Brow or Forehead Lift
Who should consider a brow or forehead lift?
What happens during the procedure?
What is the expected outcome of the procedure?
Initial consultation and testing
Preparing for surgery
Day of surgery
Follow-up care
Who should consider a brow or forehead lift?
Anyone who has
- Sagging brows that give the appearance of being sad or tired
- Furrowed brows or "frown lines"
- Lined or creased brows that give the appearance of being angry or upset
- Drooping of the brows that cause unmarked fullness of the upper eyelids
The endoscopic brow lift, or forehead lift, is a surgical procedure that repositions the eyebrows, reduces fullness at the base of the nose, and smoothes the forehead. Most commonly, small incisions are made behind the hairline to allow insertion of a very small camera to visualize the area and endoscopic instruments to perform the surgery beneath the skin and muscles. Once the forehead and eyebrows are elevated properly, the tissues are secured with small dissolvable devices.
What is the expected outcome of the procedure?
Some of the first signs of aging are the drooping of the forehead, eyebrows, and skin above the nose. These areas then lose their natural elevation and contour. This surgery results in a softened, firmer brow and reduces the creases and frown lines across the forehead. The outcome is a more relaxed and refreshed appearance.
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Initial consultation and testing
Plan to spend approximately two hours at the Facial Cosmetic Surgery Clinic during your first visit. This will allow you to have a comprehensive discussion with the surgeon.
- This is the time for you to get answers to your questions and for the surgeon to describe the procedures that may be available to you.
- An examination of the face, eyelids, and the surface of the eyes will be performed at this initial visit. This is necessary because so many facial cosmetic surgeries influence eyelid position and its function of protecting the eye. The information gathered during these tests will allow the surgeon to take whatever precautions are necessary to avoid complications that may result from cosmetic surgery of the face, especially in individuals with dry eyes.
- After these tests, your surgeon will be able to give you a clear-cut assessment as to whether this procedure is a good option for you.
- This also is the time to discuss the limitations and potential risks of the procedures. You should be prepared to discuss all major and minor medical conditions and provide a complete list of the medicines you take and their dosages. At this time, your surgeon will review exactly what will happen on the day of surgery.
- This is the time to establish realistic expectations of what the surgery will accomplish.
Please refrain from taking any blood thinners like aspirin, ibuprofen and Vitamin E for 10 days prior to surgery. In addition, there should be no smoking two weeks prior to and two weeks following surgery, as smoking affects blood flow and healing.
Day of surgery
You should plan to spend 4–6 hours at the Kellogg Eye Center on the day of surgery. It is performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return home the same day. Before going into surgery, your medications and recent health history will be reviewed. A family member or friend can be with you until you are brought to the operating room. As part of your preparation for surgery, you will be given either local or general anesthesia. Normally the procedure takes approximately 1–2 hours and, before going home, you will be given complete postoperative instructions.
Follow-up care
Depending on the details of your surgical procedure, you will be seen either one day or one week after surgery, and then again as determined by your surgeon. You should be able to resume normal activities after one week. Should you have questions or concerns during your recovery period, please call the Facial Cosmetic Surgery Clinic at 734.763.9142.
