On the Day of Your Mohs Surgery

What to Bring

• Water bottle
• Lunch and snacks that do not need to be refrigerated as well as utensils
• All prescription medications that need to be taken during the day including insulin
• 2 Extra-Strength Tylenol
• Ativan pill for anxiety if needed
• Antibiotics or antivirals we have prescribed for infection
• Small lock for your locker
• Warm blanket – the surgical centre is kept cool at 20C as per provincial recommendations and  guidelines to  reduce the risk of infection
• Entertainment material: books, magazines, tablets with movies or music, earphones
• Please note: there is NO WIFI in the surgical centre

What to wear on the day of surgery

• Leave all jewelry and valuables at home
• Do not wear any makeup, creams or perfume
• Wear warm, comfortable clothing including that do not require pulling over your head such as a shirt or sweater that unbuttons or unzips
• Wear comfortable, closed toe shoes
• Wear eyeglasses if you require them. Do not wear contact lenses for surgery around the eyes.
• Bring a wide brimmed hat to wear after surgery if you are also having photodynamic therapy for skin cancer prevention on the same day as your surgery
• Please note: Clothing and shoes generally do not to be removed but may become soiled with blood and body fluids. Wallets, watches and cellular telephones are permitted, however you may be asked to store bulky items that do not fit in your pockets in a locker.

Parking at Healthy Skin Surgical Centre

• We are located at building 223 on Nelson’s Crescent in New Westminster.
• Paid parking is available at P1 and P2 under the Save-On-Foods and TD bank on Columbia Street but parkade access is via Nelson’s Crescent only.
• Consider paying till 6pm if your ride will be staying with you as surgery can be up to 6 hours or more depending on the complexity of your case.
• Note that from the underground parking on P1 and P2, there are TWO towers – 223 and 233 – each with their own elevator.
• Make sure to go to the elevator to the SOUTH TOWER for building 223.
• Take the elevator up to the 3rd floor and turn right to suite 310.

Patient Registration

• Our surgical receptionist will be at the check in counter to greet you and to do a COVID 19 screening.
• They will check you in and provide you with surgical bracelet.
• You will wait in the common waiting area till called into Healthy Skin Centre by one of our surgical nurses.
• Accompanying family or friends are free to leave or wait for you in the common waiting area just outside Healthy Skin Centre.
• Once inside the surgical centre, one of our nurses will take your vital signs before accompanying you to an operating room to begin your surgery.

Contact Us if you are Running Late

• Your surgery may be cancelled if you are late and we are unable to reach you within 15 minutes of your scheduled appointment
• Arrive at the check-in area between 7:45 – 8:00 am
• Use the washroom in the general waiting area hall before you are called into the surgical centre.
• Contact our office if you are running late.

Getting Home after Surgery

• We will call the person who will be driving you home after surgery once your skin cancer has been completely removed and surgery is complete. We do not recommend you drive yourself home or take public transit.

Located in New Westminster, British Columbia, Healthy Skin Centre serves clients from Vancouver, Port Moody, Coquitlam, Burnaby, and the Greater Vancouver Area. Call us at 604.553.7546 (SKIN) to learn more about your Mohs treatment.