Josh Surowitz, MD

I’ve had this deep, crater-like chicken pox scar between my eyebrows since I was young. I’m very self conscious about it and I try to keep it hidden with bangs. I’m 30 now and I’m tired of having the same hairstyle. I thought that a cosmetic surgeon that specializes in MOHS might be the best bet for me because I believe they are experts in scars and closing holes like the one I have.

So I did some research and found a cosmetic surgery office in Charlotte, NC that specialize in the face only and have done a lot of MOHS reconstruction surgeries. I drove two hours to the consultation and I immediately felt welcomed and put at ease. The surgeon explained everything thoroughly and had no problem with answering all of my questions.

He suggested that I first get Botox because the area between the eyebrows has a lot of movement and this would help with my wound to heal. He said they would create an elliptical incision around the scar and close it in a way that would prevent tension. He showed me in Photoshop what the linear scar might look like. He also said it would look raised at first so that as the skin heals and contracts I should end up with a flat linear scar. I’d much rather have a linear scar than the pitted scar. He also said that fillers wouldn’t really help me because the scar is white which means it wouldn’t blend with the rest of my skin.

I didn’t get to meet his partner at the consultation but I met her when I came back to get my Botox. I’ve never had Botox before but it wasn’t bad at all. The injection does sting a bit but it’s over in seconds. I had a little bit of swelling like bee stings afterwards but they gave me an ice pack. For the rest of the day I had a little bit of pain in my forehead but nothing bad. It started to take effect pretty much the next day for me. But they told me to wait two weeks before doing the surgery so it could take maximum effect.

The day of the surgery went well. The doctor came in and asked what music I’d like to listen to. Then his partner came in and they drew the incision lines. They prepped my face and numbed the area. The only pain I had was from the numbing injection. The procedure itself wasn’t painful at all. I was surprised they cauterized the wound but they said it was to reduce the chance of a hematoma. They placed internal sutures to keep the tension off the wound. And then they closed the skin. I think going to the dentist is worse honestly.

I’m really excited to see the final results. I will be posting updates about my healing.

Updated on 10 Sep 2019:
I met with the surgeons today to take a look at the incision and clean it for me. They said it looks really good. I have minimal swelling and no bruising right now. I’m grateful they were able to squeeze me in. I will get the stitches out in a few days and I will post an update. Until then I will continue cleaning the incision with baby shampoo and water and apply the antibiotic ointment. They told me I could call the office even after hours and I could reach them if I have any concerns and even send pictures to them.

Updated on 13 Sep 2019:
Today I got my stitches removed. The surgeons said everything looks good. The removal of the stitches was pretty much painless. The incision line is still very red but they said that is normal. They glued down some tape. It should come off on its own in 3-5 days. They gave me more tape. I’ll keep it taped for two weeks and then come in for a follow up and then we can talk about silicone sheeting. I’m looking forward to starting the silicone sheeting.

Updated on 16 Sep 2019:
It’s been one week since the surgery. I talked to the surgeons about the tape and they said it would be okay to take it off. So I took a hot shower to soften the glue and gently peeled off the tape. After I got the glue off with some baby shampoo, water, and Q tips I was able to see the incision better. I think it’s looking really good so far! I hardly have any redness. I will have to keep it taped until my follow up appointment in two weeks and then I can hopefully start silicone sheeting. I’m really impressed with the level of service from these guys.

Updated on 23 Sep 2019:
It’s been two weeks since the surgery and everything is looking great! I’ve been keeping the paper tape on and wearing a hat if I have to go outside. I have a follow up with the surgeons on Friday.

Updated on 30 Sep 2019:
I saw the surgeons last Friday and they said everything is looking good and that I could start the silicone gel sheeting. So I bought the Silagen sheets from them and started using those at night. He said it’s best to use them for at least 8 hours a day. During the day I wear the paper tape and a hat for sun protection. I think it’s healing very nicely!

Updated on 7 Oct 2019:
I’ve been wearing the silicone gel sheets at night when I go to bed and the micropore tape during the day for sun protection. Also the tape blends in with the skin pretty well. I have noticed that the silicone does help with the redness. Still have a long way to go!

Updated on 7 Oct 2019:
I’ve been wearing the silicone gel sheets at night when I go to bed and the micropore tape during the day for sun protection. Also the tape blends in with the skin pretty well. I have noticed that the silicone does help with the redness. Still have a long way to go!

Updated on 15 Oct 2019:
The scar is slowly looking better. The silicone gel sheets really do help.

Updated on 9 Nov 2019:
I had a follow up with my surgeons recently and they said everything looks good. I keep using the silicone sheets at night which help a lot. They said it will take 4-6 months for it to start to fade.

Updated on 20 Jan 2020:
Starting in December I started forming a small bump right next to my incision. In early January I went back to see the surgeons for another round of Botox (I have to keep it up for a year following the surgery). They took a look at it and tried to scrape it and see if they could feel anything. They thought it might be an undissolved internal stitch that was being pushed out. They didn’t feel anything. It almost looked like a pimple. They said that sometimes the body rejects the internal stitches and pushes them out and it can look like a pimple. Any way now I’m left with a small indentation where the bump was. I’m hoping that with time and continuing to use my silicone sheets it will fill in similar to how the other stitch marks on the outside have started to fill in.

Updated on 8 Mar 2020:
I had a follow up with the surgeons and they suggested doing a punch excision on the indentation from the internal stitch that came out. I would only need two stitches. I have to wait a couple more months before I can do the procedure. Here is what it looks like currently.

Updated on 12 Nov 2020:
I haven’t posted an update in a while. I haven’t been back to the surgeons since February because of covid. But my scar is looking good. It has turned into a white line. Even the spot where I had a stitch come out doesn’t look too noticeable. Overall I’m very happy that I went though with it!

Noticed my hair was thinning on the top and became very concerned. Dr. Surowitz checked to make sure there was nothing medically wrong and discussed my options with me. We decided to use the laser cap and Rogaine. I feel Dr. Surowitz had my best interest in mind and that he truly cared about my issue and concerns. He was very patient with me and all my questions and fears.

I was nervous because I was not sure how it would look when it was done. I also was not sure if my breathing would be better. I was concerned about the possibility of using ear or rib cartilage. It turned out I did not have to use my ear or rib cartilage. Things went very well. My nose looks better, and more importantly, I can breathe better. My nose would collapse before when I would breathe deeply, and now it does not.

I disliked the nasal-labial lines and sagging under my chin. Dr. Surowitz was very considerate and helpful in describing all my options and telling me what to expect. He and I worked together to determine the exact procedures that would produce the results I wanted, and I am very happy with the results. It was definitely worth the cost and temporary discomfort; I'm glad I did it.

I had significant Mohs surgery on right cheek. Dr. Surowitz decided a flap was the best option.
Dr. Surowitz followed me closely after the procedure. In addition to my regular appointments, he was willing to see me when I had questions during the healing process. I was very pleased with my care.
It was an emotional year for me, but I am pleased with the result.

Updated on 30 Sep 2015:
I had a significant Mohs surgery on right cheek to remove a squamous cell .Dr. Surowitz chose a flap procedure to repair the Mohs.
Although I received excellent care from my doctor, I was not prepared for the year ahead . It took months before it flattened. I followed all instructions from the doctor,but everyone's skin reacts differently to trama. Because my skin became red at the site, I learned to use concealer. Laser was offered for redness,but because my skin is fair and sensitive I chose not to chance another skin reaction.
It's been a year now. I am pleased with the results. The flap looks good and the redness is improving.

I had a basal cell carcinoma on my nose. After the MOHS procedure to remove the tissue, I had a "large" open wound and the only way to repair it was reconstructive surgery. I believe it was very successful and someone who doesn't know what I had done, would never know. I am very happy with the results.

I think the surgery went well and I am healing great. I would definitely recommend Dr Surowitz to any one who is needing facial surgery. He was very concerned about my feeling comfortable with my healing process and answered any questions I had as time went on. I am so impressed with how well I have healed from such an invasive surgery I had prior to his reconstruction. I could not be any more happy than I am right now. I am truly going to miss him as he is moving out of town. I have another surgery coming up and would have loved to have him do my next reconstruction.

Though I am a grandmother very aware of the possible negative sides effects of Botox, I took the risk of having Botox injections around my eyes and forehead to improve my looks. The surgeon was amazingly caring, competent and very professional and the procedure was done with satisfactory results.....not startled or unnatural....I was satisfied.

I had MOHs surgery done at Cary Skin Center around my upper lip . The surgeons there did not feel like they could perform the closure so they recommended Dr. Surowitz. The greatest idea ever. He described in detail and by sketch what he planned to do. My mustache grew back perfectly and no one can even tell. Amazing. He is an awesome surgeon and the Triangle area will miss him tremendously.

If you are going to have anything injected into your face, choose a good plastic surgeon that you can trust.
Dr. Surowitz is highly professional surgeon who cares about his patients and his work. He listened carefully to my concerns and answered all my questions. He suggested using Voluma and Restylane.
I was too afraid of the pain, he used a cream to help numb the area. The treatment was painless and the results were immediate and natural looking.
Valuma gave me the lift I wanted. My face looks fuller and refreshed.
Dr. Surowitz does excellent work and helps provide a tasteful and classic result in all of his procedures.
The staff is always welcoming and attentive to all your needs.