Before & After Pictures of Mohs Surgery Patients

Photos of Mohs surgery and recovery on the face, forehead, nose, scalp, hands, ears and other regions. Pictures include Mohs wounds, closures and follow ups ranging from 3 months to one year.

How to Prepare for Mohs Surgery

To learn more about Mohs surgery, we encourage you to come in for a consultation.

Additionally, the following websites are excellent resources:

• Mohscollege.org

• Aad.org

Prior to Your Surgery

• Purchase white vinegar, Vaseline and bandages

• Consider purchasing Tylenol and ibuprofen, unless a physician has told you not to take either or both medications.

• If you take aspirin, or another blood thinner, and it was NOT prescribed/advised by a healthcare provider, please let us know. We may request you stop it a week before your Mohs surgery

• If your surgical site is near the eye, consider asking someone to drive you home as your bandage may obstruct your vision.

The Day of Your Surgery

• Although not a requirement, you can bring one family member or friend

• Plan to spend at least 4 hours in the office

• We will have light snacks, but you are welcome to bring food and drink

• You are welcome to bring books, audiobooks, etc. for entertainment

• Eat breakfast

• Take all medications you would normally take

• **Except: antianxiety and pain medications. Bring these with you to the appointment and wait to take them until you have signed consent for the surgery.

How to Care for a Mohs Surgery Wound

A pressure dressing has been applied to reduce bleeding. This should be left on for 48 hours.

Until this dressing is removed, do not get the dressing wet (avoid showering and bathing).

Once the dressing is removed, begin the following wound care ONCE A DAY until healed:

• Remove all bandages

• Use antibacterial soap and warm water to cleanse wound

• Pat the area dry and avoid vigorous rubbing.

• Apply a generous amount of Vaseline or Aquaphor

• Cover with a band aid or other bandage (non-stick pad / non-adherent pad + surgical tape / paper tape).

Return to the office in ____________ days for suture removal / wound check.

Mohs Post-Surgery and How to Avoid Bleeding

1. Avoid activities that would increase your heart rate or blood pressure for the first 48 hours.

2. If your surgical site is on your face or scalp, avoid tipping your head below the level of your heart for an extended period of time

To allow for proper wound healing and avoid excessive scarring, avoid vigorous physical activity that places strain and tension at your surgical site:

• For 24-48 hours for surgical sites above the neck

• For 2-3 weeks for surgical sites from the neck below

Mohs Surgery Scar & Scarring

Your scar may be very noticeable initially, but with time (usually several months) the pink color will fade and irregularities become smoother. Make sure to keep the scar out of the sun (or wear sunscreen), because sun exposure will prolong the redness and can cause darkening.

If you experience pain after your procedure, we recommend 1000mg of Tylenol by mouth and 600mg of ibuprofen 4 to 5 hours later, continuing to alternate as needed. If you have been told by another physician not to take one or both of these, avoid them and inform us. We also suggest using ice packs. Place over our bandage and to the surrounding skin for 10 minutes as often as every hour.

Common Issues

If you notice bleeding

1. If your original dressing is on, leave it in place

2. Hold firm pressure directly over the site for 20 minutes continuously

3. DO NOT place extra gauze or towels between the bandage and your fingers

4. DO NOT release pressure prior to 20 minutes to assess the site

5. After 20 minutes, gently release pressure

6. If there is still bleeding, repeat step 1 thru 5

7. If there is still bleeding after holding pressure for 20 minutes twice, go to your nearest ER

If you notice swelling

1. Some swelling after surgery is to be expected.

2. However, if it continues to increase over a few days, or if it is accompanied by increasing pain or redness or drainage, call the clinic (or, if after hours, go to your nearest emergency room).

3. If your surgical site rapidly swells, call the clinic as soon as possible as this may indicate bleeding into the surgical site.

4. In order to optimize wound healing, we ask that you avoid any strenuous physical activity that would strain the stitches while they are in place. 

If you have had a skin graft or skin flap

In order for your skin graft or skin flap to survive, it needs a good blood supply. While new blood vessels for your skin graft/flap form, avoid anything that may cause friction to the graft/flap site. Friction can disrupt the newly forming blood vessels and prevent the graft/flap from surviving. 

DO:

• Keep the skin graft/flap elevated. If your skin graft/flap is on your face, sleep propped-up on 2 pillows. This will also help alleviate pain and swelling. 

• Expect your graft/flap to be purple to reddish-pink. A skin graft that has turned black may be dead/dying. If you see a black color, please contact the office. 

DON’T:      

• DO NOT RUB, SCRATCH, OR SLEEP ON THE SKIN GRAFT OR FLAP. This may cause it to detach. 

• Don’t smoke. Smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict, thus limiting the blood supply to your skin graft/flap. If you can’t quit, try to cut back.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your surgery during our normal business hours, please call the clinic at 713 952 8400 or send us a message through Klara. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.

If you have an urgent question or concern after hours, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.