What We Do
Plastic Surgery Reconstruction
Plastic surgery reconstruction is the process of repairing and rebuilding tissues in your body to retain aesthetics and functions of the affected body part.
Sometimes plastic surgery reconstruction includes using healthy tissues from other parts of the body to rebuild areas impacted by Mohs surgery that leave significant deformities and scarring.
Other times, it includes the way the skin is sewn back together post surgery to minimize scarring. Every case of skin cancer removal is different, so it is best to consult with your dermatologist and plastic surgeon on the best plan for you.
We do our best to ensure your end results are as natural as possible so that you can feel confident in your skin again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs Surgery (Mohs micrographic surgery) simply put is a process where layers of tumors are removed and examined under the microscope. This process continues until no more cancer cells are found at the edges. Your consultation with your dermatologist and Mohs surgeon will help you determine if your skin cancer can be treated by Mohs surgery. Sometimes your skin cancer requires other non-surgical treatment modalities, which only your dermatologists can help you make these decisions based on your skin cancer type.
How does the process usually work?
Normally, if you have a skin lesion that is concerning, you will be referred to a dermatologist for exam and biopsy. A biopsy will be able to give you a diagnosis of the type of lesion it is. Your dermatologist will decide with you if this lesion would be best treated with wide local excision or Mohs surgery. At this step, if your lesion is in a cosmetic sensitive area, if the resection of the lesion will leave a large defect, or you simply prefer a plastic surgeon to close your defect, you or your dermatologist or Mohs surgeon can reach out to us for to coordinate for a plastic surgery closure and/or reconstruction.
How do I get a Plastic Surgery closure if I want to use a Mohs surgeon to remove the skin cancer?
If you desire a plastic surgeon to close your wound left after Mohs surgery, you can arrange both procedures so the Plastic Surgery closure can be done one to two days after the Mohs surgeon removes the lesion. This combined approach optimizes the patient’s outcome by combing the expertise of a Mohs surgeon who removes the cancer with minimal damage to normal tissue and a plastic surgeon whose surgical expertise achieves an excellent aesthetic outcome.
Why do Mohs surgeons and dermatologists consult a plastic surgeon before a Mohs procedure?
Sometimes your Mohs surgeon will reach out to us for a consultation before the Mohs procedure or resection if they anticipate the defect is in a cosmeticly sensitive area or the defect will require more extensive reconstruction using surrounding tissue and skin graft.
How do I get a Plastic Surgery closure after a regular skin cancer excision (wide local excision) by my dermatologist?
Sometimes your dermatologist will perform a wide local excision for your skin cancer. If you prefer a plastic surgeon to perform a Plastic Surgery closure, you can arrange a consult with us before your procedure with your dermatologist so we can coordinate your plastic surgery closure after the excision.
Have everything you need and ready to take the next step?