Introduction
Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Steely performs brow lift for total upper face rejuvenation. The forehead lift or brow lift also creates a more youthful, refreshed look but above the eyes; the procedure involves lifting drooping eyebrows and lessening the creases and furrows of the brow and between the eyes (the frown lines). Each procedure can be done alone or in combination with a midface lift or facelift for total face rejuvenation.
Why Brow Lift?
- EYou can smooth furrows or frown lines caused by stress or muscle activity.
- EIf you have inherited conditions, such as a low, heavy brow or furrowed lines above the nose, you can achieve a more alert and refreshed look.
- EIf you are male and bald or have a receding hairline, you may still be a good candidate for a forehead lift using modified techniques.
Your Initial Brow Lift Consultation
For either eyelid surgery or a brow lift, Dr. Steely will discuss your goals and evaluate your face, your skin and underlying bone structure. He will review your complete medical including any previous facial surgeries. He will need to know if you have any allergies; if you’re taking any vitamins, medications, or other drugs; and if you smoke.
For Brow Lift Surgery candidates, Dr. Steely will:
- Evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone.
Dr. Steely will give you an aesthetic evaluation that will include recommendations as to which procedure or combination of procedures will best meet your goals.
For each facial plastic surgery procedure, Dr. Steely will describe in detail the surgical technique he will use, the type of anesthesia, the surgery facility, and the risks and costs involved. Ask Dr. Steely any questions you may have, about your expectations and any concerns about the surgery.
Preparing for your Brow Lift Surgery
Dr. Steely and his staff will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly.
While you’re making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a few days if needed.
Brow Lift Surgery Options
The Endoscopic Forehead Lift:
Typically, an endoscopic forehead lift requires the same preparation steps as the traditional procedure. However, rather than making one long coronal incision, Dr. Steely will make three, four or five short scalp incisions, each less than an inch in length. He inserts an endoscope (a pencil-like camera device connected to a television monitor) through one of the incisions, allowing him to have a clear view of the muscles and tissues beneath the skin. Using another instrument inserted through a different incision, he lifts the forehead skin and alters the muscles and underlying tissues to produce a smoother appearance. He may lift the eyebrows and secure them into their higher positions by sutures beneath the skin’s surface or by temporary fixation devices placed behind the hairline.
Mini Temporal Brow Lift:
In some patients, especially men with receding hairlines, an alternative treatment used to decrease any noticeable incisions is a temporal brow lift only, that helps in elevating the saggy lateral brow, giving a more refreshed look with minimal downtime and hidden incisions.
After Your Brow Lift
- EYou may have some numbness, incision discomfort and mild swelling.
- EIncision site pain is usually minimal, and easily controlled with medication.
- EDr. Steely will remove any stitches in about a week.
- EYou should keep your head elevated for two to three days to keep the swelling down.
- EDepending on the procedure performed, you may have a small drain tube that is removed after 24 to 48 hours.
- EIf bandages were used, Dr. Steely will remove them a day or two after surgery.
- EDr. Steely will remove most stitches or clips within two weeks, perhaps in two stages.
Don’t hesitate to contact our office if you’re interested in learning more about brow lift surgery. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Steely will happily walk you through the entire process and answer any of the questions you have along the way. Your journey to the breasts you’ve always wanted begins with a consultation.
Upper Face Rejuvenation FAQ
What Facility Does Dr. Steely Use to Perform my Upper Face Rejuvenation?
Depending on the procedure performed, Dr Steely is able to perform these procedures in his fully accredited in-office OR suite, or in an outpatient hospital facility.
Do I Have to go to “Sleep” with Brow Lift ?
Depending upon the procedure performed, many upper face rejuvenation procedures can be performed under local anesthesia. Other upper face procedures require a sedation by an anesthesiologist.
When Can I go Back to Work After a Brow Lift Surgery?
Discomfort is minimal after brow lift and eyelid lift surgery, but swelling and bruising can be variable. Men tend to swell and bruise more than women. While there is no medical reason why you cannot return to a desk type job after just a day or two, your comfort with seeing coworkers with bruising, swelling, and other stigmata of recent surgery will decide when you can return.
Where Can I Learn More About Eyelid or Brow Lift Surgery?
The best site for a more in depth discussion is the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons