Mohs Surgery Services Offered in Fairfield, CT
Yesul Kim, M.D. is the Mohs Surgeon at Fairfield Dermatology. She is a double board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs Micrographic Surgeon. She comes to Fairfield Dermatology with an extraordinary resume and talent by way of Brown University, Penn State College of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Penn State Dermatology Residency and most recently, Cooper University Hospital where she was mentored by one of the leading experts of Mohs surgery and reconstruction. Dr. Kim is proud to provide compassionate and individualized care for all your skin cancer needs.
What is Mohs surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery is the most effective treatment for many common skin cancers. This highly specialized surgical procedure involves removing malignant skin cancers with the guide of a microscope and tumor map used during surgery. This enables the surgeon to provide the highest possible cure rate while preserving as much healthy skin as possible. Through Dr. Kim’s expertise and the Mohs surgical technique, she skillfully eliminates every trace of cancer without unnecessarily removing healthy skin.
Mohs surgery requires extensive fellowship training to perform properly. The procedure involves carefully removing cancerous tissue layer by layer, with precise tumor mapping and microscopic examination of cancer during surgery. After each stage, Dr. Kim carefully maps the tumor in a 360-degree fashion, and the cancer is then processed into slides, where she reviews it under a microscope to check the margins. She repeats this process until all the margins are clear and free of tumor.
After Mohs surgery, Dr. Kim performs reconstructive surgery to restore the area’s natural function and cosmetic outcome.
What types of skin cancer can Mohs surgery treat?
Mohs surgery treats all types of skin cancer and provides the highest cure rate possible compared to other treatment options. Mohs surgery is most commonly used to treat basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.
How do I prepare for Mohs surgery?
Two weeks before Mohs surgery, stop smoking and avoid medications that thin the blood such as ibuprofen, aspirin, Plavix, Eliquis etc. (if you are able). Dr. Kim may also recommend avoiding certain supplements the week before your procedure. Avoid alcohol at least 24 hours before Mohs surgery to maintain your blood pressure.
What can I expect from the Mohs surgery recovery process?
The recovery period for Mohs surgery typically lasts about 1-2 weeks. To ensure a healthy recovery without complication, you should:
· Follow the detailed post-op instructions provided by the nursing staff
· Rest and recover for the week after surgery
· Eat a well-balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids
· Avoid exercise for 1 week
As with any surgery, a scar is normal and expected. As your surgical site heals, new blood vessels appear to support the healing process. These vessels often lead to a pink-to-red appearing scar that typically fades with time. The normal healing process also involves a short period of skin contraction, which peaks 4-6 weeks after Mohs surgery. Temporary “bumpiness” or “hardening” of the scar may develop and then soften over time. Generally, a post-surgical scar takes one year or more to fully mature. Should you desire, Dr. Kim and the other clinicians at Fairfield Dermatology use advanced techniques such as lasers and other energy-based devices to reduce the appearance of scars. We pride ourselves on achieving excellent functional and cosmetic surgical results.
If you have any questions, or if you’re ready to schedule your Mohs surgery appointment with us, please contact us today by calling 203.259.7709. We look forward to caring for you.
