Pre & Post-operative Reminders for Mohs Surgery
If you have additional questions, please reach out on our contact us page.
Click to flip through this helpful booklet on what to expect when having Mohs surgery.
Day of Surgery
Please prepare to be here most of the day. We ask that you do not have any other appointments the day of surgery, due to not knowing the exact time you will be finished and released. Some of your time with us may be spent waiting (processing tissue takes one to two hours). You may bring reading material, and we also have WI-FI, if you’d like to bring your laptop. You will also need to have someone present to drive you home after your surgery.
Breakfast
You may eat breakfast the day of surgery. We have a coffee bar available in the waiting area. You may also bring drinks (with lids)/a sack lunch/snacks, in case you are here through lunch. These are allowed in waiting area, but not in operating or exam rooms. If you are by yourself, you may leave items at the front desk while in surgery. If you bring a companion with you, they may go to get snacks or lunch for you from one of several eateries in the area, since you are asked not to leave our clinic.
Attire
Dress warm and in comfortable clothing- we keep it very cold in our operating rooms. If your surgery is on an area that is covered by clothing, wear clothes that are easy to remove. Please avoid make-up, perfume, and jewelry on the day of the procedure.
Medication
We ask that you stop taking Aspirin (that includes Naproxen, Aleve, Ibuprofen) one week prior to surgery and may start back on them two days after surgery UNLESS you have had a heart attack, heart surgery, stents placed, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, or stroke – please CONTINUE taking your aspirin. If needing to take something for pain pre and post, we recommend Tylenol Extra Strength. If you are on Coumadin/Warfarin, you will need your INR checked one week prior to surgery. Discontinue fish oils, vitamin E, herbal supplements, and multi-vitamins 10 days prior to surgery; you may start back on them two days after surgery. Please stay on all other prescription medications.
Activity
Plan to take it easy for one week after surgery (no heavy lifting or exercise). You will have a pressure bandage on for at least two days, or possibly a week, that cannot get wet. Please plan accordingly. You will be able to drive afterward.
Advanced Directive
If you have an Advanced Directive (a legal document appointing someone who would make decisions for you in case you are not able), please bring the day of surgery.
Ambulatory Surgery Center
Depending on the complexity of the closure, the repair may be done in our Ambulatory Surgery Center, which is conveniently located in the same building.
