While this surgery takes place in the office under local anesthesia, it is still surgery. You should be prepared for some swelling, bruising, minor oozing, and mild to moderate soreness for 1-3 days after your procedure.
After you leave our office, rest for the remainder of the day. Plan to avoid strenuous physical activity, heavy lifting, or bending down for at least 48 hours after surgery. In most cases, you should not plan any athletic activities (golfing, pickleball, tennis, weight lifting, running, yoga, etc.) for 1-2 weeks after surgery.
Ice packs applied for 10-15 minutes hourly until bedtime will help reduce swelling and discomfort.
Take two (2) Extra Strength Tylenol (acetaminophen) 500mg tablets every 6 hours as needed to reduce discomfort.
Do NOT smoke.
For wounds on the scalp or face, sleep with your head elevated on 2-3 pillows. It is normal to experience some swelling and bruising, particularly around the eyes.
For wounds on the lower leg, wear knee-high compression stockings (20-30 mmHg) to reduce swelling and facilitate healing. Keep the leg elevated as much as possible when sitting or lying down for 2-3 days after surgery.
Keep the pressure dressing on and dry for 48 hours.
You may shower after 48 hours. Do not swim or submerge the healing site (bath, lake, hot tub, pool, ocean) for 2 weeks. Sutures (if not dissolvable) will be removed in 1-2 weeks. If you live far away or would like to have your stitches removed by your local doctor, please let us know. Report any signs of infection (increasing redness or swelling, pain, pus, foul odor, fever/chills) immediately to the Mohs Team.
Every surgery leaves a scar. Minimizing the appearance of the scar and achieving an excellent cosmetic result are our goals; there is no way to remove skin cancer without some degree of scarring.
Explore before-and-after images that highlight outcomes from real patients treated in our practice. Each result reflects an individualized treatment plan developed by a board-certified dermatology team, with a focus on safety, skin health, and natural-looking improvement.
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“Dr. Spring was just fabulous to deal with. She listened intently and had a great personality to boot. I’m almost 82 years old, and my initial visit with her was one of the best experiences I have EVER had with any physician. I feel privileged to have her as my doctor, and I highly recommend her!!!”
“Dr. Spring was amazing. She explained everything thoroughly and respected my concerns.”
“Dr. Spring and her staff were upbeat, attentive, and caring. They saw my anxiety prior to my procedure and took an extra moment to talk through it with me, which made me feel like they care about me as a whole person. I’ve never felt anxious prior to treatment before so this extra step really hit home.”
“Kudos to Dr. Spring. She has the Eye of an Eagle, the Heart of a Lion, yet the Hand of a Woman! Best surgeon ever!”
If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery, we encourage you to contact our office before your appointment. Our team can guide what to expect, review your post-procedure instructions, and help determine whether any adjustments or follow-up care may be needed. We are available to address concerns promptly so you feel informed and supported throughout the healing process.
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