in doubt, specialist referral is always an option.
Got a bothersome lump, cyst, or minor surgical issue? Visit our medical centre to discuss your options with someone who’ll give you honest guidance about what’s best for your situation.
Making Healthcare Work for PJ Families
Our goal is making quality healthcare convenient for families in PJ Old Town, SS2, Taman Paramount, and surrounding areas. Sometimes that means handling minor surgical procedures that would otherwise mean expensive hospital visits or long specialist waits.
When it’s safe and appropriate, doing minor operations in our clinic means faster resolution of your health concerns and more personalized care throughout.
Ready to deal with that annoying skin problem or minor surgical concern? Contact our PJ Old Town clinic to schedule a consultation and explore your options.
safely handled by experienced general practitioners here.
About Dr. Vikneswaran Ragupathiraja
You know what’s funny? Medical school teaches you minor surgery procedures like everyone’s wounds heal perfectly and nobody’s scared of needles. Then you practice in Malaysia where our humid climate affects healing and cultural attitudes toward “cutting” create unique patient dynamics.
Got my MBBS from MAHSA University, but learned way more about minor surgical procedures from years of treating families right here in PJ Old Town, SS2, Damansara, and surrounding areas. Every patient teaches me something new about performing safe, effective procedures while managing anxiety and cultural concerns about minor surgery.
There’s something really satisfying about helping someone who’s been avoiding treatment for a bothersome cyst or skin lesion finally get it sorted. Whether it’s removing that annoying lipoma, treating ingrown nails, or performing wound repairs, solving problems with simple outpatient procedures that dramatically improve someone’s quality of life never gets old.
When I’m not performing minor surgeries, I’m usually wondering why people always seem to develop skin problems right before important family photos, or being amazed at how relieved patients are when they realize how straightforward most minor procedures actually are.