Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon

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    Do everything normal!
  
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    Please shower as you normally would on the evening or morning prior to surgery.
  
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    Please take all of your normal medicines – even your blood thinners.
  
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    Have a normal breakfast or lunch before your surgery. You may eat and drink anything you would normally eat before your surgery.
  
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    Please bring a complete and updated list of your current medicines and all allergies. Expect to review these with the surgical team prior to your surgery.
  
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    Please bring a photograph of the biopsy site if you were previously instructed to do so.
  
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    Understand that the Mohs Surgery and reconstruction will be performed under local anesthesia, similar to the biopsy.
  
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    You may be instructed to have a driver come with you on the day of surgery if the surgery is near your eye or eyelid or for other reasons. This recommendation is entirely for your safety and for the safety of others and is not intended to be an inconvenience.
  
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    Plan to be in our office approximately 2 to 3 hours for the entire procedure. You are welcome to bring any drinks, snacks, or meals that you wish. Our Mohs Surgery office is glad to provide fresh coffee, bottled water, and juice for your comfort.
  

After your Mohs surgery

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    Expect to have the nurse review your wound care instructions in great detail prior to your departure.
  
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    Expect to receive a “goodie bag” with written instructions, emergency phone numbers, and your initial wound care supplies.
  
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    Expect swelling, redness, and bruising around the surgery site. Swelling may last for 48-72 hours and bruising can sometimes last up to 7 days.
  
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    Expect to have a pressure bandage for 48 hours after surgery. This dressing is much larger than the one that you will need to apply in the following days.
  
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    If you normally wear glasses and your surgery site is around your nose or temples, your glasses may not fit appropriately due to the bandage for the first 2 days.
  
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    If your surgery site is on your lip or around the mouth, you will need to avoid anything hot (hot coffee, hot tea, hot soup, etcuntil the numbing medication wears off, usually a couple of hours.
  
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    It is possible that you may experience some drainage or bleeding after surgery. If you do experience any bleeding, apply firm constant uninterrupted pressure for 30 minutes, without peaking. If the bleeding continue to persist, then please contact our office or Dr.Adams directly or go to your nearest emergency room.
  
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    Take it easy! Plan to simply rest and relax (if possiblfor the first 48 hours. Please do not exercise, go for a long walk, go fishing, or golfing on the day of your surgery.
  
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    Avoid bending over or lifting any object heavier than a gallon of milk.
  
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    You may gradually resume your normal workout and exercise over the course of the next seven days after surgery. Too much exertion within the first week can potentially induce undesired bleeding at or under the surgery site. If this occurs, please hold uninterrupted pressure for 30 minutes and notify our office or Doctor Adams or go to your nearest Emergency Room.
  
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    The investment that you make in yourself after your surgery will pay great dividends for your surgical outcome!