After surgery to removeskin cancer, you may have many concerns, one of which may be how you will look. This is especially true if the surgery was performed on a prominent and important area like your face.Reconstructive plastic surgery after skin cancer is a delicate and specialized type of surgery. It is important to ask a lot of questions and pay close attention to what your healthcare provider has to say about your options.The doctor who performs your Mohs surgery, also calledMohs micrographic surgery, to treat skin cancer may be able to complete your reconstruction when your lesion is removed, or you may be referred to a plastic surgeon for reconstructive surgery.This gallery contains Mohs surgery pictures before and after skin reconstruction. The photos may be graphic and/or unsettling to some. The before pictures have been takenafter Mohs surgeryto remove cancerous lesions from the face. The after pictures show results after reconstructive surgery to repair the defects left behind after the cancer was removed.

After surgery to removeskin cancer, you may have many concerns, one of which may be how you will look. This is especially true if the surgery was performed on a prominent and important area like your face.

Reconstructive plastic surgery after skin cancer is a delicate and specialized type of surgery. It is important to ask a lot of questions and pay close attention to what your healthcare provider has to say about your options.

The doctor who performs your Mohs surgery, also calledMohs micrographic surgery, to treat skin cancer may be able to complete your reconstruction when your lesion is removed, or you may be referred to a plastic surgeon for reconstructive surgery.

This gallery contains Mohs surgery pictures before and after skin reconstruction. The photos may be graphic and/or unsettling to some. The before pictures have been takenafter Mohs surgeryto remove cancerous lesions from the face. The after pictures show results after reconstructive surgery to repair the defects left behind after the cancer was removed.

Cheek and Eyelid Defect Reconstruction

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

This patient underwent a neck transposition flap and a forehead and cheek rotationflap procedureto close this large defect.

Upper Lip Defect ReconstructionThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Andrew Jacono, MD, FACSThis patient underwent a bilateral transposition flap, borrowing cheek skin to reconstruct the upper lip.

Upper Lip Defect Reconstruction

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Andrew Jacono, MD, FACS

Dr Jacono - Patient #2 Reconstructive surgery performed by New York board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Andrew Jacono, MD, FACS

This patient underwent a bilateral transposition flap, borrowing cheek skin to reconstruct the upper lip.

Multiple-Stage Nasal RepairThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Andrew Jacono, MD, FACSThis defect required a two-stage surgery using apedicled(stays attached to the donor site)paramedian(from above the inner corner of the brow) forehead flap. The second stage involved sectioning (separating) the flap attachment.

Multiple-Stage Nasal Repair

Patient #3 Reconstructive surgery performed by New York board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Andrew Jacono, MD, FACS

This defect required a two-stage surgery using apedicled(stays attached to the donor site)paramedian(from above the inner corner of the brow) forehead flap. The second stage involved sectioning (separating) the flap attachment.

Lower Lip ReconstructionThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Louis DeLuca, MD, FACSThis 76-year-old had an extensive defect involving the lower lip following the removal ofsquamous cell carcinoma. A lip advancement flap procedure was performed.The after photo shows an excellent result with the re-establishment of the lower lip continuity and minimal restriction in the mouth opening.

Lower Lip Reconstruction

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Louis DeLuca, MD, FACS

Patient #1 Reconstructive surgery performed by Louis DeLuca, MD, FACS, of Boca Raton, FL

This 76-year-old had an extensive defect involving the lower lip following the removal ofsquamous cell carcinoma. A lip advancement flap procedure was performed.

The after photo shows an excellent result with the re-establishment of the lower lip continuity and minimal restriction in the mouth opening.

Nasal Tip ReconstructionThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Louis DeLuca, MD, FACSThis 52-year-old had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from the right side of their nasal tip. Abilobedflap procedure was performed.The after photo shows the patient’s result six months after surgery with no distortion of the nasal anatomy.

Nasal Tip Reconstruction

Dr DeLuca - Patient #2 Reconstructive surgery performed by Louis DeLuca, MD, FACS, of Boca Raton, FL

This 52-year-old had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from the right side of their nasal tip. Abilobedflap procedure was performed.

The after photo shows the patient’s result six months after surgery with no distortion of the nasal anatomy.

Nasal Sidewall Reconstruction

This 67-year-old had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from the upper nasal sidewall. A bilobed flap procedure was performed.

The after photos show the patient immediately following surgery and again six months postoperative with no distortion of the nasal anatomy.

Nose ReconstructionThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Douglas S. Steinbrech, MD, FACSThe patient hadbasal cell canceron their nose, which wasremoved via Mohs surgery. Reconstruction was achieved using abilobedlocal rotation advancement flap procedure, meaning that the skin was brought together and rearranged on the nose using a two-lobed flap. That way, the contour of the nose itself would not be interrupted or unnaturally distorted.

Nose Reconstruction

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Douglas S. Steinbrech, MD, FACS

Dr Steinbrech - Patient #1 Reconstructive surgery performed by Douglas S. Steinbrech, MD, FACS, of New York, NY

The patient hadbasal cell canceron their nose, which wasremoved via Mohs surgery. Reconstruction was achieved using abilobedlocal rotation advancement flap procedure, meaning that the skin was brought together and rearranged on the nose using a two-lobed flap. That way, the contour of the nose itself would not be interrupted or unnaturally distorted.

Forehead ReconstructionThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Douglas S. Steinbrech, MD, FACSThe patient had squamous cell cancer on their forehead, which was removed via Mohs surgery. Reconstruction was achieved using a local advancement flap procedure. The skin was brought together and rearranged above the brow so that the brow itself would not be interrupted or unnaturally elevated.The post-op photo was taken at seven days, in the early stages of healing. The scar will fade significantly over time.

Forehead Reconstruction

Dr Steinbrech - Patient #2 Reconstructive surgery performed by Douglas S. Steinbrech, MD, FACS, of New York, NY

The patient had squamous cell cancer on their forehead, which was removed via Mohs surgery. Reconstruction was achieved using a local advancement flap procedure. The skin was brought together and rearranged above the brow so that the brow itself would not be interrupted or unnaturally elevated.

The post-op photo was taken at seven days, in the early stages of healing. The scar will fade significantly over time.

Upper Lip ReconstructionThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Douglas S. Steinbrech, MD, FACSThe 28-year-old patient had squamous cell cancer above the top lip, which was removed via Mohs surgery. Reconstruction was achieved using a T-pattern (also called an “O to T flap”) complex closure, meaning that the skin was brought together and rearranged above the red (vermillionborder) of the lip so that the lip itself would not be interrupted or bunched.

Upper Lip Reconstruction

Dr Steinbrech - Patient #3 Reconstructive surgery performed by Douglas S. Steinbrech, MD, FACS, of New York, NY

The 28-year-old patient had squamous cell cancer above the top lip, which was removed via Mohs surgery. Reconstruction was achieved using a T-pattern (also called an “O to T flap”) complex closure, meaning that the skin was brought together and rearranged above the red (vermillionborder) of the lip so that the lip itself would not be interrupted or bunched.

Reconstruction Above LipThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Jacob D. Steiger, MDReconstruction was achieved using a lip advancement “island” flap procedure (also known as an “island pedicle flap”) wherein the flap remains attached to the donor site only via its blood vessels.

Reconstruction Above Lip

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Jacob D. Steiger, MD

Dr Steiger - Patient #1 Reconstructive surgery performed by Jacob D. Steiger, MD, of Delray Beach, FL

Reconstruction was achieved using a lip advancement “island” flap procedure (also known as an “island pedicle flap”) wherein the flap remains attached to the donor site only via its blood vessels.

Forehead ReconstructionThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Jacob D. Steiger, MDReconstruction was achieved using a forehead advancement flap procedure.

Dr Steiger - Patient #2 Reconstructive surgery performed by Jacob D. Steiger, MD, of Delray Beach, FL

Reconstruction was achieved using a forehead advancement flap procedure.

Paramedian ReconstructionThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhotos ©Jacob D. Steiger, MDReconstruction was achieved using a paramedian forehead flap procedure, in which the flap is taken from a section of tissue extending vertically upward from just above the inner corner of the brow.

Paramedian Reconstruction

Dr Steiger - Patient #3 Reconstructive surgery performed by Jacob D. Steiger, MD, of Delray Beach, FL

Reconstruction was achieved using a paramedian forehead flap procedure, in which the flap is taken from a section of tissue extending vertically upward from just above the inner corner of the brow.

Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

The amount of time that is needed for recovery can vary. It is dependent upon how much tissue was removed during the Mohs surgery, and if any other reconstructive surgery is needed.

Reconstruction may be necessary after Mohs. Sometimes a larger area may need to be removed, which requires more extensive surgery to repair. Not only is this cosmetic, but it may also help improve the function of the part of the face that was affected.

3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tolkachjov SN, Brodland DG, Coldiron BM, et al.Understanding Mohs micrographic surgery: a review and practical guide for the nondermatologist.Mayo Clin Proc.2017;92(8):1261-1271. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.04.009David AP, Miller MQ, Park SS, Christophel JJ.Comparison of outcomes of early vs delayed graft reconstruction of Mohs micrographic surgery defects.JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2019;21(2):89-94. doi:10.1001/jamafacial.2018.1204Blue Cross Blue Shield.Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

3 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tolkachjov SN, Brodland DG, Coldiron BM, et al.Understanding Mohs micrographic surgery: a review and practical guide for the nondermatologist.Mayo Clin Proc.2017;92(8):1261-1271. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.04.009David AP, Miller MQ, Park SS, Christophel JJ.Comparison of outcomes of early vs delayed graft reconstruction of Mohs micrographic surgery defects.JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2019;21(2):89-94. doi:10.1001/jamafacial.2018.1204Blue Cross Blue Shield.Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Tolkachjov SN, Brodland DG, Coldiron BM, et al.Understanding Mohs micrographic surgery: a review and practical guide for the nondermatologist.Mayo Clin Proc.2017;92(8):1261-1271. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.04.009David AP, Miller MQ, Park SS, Christophel JJ.Comparison of outcomes of early vs delayed graft reconstruction of Mohs micrographic surgery defects.JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2019;21(2):89-94. doi:10.1001/jamafacial.2018.1204Blue Cross Blue Shield.Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Tolkachjov SN, Brodland DG, Coldiron BM, et al.Understanding Mohs micrographic surgery: a review and practical guide for the nondermatologist.Mayo Clin Proc.2017;92(8):1261-1271. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.04.009

David AP, Miller MQ, Park SS, Christophel JJ.Comparison of outcomes of early vs delayed graft reconstruction of Mohs micrographic surgery defects.JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2019;21(2):89-94. doi:10.1001/jamafacial.2018.1204

Blue Cross Blue Shield.Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

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