What Can Be Done to Prepare for Mohs Surgery?

Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are the three most common types of skin cancer—and all can be treated with Mohs surgery. Little Rock’s Dermatology Group of Arkansas recommends this advanced treatment for patients who have skin cancer on sensitive areas that don’t have much tissue beneath them. It not only has a high cure rate but also helps patients to preserve as much healthy skin as possible because only the skin that has cancer cells is removed.

If you’re planning to have Mohs surgery, here's what you can do to prepare for the procedure. 

Do Research About Mohs Surgery

In advance of having this procedure, try to learn as much about it as you can by researching how the procedure is done and looking at images of the surgery and post-surgical scars so that you won’t be surprised by results. While this technique minimizes defects, a significant amount of tissue may still need to be removed—and there’s no way of predicting how much. You may also ask your dermatologist how long it may take to complete the surgery.

Stay Nicotine-Free as Early as Possible  

Patients will be advised to quit smoking at least two weeks in advance of their surgery to lower the risk of complications. Although Mohs surgery has been proven to be very safe, there is always a risk for bleeding and infection—just as there would be for any other surgery. Your heart and lungs don’t function as optimally as they should while you’re smoking. Smoking delays healing because the nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, which minimizes blood flow, and the slowed healing increases the risk of your incision becoming infected. 

Choose Comfortable Clothes

Patients can wear whatever they like to their appointment, but it’s best to wear comfortable, casual clothes and take a sweater, a light jacket, or small blanket with you on the day of the surgery because the temperature may feel uncomfortable in the treatment room. If you are having Mohs surgery on the face, you may wish to wear a shirt that has a large neck opening or buttons on the front.

Know That You’ll Have to Wait

Patients should be prepared to clear their schedule on the day of Mohs surgery because there’s no way to know how long it will take and the surgery may last for one or two hours or longer while you’re waiting for the results of the microscopic examination of each skin layer to be received. Since you will be spending so much of your time waiting, it’s advisable to bring a book or other reading materials, a phone charger, a laptop, or a tablet to occupy your time. You can eat and drink between each session, so take water and snacks with you. 

Refrain From Taking Blood Thinners 

Another step healthy patients will need to take to reduce their risk of bleeding is to avoid taking non-essential, non-medically prescribed medications or over the counter supplements that are known to thin the blood for at least two weeks before their surgery. Some examples include aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, ginseng, and vitamins E and C. Ensure that your surgeon is aware of your health history and remember to discuss your prescribed medications with your doctor before making any changes. 

Reduce Alcohol Consumption 

Patients should avoid heavy alcohol use for one week prior to Mohs surgery because it can increase bleeding and cause blood to thin. 

Find Out About Aftercare

Ask your surgeon about whether you’ll need someone to drive you home, what supplies you’ll need at home, or any other activities that will need to be avoided. Patients will be advised to limit sun exposure and wear sunscreen daily to reduce the risk of future skin cancers. 

For more details about Mohs surgery, contact Little Rock’s Dermatology Group of Arkansas. Call them at 501-227-8422 or 1-800-225-8422 to request a consultation if you are interested in finding out more about skin cancer treatments.