Browlift
What is a browlift?
Who is a good candidate?
Risks
Preparing for a browlift
Recovery
What is a browlift?
Sagging eyebrows and upper lids may make you
look angry, tired or worried. Browlift surgery
elevates and smoothes the eyebrows and upper
lids, reducing the vertical and horizontal lines
and wrinkles of the forehead.
During this procedure, the surgeon elevates
the brow through incisions in the scalp. Various
techniques to elevate the brow are used based
on the patient’s anatomy.
For some patients, an endoscopic browlift
may achieve the same results. An endoscope is
a special viewing instrument that allows the
surgeon to view the surgical area while making
only small incisions at the temples and behind
the hairline on the top of the head.
Although there's no universal opinion on the
better browlift method, many physicians do offer
endoscopic browlifts to their patients. Because
endoscopic procedures need smaller incisions,
there is often less scarring and a shorter recovery
period. Talk with your plastic surgeon about
which option is best for you.
Who is a good candidate?
People whose brows or foreheads are lined
and furrowed, as well as those with drooping
and sagging brows that lower the eyebrows and
eyelids, may want to consider a browlift. A
browlift reduces frown lines and deep furrows
on the forehead, although these lines usually
never disappear completely.
For best results, patients often combine a
browlift with a facelift, eyelift, laser skin
resurfacing or other procedure. During your
initial consultation, be sure to talk with your
plastic surgeon about how to achieve your desired
results.
Risks
Every type of surgery has risks,
but you can usually help prevent complications
by carefully following your physician's instructions.
It's important to talk with your plastic surgeon
before surgery to be sure you understand the
potential risks and complications. If you don't
understand something, ask!
Some risks specifically associated with browlift
include:
- Hair loss around the scars
- Large scars, but this is rare
- The inability to raise your eyebrows or
furrow your brow
In nearly all cases, these problems improve
with time. If necessary, your surgeon may recommend
minor revision surgery to correct any problems.
Preparing for a browlift
Your physician will give you specific instructions
on how to prepare for surgery. Some general
guidelines include:
- If you smoke, you will need to stop at
least two to three weeks before your surgery.
- Follow your doctor's directions regarding
which medications and supplements you should
stop taking before and immediately after surgery.
- If you have short hair, you may want to
let your hair grow long enough to cover the
incisions and scars you'll have after surgery.
Recovery
Because you'll have anesthesia during browlift
surgery, plan to have someone to take you home
after your procedure and help you for the next
day or two. Once at home, sleep with your head
elevated for a few days until some of the swelling
goes down. Most of the swelling or bruising
will subside in two to three weeks.
You may experience temporary forehead numbness.
You can usually control any pain or discomfort
with medication your doctor will prescribe.
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