Mohs Surgery (cont.)
How do I prepare for my surgery?
Your personal physician
will let you know the preoperative instructions specific for your condition.
Smoking is discouraged for at least one to two weeks before surgery. Smoking can
slow down wound healing and cause more wound infections.
Heavy alcohol use is not advised at least one week before surgery. Heavy
alcohol use can cause more bleeding and thin your blood. An occasional glass of
wine or small cocktail may not cause severe bleeding. Your physician will want
to know of any factors that may affect your surgery or wound healing.
For many typical outpatient Mohs surgeries in a physician's office, most
patients are advised to eat a good breakfast on the day of surgery and take all
of their regular daily medications. Patients are advised to wear comfortable
casual clothes and bring a sweater or small blanket.
In most cases, patients are usually able to drive after most procedures and
do not necessarily need a driver unless they feel uncomfortable. Diabetic
patients may need to be more cautious about maintaining good blood sugars and
avoiding dangerous lows in their sugars from fasting.
Since you will be in the office for several hours, you may want to bring some
personal snacks, drinks, and reading or knitting material. Personal music
headsets or iPods may also provide relaxation and help pass time between Mohs
levels.
For surgery center or hospital-based procedures requiring any type of
sedation or general anesthesia, patients may be required to not eat or drink
anything past midnight the night before surgery. Your plastic surgeon or
anesthesiologist will advise you of specific instructions before surgery.
Most patients continue all doctor prescribed medications including aspirin
and any blood-thinning medication unless specifically advised otherwise only by
the primary physician or plastic or Mohs surgeon. Patients with a significant
history of stroke, heart attacks, or even heart pain (angina) under a doctor's
care must discuss their medications with their doctor before making any changes.
It is important to not discontinue blood thinners without a doctor's specific
instructions because of a potential greater risk of a heart attack and/or
stroke.
For otherwise healthy (non-cardiac and non-stroke patients) nonessential,
nonmedically prescribed medications that thin the blood such as Advil
(ibuprofen), Motrin, aspirin, vitamin E, garlic supplements, Alka-Seltzer,
Pepto-Bismol, other aspirin-containing medications, etc., can be stopped at
least seven to 14 days before undergoing Mohs surgery to minimize bleeding and
bruising. These medications can thin your blood and make you more prone to
bleed during and after surgery. Again, it is important to not discontinue or
start any medication without a doctor's specific instruction.
Next: How is recovery? Is it painful? »
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