Patient Guide to Mohs Surgery
The overall goal of Mohs surgery is to remove the cancer while preserving as much healthy skin as possible. Your doctors will be with you every step of the way to ensure you’re comfortable and healing well.
Preparing for Mohs Surgery
Before your Mohs surgery, you’ll have a consultation with your dermatologist. During this visit, they will review your medical history, talk to you about the area that needs treatment, and explain what to expect.
- Be prepared to spend the whole day with us
- Please bring a sweater or additional warm clothing
The Mohs Surgery Procedure
On the day of the surgery, you’ll arrive at the medical center, and the area being treated will be cleaned. A local anesthetic is applied to numb the area, so you’ll be comfortable during the procedure. Your surgeon will remove the visible tumor or skin cancer, and then they will examine the tissue under a microscope to check if all the cancer cells have been removed. If any cancer cells are still present, the process will be repeated in small, precise layers until the cancer is completely gone.
The procedure is usually done in stages, so while you wait, you can relax in a comfortable area. The whole process can take a few hours, depending on the size of the tumor, but you won’t feel any pain.
Post-Surgery Care
After the surgery, the treated area will be re-examined by a dermatologist. You’ll be given instructions on how to care for the wound. The area may be bandaged, and you might have some swelling or bruising, but these are normal and should go down in a few days. You’ll be advised to avoid strenuous activities and keep the treated area clean and dry to promote healing.
Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment to check your healing and make sure there are no signs of infection or other issues. They will also remove any stitches if needed.
Enhancing Your Cosmetic Outcome
Once the skin has healed and the cancer has been fully removed, your doctor may discuss elective options to enhance the cosmetic appearance of the area.
In most cases this is not necessary, but patients may opt to discuss with their dermatologist.
"Our goals are simple: to cure skin cancer and help our patients feel wonderful about their skin and appearance."
