PREPARING FOR SURGERY

Should I eat before surgery?

Because the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, you should eat a normal healthy breakfast and/or lunch the day of surgery. The rare exception is if you are scheduled to have your reconstruction done by another physician after Mohs surgery has been completed – in this case you will follow the instructions from the other physician’s office.

Should I take my regular medications before surgery? 

Please take your daily prescription medications prior to surgery, especially blood pressure medications. Also bring with you a list of your medications, including non-prescription drugs. If you take antibiotics prior to dental or other surgical procedures due to artificial joints or heart valves, please mention this once you arrive for your appointment as we may give you antibiotics prior to the surgery.

Patients on blood thinner medications on the recommendation of a physician should continue taking them as directed. While stopping these medications may decrease risks of surgery (bleeding, bruising, etc.), doing so may increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, or blood clots – a more serious event. If you stop a blood thinner at your own preference, please also arrange a plan under for restarting after surgery is complete.

Patients on warfarin (Coumadin) should have their INR checked 1 week prior to surgery. Please notify us if your INR is greater than 3.0.

Should I avoid alcohol? 

Alcohol will promote bleeding. We ask that you avoid alcoholic beverages 24 hours before and after your surgery.

Should I avoid smoking? 

Smoking can impair wound healing by diminishing blood supply at your surgery site. We ask that you discontinue smoking 2 days before surgery and for 1 week after surgery. If you cannot discontinue entirely, cutting your daily use to less than half of normal is highly recommended.

Should I bring someone with me? 

It is highly recommended that you make arrangements for someone to drive you to and from our office the day of surgery. This person may stay with you during the waiting period to keep you company between layers. Additionally, if someone other than you will be performing post-op wound care, the nurse can give this person direct instructions and demonstrate wound care.

Is there anything else I should bring with me? 

You may want to bring reading material, playing cards, needlework, etc., to occupy your time while waiting for the microscope slides to be processed and examined. You may bring a cell phone to use quietly in the patient lounge, but please turn it off when in the surgical suite. We also recommend bringing a lunch with you. We can refrigerate your lunch when you arrive. Your companion may also bring you a snack or lunch since you are asked not to leave the patient lounge of our office. In addition, we have some snacks for our patients in the lounge if needed.

What should I wear? 

We ask that you wear comfortable clothes. If your surgery is on an area covered by clothing, please wear clothes that are easy to remove. You may want to bring a sweater as our office is kept cool for the laboratory equipment needed for this procedure; alternatively we also have blankets that you may use. Please avoid wearing make-up, perfume, nail polish, and jewelry if these are near the location of your surgery.