Mohs Surgery: What to Expect and How to Prepare
To learn more about Mohs surgery, we encourage you to come in for a consultation. Additionally, the following websites are excellent resources:
For patients with two or more sites needing Mohs surgery, our office policy is to treat one lesion per visit. Often, we can coordinate a second surgery with suture removal to minimize office visits for treatment. The treatment plan will be discussed and finalized at your office visit.
Prior to your surgery:
Purchase Vaseline or Aquaphor, bandages (Bandaids or non-adherent/non-stick pads + surgical tape), and ice packs for the face (if this applies to your surgical site).
Consider purchasing Tylenol and ibuprofen, unless a physician has told you not to take either or both medications.
If your surgical site is near the eye, bring someone to drive you home as your bandage may obstruct your vision. If you do not have a driver on the day of your procedure, this may result in rescheduling your appointment. Your safety is our top priority.
Please let us know if you have any upcoming travel plans or important events that may affect the scheduling of your surgery or postoperative follow-up.
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 (including anticoagulants prescribed by your healthcare provider) you would normally take
Except: anti-anxiety and pain medications. Bring these with you to the appointment and wait to take them until you have signed consent for the surgery. We DO NOT prescribe any anti-anxiety medications.
*** Please do not wear any cosmetic products or makeup around the surgical site on the day of your surgery***