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Brow Lift Home care Instructions
Please read these instructions several times and make sure all of your questions are answered prior to surgery. We will give you specific instructions if we make any changes in these directions. Daily Activities
Since you have just undergone a surgical operation, use good common sense in the first 7 days after surgery in restricting your normal activities, exercise regimens, and any activity requiring heavy lifting or straining for at least one week or longer. It is acceptable to do some light walking on the day of surgery. Jogging and light non-contact exercise should not be resumed for one week. You can resume more strenuous activities as your condition improves.
You may be up and around on the day following surgery but some natural fatigue may persist for two to three days due to the normal effects of the anesthesia and surgical procedure.
Use your best judgment and do not ignore signs from your body of overdoing. When you move, stand or change positions, do it deliberately and carefully for the first seven days. In turning your head, move your head and shoulders deliberately as a single unit. Don't twist your neck.
Ice Packs
You may use ice packs around your eyes (a few ice cubes and a half cup of water, or frozen peas in a bag) if you like for the first day while awake. Do not use the ice packs continuously. Use them for thirty minutes, then leave them off for thirty minutes. Do not use ice after 48 hours unless you are told to do so by Dr. McBride
Diet and Fluids
Soft foods will generally be easier to chew for the first few days. The muscles in your temples may be sore when chewing because sutures are placed in them to support the brow. Protein in your diet is very important to help you heal and to prevent swelling. Be sure to eat 60 grams or more of protein per day. Protein supplement drinks like Ensure, Boost and Carnation Instant Breakfast, dairy products, meats and fish are excellent sources of protein.
You must drink at least 2 quarts (64 ounces) of fluids each day to prevent dehydration. Start drinking as soon as you get home after surgery and keep a written record of your intake to be sure you are getting enough fluid. If you feel nauseated, it usually means that you are dehydrated. Drinking more fluid will help to eliminate the nausea.
Medications
Take pain medication with food or liquid as prescribed. You may take any of your regular medications as usual unless instructed not to take them. Avoid aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen, Aleve, etc.) for seven days after surgery, these medications can increase bleeding and bruising. Other routinely taken medications may be taken as necessary.
Take the Medrol Dosepack as directed on the package, except do not take any pills before bedtime. They may keep you awake.
General Care and Expectations
It helps to keep your head should be elevated on two pillows during sleep for the first 2 days. This keeps your head higher than your heart and helps facilitate the resolution of swelling. Do not sleep face down. Sleep on your back or side.
Forehead swelling or bruising almost never occurs, however, you will have swelling on the top of your head where the incisions were made. This area may look bumpy or irregular for a few weeks.
Eyelid swelling and bruising are frequently present after brow lifts but the degree of each varies widely from patient to patient. The worst swelling usually occurs on the third day after surgery. Do not be concerned if you have more or less swelling than others who have undergone the "same" operation. Generally, most patients appear quite socially acceptable within 3 to 4 days following surgery.
Your forehead and areas of your temples that have been lifted and repositioned will be slightly numb for several weeks. Sensation will then return as healing progresses. Do not wear heavy or tight earrings for six weeks.
Any unexplained pain, facial swelling, bruising or fever should be reported to us immediately.
Wound Care
You may gently shampoo your hair 48 hours after surgery. The scalp incisions are closed with metal staples to reduce irritation of the hair follicles. Be careful not to rub the staples as you wash or comb your hair. Blow dry only on "cold" or "warm" setting for five days and postpone any permanent waves or hair coloring for three weeks following surgery. The staples will be removed approximately one week after surgery in our office.
You should avoid all sun exposure during the first three weeks because excessive exposure to sun (including sun tanning parlors) after surgery may result in prolonged facial swelling and injury to the skin. Therefore, you should always protect your skin with an SPF 25 or stronger sun-block in order to decrease the irritating effects of the sun on your skin.
It is very important that you follow all instructions given to you by our office and that we check your progress regularly following surgery.
Please report any of the following to our office:
· Excessive bleeding or drainage.
· Temperature above 101 degrees.
· Excessive, sudden swelling or discoloration.
· Excessive fatigue or depression.
· Severe pain or pressure around your eyes.
· Any deterioration in your vision. . Any other unexpected symptoms or problems. |