We look forward to seeing your for your appointment. To help it go as smoothly as possible, please arrive 20 - 30 minutes prior to your appointment. We encourage you to print and complete the patient forms (click here for forms) and bring them to your appointment and provide them to our receptionists upon registration. For your surgical visit, please see below.
Before Your Visit
Our goal at MDC is to ensure your total comfort and understanding of any surgical procedure.
Your Preoperative Visit
Prior to scheduling the surgery, you may visit with the doctor, who will answer any questions you have and will discuss the procedure in greater detail. Your doctor will examine your skin cancer, obtain your medical history and make an assessment to determine the most beneficial and effective treatment. Your doctor will also give you material to take home and read prior to the procedure.
Surgery Preparation
Because we want all of our patients to be as comfortable, relaxed and informed as possible, we recommend that you read all information we provide to you regarding the procedure, ask questions, and follow the pre-op guidelines given to you during your first visit.
Prior to surgery, it is important to be well rested, to eat a good breakfast and to plan to spend a few hours at our facility. We also suggest that someone accompany you to drive you home.
After Your Visit
In order to facilitate the healing process, it's very important to take good care of yourself following your procedure. Memphis Dermatology Clinic will provide you with detailed information on how to care for your wound in the weeks following surgery. However, you should plan on wearing a dressing for approximately one to two weeks, while avoiding any strenuous activities.
Healing
Your surgical scar will heal in one to two weeks. Immediately following surgery, you may experience minimal pain, which can be managed with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Significant blood loss following this type of surgery is rare, but if you experience bleeding, please contact our office. The area may feel swollen or even lumpy, especially during the first few months.
Follow-Up Visits
We will make periodic follow-up appointments for you until your wound has healed. It's important to know that once you have developed a skin cancer, you are more susceptible to developing additional skin cancers in the future. If you notice any suspicious areas, contact your doctor for an evaluation.