As we age, our brows can become “heavy” leading to droopy eyelids and a tired expression, even when fully rested. A brow lift may be the right procedure to restore a more youthful, open face. Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque, and Dr. Patterson pride themselves on giving patients a natural look. You will look like you, only younger and fresher.
Brow Lift
Typical Timing/Age
45 to 65 years old.
Problem
Low eyebrows (brow ptosis) due to excess forehead tissue and/or a weak frontalis muscle.
Procedure
Depending on the deformity, a brow lift can be done open or closed. An open brow lift treats excess forehead skin by directly removing it. The scars from an open brow lift may be hidden above the eyebrow, at the hairline or on the top of the head within the hair. A temporal brow lift involves the removal of excess skin and subsequent scar placement in the temporal hair. A closed or endoscopic brow lift does not treat the problem by removing the excess skin but rather re-suspends the excess tissue at the appropriate level. The advantage of this technique is shorter scars. The disadvantage of an endoscopic or closed brow lift is a posterior displacement of hairline (moves backward, making the forehead look bigger). An advantage of an open brow lift done through an incision at the hairline is anterior displacement of the hairline (moves forward, making the forehead look smaller). Some milder cases of brow ptosis may be temporarily treated by the selective weakening of certain regions of the frontalis muscle via a “BOTOX lift.”
Goal
To improve the function and appearance of the eyes by moving the eyebrows to the appropriate level.
Facility
In some cases, brow lifts can be performed in the office under local anesthesia. They can also be done at a surgery center under general anesthesia. Surgery Center or Hospital
Preparation
Your surgeon may want to administer BOTOX prior to a browlift to temporarily paralyze brow muscles that will place tension on the incision after surgery. Paralyzing these muscles during the healing period may improve the final appearance of scars.
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia if done in the office or general anesthesia if done in an outpatient surgery center
Hospital stay
This is an outpatient surgery and does not require an overnight stay in the hospital.
Positioning
After a brow lift you will want to sleep with your head elevated above your heart for a few days to help reduce the swelling.
Assistance
You will be able to walk around, feed and bathe yourself. Depending on your pain medication requirements, you may not be able to drive or care for others.
Walking After Surgery
You are encouraged to walk around the house as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Showering
You may shower immediately following surgery, being careful to keep your head dry. You may wash your hair 48 hours after surgery.
Exercise
1 week for light exercise. 3 weeks for regular exercise.
Sex
Wait 1 week because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure during the early healing period.
Work
You may be bruised for 1-2 weeks. If you have a desk job you can return to work as soon as you are comfortable doing so.
Swelling
Usually greatest around 3 days after surgery from which time it starts to subside. Some patients remain a little swollen for 2 months.
Bruising
If present, it usually subsides by 2 weeks.
Risks & Complications
Scar alopecia, asymmetry, bleeding, infection, prolonged swelling, need for revision, numbness, complications related to anesthesia.
Performed by: Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque, Dr. Patterson
*Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank: Statistics 2013. (2014). Aesthetic Surgery Journal / the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 34(1 suppl), 1S-22S.doi:10.1177/1090820X14542571
