Endoscopic Brow Lift

How to Prepare for Surgery

We will have you come in for a pre-surgical appointment 1-2 weeks prior to your surgery date to go over post op instructions and give you a list of medications that will be called into your pharmacy. All prescriptions that are called in are to be taken after surgery. If you have someone that will be taking care of you, it is recommended that they come to this pre-surgical appointment to hear and understand post op instructions. We will provide one dose of arnica to help prevent bruising, which you can start taking 8 days prior to your procedure. If you would like to take another dose post-surgery, arnica supplements can be purchased at our office or in common drugstores. We recommend obtaining all necessary items before surgery, that way after surgery you can go straight home and rest.

What Can I Expect After Surgery?

• Facial swelling and bruising (particularly around the eyes) are normally present after a brow lift. Generally, swelling starts to minimize by 5-7 days.  We recommend sleeping in a reclined position for 3-5 days to help minimize swelling. 
• Your forehead, scalp, and other portions of your face that have been lifted and repositioned, will be slightly numb for several weeks to months.  Sensation will then return to these areas as your healing progresses. When the sensation starts returning, you may feel a “pins and needles” or an “itching” sensation. That is a sign that the nerve is recovering and is completely normal. Avoid exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures, as you risk burning the skin following surgery due to decreased sensation.
• You will leave the office on the day of your procedure with a head wrap that can be removed 24 hours after your procedure. You will not need to wear it after that.
• There will be staples in the scalp where the incisions were made that will be removed at your 2 week follow-up appointment. 
• The staples can be cleaned gently starting 3-5 days post-surgery. Use a gentle shampoo and keep the incisions as clean as possible to minimize chances of infection.

Prescriptions After Surgery  

• You will be prescribed medications based on your health history. 
• You will receive pain medication to use for the first 3-5 days after surgery.
• A prescription migraine medication will be prescribed that is oftentimes preferred to the pain medication.
• An antibiotic will be prescribed for you to start taking the day after surgery.
• An oral steroid will be prescribed to help reduce swelling.
• Anti-nausea medication will help limit any nausea you may experience after surgery.

Wound care for the surgical site

• The wound dressing may be removed after 24 hours. You may gently shampoo your hair 48-72 hours after surgery, but please be very gentle with the incisions. The incisions are closed with metal staples to reduce irritation to the hair follicles.  Be careful not to rub the staples as you wash or comb your hair. Blow-dry on a cold or warm setting until the staples have been removed. Please do not have hair treated with dyes for at least 4 weeks following surgery.
• Apply a thin layer of Aquaphor on the stapled sites multiple times each day.
• Once the staples are removed (usually 2 weeks after surgery), instructions on incision care will be provided including recommendations for scar treatment and protective sun care. 
• Since the incisions are in the hairline, ingrown hairs can appear and will be addressed as needed during the recovery period.

Activity Level after Surgery 

• Avoid any strenuous physical activity for one week. 
• You may return to school or light duty work (non-physical labor) between 1-2 weeks after surgery, or as tolerated. We can provide school or work notes as needed.
• Although you just had surgery, we recommend you do not stay in bed while awake to minimize the chances of blood clots forming in your legs.
• Try to transfer to a chair instead and walk throughout the house. You want to be as active as possible but avoid doing anything too strenuous.
• You can expect the swelling will worsen within the first 3-4 days after surgery, but then it will begin to subside.

What Happens at the Follow-Up Visits?

• You will have a follow up 5-7 days following the procedure to assess the incisions and overall healing progress. This should not be a very long appointment. 
• We have a Candela Vbeam Prima Perfecta Laser Machine that is a pulsed-dye laser (PDL) that will help remove dark red or purple bruising more quickly.
• We take photos at each follow-up appointment to keep track of your healing progression. 
• You will have a follow-up 2 weeks after surgery to have remaining sutures and staples removed.
• You may call or email at any time during your recovery if you have any questions or concerns between follow-up visits.

When Should I Call My Doctor? 

• If you have difficulty breathing 
• If you have difficulty closing your eyes after surgery 
• If you are unable to urinate 
• If you have severe pain that is not improved with medications 
• If you experience a rash, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, severe constipation, or other unexpected reactions 
• If you have an oral temperature over 100.5 degrees
• If you have a question or concern that must be addressed prior to the follow-up visit

Who Should I Call if I Have Questions? 

Please call our office at (972) 914-3660. You may also email photos or questions to info@dsa.live and someone will get in touch with you within 24-48 hours.