A forehead liftcan reverse the damage of the aging process on the upper portion of the face. Typically, men and women will gradually experience sagging of the skin and muscles, drooping of the eyebrows, and creasing of the forehead. These effects can leave a person looking angry or sad all the time, especially since the eyebrows are such an integral part of how we communicate nonverbally with one another. Many prospective forehead lift patients are excited for what their results can bring, but find themselves asking one question: What will my forehead lift recovery be like?
Forehead Lift: Two Surgical Methods
The forehead lift can be performed in two different ways, the choice of which may affect your recovery time. Whether you are choosing the traditional coronal method or the less invasive endoscopic method, your procedure will include the smoothing of your forehead skin and muscles and the repositioning of the brow. Brow lift surgeries are typically performed using intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, often lasting one to two hours.
The endoscopic procedure uses smaller incisions than the traditional forehead lift, just big enough for the surgeon to insert the endoscope camera and the necessary surgical instruments for the procedure. Typically, this method involves three to five short incisions along the scalp and at the temples. In a traditional coronal forehead lift, the incision stretches across the scalp and extends behind each ear. Recovery time from this incision can last longer on average.
Prepping Your Home for Recovery
Before your surgery, you’ll want to be sure that you have all of the recovery essentials following your forehead lift. You won’t be able to run errands and check off to-do lists after your surgery, so being prepared ahead of time is the key to a successful recovery process. Make sure that you have plenty of these supplies on hand:
- Gauze and clean towels, plus instructions on how to change your dressing
- Lots of ice in freezer bags or cold compresses; frozen vegetables also work
- Pillows to keep your head elevated
- Ointments and other medications as prescribed by your facial plastic surgeon
- Comfortable clothes to wear that button in front
- Bottled water and easy to store snacks
Your Forehead Lift Recovery Timeline
Following your forehead lift surgery, stitches or staples may be used to close your incisions. Bandages will likely be placed over the surgical area and drainage tubes may be placed in order to alleviate excess fluids. Within one or two days, your drainage tubes will be removed at a post-op visit with your surgeon. During these initial days, you will likely experience bruising and swelling around the area. Pain medication and cold compresses can help you to manage your swelling and any discomfort, until these symptoms subside within the first few weeks. As your swelling goes down, your forehead lift results will slowly become visible.
The healing of your wounds can take around 10 to 14 days, at which point your surgeon will remove your stitches (or staples) and reexamine the treatment area. Most patients are able to return to work and many of their daily activities at this point. Some bruising or yellowing may persist, but can easily be covered with makeup if desired. You will still be asked to avoid any heavy lifting, strenuous activities, or vigorous exercises for a little while longer, at your surgeon’s discretion. Make sure to carefully follow all of your post-operative care instructions to avoid any complications, like infection, excess bleeding, or delayed healing.
Learn More About Forehead Lift Surgery
Schedule your forehead liftconsultation with Dr. Robert Kessler, a board certified general and facial plastic surgeon, to learn more about what this surgery can do for you. Dr. Kessler completed his medical degree with honors from Tufts University in Boston as well as a distinguished General Surgical Residency with North Short/NYU in New York. Prior to that, he completed a Plastic Surgery residency with the US Air Force and the University of Texas.
Today, Dr. Kessler operates his surgical practice in California, has worked as a surgical consultant and surgical assistant on ABC’s Extreme Makeover, and has lectured nationally and internationally on topics including facial rejuvenation, plastic surgery, and body contouring. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kessler, contact his office, located at 2121 E Pacific Coast Hwy #200, in Newport Beach, CA, by calling 949.644.6544.
