PREPARING FOR SURGERY
What to Expect
To prepare you for surgery, the area to be operated on is cleaned and outlined with a special pen. The area is numbed with a local anesthetic. The anesthetic numbs the skin, so you won't feel anything sharp or painful during the procedure. Once it has taken effect, a scalpel is used to remove the visible portion of the cancer along with a thin, underlying layer of tissue that's slightly larger than the visible tumor. A temporary bandage is placed on your incision. This takes only a few minutes.
The tissue is then taken to the lab for analysis, cut into sections, and examined with a microscope. This portion of the procedure typically takes the longest amount of time. Expect to wait an hour or so in the procedure room or waiting room. It may help to have a magazine or book to pass the time. You'll be able use the restroom or have a snack if you need to, but you won't be able to leave the office until the procedure is complete.

This process (referred to as a stage of Mohs surgery) will be repeated until the tissue comes back from analysis cancer-free.
We look forward to caring for you during your Mohs Micrographic Surgery and assisting in the treatment of your skin cancer.