Pre-Operative Instructions: Mohs Surgery

Dr. Swengel and Dr. Smith request your cooperation in assuring your safety during the Mohs Surgery, which you have scheduled. Please read and follow the following instructions:

1. Notify us today of any medication recently prescribed for you or any medical diagnosis of which you are aware. Our assistant will ask you prior to surgery about medications once again as well as confirm with you the site we will be working on that day.

2. DO NOT take medications containing Aspirin (e.g.: Anacin, Bufferin, or Ecotrin) for the week before your surgery and for 2 days after surgery. DO NOT take Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Naprosyn or similar non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for at least three days prior to surgery. These medications increase the risk of your bleeding during and after your surgery. Acetaminophen or Tylenol can be taken safely for minor discomfort without increasing the risk of bleeding. If you take extra vitamins beyond a multivitamin, please keep your Vitamin E at 400 units or less.

3. Notify your doctor immediately if you are taking any medications to decrease the clotting time of your blood. Coumadin, Heparin, Plavix and aspirin are commonly used by doctors for this purpose.

4. Notify your physician if you have a pacemaker or intracardiac defibrillator.

5. Have a light meal before your surgery. Please bring along snacks or beverages if you wish.

6. MOHS surgery is done under local anesthesia. Most patients are able to drive themselves home after the surgery. However, if you’ve had problems after procedures you’ve had done in the past, it may be advisable to bring a companion with you on the day of your surgery to drive you and make sure you get home safely after your surgery. If your driver would like to run off and do some errands while waiting, we can notify them via cell phone approximately a half hour prior to completion of the repair.

7. Although we try to keep the waiting room supplied with newer magazines, it may be advisable to bring along a good book, your knitting or any lap project to keep you occupied during those waiting periods so typical in MOHS.

8. Be prepared to spend upwards of four hours with us. Some cases may even go longer.

Disclaimer
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