What Is A Brow Lift?
A brow lift is an operation designed to rejuvenate the eyelid area and provide a more youthful appearance. It may be combined with other procedures such as blepharoplasty.
Who Is It Suitable For?
Those in whom the brow has become heavy and dropped leading to a more aged appearance of the upper eyelids.
Who Is It Not Suitable For?
Those with unrealistic expectations and those with a significant medical history. It is important to declare any history of thyroid disease, glaucoma or previous eye surgery.
How Much Does A Brow Lift Cost?
Due to the nature of the surgery, the cost of a brow lift will differ for each patient depending on what is required. After a consultation, the surgeon will provide you with a quote including hospital, surgeon and anaesthetic fees.
What To Expect During Your Consultation?
The success of the consultation depends on your openness and honesty in relation to what troubles you and your expectations of surgery. You will be asked questions about your health, desires and lifestyle. Different operations can be tailored to your needs and the potential outcomes and the risks and complications will be discussed with you. The operation often involves the elevation of the brow and occasionally involves removal of skin. The operation can be combined with other operations such as a blepharoplasty.
Preparing For Brow Lift Surgery
A brow lift procedure is usually performed under general. Your health is a prime importance and any cosmetic surgery should be postponed if you are unwell for any reason. It is important that if anything changes with your health that you make contact with us. You should ideally stop smoking 6 weeks prior to surgery and stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements before surgery. You may need preoperative tests prior to surgery, which we will arrange if required. You will generally experience bruising, swelling and discomfort following the surgery and should aim to be off work for at least 1 weeks depending on the type of work you do.
The Surgery
Brow lift surgery usually takes between 1 and 2 hours. An incision is placed in the either the skin over the eyebrow, in the scalp skin above the ear in the temporal region and occasionally in the scalp along the forehead. It may involve the use of an endoscope. There may be a number of different incisions. Occasionally scalp or forehead skin is removed although this is uncommon. The skin is lifted from the incisions down to the brow and the brow lifted. The skin is then repositioned and secured with deep stitches. The skin is then closed often with a combination of sutures and clips.
After Surgery
You will usually return to the ward within an hour following surgery. You will be able to drink and eat and mobilize. You will feel swollen and have bruising and discomfort that may require analgesia. You may be able to go home on the same day and should keep the wounds dry for the next week. You should keep your head upright and avoid hot baths. You should arrange for someone to pick you up following surgery and have some support at home when you are discharged. You will be reviewed in clinic and the wounds checked at a week and any clips removed. The final results of a brow lift can take a few months to become apparent.
Risks And Complications
The vast majority of patients are delighted with the procedure although common complaints include bruising, swelling and headache. Uncommon complications include infection, haematoma / persistent bleeding, delayed healing/skin necrosis, irregularities, hair loss and thickened scars. Sensory changes can occur although permanent numbness or change in sensation is uncommon. There are also uncommon risks of general anesthesia such as respiratory / cardiac compromise and deep vein thrombosis. In the immediate phase the brow can look high and swollen and it takes a number of weeks for the brow to settle. The brow can descend further with time. Often brow lifting is combined with belpharoplasty and you should discuss the proc and cons of this at consultation.