My Mohs Surgery: Part 2

This post picks up from the point in my skin cancer Mohs surgery day after I was informed that the surgeon would need to remove another section, in which the lab result found cancer cells present in the first section.

The second procedure

When they finally called me in to see the surgeon again, he affirmed that they would have to remove another layer, but that they had to first numb the area again. So, same as the first time, they injected something into the site, and I waited alone for the numbness to take effect, and then the surgeon came back and he performed the procedure a second time, removing a section of my skin. Then they told me to go into the waiting room again.

Waiting for the lab result

Just like the first time, I waited for the results for an hour. I sat in the waiting room, looking at my phone, talking to my daughter, and trying to distract myself. The good news is that this time, the lab report showed no cancer cells, so it was time to stitch me up and send me home. Finally, my Mohs surgery for skin cancer was complete and I couldn't wait to get out of there.

The follow-up instructions after Mohs surgery for skin cancer

Once again, they gave me an injection to numb the site, and I waited alone in the room as the surgeon and nurse went off to see other patients. I asked the nurse to give me the wound care instructions and other information while I waited so that I could leave as soon as he was done stitching me up.

I didn’t want to spend any more time there; I had already been in the office for 5 hours. She went over all the follow-up instructions carefully, including how to clean the wound, what medicine to take (extra-strength Tylenol and Advil, and a prescription for pain medicine if needed). She told me to come back next week to have the stitches removed, and not to exercise for at least 5 days and no heavy lifting until the stitches are removed.

The surgeon asked if I wanted to see the wound before he stitched it up, and I said no. But I did look at the stitches once he was done. He showed me how he had tried to wrap the stitches around the arch of my eyebrow, so they would hopefully not be too noticeable, and then he covered them with gauze and a bandage. After handing me two prescriptions, one for an antibiotic ointment and one for a pain medicine, they told me I could go home.

Leaving the office-- finally!

I don’t even really know how I felt when leaving the office. I was happy to be done, hungry, tired, and anxious to get home to do some work. I hadn’t planned on being there for 5 ½ hours. I didn’t feel any pain.

I wrote this all out in the hope that someone who has to have Mohs surgery can read it and get some glimpse into what lies ahead for him or her. I hope it helps prepare you for that day. I’m sure everyone’s experience will be different, but I am guessing that some aspects of the surgery experience will be similar. Feel free to comment and let me know.