Scheduling and coordination details
Immediate reconstruction is scheduled when the Mohs surgeon and our plastic surgery team find a mutual availability, so the cancer is removed and the wound is closed the same day. Patients often leave the Mohs office with a protective dressing and are sent directly to the plastic surgeon for repair, a workflow that fits into workdays and nearby Beverly Hills appointments.
The immediate approach reduces the time the wound remains open, but it isn't always appropriate. The choice between same-day closure and delayed reconstruction depends on defect size, location, pathology results, and overall patient health; some complex wounds require staged planning. Our practice offers both immediate and delayed reconstruction so decisions can prioritize safety and optimal wound management.
Common reconstruction techniques used
Options include local tissue rearrangement, skin grafts, regional flaps, and free flaps. Local tissue rearrangement moves adjacent skin to close small to moderate defects while grafts transplant skin from another site. Regional or free flaps transfer larger tissue sections with their blood supply, used when defects are more extensive or need structural support.
The reconstructive plan is chosen after the Mohs excision and is shaped by defect dimensions, nearby anatomy, and the patient's priorities. Stitches generally come out within the first week, and the plastic surgeon schedules postoperative visits to monitor healing. Larger reconstructions may require longer, more frequent follow-up to assess circulation and function.
What patients should expect
On the day of surgery the Mohs surgeon performs tissue removal and pathology; when margins are clear, patients commonly proceed to reconstruction the same day. The initial visit involves wound assessment, choosing the closure method, and performing the repair. In Beverly Hills, coordinated scheduling helps patients combine appointments with other errands or work commitments.
Recovery varies by technique: small closures heal quickly while grafts and flaps need more monitoring. Expect dressing care instructions, activity limitations tailored to the reconstruction, and a follow-up plan for stitch removal and wound checks. Both immediate and delayed approaches remain available so treatment can be individualized.
