Do I only need a support person to pick me up after MOHS surgery?

@pjs7: First of all, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sorry to hear about your SCC; many of us here have been down that road so are very familiar with having to undergo Mohs. I've had quite a few myself and the last time I did not have my spouse stay with me the entire time. However, policies vary from facilty to facilty and I'm uncertain as to what Quality Care is. If it's a branch of your insurance or something similar, you'd be best to verify directly with the provider who is carrying out the procedure to avoid encountering the scenario you're concerned about - having the procedure canceled the day of.

Can you explain more about Quality Care or who it is you talked to about this? Is this what the provider and/or their office rep who is going to be performing the Mohs state about the requirements for the procedure?

Quality Care is company that serves the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I saw it recommended by someone here on Connect. The reason I was concerned is that the information/procedure sheets I received advised having someone with you through the entire procedure but I was able to talk to someone in the dermatology department this morning and they said it was ok to come alone as long as you have someone to pick you up after the procedure (in case a sedative is used) so I do have that arranged with Quality Care now and guess I’m all set. Thank you for responding to my post!

You aren't put under at all so why would you need a driver? I've had 2 and never had a need for anyone else to be there. The anesthetic is local.

@pjs7
Though I have never had a procedure in dermatology, I have had other procedures in other areas (GI) where I am given anesthesia. I am always by myself when I arrive. Even though I live locally, I do not want to inconvenience anyone by sitting in the lobby for hours. When I arrive, the nurse asks if I have someone as a contact person. I give them the name and phone number. They want to make sure you will not leave and try to drive.

After the procedure, I either walk to the pick-up area or they provide a wheelchair with a transporter to take me there. Some may require the companion to be present at discharge.

Every dept is different, just like every procedure. You did the right thing by checking with dermatology and arranging for a companion.

Please come back and let us know about your experience.

Thank you for this information. It was very helpful. Yes, I feel better knowing I will have a companion to walk me (or take me in a wheelchair) back to my room at the Kahler Inn and Suites. I’m sure I’ll be tired after what could be a pretty long day. I will let you know how it turns out.

@bajjerfan: I'm glad to hear you had a good experience with Mohs procedures and you tolerated your local anesthetic well. In some cases, people undergoing such procedures may require additional oral sedatives or pain relievers to assist with anxiety or discomfort, in which case operatating motor vehicles afterwards would not be advised. Additonally, if the area treated was on the face with the bandaging required in the area, there's potential vision could be impaired. This is why it is always wise to check directly with the medical professional performing the procedure to see what post-op instructions are indicated in each case. Hope that helps in understanding why in some cases a driver is needed afterwards.

@grammato3
I didn't have my Mohs procedure locally as the wait to get it done was way too long. I drove maybe 40 miles. Never needed any extra attention medwise.
Funny thing here locally is that taking a cab home after being put under isn't allowed.

@bajjerfan: You bring up another good point - why it is generally neither advisable or allowed by many institutions not to discharge a patient via taxi or any type of ride share after having general anesthesia (or "put under") or any type of sedation that would leave the individual in a state that may otherwise leave them somewhat impaired. This is because it can leave one in a condition that clouds judgment, affects decision making or renders one unable to tend to any type of medical event that may occur. A third party driver that has no relation to the patient would neither be expected to render such oversight and could potentially be in a position to take advantage of such a person.
It may sound inconvenient on some level, but does that help to explain this type of policy?

If I'm advised a driver is needed I have a family member drop me off and pick me up. Not so long ago I had thumb surgery in an OR. Wasn't put under so I drove there and back home.

I have had several MOH's done on my face and one on the chest and I always drove myself. I never needed any kind of anxiety medication.
I am scheduled for a CT scan with contrast in November and since I have had hives in the past, I need to premedicate. They also want me to take Benadryl which recommends not driving after so I will stay overnight in Rochester for that.
I had a colonoscopy with general anesthesia done in Rochester. I stayed in hotel across the street from the hospital. After some time in the hospital recovery room, I just walked across the street and stayed the night in the hotel to avoid driving. I told them I was going to do that and they were fine with it.
I drive myself because my potential rides work and I don't want them to take time off from work.