This is becoming more and more of a common scenario that a practice brings in a Mohs’ Surgeon to work in their office once a week or less. But is this best for you?
The simple answer is yes and no.
Let’s first look at the advantages of a visiting Mohs’ Surgeon. There is no additional paperwork to fill out, such as registration forms. You know where the office is, so it may be more convenient. And, we must be honest here, the Dermatology practice is making some money off of your surgery rather than referring you out. We have to be honest.
What are the disadvantages of a visiting Mohs’ Surgeon? First and foremost is that the surgeon is only there when he or she is there. If you have an problem or issue, which in most cases is not often, who will be there to address it? It is unlikely that you will see the surgeon as he or she is in a different location that can be far away. This is the question that you must ask and know the answer to. If there is an urgent problem–bleeding or a stitch pops–how can I and where will I see the surgeon tomorrow, the day after, etc? Again, this rarely happens, but if it does you must be informed of what you will need to do. Some surgeons do not bring their team with them. That means those assisting may be less experienced. This is not critical and has no major effect on your final outcome. Additionally, it is not likely that the Mohs’ surgeon is the best one and your Dermatologist is not likely to recommend another as they have a financial incentive for you to use their Mohs’ Surgeon.
So how do I choose a Mohs’ Surgeon?
Let me answer this question with a question. If you were going to get a facelift, would you find the best surgeon or go to the most convenient one? That is really the question. If you want the best, find the best. If you want the most convenient, then choose the most convenient with the understanding that if you have a complication, even if unlikely, it may be extremely inconvenient and time consuming to have it addressed. In the worst case scenario, you may be in the Emergency Room.