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    Do I Need Mohs Surgery or Skin Cancer Care?

    If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, then you may be a good candidate for Mohs surgery. Often, Mohs surgery is used to remove skin cancer growths on the face, head, and neck, though the treatment can be appropriate for other areas of the body, too.  The best way to know if Mohs surgery is the best treatment for your diagnosis is to meet with our team. Your doctor will evaluate your skin and discuss the treatment options that may be most effective for you. To get started, reach out and set up your consultation at our Melbourne, FL, or Merritt Island offices.

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    Before and After Mohs Surgery and Reconstruction

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    Why Opt for Mohs Surgery or Skin Cancer Care?

    The most common type of cancer in the world, skin cancer impacts one in five Americans at some point during their lives. Fortunately, skin cancer is often easy to treat if it’s caught early, by removing the cancerous cells. One of the most common and effective methods for this is the Mohs technique, developed by Dr. Frederic Mohs.

    Mohs surgery preserves as much healthy tissue surrounding the cancerous growth as possible. As each layer of the skin is removed in the area, a board-certified pathologist will map each one, ensuring that your skin is cleared of cancer cells, while your facial plastic surgeon reconstructs the area to maintain your aesthetic appearance. 

    Innovations in Skin Cancer Care »

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    A Practice Defined by Excellence

    Dr. Clevens founded this practice to build on his extensive reputation for excellence, and by building on his extensive Ivy League training (having studied at Harvard, Yale, and the University of Michigan).

    To continue creating incredible results for his patients in Brevard County, Dr. Clevens knew he needed a team that would meet his tremendously high standards for excellence.

    As a result, Clevens Face and Body Specialists was born. Each member of our team was carefully selected by Dr. Clevens to meet his vision for a practice that is populated by a series of true specialists. Each of our plastic surgeons is a dedicated practitioner who is focused on their specific field of expertise. This means that your facial surgery will be performed by a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who has extensive experience creating exceptional outcomes.

    At our practice, our patients are more like family. We’ll guide you through your surgical procedure with care and compassion, and will remain available to you throughout your recovery process and beyond. We’ll even be here to recommend future treatments that might help you make the most out of your incredible results. When you’re ready to get started, reach out to us at our Melbourne, FL, or Merritt Island locations and set up your consultation with a member of our team today.

    The Benefits of Mohs Surgery and Skin Cancer Care

    Unlike other surgical skin cancer treatments, Mohs surgery ensures that each layer of skin is examined by a board-certified pathologist as your procedure takes place. This enables us to definitively treat your skin cancer with a high level of certainty, and allows your surgeon to remove only as much tissue as is necessary.

    When you choose to have your Mohs surgery at Clevens Face and Body Specialists, you’re putting your face in the most capable hands. Our facial plastic surgery specialists are experts in reconstructive techniques and are dedicated to creating the most natural and attractive cosmetic results, while significantly reducing the chances of tumor recurrence in the area. 

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    Getting Started with Your Consultation

    Your consultation is an important part of the Mohs surgery process, as it gives us the chance to learn about your concerns and begin developing a treatment plan that will effectively address them. Once we’ve gotten to know the specifics of your case, we’ll work with you and develop your surgical plan, explaining everything you can expect from your experience.

    As with any surgery, there are some risk factors patients account for when preparing for their procedure. We’ll recommend that you stop smoking before and after your treatment, as this can cause a host of complications, including poor healing. Your surgeon may also instruct you to stop using certain supplements before your procedure.

    Once we’re settled on your treatment plan, we’ll begin setting up your procedure, in addition to any pre- and post-operative appointments. You’ll be given detailed aftercare instructions, as well, so that we can ensure a pleasant and expedient healing process. Our support team will also be available to you at every step of the way, checking in with you as you recover and scheduling follow-up appointments to monitor your healing and recovery.

    Your Mohs Surgery and Skin Cancer Care Procedure

    Though Mohs surgery does not require general anesthesia, many patients opt for oral sedation and local anesthesia. Your doctor will work alongside a dermatopathologist (a board-certified physician specially trained in skin pathology) who will examine each layer of skin under a microscope during your procedure. After the first layer around the lesion is removed and analyzed, the process continues until all cancerous tissue is excised completely.

    Since tissue analysis is performed during the procedure, reconstruction of the area will immediately follow, as part of the same surgical procedure. Our specialists apply their high levels of expertise in repairing the area from which skin was removed, for an outcome that is naturalistic and restores your sense of facial harmony. Most surgeries take less than one hour to complete, at which point you’ll be able to return home.

    Mohs Surgery and Skin Cancer Care Recovery

    The recovery after your Mohs surgery will depend on the size of the lesion and the extent of the reconstruction that follows its removal. For most patients, the recovery process is relatively quick and easy. Your doctor will prescribe medication to manage any discomfort and instruct you on how to care for your skin to ensure the best possible results. 

    Some swelling may be present for several days, so recovery requires patience and adherence to your post-surgery aftercare plan. Our team will outfit you with detailed instructions, and will be available to you throughout your recovery process. We’ll also be sure to schedule  follow-up appointments with you to ensure that you’re healing nicely and that your recovery is going smoothly.

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    Learn More About Mohs Surgery

    Clevens Face and Body Specialists

    What is Mohs Surgery?

    Clevens Face and Body Specialists

    Dr. Clevens Discusses his typical Mohs patients

    Clevens Face and Body Specialists

    Dr. Clevens Discusses why his approach to Mohs surgery is unique

    Clevens Face and Body Specialists

    How can I minimize the impact of Mohs surgery?

    Clevens Face and Body Specialists

    What are the risks with Mohs surgery?

    Hear From One of Our Skincare Patients

    “They go above and beyond to make sure that none of it is stressful. I am happy with my results so far. I had a skin graft but girlfriends and even family say, ‘Really, where?’”

    – sharson17, review on RealSelf

    Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery FAQs

    Will cancerous tumors ever come back after Mohs surgery?

    Why does such a large amount of tissue need to be removed?

    Who should perform my Mohs surgery?

    Will there be any visible incisions from the Mohs procedure?

    Will I need more than one procedure?

    What are the risks of Mohs?

    Are there other options for skin cancer surgery?

    Are there some forms of cancer that cannot be treated with Mohs?

    How long does the Mohs procedure take?

    Will cancerous tumors ever come back after Mohs surgery?

    While it’s always possible skin cancer will reoccur following your surgical treatment, it is very unlikely with Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery aims to ensure that all skin cancer cells are removed and typically carries a 97% to 99% cure rate although this may vary from individual to individual and depends in part upon the type of skin cancer being treated. The cure rate with Mohs surgery compares favorably to that seen radiation with therapy and conventional surgical excision, each of which offers a 70% to 80% cure rate.

    Why does such a large amount of tissue need to be removed?

    While it may seem like a lot of tissue is removed during a Mohs procedure, the truth is that the method actually minimizes the damage to the area by removing no more than is necessary. A small visible growth may be influenced by a large number of cancerous cells underneath the skin, which necessitates the removal of more tissue. Your surgeon will remove enough tissue to ensure all of the cancerous cells are removed but will make every effort to minimize any damage to the surrounding area.

    Who should perform my Mohs surgery?

    When seeking the best doctor for skin cancer care in Florida, it is best to choose a surgeon who has experience in the Mohs technique, and who is also well-versed in aesthetic surgery, so you can look forward to a pleasing cosmetic outcome after your procedure. This is especially important when the cancerous cells have caused tumors in the facial skin.

    Will there be any visible incisions from the Mohs procedure?

    All surgery produces some type of incision line, but the Mohs technique is used to minimize damage and often results in an optimal cosmetic outcome.

    Will I need more than one procedure?

    One of the biggest benefits of Mohs treatment is that analysis is performed during the procedure. This enables your surgeon to be sure that all cancer cells have been removed. Because of this, both the surgery and the reconstruction can be performed in a single session in most cases, eliminating the need for a waiting period or additional procedures and recovery periods. In more complicated cases, or where critical facial regions are involved, it is often better to stage the Mohs surgery and the reconstruction process as two separate procedures.

    What are the risks of Mohs?

    As with any surgery, there are some risks involved with Mohs surgery, but they are very minor. Bleeding, infection, and visible incision lines can occur, but this is very rare. Mohs is a very safe surgery and is typically necessary for ensuring that skin cancer does not cause disfigurement.

    Are there other options for skin cancer surgery?

    Yes, there are other surgeries that are often used to treat skin cancer. Mohs surgery offers superior cure rates and better cosmetic results than either radiation therapy or conventional surgical excision.

    Are there some forms of cancer that cannot be treated with Mohs?

    Yes, some aggressive forms of skin cancer require other treatment plans, which may not involve Mohs surgery.

    How long does the Mohs procedure take?

    The length of your surgery will depend heavily on the treatment area. Most Mohs surgeries take less than an hour, on average.

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