FAQ: Forehead lift

Forehead lift will set back the clock. There will be fewer wrinkles on the forehead and it will reverse back to a more youthful V shape, firmer and more balance. The forehead will appear smoother and younger.

The risks and complications are similar to other aesthetic surgery. They include local such as skin ischemia and loss and this is more common in smoker, hematoma, and nerve injury asymmetry. The systemic complications include blood clot and PE and other aesthesia risks. In healthy patients in the hands of board-certified Plastic Surgeons, the complication rates are in fact not very high.

Skin care, chemical peels and laser can improve a youthful look with no significant downtime. Botox and filler injections can have a high impact on lines but need to be repeated in intervals.

I usually use local anesthesia with IV sedation.

The forehead lift is done in the subcutaneous plane and the skin is separated from the deep tissue I then mobilize and use resuspend the SMAS. Fat is then used to restore areas where fat and volume at lost due to aging.

The incision length varies with the degree of skin excess. Generally the incision begins at the temporal region extending the edge of the side burn, hugs the inside of the ear, follows the crease of the earlobe and ends in the posterior ear crease.

The incision is planned to maintain the natural hairline and sideburn in their current position. An elevated sideburn is not a youthful look. The hairline behind the ear is not disturbed either.

Yes.

This surgical should not affect muscle movement. The immediate tightness from shifting the SMAS and subcutaneous dissection usually improves within the first few weeks after surgery.

Yes. There are photos on the website and more in the office or during consultation.

Yes. Forehead lift is often performed in conjunction with a face-lift to provide a smoother overall look to the face. Blepharoplasty, fat transfer to the face, chemical peels and laser are commonly done at the same time.

Because skin is excised and SMAS are shifted and tighten, your results will last many years and longer. It also helps if you maintain your skin with skin care products, no smoking, and sun avoidance. Periodic treatments with no invasive procedures such as Botox, fillers, micro laser or chemical peels and IPL can keep your look youthful look. If you lose significant weight, your results may loosen.

Please contact my office for the information.

You will have dressing on your head after surgery.

You should have a normal working appearance at ten days to two weeks.

The majority of the swelling and bruising resolves within ten days to two weeks.

Your face will feel numbness and tight after surgery. The incision may be slightly tender or itchy.

Pain is usually very minimal after surgery. My patients usually do not need to take any narcotic after 72 hours.

You will discuss postoperative pain control with the surgeon at your postoperative appointment with your surgeon and receive a prescription.

There will be scars hidden under the chin, temporal region, under the side burn, inside the ear, and behind the ear.

My patients usually go home once they have recovered from the anesthesia.

You should plan on recovering at home for one week. You cannot plan for heavy exercise for two to three weeks.

You may drive once you stop taking narcotic pain medication and feel able to drive.

You may return to work as early as one week.

I usually use local anesthesia with IV sedation.

You will meet with the anesthesiologist prior to the surgery in the preoperative area. You may arrange to speak to an anesthesiologist by telephone prior to your surgery date.

Yes, your medication list will be reviewed during your consultation and your preoperative appointments. Please notify your surgeon of any changes or new medications at your preoperative appointment.

You should stop taking NSAIDS, phentermine and tamoxifen two weeks prior to surgery and hormones one week prior to surgery. Please discuss tamoxifen, steroids, antimetabolites, and blood thinners with the prescribing doctor prior to scheduling your surgery. Are you able to stop them temporarily? Are you healthy for an elective surgery with general anesthesia? Take your AM blood pressure medications with a sip of water the morning of surgery.

History and physical, EKG, CBC, and metabolic panel for patients over 55 years of age. Thyroid panel for patients with thyroid disorders.

Stop eating and drinking at least 6 hours before the start of your surgery or by midnight the night before surgery.

Arrive one and an half hour before your scheduled surgery.

You can get the information on our website or call my office for directions.

Yes. You will need an adult to drive you home and stay with you 24 hours after surgery.

• Arrange for personal items you might need during your hospital stay
• Arrange for someone to take care of responsibilities at home and work
  Yes, arrange for help driving, heavy lifting, and caring for pets for the first few days.
• Arrange for someone to take you home from the hospital
  Yes, you cannot drive yourself home after forehead lift.
• Arrange for someone to stay with you the first night after surgery
  You will need an adult to drive you home and stay with you 24 hours after surgery.
• Call your doctor if you think of other questions
• Notify your doctor if you get sick within 10 days of your surgery (even minor illnesses like a cold)
• Stop eating and drinking at least 6 hours before the start of surgery or by midnight the night before surgery.
• Do not drink alcohol 24 hours prior to surgery. Do not smoke at least 6 weeks prior to surgery.
• Make sure you have the doctor’s contact information
  You will receive the after-hours number in your postoperative instructions.
• Make sure you have directions to the hospital/office for visitors
  You will receive the surgery location and directions at your preoperative appointment.
• Wear a button-front shirt and loose clothing to the clinic/hospital
  Wear easy to dress clothing such as loose pants with an elastic waistband and a comfortable shirt with a zip up front.

• Approximately 4 to 6 hours.

• Usually in the recovery room, within an hour of your surgery ending.

• You will receive IV antibiotic immediately prior to surgery start and additional doses if the surgery last 6 hours. The antibiotic dosing follows the national surgical site infection protocol.

• • Make sure your identity has been confirmed with name and date of birth
    Your driver’s license or identity will need to be verified at your appointment and at the surgery center.
  • Make sure your procedure has been confirmed
    Review the surgery specifics at your preoperative appointment and again the day of surgery.
  • Make sure the correct site of your surgery has been marked
    You will be marked while you are awake in the preoperative area. Communicate with your surgeon.
  • Confirm any allergies and side-effects you might have
  • Make sure you understand and have signed the informed consent forms

• • I usually talk to you in the recovery room as well as with one to two days after surgery in your postoperative visit to explain how your surgery went.

• • The antibiotics are stopped within 48 hours of surgery.

• • Discuss with your surgeon.

• • You will have sequential compression devices applied to your legs prior in induction of anesthesia. You will be encouraged to stand up and walk as soon as possible after surgery.

• • You may eat and drink after surgery. Start with a soft, bland diet.

• • You need to have instructions reviewed with a responsible adult.

• • You need to meet all the discharge criteria before you can go home.

• • You will receive narcotic pain pill prescription to fill prior to surgery. You may receive IV pain medication if you need

• • Tell the doctor or nurse which pharmacy you prefer. Non-narcotic medications such as Compazine may be sent electronically but narcotic pain medications must be printed and hand delivered to the pharmacy.

• • Yes, you will receive a list of medications to avoid prior to surgery and initially after surgery. Do not take NSAIDS, ibuprofen, or aspirin until your doctor approves.

• • Just keep you wound clean and dry.

• • Yes, the postoperative instructions will be reviewed at your preoperative appointment. After the initial bandage is removed, apply polysporin or vitamin E to your incisions twice daily.

• • Keep your face elevated and ice.

• • You will follow up a day or two after surgery. Following this weekly appointment until you are fully recovered.

• • Your bandages will be removed at your first follow-up appointment.

• • The sutures in front of the ear are typically removed at one week and the sutures behind the ear are removed at two weeks.

• • You should avoid bending over or heavy lifting for two weeks.

• • You may resume sexual activity at two to three weeks.

• • For most clients, you may return to work after one week. If you need to do heavy lifting or if you are in front of the camera the time requirement may be longer.

• • You may drive once you stop taking narcotic pain medication and you feel capable of driving.

• • Make sure your care providers wash their hands before and after your care
  • Do not wait until your pain is severe before you ask for pain medication
  • Make sure the call button is within reach before medical staff leave the room
  • Sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before you stand up to prevent getting dizzy
  • Do not get out of bed without help if you feel weak or dizzy
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• • You have a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
  • You have shortness of breath or chest pain
  • You notice increased redness, swelling, warmth, or pain around your surgical incision
  • You notice that your incision is separating or you have infected discharge from your incision
  • Your bandages are repeatedly soaked through with blood
  • You have persistent stiffness, numbness/tingling, or weakness of your face
  • You have pain that your existing pain medications cannot control
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• • Take pain and other medications as prescribed. Narcotic pain medications impair your ability to drive.
  • Do not drive when you are on prescription pain medications
  • You may bath but do not submerge your surgical site.
  • Do not soak in a bath or go swimming for ten days after your surgery
  • Keep your incision clean and dry
  • Elevate your head when laying down to reduce swelling in your face
  • Use cold compresses on your face to reduce swelling
    Yes, apply ice to face and neck as much as possible for at least the first two days.
  • Smoking is dangerous for facelift. You should discuss with your surgeon if you not able to quit smoking at least 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery. Skin necrosis, difficulty healing, unsatisfactory result, and unsightly scarring can result from smoking.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting as long as your doctor advises
  • Avoid wearing clothing that is worn by going over your head
  • Follow your doctor’s instructions on resuming normal daily activities
  • Follow your doctor’s instructions on resuming sexual activity
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