Surgical Procedures

 
 
   

Brow Lift

 

I'm tired of being told that I look tired....

 

People generally do not think of the forehead as a cosmetic region. Yet the forehead is one-third of your face.

All foreheads descend with time and contribute to a worn, tired appearance.

Whether you are laughing or crying or even while asleep, your forehead is constantly moving-wrinkling, stretching, expanding and contracting. It's hard to think of any facial expression that doesn't involve the forehead.

As we age all of our facial skin descends (one of the Three D's" of facial ageing) this includes the forehead and the eyebrows. As the forehead descends it "delivers" skin to the upper eyelid region ("Hooding"). In an unconscious attempt to clear the excess upper lid skin and restore the field of vision the forehead muscle contracts forcibly. This raises the brows and produces ever deeper folds across the forehead. If you do this long enough the lining becomes permanent. The folds by themselves are usually not the complaint. It is the stern, hostile and anxious appearance that is associated with the forceful forehead muscle elevation that others find offensive.  If you are hearing "you look angry" then you likely have a low brow and associated tense forehead contraction.

Another related problem is the large amount of skin that the low brow "delivers" to the upper eyelid region. It is important to differentiate true upper eyelid skin excess from a low brow (often they coexist) because removing skin from the upper lid cannot elevate a low brow.  Just as baggy pants need to be pulled up at the waist and cannot be pushed up at the knees.

This problem that can be corrected with a forehead lift (brow lift).

It also has another important benefit. By altering some of the underlying muscles, it can prevent many frown and worry lines from returning. Every forehead lift also elevates depressed eyebrows. This helps create a more natural, longer-lasting result.

Sagging, drooping eyebrows can be quite a depressing sight. Not only do they produce a sense of heaviness around the eyes but also they also often make someone look hostile, tired and unhappy. When the brow is elevated, the tired, sad and angry look may disappear completely, and often the entire face brightens up.

You'll look more youthful and refreshed.

The Brow lift How it Works:

 

In the usual surgical method, an incision across the top of the head is hidden just behind the hairline. The forehead tissues are undermined to just above the boney brow. The frown muscles are identified and weakened if necessary to reduce "scowling". The now loose forehead tissues are redistributed upwards and secured in place with the use of two EndotineTM devices. The Endotines hold the forehead in place while it is healing and then gradually dissolve. They are not visible externally. This reduces tension on the incision site and allows for better healing. Then the incisions are carefully closed and every effort is made to keep the scars as minimal as possible. Usually, they are well hidden behind the hairline and are very inconspicuous. A suitable dressing is applied and removed the next day.

Dr. Weiglein has found that brow lift is best done under general anaesthesia. It takes about one hours to perform. All of our procedures are done in our private accredited and inspected operating facilities. The Centre only uses fully trained and experienced certified anesthetists.  After the procedure you will recover for approximately two hours in our recovery room. A responsible adult must take you home. We will see you at the Centre the day after your procedure to remove your initial dressing. You may shower and shampoo the day after your operation. Medications are prescribed for post operative discomfort. You will need to take about seven to ten days off work and limit physical activity for about two weeks. Brow lifts are not painful but do produce a tight, cap-like headache sensation. There is little bleeding with the procedure and no bruising of the forehead itself. Gravity will cause bruising and swelling to appear around the eyes. This can be dramatic but is painless and disappears rapidly.

Follow up appointments are scheduled to allow monitoring of your progress and answer any concerns you may have. Our nurses will manage your care and remove sutures. The final visit is usually at 5-6 weeks post surgery or as long as necessary to ensure that all is well. We do not do endoscopic brow lifts as we feel that this method does not produce sufficient elevation of brow and forehead in most cases.

The effect is a smoother forehead, a younger, more refreshed look and a more animated appearance. A Brow Lift is an excellent way to "wake up" the area around the eyes. Eyelid surgery alone cannot raise a low brow but is often carried out in conjunction with a brow lift.

A brow lift addresses the problems associated with malposition of the eyebrows and the often associated lining and creasing of the forehead. The brows and forehead represent one third of the face and like the cheeks and neck are subject to aging.

Consider a Brow Lift if:

 

Questions about:

General anesthesia is required for the 1 hour procedure. If you are not healthy enough for an anesthetic we will not proceed. Anesthesia standards require that you are seen by an appropriate medical doctor prior to the procedure. All of our anesthetists are fully trained and certified.

Bleeding can occur after any operation. If it happens it will occur in the first 24 hrs. It is important to stop taking any medication (aspirin!) or supplements (green tea!) at least 10 days prior to any surgical procedure as many of these products act as blood thinners. Bleeding is very rare following our brow lifts . There is no expectation of having a blood transfusion.

Infection can occur after any operation. A surgically clean environment, careful surgical technique, healthy patients and suitable antibiotic coverage will minimize the risk of infection. We have not had an infection following a brow lift.

Blood clots can form in the deep (not varicose) veins of the legs and pelvis during any operation. This is exceedingly rare (zero to date) with brow lifts. At the Centre we use all known methods to decrease this unusual problem to its absolute minimum. We use the appropriate combination of TED stockings, Sequential Compression Devices, adequate hydration Intraoperative Warming and early mobilization. At home, you will continue with the TEDS, continued movement and other treatments if required

Scars are a necessary part of any brow lift procedure. The incision and resulting scar is placed back of the frontal hairline and is usually not visible when healed. We work hard to give you the very best outcome.

Numbness of the scalp is an expected side effect of an open brow lift. This is sometimes accompanied by itching of the forehead and scalp. The region affected extends from the incision to the top of the head. This gradually disappears over a period of 1 year or more. Some individuals experience a sensation of wearing a cap. This also gradually disappears over 1 year.

Facial nerve injury is rare but possible following any facial cosmetic surgical procedure. The frontal branch of the facial nerve travels through the forehead tissues and is responsible for forehead contraction and eyebrow elevation.  Most facial nerve injuries are temporary and resolve over a 3-4 month period. It may be permanent but is generally cosmetically not very objectionable.

 

From Initial Phone call to Post Op Visits: How it Works

Your initial contact with the office will be with Trish, our Patient Coordinator. She will guide you through the process. You will then meet with Dr. Weiglein to determine the best solution to your particular problem. This initial meeting is designed to be an information and educational meeting. It is actually a time when you "audition" us and we "audition" you. With your input a recommendation will be made and all questions answered. We have numerous pre and post operative photos for you to see. There are always former patients available to speak with you about their experience. We welcome friends / husbands/ others to this meeting.

You will then meet with Trish again to discuss costs, scheduling and logistics. If you require more time to consider your options, or wish another appointment, we will arrange it. If you wish to finance the procedure we will assist you.

We encourage you to see us as a second opinion.

If you elect to proceed you will then meet with one of our nurses for your pre operative visit. She will review the procedure and expectations. Any necessary lab reports will be reviewed. Anesthesia standards require a pre operative physical from a family doctor.

We will provide you with full written post operative care instructions, your prescriptions, follow-up appointment dates, contact telephone numbers and instructions for care-givers at your pre operative appointment. No question will be unanswered.

Need more information?
Please contact us if you have questions. 

We are one of the leading cosmetic surgery practices in Canada so you can rely on our expertise.