After The Procedure Patients will wear a soft conforming dressing on their head, which protects the incisions and provides pressure to prevent blood from collecting under the elevated skin flap. This dressing is typically removed within 24 to 48 hours after the surgery. Most patients are instructed to keep their head elevated to diminish swelling and should avoid strenuous physical activity for four weeks. The majority of patients can return to work after two weeks. The sutures typically stay in for five to seven days, and some surgeons place skin clips in the temple hair and scalp region, which are removed after seven to ten days.
Most surgeons allow patients to wash their hair after three days.
All patients develop some swelling and bruising after this procedure. The majority of this resolves within the first week or two. Incision lines will initially appear pink and fade as healing occurs. Most patients do not feel much pain or discomfort with this procedure and are extremely satisfied with the results. Daniel J. Leeman, MD, is board certified by the American Board of Otolarynology.