If you’re living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), you know how profoundly it can affect your daily life, physically and emotionally. For many patients, HS surgery represents a turning point. Whether you’ve tried other treatments without lasting relief or your symptoms have progressed, surgical excision can offer hope for healing. At The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction, patients with advanced HS are treated by specialists like Hamid Abdollahi, MD, FACS, a fellowship-trained reconstructive surgeon with extensive experience in complex wound care and skin surgery. Here’s what you can expect from the procedure, from how it works to what recovery and long-term outcomes look like for our patients.
The Excision Process—How HS Surgery Works
Surgery for HS is designed to remove the affected skin and tissue to eliminate the chronic inflammation and drainage that cause pain and can severely disrupt daily life. Surgical treatment is tailored to the patient’s unique anatomy and disease severity, especially for areas like the armpits, groin, or under the breasts.
Common HS Excision Techniques
Several surgical techniques are used in HS care. These may include:
- Carbon dioxide laser excision
- Local flap or graft reconstruction
- Unroofing or deroofing sinus tracts
- Wide excision with secondary healing
“We often use wide excision to fully remove areas of recurring disease, followed by advanced closure techniques like skin grafts or local flap reconstruction when necessary,” explains Dr. Abdollahi. “The goal is always to reduce recurrence and restore comfort and function.”
Each method is chosen based on the severity and location of your HS and your overall health and lifestyle needs.
What to Expect During Surgery
HS surgery is usually done in a hospital or surgical center while you’re under general anesthesia, so you’ll be asleep and comfortable during the procedure. The surgeon carefully removes the areas of skin affected by HS and works to protect the healthy skin around it. This helps lower the chances of the condition returning and supports better healing. Depending on how much skin needs to be treated, the surgery may be done in one visit or over multiple stages.
What Recovery Looks Like After HS Surgery
Initial healing from this surgery usually takes several weeks. Full recovery extends over a few months, depending on wound size, location, and whether grafts or flaps were used.
- Week 1–2: Swelling, mild discomfort, and dressing changes. Most patients can move around with guidance.
- Weeks 3–6: Wound closure progresses, and pain diminishes. Light activity may resume.
- Months 2–3: Reconstructed areas continue maturing, and visible improvements are often seen.
“Recovery from HS surgery requires more than physical healing—it’s about rebuilding comfort, mobility, and quality of life,” says Dr. Abdollahi. “We take time to educate patients on each phase of the process, from wound care to preventing recurrence, so they feel confident and supported through every step.”
Common Patient Concerns
- Wound care: Meticulous care is critical to avoid infection. Your care team will provide clear instructions and ongoing support.
- Pain management: Most patients report that post-op pain is manageable and improves quickly with proper medication.
- Time off work: Some downtime is expected, depending on job demands, but patients are often relieved by the quality-of-life improvements post-surgery.
Long-Term Results and Realistic Expectations
Surgical excision offers relief from painful flare-ups and chronic drainage, but it’s not a guaranteed cure. Long-term studies and clinical experience show that surgery significantly reduces symptoms for many patients. Still, HS can recur, especially if lifestyle or systemic inflammatory factors persist.
Importance of Ongoing Care
Following your surgeon’s guidance for wound care and maintenance is essential. Some patients also benefit from:
- Dermatological follow-up for non-surgical areas
- Hormonal management
- Nutritional support
- Smoking cessation
“Surgery can be transformative, but HS is a systemic condition. That’s why we focus on comprehensive care before and after the procedure to help our patients heal and find lasting comfort in managing this challenging disease,” Dr. Abdollahi emphasizes.
Ready to Talk About HS Surgery?
If you’ve struggled with recurring cysts, painful abscesses, or scarring from Hidradenitis Suppurativa, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to keep suffering. The Institute offers advanced surgical care backed by expert reconstructive surgeons and compassionate care teams. With multiple locations throughout New Jersey, finding expert help is more convenient than ever.
If you’re ready to explore your options for treating and managing HS, contact Dr. Hamid Abdollahi and the care team at The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction to schedule a consultation today.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Abdollahi.
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