When skin cancer appears on the face or another visible area, removal is only half the story — how the skin is restored afterward shapes how you feel for years to come. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Marco Ellis partners with Chicago’s most respected Mohs surgeons to deliver refined, aesthetic reconstruction at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. With advanced fellowship training in facial reconstruction and an artist’s eye for detail, Dr. Ellis helps patients heal beautifully after skin cancer treatment — protecting both their health and their appearance.
What Is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery is widely regarded as the gold-standard treatment for many skin cancers, especially those on the face, ears, scalp, and hands. A fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon removes cancerous tissue one thin layer at a time, examining each section under a microscope until only healthy skin remains. This meticulous approach offers one of the highest cure rates available while sparing as much surrounding tissue as possible — making it ideal for cosmetically sensitive areas of the body.
Why Reconstruction Matters After Mohs
Because Mohs surgery is so precise, it often leaves an open wound in a highly visible location. Thoughtful reconstruction is essential to restoring a natural appearance. Dr. Ellis works hand in hand with Chicago’s leading Mohs dermatologists to plan and perform reconstruction the same day or shortly after tumor removal. His goal is simple: close the wound while preserving — and often enhancing — the way you look and feel.
Skin Cancers Commonly Treated With Mohs
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Melanoma in situ (select cases)
- Recurrent or aggressive tumors
- Lesions on the nose, lips, eyelids, ears, and other sensitive areas
The Reconstruction Process
Once the Mohs surgeon confirms clear margins, Dr. Ellis evaluates the defect and selects the most refined closure technique for your skin type, location, and lifestyle. Options range from primary closure and local flaps to skin grafts, cartilage grafts, tissue expansion, and microsurgical free flaps for larger defects. Most reconstructions are performed in the office under local anesthesia with optional oral sedation, while more complex cases take place at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Feinberg or Prentice pavilions.
Recovery and Scar Care
Dr. Ellis follows every patient closely throughout healing using a structured scar-prevention algorithm designed to minimize hypertrophic scarring and keloid formation. Treatments may include silicone therapy, steroid or anti-inflammatory injections, and laser therapy to soften pigment changes and reduce raised tissue. This attentive aftercare is what helps incisions fade quietly into the natural contours of your face.
Why Choose Dr. Marco Ellis?
Dr. Marco Ellis is a board-certified plastic surgeon recognized for impeccable technique, artistic vision, and a warm, patient-first approach. With advanced training in facial reconstruction and longstanding partnerships with Chicago’s top Mohs surgeons, he helps patients move beyond skin cancer with results that look natural — never surgical. From your first consultation through your final follow-up, you’ll experience care designed around both your health and your confidence.
Ready to restore your appearance after skin cancer? Call (312) 695-6022 to schedule your Mohs reconstruction consultation with Dr. Marco Ellis today.