Tell your surgeon about any medications and/or supplements you’re taking. On the day of, wear comfortable clothing and bring something to watch, read, or listen to; a majority of the time will be spent waiting while the surgeon examines the excised tissue. You may also want to bring some snacks or a light lunch.
Mohs Surgery Highlights
Consultation Required?
Yes
Downtime?
1 to 2 weeks
Results in:
Immediate
Results Duration:
Permanent
Minimizing Skin Cancer Damage
When you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer, your primary concern may be to have the cancer removed. But when the cancer is located on your face, hands, feet, or other sensitive areas, you might also be worried about your looks and quality of life.
Dr. Ellerbroek at Premier Dermatology offers Mohs surgery in Waterloo. This specialized surgical option minimizes scarring while offering high rates of success. Dr. Ellerbroek is the only doctor in the region who is double board certified in dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery, and he has treated over 15,000 malignant skin lesions with this technique.
Premier Dermatology
Mon-Thurs: 8AM-4:30PM
Friday: 8AM-3:00PM
Sat & Sun: Closed
Benefits of Mohs Surgery
High Cure Rate
Mohs surgery has a cure rate of up to 99% for new skin cancers and 94% for recurring skin cancers.
Small Scar
The surgeon removes the entire skin cancer lesion while leaving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Cost-Effective Care
Mohs surgery in Waterloo can be performed in an outpatient setting with local anesthetics.
What to Expect
Step 1 - Examination and Preparation
Mohs surgery is an outpatient procedure performed in-office. Before the surgery begins, the nurse will inject a local anesthetic into the area to numb it completely.
Step 2 - First Tissue Layer Removed
The surgeon uses a scalpel to remove the visible portion of the lesion and a small margin of tissue around and underneath the cancer. The tissue layer is taken to the lab, where it is cut into very thin slices, mapped, and analyzed under a microscope to determine if and where any cancer cells remain.
Step 3 - Next Layer Removed
If cancer cells are found during the lab examination, the surgeon will return to the patient and remove another thin layer of skin where the cancer cells were found. This new layer of tissue is then taken to the lab to be sliced and analyzed.
The cycle of removal and analysis continues until analysis shows only healthy tissue. This allows the surgeon to remove skin only where the skin cancer remains, leaving as much healthy tissue behind as possible.
Step 4 - Wound Repair
Mohs surgery in Waterloo is completed in a single session. Because Mohs surgery includes an examination of excised tissue to determine that all cancer has been removed, the results are known immediately. The operation continues until you are cancer free.
After the surgery is complete and only healthy tissue remains, the surgeon will repair the wound. This may include surgical reconstruction depending on the extent of tissue removal. We will give you detailed instructions on how to care for the wound at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
After the lesion has been completely removed, your surgeon will discuss the best options for repairing the wound. Depending on the size of the wound, this may include some reconstructive surgery. Your Premier Dermatology provider will advise you on the appropriate post-operative wound care and pain medication.
For many patients, over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen will be sufficient to manage pain. Depending on the excision’s size, however, we may prescribe a stronger medication. We will provide detailed instructions on how to take care of the wound; be sure to follow these directions exactly to minimize scarring and reduce recovery time.
The length of time required for Mohs surgery in Waterloo depends on the extent of the skin cancer. Some smaller lesions may only need one or two rounds of tissue removal, while larger lesions may require multiple rounds.
Between each round of tissue removal, the tissue samples have to be prepared and examined in the lab, which can take up to an hour. For this reason, we recommend that you prepare to be at our location all day, though the surgery will likely be shorter than that.
Yes. Mohs surgery is designed to leave as much healthy tissue behind as possible and thus minimize scarring, but scarring cannot be avoided entirely. Once the lesion has been completely removed, the next priority is repairing the wound to promote the best healing and the least amount of scar tissue. This may include some reconstructive surgery. The scar itself may take a year or more entirely to heal; until then, the scar may continue to change in appearance, but will almost always soften and improve in time.
About Premier Dermatology
Premier Dermatology is committed to providing you with exceptional care for all dermatological conditions, including skin cancer surgeries. Dr. Ellerbroek is board-certified in Mohs Micrographic surgery and dermatology, making Premier Dermatology a leading provider for Mohs surgery in Waterloo. With Dr. Ellerbroek’s wealth of knowledge and experience, you can depend on receiving the best available treatment.
Worry Less with Mohs Surgery
See what services Premier Dermatology can offer you for dermatological care, including skin cancer treatment, in Waterloo today.
