The procedure begins by tying your hair with rubber bands in front of and behind the incision area. Your head will not be shaved, although hair immediately in front of the incision line may need to be trimmed.

For most patients, the incision will start at about the level of the ears and run across the top of your forehead. If you have a high or receding hairline, Dr. Barrera may make the incision just at your hairline to avoid making your forehead appear even higher. By wearing your hair down on your forehead, most such scars become relatively inconspicuous. If you are bald or balding, a mid-scalp incision may be recommended so the resulting scar follows the natural junction of two bones in your skull.

Forehead skin is then carefully lifted so portions of muscle and excess tissue can be removed. Any excess skin at the point of incision will also be removed. The surgeon will close the incision with stitches or clips. Your face and hair will be washed to prevent irritation and the rubber bands will be removed from your hair. The incision may be covered with a gauze padding and your head may be wrapped with an elastic bandage.

A forehead lift is possible in men, but may require special planning to hide the scars. You may experience some numbness and temporary discomfort around the incision, which can be controlled with medication. If you have a tendency toward headaches, an additional longer-acting local anesthetic during surgery may be used as a preventive measure.

You may be instructed to keep your head elevated for two to three days following surgery to keep the swelling down. Some swelling is inevitable, even around your eyes or cheeks. Bruising and swelling should begin to disappear in a week or so.

Numbness on the top of your scalp may be replaced by itching as nerves heal. These sensations may take up to six months to fully disappear. Bandages, if used, will be removed a day or two after surgery. Most stitches or clips will be removed in 10 to 14 days, or perhaps in two stages.

Some of your hair around the incision may fall out and may temporarily be a bit thinner. Normal growth will usually resume within a few weeks or months. Permanent hair loss is rare.

While you should be up and about in a day or two, plan on taking it easy for at least the first week after surgery. You should be able to shower and shampoo your hair one or two days after surgery or as soon as the bandages are removed.

Most patients are back to work or school in a week to ten days. Vigorous physical activity should be limited for several weeks, including jogging, bending, heavy housework, sexual relations, or any activity that increases your blood pressure. Prolonged exposure to heat or sun should be limited for several months.

You can face the world again as soon as you're comfortable going out. Most visible signs of surgery should fade completely within two to three weeks. Minor swelling and bruising can be covered almost immediately by special camouflage makeup. It's not unusual to feel tired and let down at first, but that will pass as you begin to look and feel better.

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