Mohs surgery is performed by anesthetizing the skin with a local anesthetic followed by removing a thin layer of skin involved with the cancer. This process generally takes about 15 minutes. A cauterizing machine which generates heat will be used to stop the bleeding. The surgical assistant will dress the wound and ask that you proceed to the waiting room while the tissue is being prepared for microscopic examination which takes approximately 1- 1.5 hours. If the examination of the tissue reveals that your tissue still contains cancer cells, the procedure will be repeated. Several surgical excisions and microscopic examinations may be performed in one day. The average number of surgical sessions for most skin cancers is two or three, so most patients are finished by mid-afternoon. When the skin cancer has been determined to be completely removed, recommendations on the best closure choice for the wound will be discussed.