MOHS Surgery in Houston, TX

Learning you have skin cancer can be a scary experience and deciding your treatment plan means learning about all of the options. Of all the surgical techniques available today, MOHs surgery offers the lowest recurrence rate of malignant lesions and maximum preservation of healthy tissue. It is only performed by specialized dermatological surgeons. However, after the malignant lesion is removed, a depression or hole in the skin often remains. Since obvious scars on the face can be disfiguring and make you feel less confident, which is where double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Eugene "Gene" Alford offers reconstructive surgery after MOHs surgery. Dr. Gene specializes in carefully reconstructing the facial tissue in his patients at Alford Facial Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX restoring the skin’s natural appearance. This is especially important in such high profile areas as the nose, lips, eyelids, and other areas of the head and neck that draw a lot of attention, and help you make a great first impression.

MOHS surgery offers a highly effective way to remove skin cancer while preserving healthy surrounding tissue. Because each layer is examined under a microscope in real time, patients receive immediate confirmation that all cancer cells have been removed before the procedure is complete. This method not only delivers the highest cure rate but also minimizes scarring, making it ideal for visible or delicate areas like the face, neck, and hands. Some of the most exciting benefits of MOHS surgery can include:

• Highest success rate for skin cancer
• Precise removal with tissue conservation
• Immediate microscopic confirmation
• Reduced risk of recurrence
• Minimal scarring and downtime
• Peace of mind from same-day results

It takes about 2 – 4 hours to surgically remove the skin cancer with MOHS surgery which is done by a dermatologist. The patient then sees Dr. Gene to provide a reconstructive operation for patients who have lost a significant amount of their tissue to cancer.   

Following your reconstructive surgery Dr. Gene will have you stay overnight in the hospital so your recovery can be carefully monitored. Dr. Gene will come see you in the hospital the next day to determine if you are able to continue your recovery at home. Depending on the approach for reconstruction most patients take about 1 – 4 weeks for recovery before returning to their normal activities and work.

Because MOHS surgery by itself has a 99% cure rate vs. traditional excision, whose cure rate can be as low as 70%, the accuracy of the reconstruction is enhanced by a lower chance of reoccurrence. This high cure rate allows for immediate reconstruction without the delay of waiting for traditional pathology results.

Since each case is unique, there is no average cost for MOHS reconstruction surgery, but Dr. Gene will go over expense estimates during your initial consultation. MOHS reconstruction surgery is usually covered at least in part by health insurance, so our office will communicate with your insurance company to determine your benefits and coverage.

MOHS surgery is typically recommended for patients diagnosed with skin cancer in areas where tissue preservation is important, such as the face, neck, or hands. It’s ideal for basal and squamous cell carcinomas or cancers with unclear borders. The best candidates value precision removal with minimal scarring. Patients with widespread or metastatic disease may require alternative treatment approaches. Every MOHS procedure begins with a consultation to confirm it’s a safe, effective option based on the cancer type and location. Generally speaking, MOHS surgery candidates may include those with:

• Basal cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Recurrent skin cancer
• Delicate or visible areas
• Need for tissue conservation

Does MOHS surgery cause scarring?

Since the goal of MOHS reconstruction surgery is to remove unhealthy tissue and restore your appearance, Dr. Gene makes every effort to place surgical incisions in easily concealed areas of the face and neck. This means that most of the scarring will be hidden and not easily visible. Additionally, our team will provide detailed recommendations on scar care to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Does MOHS surgery hurt?

Local anesthesia is used during MOHS surgery in Houston, TX. This means that patients should not feel any pain during their procedure. While some patients may experience some discomfort during the healing process, we can provide medication and recommend special post-surgical care to help manage any discomfort. Our staff is also available to answer any questions or concerns throughout recovery.

What conditions are treated with MOHS surgery?

MOHS surgery is primarily used to treat the following:

• Aggressive skin cancer
• Basal cell carcinoma
• Larger cancers
• Melanoma
• Merkel cell carcinoma
• Nonmelanoma skin cancer
• Skin cancer on the head or neck
• Skin cancer with undefined borders
• Squamous cell carcinoma

During an appointment at Alford Facial Plastic Surgery, we can assess any areas of concern and determine the best course of action moving forward.