How to Prepare and What to Expect When Undergoing Mohs

Have you been scheduled for Mohs surgery? Learn how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect during this highly effective, tissue-sparing skin cancer treatment at Salida Dermatology.

Receiving a skin cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but choosing the right treatment can give you peace of mind. At Salida Dermatology, our board-certified dermatologic surgeon, Dr. John M Strasswimmer, MD, PhD, provides advanced Mohs surgery to effectively treat skin cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

We proudly serve patients at our offices in Salida and Gunnison, Colorado, as well as surrounding communities like Crested Butte, Westcliffe, Howard, Canon City, Buena Vista, Del Norte, Center, and Alamosa. If you or a loved one is scheduled for this procedure, knowing what's ahead can significantly ease your anxiety. Here's a clear guide to preparing and what to expect when undergoing Mohs.

What to expect when undergoing Mohs surgery

During Mohs micrographic surgery, you can expect to remain awake and comfortable while your surgeon removes and analyzes cancer cells in successive stages. We perform this highly precise cancer surgery under local anesthesia right in our office, meaning you won't need general anesthesia. Dr. Strasswimmer removes the visible tumor along with a very thin layer of surrounding tissue, maps it, and examines 100% of the margins under a microscope while you wait. If any cancer cells remain, we remove another precise layer only where the cancer is present, repeating the process until your margins are completely clear.

This real-time microscopic evaluation is what makes Mohs surgery the gold standard. Unlike traditional excisions that examine only about 1% of the tissue margins, Mohs ensures that every single cancer root is identified and removed. In fact, a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis (2023) showed that Mohs surgery reduces the overall skin tumor recurrence rate to just 3.1%, compared to 5.3% for conventional surgery. Because we preserve the maximum amount of healthy skin, we can often use simple, low-tension linear closures that heal beautifully.

How to prepare for your Mohs surgery

One of the most common misconceptions is that you must stop taking blood thinners before dermatologic surgery. However, clinical guidelines confirm that you should continue your medically prescribed anticoagulants or aspirin uninterrupted. It’s just helpful to let us know you’re on them.

A five-year retrospective study (2024) confirmed that continuing single-agent blood thinners does not significantly increase your risk of surgical bleeding, whereas stopping them poses a serious risk to your cardiovascular health.

On the day of your procedure, wear comfortable clothing and eat a normal breakfast. Because we analyze each tissue layer in our laboratory while you wait, the entire process can take several hours, even though the actual surgical time is quite short. We recommend bringing a book, a tablet, or a loved one to keep you company during these waiting periods.

It's completely normal to feel some anticipatory anxiety before your procedure, but you're in highly experienced hands. A 2025 multicenter analysis (2025) shows that between 81% and 95.2% of Mohs patients report high long-term satisfaction with their results, thanks to the tissue-sparing nature of the technique and clear communication from their surgical team.

Post-procedure, be prepared to take it easy for a couple of weeks to allow the surgical site to heal. Don’t plan any big trips or physical activity. Our team will go over your unique post-operative care instructions with you at the end of your surgery.

If you have questions about your upcoming procedure or need to schedule a skin check, please contact our team today to schedule an appointment.