In the treatment of certain types of skin cancers, Mohs surgery is thought to be the gold standard. It is vital for patients to work with an experienced and skilled Mohs surgeon for best outcomes.

At the time of the pre-operative consultation, the Mohs surgeon will explain the steps involved in the procedure.

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness and Jackie McGinness, FNP (Nurse Practitioner) provide skin care treatments to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding communities.

Step 1

Depending on the location of their skin cancer, the patient may be able to wear their normal clothes or put on a hospital gown.

The Mohs surgeon will assess the site where the patient had their biopsy and may use a pen to mark it for reference. The surgeon will position the patient to gain the best access to the treatment site, which may include lying down or sitting up.

A surgical drape will be placed over the treatment area. However, the patient will not be able to view the proceedings if skin cancer is present on the face. But the surgeon will talk them through it. They will numb the area completely by injecting a local anesthetic.

The patient will remain conscious during the procedure.

Step 2

The surgeon will remove a thin layer of visible cancerous tissue using a scalpel. For some skin cancers, this may be the “the tip of the iceberg,” which means that they have roots ore extensions that cannot be seen from the surface.

The ensuing lab analysis will establish whether this is the case. Then the surgeon will temporarily bandage the wound, and the patient can relax as the lab investigation commences.

Step 3

The surgeon dissects the tissue in multiple sections, color codes them using dyes, and develops a map of the surgical site. Following this, the lab technician freezes the dissected tissue and cuts extremely thin horizontal slices similar to a layer of cake.

These slices are then mounted on microscopic slides, stained, and covered. This is quite a detailed and time-consuming process.

Step 4

The surgeon will assess all the sides as well as the underside of the tissue placed on the slides. If any cancer cells remain, they will mark the area on the map. The surgeon will then let the patient know whether they will need another layer of tissue to be eliminated.

Step 5

The surgeon will administer more anesthetic in the operating room, if necessary. They will then remove another layer of skin in the area where the cancer cells are located on the basis of the map.

The patient will then wait as the lab work will commence. This process will be repeated until the surgeon attains cancer-free margins.

Step 6

When no more cancer cells remain, the surgeon may leave the wound open or suture it, depending on its location and size. At times, the wound may require reconstruction using the flap technique. The surgeon will move the adjacent tissue into the wound or use a skin graft.

For most patients, the Mohs surgeon will repair the wound immediately after achieving clear margins. But sometimes they may repair the wound working with another specialist.

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness and Jackie McGinness, FNP (Nurse Practitioner) receive patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and nearby areas for skin care procedures.
If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

In Mohs surgery, a specially trained doctor eliminates one thin skin tissue layer at a time and then examines it under a microscope.

If there are any cancer cells seen, the surgeon removes another skin layer from the precise area on the skin where cancer cells remain. This process is repeated until no more cancer cells remain.  

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness and Jackie McGinness, FNP (Nurse Practitioner) provide skin care treatments to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding locations.

The Preparation

For Mohs surgery candidates, it is vital to take note of any existing medical conditions. For instance, if a patient has an artificial joint or a heart murmur, they should consult their primary care doctor to understand whether pre-op antibiotics are required.

Patients with a pre-existing cardiovascular condition should speak to their physician as well. They may or may not direct them to discontinue any blood thinners.

For patients who do not have any pre-existing conditions, there are still certain things to keep in mind. Specialists recommend discontinuing aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, including ibuprofen, for a minimum of seven days before the procedure.

Patients should also avoid consuming alcohol and taking vitamin E supplements a few days ahead of the procedure as well.

The patient should get plenty of sleep and a normal breakfast on the day of the procedure. It is not necessary as local anesthesia is used for the surgery.

On the day of the Mohs procedure, it is advisable for the patient to clear their schedule for the day as the process may take time.  The patient may also want to ask a family member or friend to accompany them to the procedure. In case the surgery is on the face, it should be makeup free.

Tobacco and Blood Thinners

The patient will need to avoid tobacco use in any form for a specified duration prior to the Mohs surgery. The nicotine in tobacco smoke impedes the smooth flow of oxygen in the blood, which causes an increase in surgical risks and the probability of delayed healing.

In case the patient has been taking any blood thinners such as aspirin or NSAIDs or specific herbal supplements and vitamin E, they may need to stop using these for some time. The surgeon may also need to alter the schedule of prescription medications in discussion with the prescribing doctor.

Practical Arrangements

Working professionals should apply for leave from their workplace for a few days beforehand. Non-working patients will also need to adjust their social interactions for a later date.

In addition, the patient should arrange for a responsible person to drive them back after the procedure. They may also arrange for aftercare for the initial few days of recovery, if necessary.

The patient should ideally complete any pressing home or office related tasks beforehand to enjoy a relaxed post-op recovery phase. They may also consider preparing a recovery kit at home, containing the following items:

• Prescription meds and antibiotics
• Over the counter pain drugs
• Bandages
• Loose fitting, front-open clothes
• Favorite movie DVDs or music CDs

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness and Jackie McGinness, FNP (Nurse Practitioner) receive patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and nearby areas for skin care procedures.
If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

Dr. Jamie McGinness is a specialist in Mohs surgery, which is the most effective and successful treatment for most types of skin cancer. The procedure has an unprecedented cure rate of up to 99 percent.

The judicious Dr. McGinness also offers patients other cutting-edge surgical and non-surgical treatments for serious skin conditions. He has extensive training, commitment to excellent patient care, and a dedicated approach to working closely with the patient and their referring doctor throughout the treatment.

This ensures that the patients receive best quality care and advanced procedures necessary to restore their skin to full health.

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness and Jackie McGinness, FNP (Nurse Practitioner) provide skin care treatments to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding communities.

Qualifications

Dr. Jamie McGinness has a board certification in Dermatology as well as fellowship training in Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

He completed his residency in Dermatology, where he also served as chief resident, in the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.

He has also received the following specialized training:

• Training in Mohs Micrographic Surgery at the Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Leawood, KS
• Advanced dermatopathology training at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Cincinnati, OH
• Advanced Mohs and reconstructive surgical training with Dr. Tri Nguyen, a world-recognized Mohs surgeon, in Houston, TX

The reliable Dr. McGinness has undertaken over 3,000 cases using the Mohs technique after receiving fellowship training in this advanced procedure. In the most recent five years, he has been treating patients in the central Illinois area.

Expertise in Mohs Surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery is a cutting-edge and effective treatment for various types of skin cancer. The Mohs technique is thought to be the gold standard in the treatment of skin cancer. This procedure involves the surgical elimination of skin cancer in a layer by layer manner.

In this procedure, each layer is examined under a microscope until the malignant tissue is entirely removed and the margins are clear (the tissue around the tumor is free of cancer).

More traditional methods of skin cancer treatment estimate the extent of the tissue to treat while the Mohs procedure examines 100 percent of the tumor enabling Dr. McGinness to take only the necessary amount of tissue to make sure that the cancer is entirely eliminated.

This technique helps minimize the amount of healthy tissue removed and enhances the aesthetic results. Dr. McGinness performs general dermatology as well as surgical dermatology procedures.

Patients experiencing a skin concern are encouraged to reach out to Dr. McGinness, who specializes in cutting-edge medical and surgical dermatologic services.

He offers innovative surgical, medical, and non-surgical treatments for various skin conditions and consults with both general dermatology and surgical dermatology patients.

Commitment to Personalized Care and Attention

Dr. McGinness’ patients agree that he provides a personal touch to their medical care, which is very rare in today’s world. He truly treats patients like members of his own family.

His motto, in fact, is to “always do the right thing.” Patients do not have any doubts about his compassion, excellence, and sincerity. He constantly endeavors to be the leader in his field and provide patients the most superior treatments for their skin cancers and overall dermatologic requirements.

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness and Jackie McGinness, FNP (Nurse Practitioner) receive patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and nearby areas for skin care procedures.

If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.

Dr. Jamie McGinness is a dedicated dermatology specialist who is also fellowship trained in Mohs Micrographic Surgery.  He completed his residency in dermatology from the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.

Dr. McGinness offers general dermatology as well as surgical dermatology procedures.

Patients who are experiencing a specific skin issue can expect to receive top-notch treatment from Dr. McGinness, who specializes in cutting-edge medical and dermatologic surgical services.

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness and Jackie McGinness, FNP (Nurse Practitioner) provide skin care treatments to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding locations.

Patient-Centric Approach

Dr. McGinness offers the most advanced surgical, non-surgical, and medical treatments for various skin conditions.

His patients concur that he provides a personal touch to their medical care, which is a rarity in a competitive world where specialists are often hard-pressed for time. But Dr. McGinness treats patients as if they were a part of his own family.

His motto to “always do the right thing” offers an insight into his professional working. Patients have no doubts about his compassion, sincerity, and excellence. He always strives to offer patients the most innovative solutions for their skin cancer as well as overall dermatologic necessities.

Dr. McGinness is a specialist in medical dermatology for various skin conditions. Some of the common skin conditions he treats are as follows:

• Benign Lesions
• Acne Treatment
• Rashes
• Moles & Growths
• Overall Skin Checks
• Psoriasis
• Wart Removal

Why Choose a Board Certified Dermatologist?

Dr. Jamie McGinness is board certified in dermatology. This is a prestigious certification that only a select few dermatologists attain every year. A board certification offers an automatic guarantee to patients that the surgeon would have received a minimum number of years of training in dermatology.

Board certified dermatologists usually invest in top quality standards and best practices, adopt safe and predictable techniques, pursue continuing education, and follow the most recent safety protocols to offer their patients with the best possible results.

Personal Qualities of a Good Dermatologist

Patients should seek the following qualities when choosing a dermatologist:

• Warm, compassionate, caring, and easy to talk to
• Inclined to educate the patient on all aspects of the procedure
• Impassioned about creating a positive difference in a patient’s life through dermatological procedures
• Offering personalized care and attention to every patient
• Capability to understand the innate aesthetic needs, goals, aspirations, and desires of the patient
• Has an in-depth understanding of various medical and cosmetic skin conditions
• Possesses a sense of form, balance, and proportion along with an artistic outlook
• Makes use of cutting-edge technology to make sure that the procedure is minimally invasive and causes little to no scarring

In addition, a dermatologist should be able to display before and after pictures of previous skin care procedure patients as well as testimonials from past patients.

Customized Care and Attention

The prudent Dr. McGinness offers a personal touch to the dermatologic care of each patient. He treats patients as a part of his own family and combines his professional skills and acumen with the humane attributes of compassion and empathy.  

The dependable Dr. McGinness will never follow a “cookie cutter” or “off-the-rack” approach to dermatology. He will cautiously assess the patient’s condition, hear their concerns, learn about their personal objectives, and incorporate their unique needs to develop a customized dermatology treatment plan for best outcomes.

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness and Jackie McGinness, FNP (Nurse Practitioner) receive patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and nearby areas for skin care procedures.
If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)

Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.