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 white vinegar, 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 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 you take Warfarin (Coumadin/Jantoven) please provide us with a copy of your most recent INR blood test result, which must be dated within 7 days of your surgery. We can provide a lab order upon request. If the INR is supratherapeutic (too high), please contact your prescribing physician for instructions on how to manage the dose prior to your surgery. In some cases, surgery may need to be rescheduled until INR reaches a safe level.
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.
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***