A skin cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially when the growth is on a highly visible or delicate area of the face or body. Mohs surgery is a precise surgical dermatology technique that removes skin cancer layer by layer while examining the tissue during the procedure, helping the surgeon identify where cancer cells stop and preserve as much healthy skin as possible.
At Upper West Side Dermatology, patients have access to specialized skin cancer care within a comprehensive dermatology practice. Dr. Sarah Yagerman is a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon with a special interest in dermatologic oncology, providing individualized surgical care that prioritizes both effective cancer removal and preservation of healthy tissue.
Before Your Procedure
It’s helpful to know what to expect before you undergo any surgical procedure. Because the Mohs surgery procedure for skin cancer removal is somewhat complex, it can be reassuring to familiarize yourself with the treatment process beforehand. Here, you can learn what to expect before, during, and after your procedure. Mohs surgery is the most effective treatment for most types of skin cancer.
When you meet with a surgeon for a consultation or when the biopsy results are discussed over the phone, you determine together whether a Mohs surgical procedure is the best course of action for your cancer. Once you have scheduled surgery, you receive a detailed list of instructions to follow beforehand. You may be asked to:
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Temporarily stop the use of certain medications, including some over-the-counter pain relievers, supplements, and other medicines
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Stop consuming certain foods or beverages a number of hours before your procedure
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Stop smoking
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Clear a full day for your procedure, because it is difficult to predict how long it may take
Your surgeon and her team will give you more information about these and other considerations before your surgery, and it’s important to follow this advice as closely as you can to ensure a successful outcome.
Your Mohs Procedure
Surgeons usually perform Mohs skin cancer surgery as an outpatient procedure in an office that has an on-site surgical suite and a laboratory for microscopic examination of tissue. Typically, surgery starts early in the morning and is completed the same day, depending on the extent of the tumor and the amount of reconstruction necessary.
You receive local anesthesia around the area of the tumor, so you are awake during the entire procedure. The use of local anesthesia provides numerous benefits, including preventing a lengthy recovery and potential side effects associated with general anesthesia. You are completely numb in the surgical area, so the procedure is comfortable.
After the area has been numbed, your surgeon removes the visible tumor, along with a thin layer of surrounding tissue. A technician then prepares this tissue and puts it on slides for your surgeon to examine under a microscope. If the surgeon sees evidence of cancer around the outer edges of the removed tissue, he or she takes another layer of tissue from the area where the cancer was detected. This ensures that only cancerous tissue is removed during the procedure, minimizing the loss of healthy tissue. Your surgeon repeats these steps until all samples are free of cancer. Although there are always exceptions to the rule, most tumors require 1 to 3 stages for complete removal.
To get a better picture of how this process takes place, please view our guide, The Mohs Step-by-Step Process (opens in new tab).
After Your Surgery
When your surgery is complete, your Mohs surgeon assesses the wound and discusses your options for ideal functional and cosmetic reconstruction. Surgeons understand that a good cosmetic result is an important part of the recovery process, and that’s why they work so hard to leave as little tissue damage as possible. If reconstruction is necessary, the Mohs surgeon usually repairs the area the same day as the tumor removal. Watch the video below to learn about Mohs Postoperative Care.
Why Choose Upper West Side Dermatology for Mohs Surgery
At Upper West Side Dermatology, Mohs surgery is recommended based on the specific characteristics of your skin cancer, including its type, location, size, and prior treatment history. The technique is particularly valuable because tissue is examined microscopically during surgery, and additional layers are removed only where cancer cells remain. This approach combines a high cure rate with maximum preservation of healthy surrounding skin.
Dr. Sarah Yagerman brings focused expertise to this care as a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon who practices medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. Her special interest in dermatologic oncology, combined with Upper West Side Dermatology’s collaborative team of board-certified dermatologists, gives patients access to specialized surgery as part of ongoing, comprehensive skin care.
Treat Skin Cancer Precisely With Mohs Surgery in Upper West Side, NY
Mohs surgery can provide precise skin cancer removal while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Call Upper West Side Dermatology at (212) 769-0069 to schedule a consultation.