Swelling and puffiness normal for many weeks after Mohs surgery

Jessica Krant, MD, MPH answers: Puffiness after Mohs Surgery

I had Mohs surgery done on my face just below the eye 5 weeks ago. There is still some puffiness in the area. Is this normal and if so, is there something I can do to relieve it?


Jessica Krant, MD
1 month ago

In general, do not worry too much about some puffiness under the eye area after surgery, Mohs or otherwise. The early phase of healing lasts a month, and by 2 to 3 months there should be significant improvement. By 6 months even better, and by 12 even better. But truthfully, scars improve all the time indefinitely and the body wants the tissue to return to its natural state. It happens slowly over time.

I agree you may gently massage the area to help speed the smoothing. It definitely helps to relieve pulling and to get fluid out of the area. If after about 3 months you are still concerned with something being wrong, do not hesitate to go back to the surgeon and ask if anything can be done. There are some minimally invasive techniques that can help. And of course, on occasion, a surgical scar revision may be what's needed, but this is very unlikely.

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