How to Prepare for Your Upcoming Mohs Surgery

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Mohs surgery is the most effective treatment for skin cancer, with a success rate of up to 99% according to Johns Hopkins. The secret behind Mohs surgery success is that your surgeon examines all margins, instead of just 5% of the margins. This means the certainty of getting all cancerous cells off your body is very high.

At Associated Dermatologists, with locations in West Bloomfield, Commerce, Novi, and Berkeley, Michigan, our team of expert skincare providers includes experienced surgeons who can perform Mohs surgery and remove cancer from your skin effectively and with confidence.

Preparing for Mohs surgery

Mohs surgery is an outpatient procedure. However, you don’t just show up for your appointment without doing any prep work. In the two weeks leading up to your surgery date, you should be following a strict regimen to ensure best outcomes.

Stop smoking

Smoking interferes with your body’s ability to heal wounds. You need to lay off the smokes for two weeks before (and two weeks after) your surgery. Now could be a great time to kick the habit for good.

Say no to NSAIDs

NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can thin your blood and increase wound bleeding. Tylenol, which contains acetaminophen is okay to take, but skip the ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) and the naproxen sodium (Aleve) as well as any aspirin-containing products (Excedrin and Alka-Seltzer.) If you take another blood thinner, like prescription Warfarin, discuss this with both your primary care doctor and our team before your surgery.

Shelve the supplements

The following supplements are very common, but some can cause cardiovascular risk, others increase bleeding, and a few can even cause interactions with sedative drugs. Stop taking these supplements for a week or so before and after surgery:

Ginkgo biloba

Garlic

Ginseng

Dong Quai

Feverfew

Ephedra

Kava kava

St. John's wort

Valerian root

Echinacea

Goldenseal

Wait to imbibe

During the 24 hours before and after surgery, we’ll ask you to not drink any alcoholic beverages, to keep your blood pressure steady and reduce bleeding risks (alcohol also thins the blood.)

Last steps

Finally, the day before your surgery, make sure to shower and wash your hair. Skip lotions and creams, and when you get up, don’t put makeup on. Put on comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, and have a normal breakfast along with any approved medications.

Do you need Mohs surgery? Our team is experienced and compassionate and will make the process as easy as possible for you. Call the location closest to you, or request an appointment online.