Forehead Lift
Forehead Lift
A forehead lift, also known as a brow lift, is a surgical
procedure that restores a more youthful, refreshed look
to the area above the eyes. This area is often the first
area to show signs of aging. The forehead lift corrects
drooping brows and reduces the horizontal lines and furrows
that often appear in the forehead area. During the forehead
lift, the muscles and tissues that cause the drooping or
furrowing are removed or altered in order to smooth the
forehead, raise the eyebrows, and minimize lines.
There are two ways to perform a forehead lift. In the traditional method, the necessary incisions are hidden just beneath the hairline. In the second method, a viewing instrument called an endoscope is used; this method requires minimal incisions. No matter which method is used, the results are the same: smoother forehead skin and a raised and more youthful looking brow. Working with the experienced doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, you can determine which method is right for you and be assured of a safe and pleasing outcome.
Are You A Good Candidate for a Forehead Lift?
A forehead lift is most commonly performed on men and women who are forty to sixty years old and in good overall health. The forehead lift can also help people of any age who have developed furrows or lines due to stress or muscle activity and people who have inherited conditions such as a low, heavy brow or overhanging skin above the nose.
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Meeting With The Doctor
Prior to scheduling your forehead lift, you will have an
extensive consultation with the doctors and staff at The
Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery. The goals of
the consultation are to evaluate your facial structure to
determine if a forehead lift is right for you and, if so,
which method suits you best: the traditional "open" method
or the endoscopic method. The doctor will thoroughly explain
the procedure and its expected results and answer any questions
you have. The type of anesthesia
to be used, potential risks of the procedure, and cost and
payment information will also be discussed. You will be
asked to provide a medical history and to explain how you
want your face to look after your forehead lift.
The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery
doctors and staff will:
· Review the various forehead lift options with you
· Clearly discuss the potential risks of the procedure
· Outline in detail how the surgery is performed and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
· Provide detailed cost and payment information
· Answer all your questions
You will be asked to provide:
· Details about your medical history
· A list of all medication you currently take including over the counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
· Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol use
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How
The Procedure Is Performed Your surgery will
be performed at the hospital
chosen by you and the doctor during your initial consultation.
The surgery takes between one to three hours to complete
and will be performed using either general anesthesia or
local anesthesia with sedation. The type of anesthesia used
and the anticipated length of your procedure will be discussed
with you at your initial consultation. In most cases, the
surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and you go home
within a few hours of the procedure. If your forehead lift
is extensive (or combined with other procedures), a stay
of one to two nights in the hospital may be required.
Before the surgery begins, markings will be made at the
incision points and your hair may be tied back with rubber
bands on either side of the targeted incision area. Your
head will not be shaved, but hair growing along the incision
line may need to be trimmed. In the traditional "open" surgical
technique, an incision is made starting near one ear, running
across the top of the head, and ending at the other ear
(this is often referred to as a headphone-like pattern).
The incision is usually made well behind the hairline so
that it is not visible. If your hairline is high or receding,
the doctor may elect to make the incision right at the hairline
to avoid adding any more height to the forehead and occasionally
may advance the hairline to a more youthful appearance.
If you are bald or are losing your hair, the incision is
often made at mid-scalp level, following the natural pattern
of the skull bones. The placement of your incision will
be discussed with you during your initial consultation,
as well as ways you can hide the incision after surgery.
Once the incision is made, the doctor carefully lifts the
skin of the forehead so that underlying tissue can be removed
and the muscles of the forehead can be altered, released,
and repositioned. The eyebrows may also be elevated and
excess skin at the point of the incision will be trimmed
away.
The incision is then closed with stitches or, in some cases, surgical clips. Your face and hair are washed to prevent infection, the incision is covered with gauze dressings, and your head is wrapped in an elastic bandage to keep the dressings in place.
If the endoscopic method is used, the doctor makes between
three to five small (usually less than an inch in length)
incisions rather than one long incision across the top of
your head. The doctor then inserts the endoscope, a small
device with a camera on the end that is connected to a television
monitor, through one of the incisions. The camera and television
monitor allow the doctor to have a clear and precise view
of the tissue and muscles beneath the skin. Working through
another incision, the doctor uses a small instrument to
remove underlying tissue and reposition the muscles of the
forehead. Stitches are used to close the incisions, your
face and hair are washed, and gauze dressings are placed
over each incision.
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What To Expect After Your Surgery
| Activity | When |
|---|
| Shower and Shampoo Hair | Two Days After Surgery |
| Stitches Removed | Within Two Weeks of Surgery |
| Back to Work | One Week to Ten Days After Surgery |
| Driving | As Soon as You Feel Comfortable |
| Strenuous Activity | Six Weeks After Surgery |
| Fading of Scars |
Several Months to One Year |
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Immediately After Your Surgery
In most cases, forehead lift surgery is performed on an
outpatient basis and you go home shortly after the surgery.
You may be sleepy from the anesthesia and the surgical area
will be sore so you will need to have someone drive you
home. Once you go home, you may want to have someone stay
with you for the first few days. If your forehead lift is
performed at the hospital, you can expect to stay in the
hospital for one to two nights. Pain medication will be
prescribed to alleviate as much post-surgery pain as possible.
The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery
The immediate post-operative experience for patients who have undergone a traditional forehead lift may differ from that of patients who have undergone an endoscopic forehead lift. Traditional forehead lift patients may experience some numbness and temporary discomfort around the incision. Patients who are prone to headaches may experience a general headache. Both headaches and pain can be controlled with prescribed medication. In addition, you should keep your head elevated for the first few days after surgery to reduce the swelling, which may extend to the eyes and cheeks.
For endoscopic patients, there may be some numbness, incision discomfort, and mild swelling. Pain around your incisions is usually mild, but can be controlled with prescribed medication if necessary. No matter which type of forehead lift is performed, your discomfort level will improve rapidly after the first two days.
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The First Two Weeks After Surgery
Although you will be up and around in the first few days after your surgery, you should take it easy for the first week after surgery. You can shower and shampoo your hair as soon as the bandages are removed, usually a day or two after surgery. Your stitches and any surgical clips used will be removed within two weeks of the surgery, usually in two steps. If temporary fixation screws were used to secure your eyebrows into a higher position, they will be removed within two weeks of your surgery. Most patients are back to work within a week to ten days of surgery, even sooner for endoscopic patients.
You will notice a marked improvement in your discomfort level during the first few weeks after your surgery. You may also notice:
· Mild to moderate swelling, tenderness, and bruising in the area of the incision. This will gradually disappear within the first two weeks after surgery, with most of the swelling and bruising disappearing within a month.
· Swelling that affects the eyes and cheeks. This will disappear within about a week of your forehead lift.
· Itching as a result of the healing of the nerves near your incisions. This feeling is more pronounced with the traditional forehead lift and may take up to six months to disappear completely.
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Resuming Your Normal Routine
Everyone heals at different rates and you are the best judge
of when you are ready for certain activities, but the following
are general guidelines:
· You can most likely return to work or school within one week to ten days after your surgery.
· You can resume driving as soon as you feel comfortable doing so.
· You can most likely return to your physical exercise
program within six weeks of your forehead lift. Our patients
are encouraged to plan an exercise program and discuss it
with the staff prior to resuming exercise.
· Most of the visible signs of your surgery should fade within about three weeks.
· Prolonged exposure to heat and sun should be limited for several months.
· The scars caused by the incision should be protected from
sunlight for at least a year after surgery.
Things To Be Aware Of After Your Surgery
· You may experience a loss of sensation or numbness in the area of your surgery. This is entirely normal and may take several months to disappear.
· You may notice an itching or tingling sensation in the
surgical area. This feeling is a result of the healing of
the nerves in the area and will go away within several months
of your procedure.
· Some of your hair around the incision may fall out and may temporarily be a bit thinner than normal. Normal hair growth usually resumes within a few weeks to a month. Permanent hair loss is rare.
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What Are Possible Side Effects or
Risks? All surgical procedures have some degree
of risk; however, major complications from forehead lift
surgery are unusual. During your initial consultation with
the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for
Plastic Surgery, your individual risks will be assessed
and discussed. As with any surgery, you can help reduce
the risks by closely following the pre and post-surgery
instructions provided to you. And the doctors and staff
of the Institute will be with you every step of the way
to ensure a safe and pleasing outcome. Most likely risks
include the following.
· Infection
· Permanent numbness
· Nerve damage
· Hair loss
· Scarring
How Long Will the Results of Your Forehead Lift Last?
Forehead lift surgery can provide you with a more youthful and rested appearance. These results generally last between five to fifteen years and longer in many cases. It is important to keep in mind that the effects of aging, gravity, and environmental factors will eventually cause lines and furrows to reappear in your forehead region.
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Questions You May Have
· Are there other procedures that could be done along with forehead lift surgery to enhance the overall appearance of my face?
A forehead lift is often performed in conjunction with a facelift to provide a smoother, more youthful look to the face. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can also be performed to reduce the amount of skin overhanging into the eyelid area. Botox injections are a non-surgical alternative that may temporarily reduce the amount of lines and furrows in your forehead region.
· Will my insurance coverage pay for my forehead
lift?
In most cases, forehead lift surgery is considered cosmetic
surgery and, therefore, is not covered by insurance.
You are responsible for the full payment of the procedure.
Cost and payment information will be fully discussed with
you during your initial consultation. In rare instances,
insurance will cover the cost of a forehead lift if it is
considered medically necessary to improve vision that is
impaired due to low brows or overhanging skin. The staff
at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will work
with you to determine if your procedure is covered by your
insurance.
· Are there alternatives to forehead lift surgery?
Botox injections are a non-surgical alternative to a forehead lift. These injections can reduce or eliminate frown lines, forehead creases, and crows feet by blocking the nerve impulses to temporarily paralyze the muscles that cause wrinkles. Skin care and resurfacing procedures may also improve wrinkles, skin tone, and skin color variations.
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