Please read these instructions before and after your surgery. Carefully following these guidelines will help you obtain the best possible result. Take this information with you on the day of surgery so you can begin following the instructions that day. If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact me or my office. We want you to have a pleasant and enjoyable experience.

Preparing for Browlift Surgery

• Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications), Vitamin E, herbal supplements or any medications containing these compounds for two weeks before surgery. Acetaminophen (Tylenol or generic equivalent) and a daily multivitamin are fine
• Avoid hair coloring, perms, or other hair treatments for 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery
• Discontinue herbal medications two weeks before surgery since many of these compounds can increase bleeding or interfere with your anesthetic.
• Refrain from smoking two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. Nicotine and tobacco smoke delays healing and can result in scarring. This is the perfect time to give up the habit. This is the perfect time to give up the habit.
• Avoid sun damage two weeks before surgery. While we recommend wearing a SPF 30 or higher, our physicians and staff wear a SPF 50 every day.
• Your prescriptions for after surgery (typically an antibiotic and pain med) will be given to you the day of surgery.
• Purchase the following non-prescription items:
  • Sinecch—herbal supplement which helps reduce swelling and bruising. This is only available through our office and is optional.
  • Vaseline ointment
  • Stool softener (docusate) – decreased activity, use of pain medication, and anesthesia pre-dispose some people to constipation.
• Do not eat or drink anything, including water, after midnight the night before your surgery.
• Arrange for someone to take you home from the hospital. You will not be allowed to drive or leave alone. Arrange for someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
• Make arrangements to stay in the Kansas City area on the night of your surgery if you live more than an hour’s drive away.

On the day before Surgery

You may be given an approximate arrival time for your surgery at your clinic visit. On the day before surgery you will receive a phone call informing you of the exact time to report to the surgery center.

Your surgery is scheduled at KU MedWest. You can expect a phone call from the Pre-op nurse several days in advance of surgery. If you have not received a call by noon on the day before surgery, you may reach him/her by calling (913) 588-2279.

If your surgery is scheduled at KU Hospital. You will receive a call from the Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery Coordinator on the day before surgery. If you have not received a call by noon on the day before surgery, please call her at (913) 588-6522.

Day of Surgery

• Do not eat or drink anything, including water, the morning of surgery.Essential medication may be taken with a sip of water.
• Take the first dose of the herbal supplement Sinecch.
• Wash your hair either the evening before or the morning of surgery. Do not use any styling products or sprays.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes that fasten in front or back. Avoid slipover clothing.
• Leave all valuables at home; do not wear jewelry.
• Do not wear any facial or eye make-up. Avoid nail polish.
• You may wear glasses but do not wear contact lenses.
• If you wear dentures, keep them in.

Post-Operative Care

• Iced gauze pads (gauze pads dipped in ice water and wrung out) should be applied to the eyes and forehead for the first 48 hours to minimize swelling and discoloration.
• Keep your head elevated to minimize swelling. A recliner works well or adding an extra pillow on your bed is adequate.
• You will have a dressing in place for approximately 24 hours. Prior to discharge from the surgery center, Dr. Kriet will instruct you on removal of the dressing.
• You may wash your face but keep the dressing dry.
• There will be areas of decreased sensation or numbness on your forehead and scalp. The sensation will return to normal over time. Be very careful to avoid trauma/burns when using curling irons, hot rollers, blow dryers, warm packs and ice packs.
• Apply a thin layer of Vaseline ointment to all incisions 3 times a day once dressings have been removed and continue until 2 days after the sutures are removed.
• You may gently wash your hair three full days after surgery. Baby Shampoo or a clarifying shampoo works best to remove the ointment from your hair and scalp.
• Avoid hair coloring or permanents for one month after surgery.
• You may wear contact lenses the day after surgery. NOTE: if you are having eyelid surgery in addition to the browlift, contact lenses may not be worn for 2 weeks.
• Avoid extreme physical activity including athletic activities and intercourse. You may resume light walking three days after surgery. Aerobic exercise, weight training, heavy lifting, and straining may be gradually resumed three weeks after surgery.
• Avoid excessive facial movements for two weeks-this will optimize the healing process.
• Absolutely avoid sun exposure, sun lamps, or tanning beds for six weeks after surgery. Heat may cause your face and eyelids to swell. While we recommend wearing a SPF 30 or higher, our physicians and staff wear a SPF 50 every day.
• Don’t be concerned if the eyes and forehead show some swelling, this usually resolves within 2 weeks. In certain patients, it may require six months for all swelling to completely subside.
• Take only medications prescribed by your doctor.
• You may expect to have most of the stitches removed after 5 days, and the remaining stitches removed 1 week later.
• Makeup may be used 5-7 days after surgery (except on the incisions).