You're Having Mohs Surgery? Advice For A Friend

By Renee Feldman

2 min read

“Guess who has a basal cell carcinoma?” my friend texted me last week. I was surprised and scared for her, and I texted back that I would talk to her later that day. When we met at spin class, she lifted the leggings covering her left shin and showed me the spot, and told me she was having Mohs surgery the following week. My friend has listened to me speak about my two Mohs procedures, and she has also read the articles I’ve written for this site.

She asked for any advice I had, and this is what I shared with her.

How to prepare before a Mohs surgery

Buy food and anything else you’ll need for the next week. You won’t be allowed to lift anything after the surgery, so get everything you need beforehand. I also didn’t want anyone to see the bandage on my face for the first few days after my first Mohs surgery (the second time I didn’t care). So it was helpful to have all the food I needed in the house beforehand, and to do any errands that needed to be done.
Buy an ice pack and/or frozen peas. I put them on according to the post-op instructions and it worked to reduce the swelling. Plus, the peas felt softer than the hard ice pack against the surgical site.
Make sure you have extra strength Tylenol and Advil in the house to take after the surgery.
The night before the procedure, do something that helps you relax and takes your mind off what’s going to be happening the next day. I know that’s easy to say, but for me having dinner with friends helped to distract me. Other ideas include taking an exercise class, doing yoga, taking a walk, anything that you like to do.
Don’t schedule any travel for at least one week after surgery, after the surgeon removes your stitches.
Go to the gym, go for a run or a walk, lift weights, or do any other strenuous activity, because you won’t be allowed to exercise for about a week after the surgery.

Planning for day-of Mohs surgery

Bring a snack and water and something to read. You will have to wait while they bring the sample to the lab. I waited between 45 minutes - 1 hour. It's helpful to have something to do to distract you and something to eat and drink so you’re not starving.
Be prepared to see some people with big bandages in the waiting room. It surprised me a bit, and scared me too.
Eat something before you go so you're not starving while you're there.
Take control of what you can control.
- Ask them to tell you the lab result as soon as they get it, even if they’re not ready to see you yet.
- Ask them to give you information on wound care, follow up visits, and any restrictions on activity while you’re waiting for them to stitch you.
- Ask questions, anything.
Follow the post op instructions, as I'm sure you'll do. But really, my stitches stayed in and my scar looks pretty good.

Does anyone have any other advice to offer? What worked for you before, during and after Mohs surgery?

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kccgm Member
I found the spray Benadryl was a HUGE relief for the itching! Pliable icepacks for the bed at night. The curad blue tape is great and does not pull or hurt when changing bandages. Renavator oil by systemic systems has helped me healed the fastest!
1. Renee Feldman Moderator
 Forgot to say thank you for this very helpful advice! Thank you!
kwright Member
Hi Renee, Just wanted to say I appreciated your posts. I am having MOHS surgery next week on my face and I'm getting pretty anxious about it so reading about your experience has been really helpful. Thank you for sharing!
1. Renee Feldman Moderator
 <inline-mention user-id="2095741" username="kwright"/> I'm so glad that reading about my experience has helped you. I, too, was quite anxious before each of my Mohs surgeries, both of which were on my face. Please let me know if you have any questions, and please know the entire community is here to support you. Remember to bring food and water with you, bring a friend if you want support while you wait for them to bring the sample to the lab (it can feel like a long time while you're waiting, so if you don't bring someone with you, bring something to distract you, whatever works for you -- music, a book, a relaxation app). And please know that you will heal and that you're doing what you need to do. We are here for you. Please keep us posted as to how it goes. Renee <a href='http://SkinCancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Moderator Author
funinthesun Member
Hello my name is Debbie and I just joined the group .Would like to get information and basal cell carcinoma. I am in my fifth day of radiation because I was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma on my nasal tip. Was going to do the moles surgery until I found out I would need a nose flat . I chose 32 days of radiation and at times second-guess myself.
1. Renee Feldman Moderator
 Hi Debbie and welcome to the group. I'm glad you're here. How are you feeling after 5 days of radiation? As you can tell from the article I wrote, I've had Mohs surgery. I will try to find information for you on radiation. I am thinking of you and we are here to support you. Renee
2. Renee Feldman Moderator
 Debbie, it's Renee again. Hope you're feeling well today. I just found this article on our site. Please let me know if it's helpful and I'll look for more in the meantime. <a href='https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/superficial-radiation-therapy/' target='_blank'>https://skincancer.net/life-with-skin-cancer/superficial-radiation-therapy/</a> Take care. Renee <a href='http://SkinCancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Moderator Author
funinthesun Member
Thank you Renee on the article for radiation on basal cell Carcinoma it was very interesting . After six days of radiation my nose it is just now starting to get sore . After 32 days Of radiationI was told I will have a sore on the inside of my nose and it will probably bleed Hopefully that will be the end of it.
1. Renee Feldman Moderator
 Hi Debbie. I'm sorry your nose is starting to feel sore, and I hope the rest of the radiation treatment goes smoothly. You're making good progress toward the goal of being finished with treatment. Please check in here as often as you'd like. We're here for you. Take care. Renee <a href='http://SkinCancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Moderator Author
donnas Member
This is very helpful information. I do not know anybody in my circle of friends and family that have experienced this surgery. I have a rather large spot on my nose. I struggle to "hide" it as I wait for the surgery. I have to deal with this for another 3 months apparently. I first noticed it last August but the healthcare system is anything but fast. I guess my biggest concern, which seems vain I realize, is the scar I may have afterwards. Will plastic surgery be necessary?
1. NinaHU Community Admin
 <inline-mention user-id="2090462" username="donnas"/> , I'm sorry you have to wait so long. Unfortunately, that wait time is not so unusual. One of my favorite parts of this community is that you can hear from people who've been through it, even if they're not close by. As far as plastic surgery, some people actually choose to see a plastic surgeon for treatment. Others might see them for scar treatment after. This site search for scars might help you prepare (keeping in mind everyone is different!): <a href='https://skincancer.net/?s=scar' target='_blank'>https://skincancer.net/?s=scar</a>. - Nina, <a href='http://SkinCancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Team
2. brenda Member
 Your not vain, my first mohs was on my face,and I freaked out. and I had plastic surgery 3 days latter. But you may have very little cut out. Hope everything works out for you no one should have to wait 3 months
brenda Member
It helped to have my sister with me, but with this COVID 19 ,hard enough to get in yourself. So I’ll be taking my I pad so I can talk to people and read
1. brenda Member
 I wish I could , but she passed away 2 years ago, from copd. And I have It too and on oxygen 24/7 so at all times my emotions are all over the place . But thank you for answering .can’t tell my family about being worried ,they think I’m so strong threw this and they worry enough about me. I’ll be ok I’ll talk to my daughter and son while I’m there
2. Renee Feldman Moderator
 <inline-mention user-id="2101481" username="brenda"/> I am so sorry for the loss of your sister. I'm thinking of you and sending my deep condolences. I'm glad you'll be able to talk to your daughter and son while you're there. I'm happy you will have their support. And anything you can do to distract yourself while waiting -- reading something -- will help pass the time too. Take care. Renee <a href='http://SkinCancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Moderator
brenda Member
Had my mohs surgery on my back yesterday. The spot had almost healed from last biopsy. But anyway I got stitches and glued. This time it’s about 2 inches long. He only had to do it once but that once was a big one. . But that’s ok. My back is hurting today and I’ve got to try and clean it myself. My boyfriend acts like I’m intruding in his life so I’ll figure it out I always do. Go back in two weeks and get stitches out. Hopefully the last one. Hope everyone’s doing good. Thanks for the ones that gave me encouragement.
1. Renee Feldman Moderator
 <inline-mention user-id="2101481" username="brenda"/> I hope the pain stays manageable, and I hope you are able to get some rest soon. Remember, one day at a time, one moment at a time. I'm glad you'll be seeing the doctor again in two weeks to get the stitches out -- this way they can examine the site too, to check on how it's healing. We are here for you. Renee <a href='http://SkinCancer.net' target='_blank'>SkinCancer.net</a> Moderator
2. brenda Member
 Yes the site was big first 3 biopsy’s or 2 can’t remember ,opened it up so much so after he took another slice of course it was even bigger. Really no pain kind of nice before there was a lot of pain. Once cancer was gone pain went away, never had one like that before. Anyway thanks for being here.

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