I would use the patch on the inside as you plan to do.
On the lower outside panel, I would recommend simply reskinning the door. I attempted the lower surgery and it didn’t go as smoothly as I would have liked. It was hard to planish the welds, hard to control warpage, hard to line up, etc. After my attempts (yes, plural), I decided to buy a complete skin panel. It was way easier to finish and I am glad I did. If I could go back and get that time back, I would.
