How To Prepare For Your Surgery
- Do not take any aspirin or aspirin-containing products for at least 3 weeks prior to your surgery (unless prescribed by your Internist or Cardiologist). Aspirin thins the blood. Also, do not take other anti-inflammatory pills, headache and cold remedies, or Alka-Seltzer. If your physician has prescribed aspirin or another blood thinner, please check with him/her before stopping your medication and get directions from them regarding when to stop your blood thinner. If your doctor wishes you to stay on your blood thinner, please inform us when you arrive for your surgery. The decision to stop your blood thinner is a decision made between you and your prescribing physician only. Please take Tylenol for a headache or pain. In addition, if you take high doses of Vitamin E, please stop it at least 14 days before the procedure.
- If you require antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures or other surgery, take your first dose of antibiotics 1 hour before coming to the office for your Mohs surgery. If you do not have a prescription at home, be sure to call your prescribing doctor or us at least 3 days in advance of your surgery date so that a pharmacy can be called.
- If your skin cancer is located in the center of your face, eyelid, or eyebrow area where a bandage will block your vision or impact your ability to wear glasses, please have someone available to drive you to and from the office. Because of limited space, you may have one family member wait with you on the day of surgery. This will help to ensure your comfort as well as that of the other patients having surgery on the same day.
- Eat a normal breakfast or lunch on the day of surgery. If you wish to bring your own lunch or snacks, we have refrigerator space available for you.
- Please wear comfortable clothing. Make sure that your shirt buttons in the front and does not slip over your head. No one-piece outfits.
- Please take a shower and wash your hair on the morning of the day of surgery. Do not apply makeup (if the skin cancer is on your face), perfume, aftershave, or cologne.
- Take all of your routine medications, as you normally would EXCEPT any of your medications that your prescribing physician have asked you to stop before surgery.
- If you are unable to keep the scheduled appointment for surgery, please contact our office at least 48 hours in advance to reschedule your surgery appointment.