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Surgical removal of skin cancer saves lives. But the surgery can sometimes leave wounds that affect a patient’s appearance and self-confidence. While your Mohs surgeon will be able to close the surgical wound, if the wound is large, complex, or near a delicate area such as the eye, it may be beneficial to have a plastic surgeon perform the reconstruction. At Illuminate Plastic Surgery, Drs. David Boudreault and Brittany Leader possess the skill, training, experience and personal desire to help you realize beautiful results from even the most complex procedures.
Mohs surgery is the most precise and effective surgical procedure used to treat common skin cancers and to completely remove the cancer while minimizing tissue damage and loss. Research data indicates that Mohs surgery offers the lowest recurrence rate of any skin cancer treatment and achieves a complete cure rate of up to 99 percent.
Mohs surgery, while wonderfully effective in treating skin cancer, can nevertheless leave wounds that can leave noticeable scars and impact a patient’s appearance and self-image. At Illuminate in San Jose & Palo Alto Mohs skin reconstruction aims to restore the look and function of your skin following Mohs surgery. This surgery is also available to patients who are unsatisfied with the results of earlier reconstructive procedures.
Beating cancer is a moment to celebrate and look to the future. Unfortunately, many skin cancer patients understandably feel that they are not completely “cured” or “healed” until their surgical wounds and scars have been repaired and their looks are restored. Drs. Boudreault and Leader can help you to once again have a positive relationship with your appearance.
Mohs reconstructive surgery seeks to optimize the appearance of your skin cancer treatment area, repairing or reducing scars and other cosmetic irregularities. Having a highly-skilled plastic surgeon like Dr. Boudreault or Double Board Certified Dr. Leader performing your San Jose or Palo Alto Mohs reconstruction is the key to restoring proper form and function. Wounds left to heal on their own or if improperly reconstructed can lead to scarring and poor healing.
All surgical procedures carry a degree of risk. With Mohs reconstruction San Jose & Palo Alto patients could potentially be at risk to the following complications:
More than any other factor, the success and safety of your Mohs reconstruction in San Jose or Palo Alto will depend on the skill, training, experience, human concern and “aesthetic eye” of the surgeon you choose. Drs. Boudreault and Leader at Illuminate Plastic Surgery check all the boxes. Our entire San Jose & Palo Alto plastic surgery team at Illuminate looks forward to meeting you and celebrating your cancer recovery with you. We’ll earn your trust and make you always feel confident, supported, and cared for during this journey.
Almost all patients who have undergone Mohs surgery can be a good candidate if their cancer treatment has been completed and they are in good general health.
This includes people who have had skin cancer for:
It starts with a detailed medical evaluation with Dr. Boudreault or Dr. Leader. They’ll make sure you know exactly what to expect and what goals can be realistically achieved. You’ll also be examined for potential donor skin sites, selected to produce the least loss of function and the best cosmetic result.
The strategy, approach, and technique selected for your Palo Alto or San Jose Mohs reconstruction will depend on a variety of factors, including:
This technique transplants tissues from one site of your body to another. These “flaps” are composed of skin, muscle, and fat and must have a fully-intact blood supply.
For Mohs reconstruction Palo Alto or San Jose patients who have minor defects are good candidates for this approach. Primary closure uses specialized suture techniques to promote optimal wound healing.
This procedure removes a layer of skin tissue from a donor site on your body and positions it over an open wound or defect. Skin grafting generally works best on superficial defects.
Deep facial wounds and defects may require a structural graft that repairs or replaces surgically-lost structure and cartilage. This can be necessary to restore your face’s pre-surgical contours. Structural grafting may be the required technique if your skin cancer was removed from your ears or nose.
Depending on the extent of your surgery, Mohs skin reconstruction is performed in either a minor procedure room using local anesthesia, or in an operating room using IV sedation or general anesthesia. In some cases, your Mohs reconstruction may require more than one surgery.
Dr. Boudreault or Dr. Leader will provide you with clear and detailed instructions about how to care for your surgical site and dressings, along with a list of any restricted activities. Over-the-counter medications are usually sufficient to keep you comfortable until your soreness subsides. Healing time can vary from a couple of weeks up to four weeks or more, depending on the type and extent of your Palo Alto or San Jose Mohs reconstruction.
It is important to your recovery that you keep your follow-up appointments and call us should you have questions or notice anything unusual.
Drs. Boudreault and Leader are committed to a deeply personal level of patient care and are true experts in the field of reconstructive surgery. After your skin cancer has been removed, it’s time to get all the way back to living your best life and feeling great about your appearance again.
At Illuminate we’re with you during every step of your journey toward greater self-confidence. Schedule a consultation with us today and let Illuminate’s expert team listen to your concerns and guide you through treatments and procedures to help you reach your individual goals. We look forward to seeing you and celebrating your renewed appearance and realized potential.
