What types of skin cancer can Mohs surgery treat?

Mohs surgery is highly effective for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, some melanomas, and other less common skin cancers, achieving cure rates up to 99% for basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

How long does Mohs surgery take?

Mohs surgery typically takes 2-4 hours, performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. The exact time depends on the cancer size, location, and number of layers that need to be removed.

What is the recovery time for Mohs surgery?

Recovery is typically 1-2 days with most patients returning to regular activities within a few days. Full recovery takes up to 2 weeks. Patients should limit high-intensity exercise for one week and keep stitches clean and dry.

Why is Mohs surgery considered the gold standard?

Mohs surgery offers the highest cure rates (up to 99%) while minimizing removal of healthy tissue and reducing scarring. The immediate microscopic examination ensures complete cancer removal in a single procedure.

Will I need stitches after Mohs surgery?

Most Mohs surgery sites are closed with buried, dissolvable stitches that don't require removal. The surgical technique is designed to minimize scarring and promote optimal healing.

Is Mohs surgery painful?

Mohs surgery is performed under local anesthesia, so patients typically experience minimal discomfort during the procedure. Post-operative pain is usually manageable with ice and over-the-counter pain medication.

MOHS Surgery: A Precise Approach to Treating Skin Cancer in NJ, NY, & PA

Q: What is Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is a precise skin cancer removal technique developed by Dr. Frederick Mohs that removes cancerous tissue layer by layer while examining each layer under a microscope immediately to ensure complete cancer removal with minimal healthy tissue loss.

What is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery is performed by a specially trained dermatologist to remove skin cancer layer by layer, minimizing damage to healthy tissue. But once the cancer is gone, a new challenge arises: how to close the resulting wound—especially when it involves significant tissue loss, tension on the skin, or is located in a cosmetically sensitive area.

That’s where our team steps in.

Our expert plastic and reconstructive surgeons at The Plastic Surgery Center specialize in restoring both form and function after Mohs surgery. While we do not perform the initial skin cancer excision, we play a critical role in closing complex wounds and ensuring the best possible cosmetic and functional outcomes after your Mohs surgeon has removed the cancer.

Summary

Procedure time

2 to 4 hours (depending on complexity)

Overnight stay

Not typically required

Anesthetic

Local anesthesia; sedation may be used for larger repairs

Recovery time

10-14 days, depending on procedure and location

Benefits of Partnering with a Plastic Surgeon for Mohs Closure

Better Cosmetic Results

When reconstruction is performed by a plastic surgeon, you benefit from advanced techniques designed to minimize visible scarring and preserve natural appearance. This is especially important for facial areas like the nose, eyelids, or lips.

Reduced Risk of Complications

Plastic surgeons are trained to manage tension, blood supply, and tissue integrity during closure. This helps prevent complications such as wound breakdown, skin distortion, or irregular healing.

Tailored Techniques for Your Anatomy

Every patient’s anatomy is different, and so is every wound. Our surgeons select the most appropriate closure method based on the size, location, and depth of your surgical site to support both healing and aesthetics.

Improved Function of Key Facial Structures

When skin cancer affects the eyelids, lips, nose, or ears, reconstruction is about more than appearance—it’s about restoring function. Our expertise ensures that you can blink, speak, breathe, and smile naturally after surgery.

Am I a

Candidate for Reconstruction After Mohs?

Mohs reconstruction is appropriate for patients who have undergone Mohs surgery and are left with a wound that is complex, large, or located in a highly visible or functionally sensitive area—such as the face, scalp, hands, or ears. You may be referred to a plastic surgeon if your Mohs surgeon determines that specialized closure techniques are needed to support healing, restore appearance, or preserve function.

Schedule a Consultation

If your Mohs procedure has left a complex or cosmetically sensitive wound, The Plastic Surgery Center is here to help. Our expert reconstructive surgeons will guide you through your options and deliver results you can feel confident about.

Call us today at 833-615-2621 or request a consultation to learn more about Mohs reconstruction.

What to Expect

After your Mohs surgeon confirms that all cancerous tissue has been removed, you may be referred to The Plastic Surgery Center for reconstruction. Our team typically performs the reconstruction on the same day or the day after your Mohs procedure to support optimal healing and comfort. Your care plan will be customized based on:

The size, depth, and location of the surgical wound
Your skin type and natural contours
Your personal goals for healing and appearance

Our goal is always the same: to restore both aesthetics and function with the least visible scarring possible.

Advanced Techniques We May Use

Our surgeons are skilled in a range of reconstructive approaches:

Layered Closure: Uses dissolvable internal sutures to support healing and reduce visible scarring on the skin’s surface.
Local Flap: Nearby healthy tissue is repositioned to cover the wound, often blending seamlessly with surrounding skin.
Skin Grafts: Skin from another part of your body is used to cover larger or deeper wounds that cannot be closed directly.
Complex Reconstruction: In some cases—particularly around the nose, eyelids, or lips—multi-layer or staged techniques may be needed to restore normal appearance and function, including cartilage or muscle support.

Before And After

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Nose Surgery

Before And After

Nose Surgery

Before And After

Nose Surgery

Before And After

Nose Surgery

Before And After

Nose Surgery

Before And After

Nose Surgery

Before And After

Best

Surgeons in NJ

Our team of world-renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeons brings decades of experience in post-Mohs closures. From delicate eyelid repairs to advanced nasal reconstruction, we are equipped to handle even the most challenging cases. You can trust us to focus on your long-term appearance, function, and comfort.

Learn More

PHYSICIAN

Russell Ashinoff

MD, FACS

PHYSICIAN

Eric I. Chang

MD, FACS

PHYSICIAN

Patrick Greaney

MD, FACS

PHYSICIAN

Ritwik Grover

MD, FACS

PHYSICIAN

Sean Herman

MD, FACS

PHYSICIAN

Zuhaib Ibrahim

MD, FACS

PHYSICIAN

Matthew Kaufman

MD, FACS

PHYSICIAN

Ahmed Nasser

PHYSICIAN

Robert T. Nevitt III

PHYSICIAN

Michael Rose

MD, FACS

PHYSICIAN

Tzvi Small

MD, FACS

PHYSICIAN

Hakan Usal

PHYSICIAN

Eric Wimmers

MD, FACS

PHYSICIAN

Karen Kaplan

PHYSICIAN

Lauren Otaguro

PHYSICIAN

Frank Ciminello

MD, FACS

Financing & Insurance

Most insurance providers typically cover medically necessary reconstruction after Mohs surgery when the skin cancer removal itself is covered under the patient’s policy. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary based on your specific plan, medical necessity, and individual circumstances, and some insurers may require pre-authorization for certain procedures.

Our dedicated support staff will work with you and your health insurer to verify your benefits and obtain any required approvals for covered surgical procedures. If you would like to learn more about estimated costs and coverage, please contact our business office today at 833-615-2621.

Our Process

Cancer Removal by a Mohs Surgeon

Your Mohs surgeon will carefully remove your skin cancer one layer at a time, examining each layer under a microscope to ensure all cancer cells have been removed. Before you go home, they will bandage the wound, and your closure will be performed later the same day or the following day, depending on your treatment plan.

Mohs Closure by Our Plastic Surgeons

Once your margins are confirmed clear, you’ll be referred to The Plastic Surgery Center for reconstruction. We will evaluate your wound and recommend the most effective closure technique to restore both appearance and function.

Recovery and Ongoing Support

After your reconstruction, our team will provide detailed recovery instructions and closely monitor your healing. We’re here to ensure your results are medically successful and support your confidence, comfort, and quality of life.