Brow Lift Pre & Post Operative Instructions

Please Read First

This page provides a condensed overview of preparation and recovery guidelines for a brow lift. For complete instructions—including anesthesia options, timelines, and medication guidance—please download the full Pre-Operative and Post-Operative instruction documents below. These serve as your primary reference for a safe and successful recovery.

General Anesthesia Pre-Op & Post-Op Instructions Video

Key Pre-Operative Guidelines (Summary)

Fasting:

General anesthesia: No food/drink for 8 hours before surgery.
Local with sedation: No food/drink for 3 hours before surgery.
Local only: No fasting required.

Transportation & Care:

General anesthesia or sedation: A responsible adult must drive you home; rideshares are not permitted.
Local only: You may drive yourself home.

Medications: Stop aspirin, NSAIDs, blood-thinning supplements, and weight-loss meds as directed. Discuss prescription meds (anticoagulants, blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) with your surgeon.

Lifestyle: Reduce/stop nicotine 4 weeks before/after; reduce alcohol 2 weeks before/after.

Day of Surgery: Shower; avoid lotions/makeup; remove jewelry/piercings (tell staff if you have metal hair extensions). Wear loose, front-opening clothing. If hair removal near the operative area is needed, do it 3 days prior (not the day before/day of).

Suggested Supplies:

Tylenol (acetaminophen)
Gentle/baby shampoo (start 2 days after surgery)
Soft cold compresses or gel pack

Key Post-Operative Guidelines (Summary)

Pain & Nausea: Use Tylenol; narcotic and anti-nausea meds may be prescribed. Avoid NSAIDs unless directed.

Antibiotics: If prescribed, complete the full course.

Cold Therapy (optional): Ice 15–20 min on / 40+ min off for the first 48–72 hours; always place a cloth between ice and skin.

Incision & Scalp Care: Keep sites clean/dry; do not scrub. Ointment as directed. Do not remove steri-strips/sutures; they will fall off or be removed at follow-up (7–10 days).

Hygiene: You may gently wash your face while keeping dressings dry. Wash hair 3 days after surgery to remove ointment.

Sun & Skin: Minimize sun exposure; use SPF 30+/hat. Makeup may be applied at 7 days, avoiding incision lines.

Activity: Elevate head (extra pillow or recliner) to reduce swelling. Walk gently as able; avoid strenuous exercise for 2 months and contact sports until cleared.

What to Expect: Forehead/eyelid swelling is common and usually improves within ~2 weeks; full settling can take longer. Temporary scalp/forehead numbness or tingling is normal.

Follow-Up and Support

Urgent Concerns: Contact our office for increasing redness/warmth, pus-like drainage, fever >101°F, excessive bleeding, or pain not relieved by medication.

Emergencies: For difficulty breathing or chest pain, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

Ongoing Communication:

Non-urgent: [email protected]
Urgent (9am–5pm): (808) 585-8855
After hours: Physician exchange (808) 524-2575

Appointments: Attend all scheduled follow-ups to monitor healing and remove sutures as needed.

Download Complete Instructions

For detailed medication guidance, incision care, activity timelines, and recovery milestones, download the complete documents here:

Download Brow Lift Pre & Post-Operative Instructions (PDF)

Download Pre- and Post-Operative Instructions: Surgery with General Anesthesia (PDF)