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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What to Expect When Having Chin or Cheek Implant Surgery

Anesthesia: Best done under general anesthesia.

Location of Operation: Hospital or outpatient surgery center.

Length of Surgery: Approximately 45 minutes for chin implants and 60 minutes for cheek implants.

Length of Stay: This procedure is done on an outpatient basis.

Discomfort: Discomfort is mild and well controlled with oral pain medications for the first 1-3 days.

Swelling and Bruising: Bruising can occur in the lower face and is usually minimal. Swelling may be more significant and last 1-3 weeks for chin implants and up to 4 weeks for cheek implants. Both can be reduced initially by icing the affected areas the first 24-48 hours.

Drains: No drains are required.

Bandages: No bandages are used for cheek implants. A nylon stitch in each temple area is placed to initially hold the implants in place, which is removed 2 weeks after surgery. The chin implant is initially supported with special tape, which is left on for 5-7 days to prevent shifting of the implant.

Stitches: Stitches are dissolvable and are inside the mouth.

Work: Return to work is reasonable in 5-7 days depending on the amount of swelling and bruising. Strenuous lifting and straining should be avoided for 2-3 weeks.

Exercise: Light exercise may be resumed in 2-3 weeks once all the bruising has resolved. Unrestricted exercise may resume in 4-6 weeks.

Sun Protection: No specific sunscreen is required.

Final Result: Should be evident in 6 weeks.

Special Care: A soft diet is recommended the first 2 weeks to prevent muscle activity from shifting the implants. Gargling with mouthwash 2-3 times daily and using a water-pic rather than a toothbrush is recommended the first 2 weeks to help in healing the internal mouth incisions. NO SMOKING is recommended 4 weeks prior to and at least 4 weeks after surgery to aid in the healing process.

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What to Expect When Having Facial Implant Surgery

Anesthesia: Best done under general anesthesia.

Location of Operation: Hospital or outpatient surgery center.

Length of Surgery: Approximately 45 minutes for chin implants and 60 minutes for cheek implants.

Length of Stay: This procedure is done on an outpatient basis.

Discomfort: Discomfort is mild and well controlled with oral pain medications for the first 1-3 days.

Swelling and Bruising: Bruising can occur in the lower face and is usually minimal. Swelling may be more significant and last 1-3 weeks for chin implants and up to 4 weeks for cheek implants. Both can be reduced initially by icing the affected areas the first 24-48 hours.

Drains: No drains are required.

Bandages: No bandages are used for cheek implants. A nylon stitch in each temple area is placed to initially hold the implants in place, which is removed 2 weeks after surgery. The chin implant is initially supported with special tape, which is left on for 5-7 days to prevent shifting of the implant.

Stitches: Stitches are dissolvable and are inside the mouth.

Work: Return to work is reasonable in 5-7 days depending on the amount of swelling and bruising. Strenuous lifting and straining should be avoided for 2-3 weeks.

Exercise: Light exercise may be resumed in 2-3 weeks once all the bruising has resolved. Unrestricted exercise may resume in 4-6 weeks.

Sun Protection: No specific sunscreen is required.

Final Result: Should be evident in 6 weeks.

Special Care: A soft diet is recommended the first 2 weeks to prevent muscle activity from shifting the implants. Gargling with mouthwash 2-3 times daily and using a water-pic rather than a toothbrush is recommended the first 2 weeks to help in healing the internal mouth incisions. NO SMOKING is recommended 4 weeks prior to and at least 4 weeks after surgery to aid in the healing process.

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What to Expect When Having a Necklift

Anesthesia: Sedation or general. You will sleep through the entire procedure.

Location of Operation: Hospital, outpatient surgery center or an office-based surgical suite.

Length of Surgery: 2-4 hours

Length of Stay: Neck lifts are done on an outpatient basis.

Discomfort: Mild to moderate, but is controlled with 2-4 days of prescription pain medication. Some patients are comfortable after taking Tylenol or Motrin.

Swelling and Bruising: Both are expected, but will improve within 10-14 days. Swelling can be reduced through constant head elevation and frequent application of ice.

Numbness: May last 3 months, but typically resolves completely.

Bandages: A bulky bandage is used immediately after surgery. This is removed at the first post-op visit and replaced with an elastic chin strap, which is worn 2 weeks around the clock and then 2 more weeks at night.

Stitches: Removed in 5-7 days after surgery.

Makeup: Water based makeup may be used 1 week after surgery.

Work: May return to work or school in 5-7 days.

Exercise: Light exercise can resume in 2 weeks; strenuous exercise may begin 4 weeks after surgery.

Sun Protection: If your scar is exposed while you are outdoors, you should protect it with sunscreen SPF or higher for at least one year to prevent permanent discoloration.

Final Result: Seen in 4-8 weeks following most neck lifts.

Special Care: ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING!!!!!!! Smoking is prohibited 4 weeks prior to and a minimum of 4 weeks after surgery for proper healing and results.

What to Expect When Having an Otoplasty

Anesthesia: General. You will sleep through the entire procedure.

Location of Operation: Hospital, outpatient surgery center or an office-based surgical suite.

Length of Surgery: 45 minutes per ear.

Length of Stay: This is done on an outpatient basis.

Discomfort: Mild to moderate, but is controlled with 2-4 days of prescription pain medication. Some patients are comfortable after taking just Tylenol or Motrin.

Swelling and Bruising: Both are expected, but will improve within 10-14 days.

Numbness: If present, resolves within 4-6 weeks.

Bandages: A head bandage is worn up to 1 week, followed by a headband for one month, particularly at night.

Stitches: All stitches are dissolvable and within the hair-bearing scalp.

Presentable in Public: 1 week.

Work: Can return to work or school in 1 week or less.

Exercise: Avoid excessive exercise for 4 weeks, light exercise may be resolved in 2 weeks.

Sun Protection: If your scar is exposed while you are outdoors, you should protect it with sunscreen SPF or higher for at least one year to prevent permanent discoloration.

Final Result: Seen in 4-6 weeks.

Special Care: SMOKING IS NOT RECOMMENDED with any type of surgery due to the effects on the healing process.

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