Mohs Surgery
At Blue Ribbon Dermatology, we offer Mohs surgery to provide the most effective treatment for certain types of skin cancer. Our Mohs surgeon, Dr. Nader Aboul-Fettouh, received advanced residency training at MD Anderson Cancer Center and completed a prestigious fellowship in Mohs surgery at the Mayo Clinic. His extensive training ensures the highest level of precision and care for our patients.
Mohs surgery is a specialized technique used to remove skin cancer layer by layer, carefully checking each layer under a microscope until no cancer cells remain. This approach offers the highest cure rates while preserving as much healthy skin as possible. Mohs surgery is especially important for treating cancers on the face, ears, scalp, hands, and other sensitive areas where saving healthy tissue matters most.
Helpful Resources About Mohs Surgery
To help you feel informed and prepared, we recommend these trusted resources from the American College of Mohs Surgery (external links):
- Step-by-Step Guide to Mohs Surgery:
Learn about the Mohs surgery process - Post-Operative Care Video:
Watch a video about caring for your surgical site after Mohs surgery - Post-Surgery Recovery Flipbook:
View an interactive guide to Mohs surgery healing and common scenarios
Please note: These resources are provided by the American College of Mohs Surgery and will open in a new window.
Before Surgery:
- Keep taking your regular medications unless told otherwise.
- Avoid aspirin, NSAIDs, supplements like vitamin E, and alcohol 3 days before and after surgery unless medically necessary.
- Eat a normal breakfast the morning of surgery.
During Surgery:
- You’ll be awake with local anesthesia (numbing injections).
- Most patients feel little discomfort and only pressure after the numbing injection.
- Plan to stay for several hours depending on how many layers need to be removed.
- Bring a snack, book, or a friend to keep you company.
After Surgery:
- Most wounds are repaired the same day with stitches, grafts, or skin flaps.
- You’ll leave with a pressure bandage and receive full wound care instructions.
- Pain is usually mild and controlled with Tylenol. Avoid strenuous activity for 1–2 weeks.
Follow-Up:
- We’ll see you back to remove stitches or check healing.
- Recurrence is rare (1–3%), but continued skin checks are important.
Disclaimer:
The information provided here is for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Every patient and situation is unique. Please speak directly with your physician or Mohs surgeon for personalized recommendations and care instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mohs surgery is an advanced skin cancer treatment where cancerous tissue is removed in thin layers. Each layer is examined immediately under a microscope to make sure all cancer cells are gone before the surgery is finished.
Mohs surgery is most commonly used for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It is often recommended for skin cancers on sensitive or high-risk areas like the face, ears, scalp, hands, or feet, or for cancers that have a higher risk of coming back.
The surgeon removes a thin layer of skin where the cancer is located, processes it in a lab on-site, and examines it under a microscope. If cancer cells are still present, another layer is removed from exactly where the cancer remains. This process repeats until no cancer cells are detected. Mohs surgery allows for the complete removal of the cancer with the smallest possible scar.
