FOREHEAD LIFT/ENDOSCOPIC BROWLIFT

INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING SURGERY

IMMEDIATELY AFTER SURGERY

SLEEPING
1. a. Rest quietly in bed with head raised on 2 - 3 pillows.

b. Do not sleep on your sides or stomach for 4-6 weeks.

BRUISING AND SWELLING
2. a. You will wake up with a helmet dressing on your head (i.e. bandages) and you may
have some drains/tubes inserted in the back of this dressing, although this is not always the
case.

b. Also your vision is likely to be blurred (for eyelid/brow surgery) because of an ophthalmic
ointment in the eyes and swelling from the surgery.

c. Stay in the company of a responsible adult.

d. Bruising and swelling usually comes down into the upper eyelids leaving the forehead free
of any bruising.

e. The amount of swelling varies from patient to patient.

f. It is often worse the second day after surgery, so do not panic for the majority of swelling
will quickly disappear in 1 week.

g. Obvious bruises and much of the swelling subside in 2 - 3 weeks generally. Your result is
best at 6-8 weeks but you can usually return to work in 2-3 weeks.

h. After eyelid and facial surgery, it is not uncommon for the eyelids to become swollen.
Continue applying ice packs to the eyes and face for 48 hours continuously and
intermittently for 1 week (e.g. whilst watching TV during the “ads”). Ice can be heavy on
the eyes, so you can use ice cubes in a bowl of water and soak gauze squares. Alternatively,
ice pack or frozen peas are good for the brow area.

PAIN AND MEDICATIONS
3. a. Soreness and headaches are normal for 1 -2 weeks. Pain is unusual and should not persist
for longer than 1-2 weeks and if it does, pain killers should be prescribed.

b. For pain, take Panadeine Forte, one to two tablets every three to four hours (not more than
eight per day).

c. No drinking of alcohol, driving or operating machinery after an anaesthetic or while on
medications for pain.

d. Do not make any legal decisions while under the influence of medications or immediately
after surgery.

e. Do not take Aspirin, Vitamin E or any medication containing Aspirin for at least two
weeks after surgery.

f. Do not drive while taking strong analgesics for discomfort or pain.

g. Commence hormone replacement therapy after discussing this with the doctor.

DIET
4. a. A light diet is best, not too rich, on the night after surgery to avoid vomiting after
anaesthetics.

b. No chewing of hard foods or tough foods for the first week after surgery.

c. You are to stay on a light diet. Failure to follow this rule may cause severe swelling,
haematoma (collection of blood under the skin) and/or breakage of the deep stitches of the
face.

d. No smoking for at least two weeks after surgery, to avoid coughing.

ACTIVITY
5. a. During the first 48 hours, bed rest is recommended and is the most convenient position to
apply ice compresses.

b. During the first 5 days after surgery, it is most important not to engage in any activity
which will elevate the blood pressure and swelling, and possibly produce bruising under the
skin and may cause bleeding.

c. During the first five days, you should restrict your normal activities, no housework and no
physical labour. Following the first office visit, you will be given further instructions
regarding your activity level.

d. No heavy exercising of any kind for 6 weeks.

e. After one week, walking, leg exercises and light leg weights or riding an exercise bike only
may be resumed. You may resume aerobic activity, swimming, jogging, weights after 6
weeks.

f. Do not gain or lose more than 5 pounds (about 2.5 kg) if possible or your result could be
adversely affected. If this is essential, lose weight before surgery.

g. No flying for two weeks unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

PERSONAL HYGIENE
6. a. Do not shower for 48 hours or until bandages are removed.

b. Shampoo your hair gently after 48 hours with “baby shampoo” (if possible) for the
first ten days, to avoid irritation.

WOUND CARE
7. a. Keep ice compresses on the eyelids (eyelid surgery) and face (i.e. 4” x 4” pads of gauze
dipped in ice water and wrung out), for 48 hours, then intermittently for 1 week.

b. Gently cleanse your eyes with normal saline only using gauze or cotton balls, then apply
antibiotic ointment (e.g. Chlorsig or Chloromycetin) with cotton buds. Use antibiotic
ointment once a day for seven days onto the stitches. It is good to continue to apply the
antibiotic ointment for 3 days after the stitches have been removed.

c. Only apply eye drops or eye ointment to the eyes if prescribed by the doctor.

d. Wound care for the scalp includes the following:-

(i). Shower as normal, cleanse skin as recommended.

(ii). Cleanse all stitches and staples with ¼ strength Hydrogen Peroxide 3% mixed with
¾ strength normal saline 0.9% on cotton buds or gauze. Dry thoroughly.

(iii). Apply prescribed antibiotic ointment (e.g. Bactroban) to stitches and staples for 3 days after
removal.

(iv). Sutures and staples will be removed in 10 to 14 days.

HAIR AND MAKE-UP
8. a. Generally, make-up should be applied three days after the last of the stitches have been
removed. Make-up can be applied after having had a browlift, but if you have had a facelift
and eye surgery as well, then it is advisable to avoid applying make-up for 14 days.

b. Do not colour your hair until your doctor gives permission (usually after 4-6 weeks).

c. Men will usually wait until the 6th week after surgery to have their hair re-styled.

d. Do not use hair dyes for six weeks. Do not use hair rollers or hair dryers for three weeks,
until staples have been removed.

e. If you experience a hair loss along the incision line, this is only temporary. The hair
usually grows back to normal density in a few months. Some patients may experience
partial hair loss. Do not panic. This is only temporary. Hairs will re-grow.

f. Do not use contact lenses for three weeks if you had eye surgery with a browlift.

ONE WEEK TO A FEW MONTHS AFTER SURGERY
9. a. You will experience numbness or itching in the frontal scalp which is only temporary.

b. Occasionally numbness has been reported to be permanent, but rare (approximately
1% of patients).

c. Expect to feel tired for 7 - 10 days after surgery. Therefore it is advisable to get adequate
rest.

d. Intermittent blurring of vision and other minor discomfort may occur during the first
month.

e. Numbness in various areas of the face, neck, ears etc, is common and may persist for
weeks, months or even up to a year but almost always subsides. With the passing of each
week, this symptom improves.

f. Do not lie directly on the face or side for one month; otherwise swelling will persist longer.

g. The face and neck may feel rigid or tight during this time. This will ease with the course of
time.

h. Avoid sun exposure on incision lines for two months as it causes swelling and redness.
After that use sun blocks (Factor 15+) and sunglasses.

i. Expect not to look your best for one to two months following surgery.

YOU CAN EXPECT

* Moderate discomfort.
* Moderate swelling.
* Black and blue discolouration (bruising).
* Blood shot eyes.
* Slight signs of blood on bandages.

CALL IF YOU HAVE
* Severe pain not responding to medications.
* Marked swelling or obviously more swelling on one side than the other.
* Bright red spots on bandages which continue to enlarge.
* If bandages seem too tight.
* If any other question or problem arises.

To purchase prior to surgery for dressings:

• Normal Saline 0.9% - 500 ml.
• Cotton buds - 1 packet.
• Gauze squares ( large packet) 7.5 cm x 7.5 cm approx.
• Ice packs - or bendable gel.

Please call the office for routine questions and to schedule follow-up visits.
For Emergencies ONLY call 016 288 699

20 Manning Road, Double Bay N.S.W. Sydney, Australia Tel: Intl. + (61 2 )9362 7400 Fax: Intl. + (61 2) 9328 6036