Mohs Case Study

What is Mohs Surgery?

How did you discover you
needed Mohs surgery?

I found out that I needed Mohs surgery many years ago, probably 25 years ago or so. I developed a little red spot on my nose and it wouldn’t go away so I consulted a dermatologist at that time. The dermatologist suggested that I get a biopsy, which I did and it turned out to be basal cell carcinoma. He then recommended, actually I asked him what options I had to remove the basal cell carcinoma and among the options was Mohs surgery which is the least invasive kind of surgery for skin cancer. So I then asked for a recommendation. This was all up north, in New York, and he sent me to the top Mohs surgeon at the time. He was the head of the department at NYU Medical school and that’s where it all began and then I had the Mohs surgery which is very successful.

Please describe your sun exposure history.

What is it like working with Dr. Sax?

Working with Dr.Sax is a wonderful experience. He’s patient, he’s considerate. He will discuss the procedure with you at length if you have questions, or if you’re upset he will set you at ease. He has wonderful bedside manner in addition to his terrific skills and that’s a combination that’s hard to resist. During the recovery, you come back to see Dr.Sax for the removal of the sutures and as I recall, that’s about it. If there’s any problem,Dr.Sax says call, immediately come over and he will take another look but I’ve never had a problem post-surgery. I went unequivocally recommend Dr.Sax to other patients A, because he is skilled, even if he did not have good bedside manner, the skills alone would be sufficient to recommend him. But his bedside manner is terrific. He makes you comfortable and you don’t even feel like you’re going to have surgery.

How did you find Dr. Sax?

I choose Dr.Sax first of all, it was a matter of luck. I moved down to Sarasota and was looking for a good dermatologist because I had skin problems in the pats up north and it had been taken care of by the best surgeons in the area. I was driving down University Parkway one day and I saw a sign on the side of the road that said Dr.Sax dermatologist. Very convenient so I figured I would check on Dr.Sax’s credentials. I did that and found out he was extremely well qualified as a mohs surgeon. There’s a process that a surgeon has to go through to become mohs certified. Then I made an appointment with Dr.Sax. He was very happy when I met him. He answered all of my questions. He was very patient and that’s how I found him.

What does Mohs surgery feel like? How long does it take?

Describe the process of Mohs surgery…

Was there any scarring?

What is the recovery from
Mohs surgery like?

What is your opinion of Dr. David Sax?

Case Study provided by Sarasota photographer Steve Schadt