Mohs Surgery | The Office of Dr. Vincent Hung
If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer and are undergoing Mohs surgery, knowing how to prepare can help you feel calmer, more organized, and more confident before your procedure. Mohs surgery is often recommended when precision matters, especially for skin cancers on the face, nose, lips, ears, or other areas where preserving healthy tissue can affect both appearance and function. As a result, following your pre- and post-operative instructions is vital. This blog will discuss how to prepare for Mohs surgery and the best methods for facilitating a smoother recovery and long-lasting results.
Why Preparation Matters Before Your Mohs Procedure
Mohs surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure using local anesthesia, which means you are awake while the treatment area is numbed. Your surgeon removes the visible portion of the cancer, the tissue is examined under microscopic examination, and the process is repeated only where cancer cells remain until the tissue is cancer-free. It’s best for patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, or other aggressive cancer variants with a high risk of recurrence.
Because Mohs surgery happens in stages, appointment length can vary. While most Mohs surgical procedures take only a few hours, it’s best to plan for the day since your exact treatment time cannot always be reliably predicted.
Preparing ahead can help you avoid stress on the day of surgery. It also helps Dr. Hung review medications, plan your repair, and support a smoother post-operative recovery.
How to Prepare for Mohs Surgery With Medications
Before Mohs surgery, make sure your surgical team knows all the medications and supplements you take. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements, as well as anything that may affect bleeding.
This step is especially important if you take:
- Blood thinners
- Aspirin or aspirin-containing products
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Vitamin E, fish oil, or herbal supplements
- Heart, blood pressure, or diabetes medications
- Pain medications
- Any medication prescribed by another doctor
Do not stop a prescribed blood thinner or heart-related medication on your own. Dr. Hung may coordinate with your prescribing physician if a medication adjustment is needed. The safest plan is the one tailored to your medical history.
Patients should also avoid aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication for at least three days after Mohs surgery. However, your personal instructions may vary, so follow the directions given by Dr. Hung and his care team.
Transportation Planning for Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery is often performed with local anesthesia, allowing most patients to go home the same day. However, transportation still deserves careful planning prior to surgery.
You may want to arrange for someone to drive you home if:
- Your skin cancer is near the eye
- You feel anxious about surgery
- You expect a larger repair
- Your surgeon recommends that you avoid driving afterward
A ride can also make the day easier if your appointment takes longer than expected or if your bandage limits visibility, movement, or comfort.
If you are coming from Pasadena, Newport Beach, or another surrounding Los Angeles community, plan for traffic, parking, and extra time at the office. Since Mohs surgery may include waiting periods while cancerous tissue is processed and examined, it is better to keep the rest of your day clear.
What to Bring on the Day of Mohs Surgery
On the day of your surgery, consider bringing:
- A current medication and supplement list
- Your insurance card and identification
- A phone charger
- Reading material or headphones
- A snack or water, if allowed
- Any forms requested by the office
- A trusted driver or support person, if needed
You should also wear comfortable clothing. However, if your treatment area is on the face, head, or neck, make sure to wear a loose shirt that does not need to be pulled tightly over the treatment area.
Food, Clothing, and Personal Care Before Your Appointment
Unless instructed otherwise, you do not need to fast before Mohs surgery, as the procedure is commonly performed under local anesthesia. Eating a normal breakfast can help you feel more comfortable during the appointment, especially if the procedure takes longer due to a more extensive treatment.
On the day of surgery, avoid applying makeup, lotion, or skincare products near the treatment area unless approved. Keep the area easy to access, and avoid wearing jewelry that may interfere with positioning, bandaging, or complex reconstruction.
Day-Of Planning: What Happens During Mohs Surgery
On your day of surgery, the treatment area will be cleaned, marked, and numbed with local anesthesia. Dr. Hung will then remove the visible tumor along with a thin layer of surrounding tissue. All the margins are then mapped, prepared, and examined for any remaining cancer cells.
If cancer cells remain, another layer is removed only from the area where cancer persists. This process continues until the tissue shows no remaining cancer cells. This allows for complete removal without removing excessive amounts of healthy skin.
After the entire tumor and cancer has been removed, the area may be closed with stitches, repaired with a reconstructive technique, or, in select cases, allowed to heal on its own. Dr. Hung offers comprehensive reconstructive surgery options that allow for small, minimally visible wounds, including direct closure, local flaps, skin grafts, or natural healing.
Post-Operative Planning Before You Go Home
Before your surgery date, prepare your home for the first few days of the healing process. Set aside clean dressings, approved surgical wound care supplies, and any medications recommended by your surgeon. You may also want to prepare meals and adjust your work schedule accordingly.
Patients should expect swelling and bruising, depending on the treatment area. Strenuous exercise and physical activity should be avoided for up to three weeks or until cleared by Dr. Hung. Follow-up visits are scheduled over several weeks to monitor wound healing.
Proper post-operative care can promote optimal comfort, scarring, and natural-looking results. Contact your doctor’s office if you notice increasing pain, spreading redness, unusual drainage, fever, or any sign of poor wound healing that concerns you.
Why Choose Dr. Vincent Hung for Mohs Surgery in Pasadena
Skin cancer treatment should not only involve removal, but proper reconstruction to help restore form, function, and confidence. For patients in Pasadena and surrounding Southern California communities, Dr. Vincent Hung performs Mohs surgery and reconstructive procedures designed to treat skin cancer with precision while supporting the best possible aesthetic outcome.
Dr. Hung is a triple board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Internal Medicine, Dermatology, and Plastic Surgery. This extensive training, combined with his compassionate, patient-centered approach, enables him to provide comprehensive skin cancer treatment planning tailored to your needs. As an expert in “Mohs micrographic surgery,” he brings a detailed understanding of skin cancer removal and reconstructive repair, helping him approach each case with careful attention to both patient safety and your final result.
His philosophy includes pre-operative and post-operative counseling and care, helping patients feel informed, supported, and comfortable throughout their treatment.
FAQ About Preparing for Mohs Surgery
Do I need to stop blood thinners before Mohs surgery?
Do not stop blood thinners or prescribed medications unless part of Dr. Hung’s instructions. Patients should still inform Dr. Hung about medications and supplements, especially blood thinners.
Should someone drive me home after Mohs surgery?
You may be able to go home the same day after Mohs surgery, but arranging a ride can be helpful. This is especially true if the surgery is near your eye, if your bandage may affect comfort or visibility, or if Dr. Hung recommends transportation support.
Can I eat before Mohs surgery?
In many cases, patients can usually eat their usual meals before Mohs surgery unless our health care team says otherwise.
How long should I plan to be at the office?
Plan to keep your schedule open for the day. Most Mohs procedures take less than four hours, but the length can be hard to predict, and some patients may be advised to plan for a full day.
What should I wear to Mohs surgery?
Wear comfortable clothing and dress in layers. If your treatment area is on the face, neck, or scalp, choose clothing that does not need to be pulled tightly over the surgical site.
When can I return to exercise after Mohs surgery?
Your timeline depends on your procedure, repair, and healing progress. Generally, Dr. Hung will advise patients to avoid strenuous activity for up to three weeks after Mohs surgery.
Schedule Your Skin Cancer Treatment Consultation in Pasadena, CA
Preparing for Mohs surgery starts with clear instructions, thoughtful planning, and a surgeon who understands both cancer removal and reconstruction. If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer or believe you may need Mohs surgery, Dr. Hung can review your diagnosis, explain what to expect, and help you plan your next step.
To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Hung and his team of experienced skin cancer specialists, call (626) 432-5032 or fill out our online contact form.
