Mohs Surgery in Sarasota, FL
Mohs micrographic surgery is the most precise method of skin cancer removal available. It offers the highest potential for recovery – up to 95% – even when other forms of treatment have failed. This surgery minimizes the chance of regrowth and reduces the potential for scarring or disfigurement.
Both Dr. Elizabeth Callahan and Dr. William Adams are rare fellowship-trained Mohs skin cancer surgeons and are accredited by the American College of Mohs Surgery. Only 117 dermatologists in the entire state of Florida have this accreditation. Together, Dr. Callahan and Dr. Adams have performed more than 20,000 Mohs skin cancer surgeries. SkinSmart is the ONLY practice from Tampa to Port Charlotte with two fellowship-trained skin cancer surgeons on staff. Read about why you should only choose a fellowship-trained skin cancer surgeon to remove your skin cancer here.
Trust your skin cancer treatment SkinSmart’s board-certified dermatologists. To get started, request an appointment or call our office in Sarasota at 941-308-7546.
- Learn more about why you should choose a fellowship trained Mohs Surgeon:Â American College of Mohs Surgery
- Mohs Surgery Patient Education by American College of Mohs Surgery
What is Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery?
Mohs surgery is an advanced treatment for skin cancer that is typically reserved for cancerous lesions on the face and neck. This procedure allows dermatologists to see beyond the visible disease and to precisely identify and remove the entire tumor, leaving healthy tissue unharmed. This procedure is most often used in treating two of the most common forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
With Mohs surgery, the physician serves as pathologist and reconstructive surgeon. The procedure relies on the accuracy of a microscope to trace and ensure removal of skin cancer down to its roots. The surgeon removes thin sections of the skin surrounding the cancerous or precancerous lesion. This tissue is immediately examined under a microscope. If evidence of cancer is found, another thin section is removed, continuing until the margins of the area are free of suspicious cells.
What are the Benefits of Mohs Surgery?
Using the Mohs surgery technique ensures that all cancerous and diseased tissue is completely removed while the maximum amount of healthy tissue is preserved. Because this type of surgery has the lowest recurrence rate of malignancies, it is the preferred technique for removal of aggressive or recurrent carcinomas. It also has the least effect on your appearance. As dermatologic surgeons, Dr. Callahan and Dr. Adams can give you the best possible aesthetic outcome. Lesions can typically be removed without a conspicuous scar, making this procedure the treatment of choice when a lesion is prominently placed.
What Should I Expect At My Consultation?
If you are being referred to SkinSmart Dermatology as a new patient, a consultation is recommended. During this appointment, we will review your medical history and all pathology reports, perform a detailed examination of your skin, take photographs and answer any and all questions that you or your family members may have regarding your diagnosis and the planned procedure.
Your procedure will be scheduled before you leave the office. Mohs surgery appointments are generally scheduled to start in the early morning, allowing for the completion of several surgical stages throughout the day (if necessary).
Who Is a Good Candidate for Mohs Surgery?
Ideal candidates for Mohs surgery are patients who have basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. Mohs surgery will benefit patients whose basal cell carcinomas on the face are larger than 1cm and located on the face’s H zone. Because this procedure targets basal cells and squamous cells, Mohs surgery cannot always treat melanomas that extend into deeper layers of the skin and may not prevent them completely from returning.
While the average age of patients who undergo Mohs surgery is between the ages of 80 - 88 years old, elderly patients who are older than 90 years old will still benefit from the procedure.
How Should I Prepare for My Mohs Surgery?
Preparing for your Mohs surgery is essential to experiencing a complication-free procedure and recovery. Before the day of your Mohs surgery, consider doing the following in preparation for your procedure:
- Consult with your doctor to discuss the necessity of stopping any prescribed medications that may interfere with your surgery.
- Plan to take at least a full day off work for your surgery, as well as the time expected you’ll need to fully recover.
- Arrange transportation plans with loved ones.
- Prepare your bedroom for ease upon your arrival home
- Eat before your surgery to keep your body energized.
- Wear comfortable clothing.
Are There Any Risks with Mohs Surgery?
Although Mohs surgery is a highly effective and very safe procedure, there are a few risks that can occur with this procedure. These risks can include:
- Hematoma from the surrounding tissue of the treated area.
- Bleeding from the site of surgery.
- Pain or tenderness in the treated area.
- Redness or swelling.
- Infection.
- Numbness of the treated area.
- Itching.
- Shooting pain from the treated area to other parts of the face.
- Development of scars.
Although some of these risks, such as redness and swelling, are expected to happen post-procedure, these complications are typically easily avoided during recovery when following the proper aftercare procedures as advised to you by your SkinSmart Dermatology surgeon.
What Should I Expect on Mohs Surgery Day?
On your surgery day, we ask that you do not make any other appointments. Because of the detailed nature of the procedure, Mohs surgery can take up the better part of the day. On occasion, you may need to return to SkinSmart Dermatology the next day. You are to eat your normal meals and take all of your normal medications. You do not need to fast or discontinue the use of blood thinners unless otherwise instructed.
In the office, the surgical site will be inspected once again. The skin cancer area will be re-identified, photographed and anesthetized with local anesthetic. First, the cancer obvious to the naked eye will be removed, along with a thin layer of skin from around the site. The tissue specimen is then immediately processed in our on-site laboratory. Patients are bandaged and permitted to relax in our private, comfortable lounge during this process.
We will microscopically examine the specimen to identify and map any remaining cancer. Patients with persistent cancer will have the procedure repeated, as required, and another layer is excised until the cancer is completely removed. The area where the cancer was removed is then repaired to give the best cosmetic and functional outcome. Every effort is made to keep our patients comfortable, so repairs will either be on the same day or early the following day. In some cases, the patient is referred to a plastic or ocular surgeon for final wound repair. In each case, we will advise the patient on the best option.
Points To Remember:
- Mohs surgery is a complex procedure, so you could be in our office for several hours, or in some cases, most of the day.
- Patients can relax in our comfortable, private lounge within our SkinSmart Dermatology office.
- We recommend that you bring a sweater, a good book, ereader, tablet or your laptop computer, as we offer Wi-Fi Internet service.
- We offer magazines and a handheld DVD player with headsets and interesting videos.
- At our coffee bar, you can enjoy a variety of coffee and teas, including Vermont Green Mountain blend, as well as bottled water and snacks.
- Please bring a light lunch in case you stay with us, or you can have your lunch delivered to the SkinSmart Dermatology offices. We also have a small refrigerator available. In addition, many restaurants and fast-food establishments are just a short drive, and a Fresh Market grocery store is across University Parkway.
What is Mohs Surgery Recovery Like?
Keep in mind there will be restrictions on activities for seven to 14 days. Once your surgery is completed, we will review the care required for your surgery site, and you will be given a set of written instructions on wound care from Dr. Callahan or Dr. Adams. As a convenience to our patients, we have specially prepared SkinSmart Dermatology wound care kits available for purchase. You can expect to return to our office for a suture removal or a wound check. This appointment will be scheduled before you leave our office.
Contact Us In Sarasota For Mohs Surgery
If you are interested in Mohs Surgery treatment, visit Sarasota Dermatology. Our providers, including Dr. Elizabeth Callahan, are experienced in cosmetic and medical treatments and have been serving the Sarasota community for over 15 years. At SkinSmart Dermatology, we treat a wide variety of skin conditions and care for every individual patient with a personal touch. Schedule an appointment by calling 941-308-7546 or fill out the form on our contact page.
