Brow Lift FAQ

	Enhancing your appearance with a brow lift What to expect during your consultation Preparing for surgery Procedural Steps Important facts about the safety and risks of brow lift surgery My recovery The results will be long-lasting Words to know
	Also known as a forehead lift, a brow lift minimizes the creases that develop across the forehead, or those that occur high on the bridge of the nose; improves what are commonly referred to as frown lines; and repositions a low or sagging brow.
	Enhancing your appearance with a brow lift
	If you are bothered by expression lines or other signs of aging in the brow region, a brow lift may be right for you. A brow lift:
	Minimizes the creases that develop across the forehead, or those that occur high on the bridge of the nose, between the eyes   Improves what are commonly referred to as frown lines, vertical creases that develop between the eyebrows   Repositions a low or sagging brow that is hooding the upper eyelid   Raises the eyebrows to a more alert and youthful position Rejuvenation procedures typically performed in conjunction with a brow lift include:   Eyelid surgery to rejuvenate aging eyes   Facelift to correct aging changes in the mid- to lower face and neck regions   Skin resurfacing techniques
	Is it right for me?
	A brow lift is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. Brow lift surgery is a good option for you if:   You are physically healthy   You don’t smoke   You have a positive outlook and specific, but realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance
	What to expect during your consultation
	The success and safety of your brow lift procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. Dr. Vartany will ask you questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.  He will also show you before and after pictures of the procedures that he has performed. Be prepared to discuss:   Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome   Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments   Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs   Previous surgeries Dr. Vartany will also:   Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors   Discuss the options available to you for facelift and facial rejuvenation   Examine and measure different parts of your face   Take photographs for your medical record   Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment   Discuss likely outcomes of a brow lift and any risks or potential complications
	Preparing for surgery
	Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:
	Get lab testing or a medical evaluation   Take certain medications or adjust your current medications   Stop smoking well in advance of surgery   Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding
	Special instructions you receive will cover:
	What to do on the night before and morning of surgery   The use of anesthesia during your brow lift   Post-operative care and follow-up Dr. Vartany will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. A brow lift may be performed in an outpatient surgical center, or a hospital.
	Procedural Steps:
	What happens during brow lift surgery?
	Step 1 - Anesthesia
	General anesthesia is used for the surgery and it will be administered by a board certified anesthesiologist.
	Step 2 – The incisions
	A brow lift may sometimes be performed using an endoscope (surgical video device) and special instruments placed through small incisions made within the hairline. This allows the tissue and muscle beneath the skin to be repositioned, altered or removed, correcting the source of visible creases and furrows in the forehead. Correction of a low-positioned or sagging brow may be made with or without the use of an endoscope through incisions at the temples and in the scalp. This technique may be done in conjunction with incisions hidden within the natural crease of the upper eyelids to eliminate frown lines between the brows, on or above the bridge of the nose. An alternative brow lift technique is the coronal brow lift. The coronal brow lift can pinpoint specific regions of the brow to correct. This technique involves an incision from ear to ear, lifting the forehead and removing excess skin from the scalp. Recovery time is often longer than the endoscopic brow lift due to the size of the incision. The incision lines from a brow lift are well concealed within the hair or natural contours of the face unless they are placed at the hairline to shorten the forehead. Results appear gradually as swelling and bruising subside to reveal smoother forehead skin and a more youthful, restful appearance. Brow elevation may be maintained by the use of:   Permanent sutures   Small surgical screws   Absorbable fixation device placed inconspicuously at the temples
	Step 3 –Closing the incisions
	Brow lift incisions typically are closed with special clips
	Step 4 - See the results
	Important facts about the safety and risks of brow lift surgery
	The decision to have a brow lift is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. Dr. Vartany will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks and potential complications.
	The risks include:
	Unfavorable scarring   Bleeding (hematoma)   Infection   Poor wound healing   Anesthesia risks   Blood clots   Correctable hair loss at the incisions   Elevated hairline   Facial nerve injury with weakness or paralysis   Facial asymmetry   Skin loss   Numbness or other changes in skin sensation or intense itching   Changes in skin sensation   Eye irritation or dryness   Eyelid disorders that involve abnormal position of the upper eyelids (eyelid ptosis), loose eyelid skin, or abnormal laxness of the lower eyelid (ectropion) can coexist with sagging forehead and eyebrow structures; brow lift surgery will not correct these disorders; additional surgery may be required     Fluid accumulation   Pain, which may persist   Skin contour irregularities   Skin discoloration and swelling   Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal   Possibility of revisional surgery
	When you go home
	If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, call Dr. Vartany immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment. The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure. Another surgery may be necessary.
	My recovery
	When your procedure is completed, your forehead may be taped and your head may be loosely wrapped to minimize swelling and bruising. A thin tube may be present to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin.
	The results will be long-lasting
	Initial wound healing may take 5 to 10 days, at which time any sutures or clips will be removed. You will be ready to return to work and normal activity at this time. Cosmetics can camouflage any bruising that remains. Healing will continue for several weeks as the swelling dissipates and incision lines refine and fade and it may take several months for your complete recovery.
	Life-long sun protection will help to maintain your rejuvenated appearance by minimizing photo-aging or sun damage. In addition, a healthy lifestyle will also help extend the results of your rejuvenated, more youthful appearance.
	Words to know
	Brow lift: A surgical procedure to correct a low-positioned or sagging brow. Smooths furrows across the forehead and between the brows.   Endoscope: A surgical video device sometimes used during brow lift procedures.   General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.   Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.   Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.   Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.   Skin resurfacing: Treatment to improve the texture, clarity and overall appearance of your skin.   Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.
	Excerpted from the ASPS/ASAPS Patient Education Brochures