WHAT IS SKIN CANCER RECONSTRUCTION?
If you are diagnosed with a type of skin cancer, your doctor may recommend surgery as the best option for removing the cancer and preventing its spread. Depending on the type of skin cancer and how much skin and tissue around the cancer needs to be removed, your doctor may recommend reconstructive surgery to replace the skin and tissue and to minimize scarring.
This may include Mohs surgery, which is known as the most effective treatment for most types of skin cancer. This procedure removes the cancerous tissue and minimizes the loss of healthy tissue.
WHAT IS A BIOPSY?
A biopsy is a procedure that involves taking a small sample of your skin or tissue and sending it to a specialist called a dermatopathologist for diagnosis.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY BIOPSY COMES BACK AS SKIN CANCER?
We will call you with the results of your biopsy. If it comes back as skin cancer, don’t panic. We will schedule you to meet with a Mohs surgeon for removal and on the same day we will close the defect.
WHAT IS MOHS?
Mohs is a highly effective technique for excising certain types of skin cancers that are located in cosmetically or functionally high risk areas of the body. The surgeon removes the lesion, then immediately looks at it under a microscope to make sure it has been completely removed. If any of the cancer remains, the process is repeated until the lesion is totally removed.
WHO ARE DR. TALIAFERRO AND DR. LEAKE?
Dr. Taliaferro and Dr. Leake are partners of Dr. Towne and Dr. Brennan. Dr. Taliaferro is a board-certified Otolaryngologist, who specializes in Mohs surgery. Dr. Leake is board certified in Otolaryngology as well as Facial Plastic Surgery. They work as a team for Mohs procedures, where Dr. Taliaferro will perform the Mohs, and Dr. Leake will complete the closure, or reconstruction. The entire procedure will be completed at one location, you will not have to go to two separate offices for the procedure then the closure.
WHERE DO I GO FOR MY MOHS PROCEDURE?
The office is called North Florida Center for Otolaryngology. The address is 3 San Bartola Dr., St. Augustine, FL 32086. The phone number is (904) 823-8823. Please feel free to call if you need further directions.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY MOHS PROCEDURE?
It is important that you stop taking any over-the-counter medications or dietary supplements that act as a blood thinner, such as NSAIDs, aspirin, flaxseed oil, fish oil and vitamin E, approximately one week to 10 days prior to your procedure. If you are prescribed a blood thinner by your physician, you must call their office to ask if and when you can stop taking it. Do not stop taking your prescription blood thinner unless directed to do so by your physician.
Mohs procedures can be lengthy in some cases, so you may want to bring a light snack and a good book. It can be chilly in the procedure room, so you may want to dress in layers or bring a light sweater. We want you to be comfortable during your procedure and we will make every effort to meet or exceed your expectations.
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES BELOW
BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS
SKIN CANCER RECONSTRUCTION IN ST. AUGUSTINE
Dr. Leake is happy to provide the people of St. Augustine with expert surgical care. Our procedures are fast, precise, and offer natural looking results. Make an appointment to discuss Skin Cancer Reconstruction or Mohs by calling (904) 810-5434 or submitting your information via the form below.