What to Expect When Having an Endoscopic Browlift
Anesthesia: General. You will sleep through the entire procedure.
Location of Operation: Hospital or outpatient surgery center.
Length of Surgery: 60-90 minutes.
Length of Stay: This is an outpatient procedure.
Discomfort: Mild discomfort is easily controlled with pain medication for 2-4 days. Some patients require only Tylenol or Motrin.
Swelling and Bruising: Both are expected and resolve within 10-14 days. Swelling can be reduced through head elevation and icing (the first 2-3 days). Bruising often occurs in the face and around the nerves. This can create eyebrow asymmetry, which is also temporary, but can sometimes take up to 12 weeks to resolve.
Antibiotics: Typically 10 days of oral antibiotics are prescribed. It is very important to take this medicine until it is gone.
Numbness: Numbness can occur around the incisions and scalp and is usually temporary. Weakness of one or both sides of the forehead can also occur due to inflammation around the nerves. This can create eyebrow asymmetry, which is also temporary, but can sometimes take up to 12 weeks to resolve.
Bandages: The initial head wrap is removed in the office 1-3 days after surgery. The hair can then be washed in the shower. A headband is then worn for 10 days.
Stitches: The incisions are closed with either dissolvable stitches or staples. Staples are removed in the office 10-14 days after surgery.
Work: You may feel capable of returning to light duty work in 3-5 days, but swelling and bruising may limit your return to work.
Exercise: Light aerobic exercise can resume in 2 weeks. Unrestricted activity can resume in 4 weeks.
Sun Protection: Incisions are in the scalp and typically not sun exposed. Sunscreen SPF 15 should be applied to the forehead the first 6-8 weeks due to increased sensitivity to the sun.
Final Result: Usually evident within 6-8 weeks.
Special Care: NO SMOKING IS RECOMMENDED!!!! If you smoke, it is recommended to stop about 4 weeks prior to and at least 4 weeks after surgery for adequate healing and to achieve the best possible results.
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