Preparation for Mohs Surgery

You’ve visited us for a consultation with Dr. Greco and scheduled your time and date for Mohs micrographic surgery. Now what? Here we will go over what you can do to prepare for your procedure.

woman smiling with a pink orchid nex to her

We Make Sure You’re Ready

The extensive and unique experience of Dr. Joseph F. Greco drives the heart of Greco Dermatology, a premier and comprehensive skin cancer center in Sarasota, Florida. Dr. Greco has vast and in-depth knowledge of Mohs micrographic surgery, and he will do everything possible to ensure you’re well prepared for your surgery.

Understanding Your Mohs Procedure

One of our focal points is patient education. Dr. Greco will take you step by step through the procedure, risks, recovery, and what you can expect so that you are confident in the procedure.

“We fully understand the level of seriousness of the Mohs procedure, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make all efforts to make it as enjoyable as possible. Our goal is to provide a comfortable and soothing environment to help ease the anxiety surrounding procedures. We offer spacious patient rooms equipped with music, flat-screen TVs, beautiful views of Sarasota, and plenty of humor and lightheartedness in our bedside manner.”

— Dr. Joseph Greco

Mohs Surgery: The Most Effective Treatment for Skin Cancer

The Importance of Being Fellowship-Trained

When you choose to work with Greco Dermatology, you can feel confident and assured you’re in the excellent hands of a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon. In addition to being fellowship-trained himself, Joseph F. Greco, M.D. also trained other fellows at UCLA in Mohs surgery. Fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons must undergo:

A competitive application, review, and selection process to be chosen for training
Extensive hands-on direction and education from highly qualified trainers who are themselves skilled practitioners of the Mohs procedure
1-2 years of additional training after residency
Exposure to rare tumor pathology, difficult tumor locations, and complex wound reconstruction
A minimum of 650 cases during training

Getting Ready for Surgery: Your Steps

Continue your regular medications as prescribed. If taking any blood thinners such as Plavix® or Coumadin® (warfarin), consult with your prescribing physician. We normally do not stop them for surgery.
If you’re taking aspirin, NSAIDS, fish oil, vitamin E, gingko biloba, garlic, or other herbal supplements, please stop them 10 days prior to Mohs surgery unless another physician has advised otherwise.
Please tell us if you have a pacemaker, defibrillator, or other implanted device. Also let us know if you have an artificial joint or heart valve, have ever had rheumatic fever or a heart murmur, and/or if you take prophylactic antibiotics prior to surgery or dental cleaning.
For Mohs micrographic surgery, expect to stay with us for 2-4 hours. We offer music and flat-screen TVs for streaming as you wait, and you can also bring reading material, your iPad, snacks, etc. You’re welcome to bring a supportive family member or friend, but please keep in mind that space in the room is limited and the person you bring will have to remain in the waiting room during the active portions of the procedure.

Shower before your appointment, but please don’t use cosmetics, lotion, makeup, or perfume.
Wear something comfortable, particularly around the area where the skin cancer is. We will need access to this area. We recommend dressing in layers, as some rooms may be cold.
Unless the area being treated is near the eye, you should be able to drive home after the procedure. However, it’s always a good idea to have someone on standby to pick you up in case you don’t feel well enough to drive home.
If we see you as a consult prior to the day of surgery, make sure to fill any prescriptions and obtain supplies well ahead of time in order to reduce stress the day of surgery.
Get a good night’s rest and eat a hearty breakfast, making sure to take your medications as usual.
Please arrive 10-15 minutes early.

Why Choose Dr. Joseph Greco?

Mohs micrographic surgery is a primary service at Greco Dermatology. As a double board-certified Mohs surgeon and skin cancer specialist, Joseph F. Greco, M.D. has the experience and recognition you want from your surgeon. He is a third-generation medical provider and fellowship-trained in Mohs micrographic surgery, reconstructive surgery, cutaneous oncology, and laser surgery. He also served as Director of UCLA Santa Monica Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery for over a decade. In addition, patients love his bedside manner and humor. He knows that many patients coming in for surgery are typically anxious, and that’s why he does everything possible to relax you and keep you smiling.