Pre-Operative Instructions

• Unless specifically prescribed by another physician, do not take aspirin (Bayer Aspirin, Ecotrin, etc.) for 7–10 days prior to surgery. Please check with your prescribing doctor before stopping any medications.
• Do not take ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) for 3 days prior to surgery.
• Do NOT stop prescription blood thinners (such as warfarin, Plavix, Eliquis, Brilinta, Pradaxa, or similar medications) unless your prescribing doctor specifically instructs you to do so.
• Discontinue the following herbal supplements and vitamins 7–10 days prior to surgery: vitamin E (often part of a multivitamin), garlic, gingko biloba, ginseng, ginger, St. John’s wort.
• Discontinue all alcohol consumption at least 2 days prior to surgery.
• Discontinue or significantly reduce smoking or chewing tobacco at least 2 days prior to surgery.

• Mohs surgery may take an entire day, so plan your day accordingly.
• Please do not bring children, pets (except service animals), or loud audiovisual equipment with you (use of headphones is permitted).
• Out of consideration for other patients, please avoid strong fragrances. Do not wear makeup on the area to be treated.
• Eat a light breakfast and bring a lunch or a snack with you.
• Except as noted in the section above, take your regular morning medications. If prescribed, do not forget to take your blood pressure medications.
• Dress comfortably. Consider wearing older clothes, as there may be some spills on your clothes.
• Bring a book or a laptop with you to use while staying in the waiting area between stages. Free Wi-Fi is available in the waiting area.
• If the treatment area is near an eyelid, you will need someone to drive you home after surgery, as the surgical dressing may obstruct your field of vision.
• Please contact us at (817) 303-6647 if you have any questions about these instructions or if you need further clarification prior to your surgery.

Proper preparation helps reduce bleeding, lowers infection risk, and supports optimal wound healing after your procedure. These guidelines are based on standard dermatologic surgery safety practices and Dr. Berlin’s experience performing thousands of skin cancer procedures.