Forehead Lift
Post-Operative Guidelines

Instructions

Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home for 1-2 days.
Get plenty of rest.
Plan on taking it easy for at least the first week.
Follow balanced diet.
Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more raw fruit to your diet, and be sure to increase fluid intake.
Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin.
Take any antibiotics as instructed. It helps to eat cultured yogurt or over the counter Acidophilus tablets while on antibiotics to minimize intestinal side effects.
Dr. Khosh may instruct you to take the herbal supplement Arnica-Montana. This is intended to minimize bruising.
You may be prescribed steroid tablets to minimize post op swelling. If so, take them as instructed on the packet. Note that steroids can make you feel anxious; this is a common side effect.
Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
Even when not taking pain medications, no alcohol for 3 weeks.
If you are taking vitamins with iron, resume these as tolerated.
Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications.

Start walking as soon as possible, this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications (narcotics).
Back to work or school in 7-10 days, usually sooner for endoscopic patients.
Limit vigorous physical activity for several weeks; i.e., heavy housework, sex, bending or any activity that increases your blood pressure.
Full social activities can usually be resumed in 2 weeks.

Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months.
Limit exposure to heat or sun for several months.
Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
Keep incisions clean and inspect daily for signs of infection.
Shower and shampoo in 2 days or as soon as bandage is removed.
When using hair dryer, never set temperature on "hot", as you may not have feeling in operated area.
Hair bleach or permanent can be applied after complete healing, usually 3-4 weeks.
Facial makeup can be applied to cover up bruising 3 days after surgery, but not on the incisions.

May feel tired and let down at first.
Temporary discomfort, tightness of skin, swelling, bruising, numbness and headaches.
Full recovery from bruising in 2-3 weeks.
Minimal postoperative pain.
As nerves heal, itching may replace numbness on top of scalp, but there is less of an itching sensation with the endoscopic forehead lift.

Younger, more rested look.
Palpable skin suspension tacks in the outer-upper forehead, for several months.
The eyelids can become swollen and bruised after 3 days. This resolves within 2 weeks.
Final results realized in approximately 6 months.
Visible signs of surgery should fade completely in approximately 3 weeks.

Stitches or staples used to close the incisions are usually removed within a week.

If you have increased swelling or bruising.
If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
If you have increased redness along the incision.
If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
If you have any side effects to medications; such as, rash, nausea, headache, vomiting.
If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.
If you have any yellowish or greenish drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.
If you have loss of feeling or motion.
If you have any questions or concerns you may reach Dr. Khosh at 212-223-1333.