It's difficult to quantitate the expected level of pain for a patient, as each patient experiences pain differently.
However, if you have had surgery before and recall that experience, you may be glad to know that most patients report significantly less pain with a browlift than with a facelift. Patients often describe the sensation of a dull ache after a browlift, which is unlike the frank discomfort, tightness and pulling experienced in a facelift. A far greater number of my browlift patients move onto extra strength Tylenol on postoperative day 1 than my facelift patients. Although I do have many facelift patients that do not require narcotic pain relief after the first night, the majority do.
Measures such as keeping the head elevated and using cold compresses, help with the swelling and help minimize the pain, as well.
