What to Expect After Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery gives you a targeted way to remove skin cancer, but it can require a recovery period. Learn what to expect as you recover from your procedure here.

During Mohs surgery, Kenneth Warrick, MD, FAAD, removes tiny layers of skin and then examines them under a microscope to check for skin cancer. This allows Dr. Warrick to remove all the cancerous cells while taking as little healthy tissue as possible.

Mohs surgery is a highly effective way to get rid of skin cancer. That said, it can come with a recovery period — and that recovery depends on what happened during your procedure. Here at Atlantic Dermatology in Longs, South Carolina, Dr. Warrick and our team of skin cancer specialists can help you understand what to expect.

Why Mohs surgery recovery differs

During Mohs surgery, Dr. Warrick takes a targeted approach to removing skin cancer. He removes one thin layer of cancerous tissue and inspects it under a microscope. This allows him to see if there are cancerous cells at the edges of the biopsied tissue, which would indicate more cancerous cells remaining in your skin.

Once the margins of the removed tissue are clear, he stops, confident that all cancerous cells have been excised. Some people get to this point with one or two layers of removal. For others, more layers need to be removed to fully clear all the cancerous cells.

Your recovery directly hinges on how deep Dr. Warrick has to go. If the wound is fairly superficial, it should heal on its own. If it’s somewhat deep, Dr. Warrick generally closes the area with incisions. In some cases, you might require reconstruction with an option like a skin graft.

No matter how many layers need to be removed, your surrounding skin should be unaffected. Mohs surgery was specifically designed to leave surrounding tissue unharmed.

Caring for your surgery site

You might have some soreness at the surgery site for a few days afterward, but it should dissipate with time. Most people successfully manage discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers. A cold pack wrapped in a towel can also help.

Keep the surgery site clean and change the bandage on the schedule our team recommends. You’ll need to continue wearing the bandage until your wound fully heals.

If Dr. Warrick closes the surgery site with sutures and/or a skin graft, you may need to take it easy for a while. Usually, you need to avoid strenuous activities for at least a week.

Beyond that, your recovery depends very much on what happened during your procedure. If Dr. Warrick sutures the wound closed, for example, we make a follow-up appointment to remove those stitches.

Our team talks with you about what to expect and how to properly care for your specific surgery site.

If you want to explore Mohs surgery paired with a personalized recovery plan, call our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Warrick, or use our online booking feature to make an appointment.