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Mohs Surgery Cost ≈ $2,200 average cost

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Mohs Surgery Recovery

What is the typical recovery and downtime from Mohs surgery? What should I expect for after care needs?

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aftercare downtime recovery

Wound healing after Mohs and reconstructive surgery

Typical recovery depends on the location of the cancer, the size of the defect, what type of reconstruction was required, and whether there are any complicating factors. Most of our patients return the day after surgery at which time the pressure bandage is removed the surgery site evaluated. After that the patient cleans the site twice daily with hydrogen peroxide; applies and antibiotic salve and a non-stick bandage. Sutures are removed for most sites at a week, and by then the site... more

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Andrew Kaufman, MD

Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon

Mohs surgery recovery

Your recovery after your Mohs surgery will be a function of whether surgical defect is allowed to heal on its own or whether it is stitched. Stitches on the face will result in a suture removal in approximately 5 to 7 days. After this time, the area should be closed and well on its way to healing. It will be safe to apply makeup, sunscreen, etc at this time and there will be no need for bandages. If it is allowed to heal on its own (no stitches) it may take anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks and... more

Shawn Allen, MD

Boulder Dermatologist

Many factors contribute to your recovery

Your recovery all depends on the location of the surgery, the extent of the removal and size of the defect prior to closure, the amount of tension and the type of closure. Swelling is more likely to occur around the eyes, as well as bruising. Lips tend to swell also. Ears may be more painful postoperatively than other sites. Usually within two to four weeks, the closure begins to look more presentable, but again, this all depends on the factors mentioned previously.

Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist

Although large skin cancers can be seen with the naked...

Although large skin cancers can be seen with the naked eye, it takes a microscope to visualize cancer at the cellular level. The only way to prevent recurrence of localized skin cancer is to remove each and every cell; otherwise any remaining skin cancer cells can reproduce and cause a regrowth of the cancer. Mohs surgery is a specialized method to remove skin cancer. It is named in honor of Frederick Mohs, the physician who developed the technique. Mohs surgery differs from other methods... more

Jonathan Hoenig, MD

Beverly Hills Oculoplastic Surgeon

Mohs Surgery recovery

This question is difficult to answer because it depends upon so many variables. That being said, usually, we remove sutures from the face in 7-10 days and 10-14 days from non-face regions. After sutures are removed, healing wounds are usually still red and may take weeks to months to fade, but are usually not inconvenient. Some wounds are not sutured and may require up to several months to "heal". Other mitigating factors may serve to modify these above... more

Robert Strimling, MD

Las Vegas Dermatologist

Recovery after Mohs Micrographic Surgery

I am often asked, "What can I expect after Mohs'?" The simple answer is that everyone will get a scar as any time that the skin is cut, a scar will result. Sometimes it heals so well the scar is barely noticeable, while at other times it is very obvious. Mohs' surgery is a method of tumor removal only. In some cases, the wound may be left to heal without any stitches, which takes anywhere from several weeks (for small thin lesions on the... more

Robert S. Bader, MD

Miami Dermatologic Surgeon

Mohs surgery recovery is often fairly short but is dependent on what was done

Mohs surgery refers to the technique by which a skin cancer is surgically removed, typically by a dermatologist with expertise and training in this technique. The wounds created by removing the cancer can range from very small, shallow wounds that can heal with a bandaid to large complex wounds requiring significant surgery to reconstruct. Each case therefore will have different recovery times but in general, wounds requiring sutures will typically need bandages for several days to a... more

Daniel Berg, MD

Seattle Dermatologic Surgeon

Several tricks to optimize recovery after Mohs

Here are some tips: Follow wound care instructions carefully, including gently washing the wound with soapy water if instructed. Keep the wound bandaged as instructed while sutures are in place. Avoid exercise and strenuous activity until cleared by your Mohs surgeon Facial sutures are generally left in 5 to 7 days, other areas up to 2 weeks. If medically safe (check with your primary physician) stop blood thinners for two weeks prior to Mohs. Good... more

Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH

Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

Recovery Varies

The extent of this surgery can vary widely depending on the size of the lesion. Your medical history can also significantly impact your recovery. Most patients with average lesions are recovered at 7 to 10 days. Complete healing with resolution of all edema may take several months. Warmest regards, Dr. Pippin.

Gregory Pippin, MD

New Orleans Facial Plastic Surgeon

Recovery following Mohs surgery depends on many factors

Without knowing the size or location of your skin cancer it's impossible to say how long your recovery will take. For small skin only defects, recovery can take about a week. For larger defects requiring complex multi-stage reconstruction, recovery can involve much longer periods of time. Your dermatologist and reconstructive surgeon should be able to give you a more accurate estimation.

Stephen Weber, MD

Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon

Expectations after Mohs

Depending on the location and extent of your cancer, you can expect swelling and bruising, tenderness and tightness. I tend to have patients wear a bandage for 7 days after surgery and most wounds require some sort of wound care for 2-3 weeks. Depending on the type of reconstruction after the cancer is removed by Mohs, you may have lumpiness or bumps from tissue redundancy or dissolvable sutures for 3-5 weeks after surgery. Generally you can expect soreness for 24-48... more

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Michael Howard Swann, MD

Springfield Dermatologic Surgeon

Mohs recovery

The most common issues patients deal with after Mohs are swelling, redness, bruising, and tenderness. All of these side effects diminish over a few weeks after surgery and most are gone within a week or so. The location of the tumor, the size, and underlying patient status are what determine the extent of these side effects. For example, if a patient regularly takes aspirin, they are much more likely to bruise or if the tumor is near the eye, there is a much greater... more

Laurie Jacobson, MD

Seattle Dermatologist

MOHs surgery recovery

Recovery after MOHs surgery depends on several things. First of all, the location of the tumor- for example if it's on the lower leg, this is a slow healing area requiring one to stay off their feet as much as possible until sutures are removed several weeks later. Next, recovery depends on the extent of the procedure - how many stages were done and how extensive the reconstruction is. Closures requiring flaps and grafts may require more downtime than other simpler repairs. It is best... more

Ritu Saini, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon

Plan for Mohs surgery aftercare

• Your surgical wound will require care during the weeks following the surgery. • You should plan on wearing a bandage for 10-14 days. • Plan to avoid strenuous physical activity for 2 weeks. • You may experience a sensation of tightness across the area of your surgery that improves with time. • Skin cancers frequently involve small superficial nerves, and months may pass before your skin sensation returns to normal. A numb sensation may be expected over the area.... more

Chad L. Prather, MD

Baton Rouge Dermatologist

What to expect during Mohs surgery recovery

There are many factors that will impact what you can expect after Mohs Surgery. Your best bet is to discuss this with the Mohs Surgeon in a preoperative consultation. There are 3 main factors that will infuence your recovery. The first factor is the size of the tumor. That will determine how much tissue must be removed. The second factor is the type of reconstruction. Wounds are usually closed with sutures. Sometimes the wound edges will be brought together in a side to side fashion. Other... more

Jerome Potozkin, MD

Walnut Creek Dermatologic Surgeon

Plain vaseline or Aquaphor may be preferable for wound care to minimize allergy

More and more dermatologic surgeons are moving to just plain vaseline or Aquaphor for post-op wound care as there is significant prevalence of allergy to neomycin, bacitracin and/or polysporin. Sometimes it may not be easy to distinguish wound infection vs. allergic reaction to topical antibiotics. The hallmark of infection is pain and the hallmark for allergic reaction is itching. Prophylactic oral antibiotics may not always be necessary; however if one experiences pain in surgery site... more

William Ting, MD

Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon

Mohs surgery recovery

The recovery associated with your Mohs surgery will be a function of the following factors: size of the tumor, size of the resultant defect after the tumor, type of closure utilized by Mohs surgeon and location of tumor. All of these can change the expected duration of healing time. Usually the face heals the fastest and the best.

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Steven Hacker, MD

West Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon

It depends on how you are closed

If your wound is closed by some means, the recovery is more simple because you don't have an open wound to manage. If, however, the wound is left open to heal secondarily by itself, there are dressing changes to deal with and a few weeks of inconvenience dealing with the healing wound.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Mohs surgery recovery can be simple or complex

Mohs is a technique for removal of skin cancers by a specially trained group of dermatologists (often called Mohs specialists or Mohs surgeons). The principle advantage of the Mohs technique is that the same physician that removes the skin cancer also subsequently examines the removed skin cancer and surrounding margin of normal skin under a microscope to make sure that the skin cancer has been completely removed. The patient is kept in the Mohs specialists' office and the wound is not... more