5 Mohs Surgery Recovery Tips

The treatment modality for skin cancer that has been shown to have the highest cure rate is Mohs surgery. Florida’s Skin Wellness Physicians recommends this type of treatment for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, certain melanomas, and other, rarer forms of skin cancer that are large, aggressive, located in areas where tissue conservation is critical, or have borders that are difficult to define. The main purpose of this surgery is to remove all of the skin cancer in its entirety, with the added benefit of resulting in the smallest possible defect and with an increased level of precision.

Mohs surgery is completed in just one day as an outpatient procedure. The amount of recovery time a person will need varies depending on the individual patient, the location of the lesion, and the extent of the surgery. In most cases, it will take a few days to recover.

If you’re having Mohs surgery, here’s what you should know about how to handle recovery and get the most out of the treatment.

1. Get Some Rest

Although this is an outpatient procedure and you’ll be able to return home on the day of your treatment, you’ll probably benefit from taking a few days off and resting up at home. You’ll feel tired and should avoid any heavy exercise or strenuous activities, even including excessive bending over. This will help your skin to heal at a faster rate while avoiding bleeding and damage to your stitches, if there are any. Patients should limit activities that involve using the body part that was operated on. For instance, you will want to avoid aerobic exercise if surgery was performed on your legs.

2. Manage Anxiety

Patients often feel anxious after Mohs surgery if they have had skin cancer treated in the past and it came back. There may also be stress related to their physical appearance or social interactions. Most importantly, there may be anxiety related to anticipated discomfort during or after the procedure. It’s important to talk to your dermatologist about your feelings regarding surgery and recovery. Your dermatologist will take pride in offering several options to help with stress related to your upcoming surgery. Research has shown that your quality of life will improve within days to weeks after the surgery.

3. Take Medications

It’s normal to experience minor localized discomfort, swelling, and light bleeding after Mohs surgery. Swelling may occur on the eyelids if you have the surgery on the nose or forehead. Prior to your surgery, you should discuss the medications you’ll need to be taking to reduce post-surgery discomfort. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) will usually be sufficient to provide relief for any discomfort. If you experience serious pain or are noticing warning signs of an infection, you should contact your dermatologist. Ice packs can be applied for 20 minutes each hour to reduce some of the swelling and discomfort.

4. Follow Wound Care Instructions

Patients will be given specific wound care instructions. The instructions you’re given will depend on the preferences of your surgeon, along with the size and location of the surgical incision. These guidelines may include advice on when to remove the post-operative dressing. The surgical site should be kept clean and dry. It’s recommended that patients avoid swimming or hot tubs, continue cleaning their wound as directed until the sutures are removed or the skin is healed, wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before caring for their wound, and be careful while removing the dressing to change it. Keep a supply of cotton swabs, bandages, tape, and petroleum jelly to care for the surgical site. Continue to practice good skin care to minimize scarring.

5. Reduce Sun Exposure

After surgery, avoiding direct sun exposure and applying SPF 30 or higher broad-spectrum sunscreen will be a must. People who have had skin cancer before have a higher chance of getting additional skin cancers in the future, and the main risk factor for the disease is sun exposure, so it’s best to take precautions to protect your skin, such as avoiding outdoor activities during peak sunlight hours, wearing protective clothing and accessories such as a wide-brimmed hat and UV protective sunglasses, and avoiding tanning booths. Additionally, there are products that can mitigate the development of future skin cancers—such as topical antioxidants or oral nicotinamide—which should be discussed with your dermatologist.

For more advice about Mohs surgery in Florida, please contact Naples’ Skin Wellness Physicians. Call (239) 732-0044 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation if you’re interested in learning more about how this treatment works.