Mohs surgery is a special kind of procedure that helps remove skin cancer while causing as little scarring as possible. California dermatology and mohs surgery specialists know effective ways to treat many types of skin cancer with this approach.
However, it’s important to recover carefully and follow the recommended aftercare to make sure you get the best results. Hence, in this blog post, we’ll go into the details about the healing and recovery process of Mohs surgery.
Immediate Aftercare: During Mohs surgery, each layer takes about 1-2 hours to complete. Sometimes, more than one layer needs to be removed depending on how deeply cancer has spread into your skin. Once all the layers are removed, and your surgery is successfully done, you’ll move to a recovery area.
A nurse or doctor will check your vital signs and make sure you’re feeling alright. You might have a little bit of pain right after the surgery, but it shouldn’t last long. Your surgeon will also take some time to talk to you about how the surgery went and what you should do next.
Recovery in the Short Term: During the initial days following your surgery, it’s crucial to prioritize rest. Allowing your body sufficient time to heal is essential, which means avoiding strenuous activities. To prevent infection, you might need to place a bandage over the treated area. Make sure to change it on a regular basis and maintain the cleanliness and dryness of the wound.
Your doctor might prescribe medications like antibiotics to help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of infection. It’s normal to experience redness and swelling around the treated area, but with proper care, these effects should gradually subside over time. Remember that attending your doctor’s appointments and following their aftercare instructions is vital.
Recovery in the Long Term: For most individuals who undergo Mohs surgery, the long-term recovery process isn’t overly extensive. You should be able to resume regular activities within about two weeks after the procedure. Depending on the extent of your treatment, you might require additional follow-up care from a specialist, such as a reconstructive plastic surgeon.
Even after complete healing, some scarring might remain on or around the treated area. Proper wound care practices during recovery, like using topical creams or silicone gel sheets, can help minimize this scarring. It’s important to protect yourself from sun exposure afterwards, and wearing sunscreen is advisable to reduce the risk of future damage caused by UV radiation.
