What To Expect ON THE DAY OF Your Surgery
When you arrive for your scheduled appointment, you’ll be warmly greeted by our surgical coordinator, who will assist you with the check-in process and review your consent form with you.
We’ll also ask for contact information for your ride home.
Surgical Waiting Area
After check-in, you’ll be brought to our comfortable surgical waiting area, where we offer complimentary coffee, tea, and water while you wait to be brought into the surgical suite.
Surgical Check-In
One of our experienced nurses will escort you into the surgical suite. Here, you’ll be prepped for your procedure, and we’ll go over:
- Your diagnosis
- The planned treatment approach
- What to expect during and after the procedure
This is a great time to ask any questions or share concerns—we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Beginning the Procedure
Once you’re comfortable and have given your informed consent, we’ll administer a local anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel pain during the surgery.
Dr. Guillemaud will then remove the first layer of tissue, and you’ll return to the waiting area.
Tissue Analysis & Additional Stages of Removal
Dr. Guillemaud will immediately analyze the tissue under a microscope to determine if all cancer cells have been removed. This analysis takes about 90 minutes per layer. Most patients require 2–3 stages of excision.
Reconstruction
Once all the cancer has been successfully removed, Dr. Guillemaud will perform the reconstruction (repair) of the surgical site. This step typically takes about one hour.
Total Time Commitment
Please plan to be at Calgary Skin Cancer Centre for 6 to 8 hours on the day of your surgery. We encourage you to bring something to help pass the time—books, magazines, puzzles, or a device for watching or reading.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Mohs Procedure.
Reconstruction AFTER MOHS SURGERY
Our top priority during Mohs Micrographic Surgery is the complete removal of your skin cancer. Once that goal has been met, Dr. Guillemaud will assess the surgical area (also called a defect) and discuss options for reconstructing the area.
While Dr. Guillemaud is highly experienced in facial and skin reconstruction, the decision about how best to repair the area is a collaborative one between you and your surgeon. Together, you’ll choose the most appropriate option based on medical, cosmetic, and personal considerations.
Repair Options
The type of reconstruction will depend on the size, depth, and location of the defect. Here are the most common approaches:
- Secondary Intention (Healing Naturally)
For small or superficial wounds, we may allow the area to heal on its own. This method requires consistent wound care over the course of several weeks but can lead to excellent results depending on the location.
- Primary Closure (Stitches)
Simple wounds may be closed using sutures—either on the surface or internally with dissolving stitches—by gently pulling the wound edges together.
- Flaps & Grafts
For larger or more complex wounds:- A rotation flap may be used, which involves loosening and rotating nearby skin to cover the defect.
- A skin graft may be needed, where healthy skin is “borrowed” from another area of the body, such as behind the ear, the collarbone area, or the lower abdomen.
- Referral to a Specialist
In some cases, especially if the defect is large or unexpectedly complex, Dr. Guillemaud may refer you to a Plastic Surgeon for reconstruction—either in advance or a few days after your Mohs surgery, if the extent of the tumor is greater than expected.
If this happens, all information will be clearly communicated to you and any next steps will be arranged in coordination with you.
A Shared Decision
Some reconstruction techniques may involve more intensive aftercare, which might affect which options are best suited to your needs and lifestyle. Dr. Guillemaud will always consider your safety, comfort, and the best possible outcome when guiding you through this decision.
FULL SKIN REVIEW
1 in 6 Canadians will be diagnosed with skin cancer. If you do not have a Healthcare Provider checking your skin annually, click to connect with us!