FAQ: Brow Lift

Brow Lift will set back the clock. There will be fewer wrinkles around the area of above eye/forehead and it will reverse back to a more youthful V shape, firmer and more balance. The treated area will appear smoother and younger.

The risks and complications are similar to other aesthetic surgery. They include local such as skin ischemia and loss and this is more common in smoker, hematoma, and nerve injury asymmetry. The systemic complications include blood clot and PE and other aesthesia risks. In healthy patients in the hands of board-certified Plastic Surgeons, the complication rates are in fact not very high.

Skin care, chemical peels and laser can improve a youthful look with no significant downtime. Botox and filler injections can have a high impact on lines but need to be repeated in intervals.

Laser liposuction of the forehead or subdermal tightening with the laser fiber can improve fine lines/wrinkles on the forehead without the incisions, general anesthesia, or recovery of Brow Lift. Fat transfer to the face can soften the stigmata of aging and restore volume to depleted cheeks and lips. These surgical options can be done in the office with local anesthesia.Liposuction and mini-abdominoplasty are procedure similar but usually give lesser result.

The Brow Lift is done in the subcutaneous plane and the skin is separated from the deep tissue I then mobilize, and use resuspend the SMAS. Fat is then used to restore areas where fat and volume at lost due to aging.

Directly, your eyes/eyelids should be not affected by the surgery, however the area of skin around your eyes could experience a slight lift, which will reduce the appearance of wrinkles or any fine lines.

Yes.

This surgical should not affect muscle movement. The immediate tightness from shifting the SMAS and subcutaneous dissection usually improves within the first few weeks after surgery.

Yes. There are photos on the website and more in the office or during consultation.

Yes. Brow Lift is often performed in conjunction with a face-lift to provide a smoother overall look to the face. Blepharoplasty, fat transfer to the face, chemical peels and laser are commonly done at the same time.

Because skin is excised and SMAS are shifted and tighten, your results will last many years and longer. It also helps if you maintain your skin with skin care products, no smoking, and sun avoidance. Periodic treatments with no invasive procedures such as Botox, fillers, micro laser or chemical peels and IPL can keep your look youthful look. If you lose significant weight, your results may loosen.

Please contact my office for the information.

You will have dressing on your head after surgery.

You should have a normal working appearance at ten days to two weeks.

The majority of the swelling and bruising resolves within ten days to two weeks.

Your face will feel numbness and tight after surgery. The incision may be slightly tender or itchy.

The incision length varies with the degree of skin excess. Generally the incision begins at the temporal region extending the edge of the side burn, hugs the inside of the ear, follows the crease of the earlobe and ends in the posterior ear crease.

There will be scars hidden under the chin, temporal region, under the side burn, inside the ear, and behind the ear.

Approximately 4 to 6 hours

Pain is usually very minimal after surgery. My patients usually do not need to take any narcotic after 72 hours.

You will discuss postoperative pain control with the surgeon at your postoperative appointment with your surgeon and receive a prescription.

You should plan on recovering at home for one week. You cannot plan for heavy exercise for two to three weeks.

You may drive once you stop taking narcotic pain medication and feel able to drive.

You may return to work as early as one week.

I usually use local anesthesia with IV sedation.

You will meet with the anesthesiologist prior to the surgery in the preoperative area. You may arrange to speak to an anesthesiologist by telephone prior to your surgery date.

Yes, your medication list will be reviewed during your consultation and your preoperative appointments. Please notify your surgeon of any changes or new medications at your preoperative appointment.

You should stop taking NSAIDS, phentermine and tamoxifen two weeks prior to surgery and hormones one week prior to surgery. Please discuss tamoxifen, steroids, antimetabolites, and blood thinners with the prescribing doctor prior to scheduling your surgery. Are you able to stop them temporarily? Are you healthy for an elective surgery with general anesthesia? Take your AM blood pressure medications with a sip of water the morning of surgery.

Stop eating and drinking at least 6 hours before the start of your surgery or by midnight the night before surgery.

Arrive one and an half hour before your scheduled surgery.

Approximately 4 to 6 hours.

Usually in the recovery room, within an hour of your surgery ending.

You will receive IV antibiotic immediately prior to surgery start and additional doses if the surgery last 6 hours. The antibiotic dosing follows the national surgical site infection protocol.

• Make sure your identity has been confirmed with name and date of birth
  Yes. Your driver’s license or identity will need to be verified at your appointment and at the surgery center.
• Make sure you have confirmed the surgery you are having
  Yes, review the surgery specifics at your preoperative appointment and again the day of surgery.
• Make sure the correct site of your surgery has been marked
  Yes, you will be marked while you are awake in the preoperative area. Communicate with your surgeon.
• Confirm any allergies and side-effects you might have
• Make sure you understand and have signed the informed consent forms

I usually talk to you in the recovery room as well as with one to two days after surgery in your postoperative visit to explain how your surgery went.

Discuss with your surgeon.

You may eat and drink after surgery. Start with a soft, bland diet.

You need to have instructions reviewed with a responsible adult.

You will receive narcotic pain pill prescription to fill prior to surgery. You may receive IV pain medication if you need and meet discharge criteria in order to leave.

Tell the doctor or nurse which pharmacy you prefer. Non-narcotic medications such as Compazine may be sent electronically but narcotic pain medications must be printed and hand delivered to the pharmacy.

You incision should be clean and dry.

Just keep you wound clean and dry.

Yes, the postoperative instructions will be reviewed at your preoperative appointment. After the initial bandage is removed, apply polysporin or vitamin E to your incisions twice daily.

Keep your face elevated and ice.

Yes, you will receive a list of medications to avoid prior to surgery and initially after surgery. Do not take NSAIDS, ibuprofen, or aspirin until your doctor approves.

Tell the doctor or nurse which pharmacy you prefer. Non-narcotic medications such as Compazine may be sent electronically but narcotic pain medications must be printed and hand delivered to the pharmacy.

You may shower after the first postoperative visit. Use a gentle shampoo to wash your hair such as baby shampoo. Pat dry and apply polysporin twice daily. Wash your hands before applying.

• You have a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit

• You have shortness of breath or chest pain

• You notice increased redness, swelling, warmth, or pain around your surgical incision

• You notice that your incision is separating or you have infected discharge from your incision

• Your bandages are repeatedly soaked through with blood

• You have persistent stiffness, numbness/tingling, or weakness of your face

• You have pain that your existing pain medications cannot control

• Take pain and other medications as prescribed
• Do not drive when you are on prescription pain medications
  Yes, narcotic pain medications impair your ability to drive.

• Do not soak in a bath or go swimming for ten days after your surgery
  You may bath but do not submerge your surgical site.
• Keep your incision clean and dry
• Elevate your head when laying down to reduce swelling in your face
• Use cold compresses on your face to reduce swelling as advised by your doctor
• Do not smoke as it could delay healing
  Smoking is dangerous for facelift. You should discuss with your surgeon if you not able to quit smoking at least 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery. Skin necrosis, difficulty healing, unsatisfactory result, and unsightly scarring can result from smoking.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting as long as your doctor advises
• Avoid wearing clothing that is worn by going over your head
• Wear easy to dress, zip up the front clothing.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on resuming normal daily activities
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on resuming sexual activity

The risks and complications are similar to other aesthetic surgery. They include local such as hypertrophic scar and or keloid, asymmetry, skin ischemia and loss and hematoma this is more common in smoker. The systemic complications include blood clot and PE and other anesthesia risks. In healthy patients in the hands of board certified Plastic Surgeons, the complication rates are in fact not very high.