a
brow lift, or forehead lift, is the surgical lifting and smoothing of the forehead to create a more rested, youthful appearance. most people have a
brow lift for cosmetic reasons. a
brow lift reduces the signs of aging, including creases and fine lines on the forehead and between the eyebrows.
brow lift surgery can also reposition low or sagging brows that hood the upper eyelid.
a
brow lift is a common but major surgery that has risks and potential complications. you may have less invasive treatment options, such as
botox injections. consider getting a second opinion about all of your treatment choices before having a
brow lift.
your doctor may recommend a
brow lift to minimize creases and lines on your forehead and between your eyebrows. a
brow lift also repositions eyebrows slightly to create a more awake, refreshed appearance. your doctor may also recommend a
brow lift if you are considering eyelid surgery. a
brow lift can help reduce sagging and drooping eyebrows that can make you look tired.
you may have other options for improving the appearance of your forehead and eyebrow area. ask your doctor about all of your treatment options and consider getting a second opinion before deciding on a
brow lift.
● you have sagging or low-set eyebrows.
● you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your eyes due to excess skin above your eyelids.
● you are physically healthy, don't smoke, and have realistic expectations of improvement, not perfection.
a plastic surgeon performs a
brow lift. a plastic surgeon is a specialist in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.
facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons may also perform
brow lifts. fprss are either otolaryngologists or plastic surgeons with further training in
plastic surgery and reconstruction of the face.
your
brow lift will be performed in a hospital, office, or outpatient surgery setting. it is usually an outpatient procedure.
your doctor will perform
brow lift surgery using one of the following approaches:
●
minimally invasive
brow lift surgery uses small incisions in the hairline, behind the hairline, above the brow, or in the mid-forehead to achieve the desired results. minimally invasive surgery generally involves a faster recovery and less pain than open surgery. this is because it causes types of anesthesia that may be used
●
your surgeon will perform your
brow lift using either
general anesthesia or regional anesthesia, depending on the specific procedure. less trauma to tissues and organs.your surgeon will make a small incision(s) instead of a larger one used in open surgery. surgical tools are threaded around muscles and tissues instead of cutting through or displacing them as in open surgery.
●
open surgery (coronal
brow lift) involves making one large incision that runs from ear to ear across the top of your head near your hairline. it smoothes the forehead and lifts the eyebrows by removing excess skin from the scalp. open surgery generally involves a longer recovery and more pain than minimally invasive surgery.open surgery requires a larger incision and more cutting and displacement of tissue than minimally invasive surgery. despite this, open surgery may be a safer or more effective method for certain patients.
types of anesthesia that may be used
●
general anesthesia is a combination of intravenous (iv) medications and gases that put you in a deep sleep. you are unaware of the procedure and do not feel any pain. a breathing tube is placed in your throat to breathe for you
●
regional anesthesia is also known as a nerve block. it involves injecting an anesthetic around certain nerves to numb a large area of the body. to numb a smaller area, your doctor injects the anesthetic in the skin and tissues around the procedure area (local anesthesia). you will likely have sedation with
regional anesthesia to keep you relaxed and comfortable.
the day of your surgery, you can expect to:
● talk with a preoperative nurse. the nurse will perform an exam and ensure that all needed tests are in order. the nurse can also answer questions and will make sure you understand and sign the surgical consent form.
● remove all clothing and jewelry and dress in a hospital gown. it is a good idea to leave all jewelry and valuables at home or with a family member. your care team will give you blankets for modesty and warmth.
● talk with the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist about your medical history and the type of anesthesia you will receive.
● a surgical team member will start an iv.
● the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will start your anesthesia.
●
a tube may be placed in your windpipe to protect and control breathing during
general anesthesia. you will not feel or remember this or the surgery as they happen.
● the surgical team will monitor your vital signs and other critical body functions. this occurs throughout the procedure and your recovery until you are alert, breathing effectively, and your vital signs are stable.
general risks of surgery
the general risks of surgery include:
● anesthesia reaction, such as an allergic reaction and problems with breathing
● bleeding, which can lead to shock
● infection
complications of a
brow lift are not common but include:
● emerging sutures that your doctor will need to manually remove (instead of dissolving on their own)
● eye irritation or dryness and eyelid problems
● eyebrow asymmetry
●
hair loss at the incision(s) and an elevated hairline
● hematoma, or bleeding under the skin that results in an accumulation of blood under the skin
● nerve injury of the face causing weakness, paralysis or numbness
● poor wound healing
● skin loss and skin contour irregularities