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The
sagging or low position of the eyebrows and the
frown lines that come with aging.
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result
of a forehead lift is a rested, more attractive
look. |
On days when you are feeling well
rested and content, does your facial expression tell
a different story ? Often, the forehead is the main
culprit. A lined or furrowed brow can make a serene
face appear upset or concerned. Frown lines between
the eyebrows can produces an angry look. A drooping
brow can create a perpetually tired or sad look.
If
you believe that your forehead is preventing you from
looking as good as you feel, a forehead lift, also called
a brow lift, may be a good option for you. A forehead
lift corrects the sagging or low position of the eyebrows,
softens horizontal creases across the forehead and erases
the worried or angry expression that can result from
frown lines. The outcome is a more relaxed and refreshed
appearance.
You’ll
find basic information about forehead lift surgery in
this brochure. However, the best way to get complete
answers to specific questions that relate to your individual
needs is to have a personal consultation with a plastic
surgeon certified by The American Board of plastic Surgery.
 Is
a fore head lift right for me ?
Forehead
lifts are most commonly performed on men and women in
the 40 – 60 year old age range. However, there
is no age limit to the procedure. It can also produce
good result for younger adults who have inherited stress
related conditions, such as low eyebrows or furrows
above the nose.
You
may be a good candidate for a forehead lift if you have
any of the following types of conditions :
•
Sagging or low position of the eyebrows, creating a
tired or sad appearance
• Deep horizontal creases across the forehead
• Frown lines, or furrows, between the eyebrows
and sometimes across the top of the nose
Brow
lifts surgery needs to be approached with extra caution
if you have any of the following medical conditions
:
•
uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Blood clotting problems
• The tendency to form excessive scars
Be
sure to alert your plastic surgeon if you are affected
by any of these problems.
a)
A forehead lift can smooth the forehead, correct the
sagging or low position of the eyebrows and soften the
frown lines that come with aging.
What
should I expect from the consultant ?
A
personal consultation is the first step for every patient
considering a forehead lift. During this meeting, your
surgeon will assess your physical and emotional health
and discuss your specific goals for the surgical procedures.
You should arrive at the consultation prepared to provide
complete information about ;
• Previous surgical procedures
• Past and present medical conditions
• Treatments you have received
• Medications you are taking, including herbal
remedies and nutritional supplements
During your physical evaluation, your plastic surgeon
will assess your bone structure and the underlying tissues
of the face. The thickness, texture and elasticity of
your skin and the muscle activity of your entire forehead
and upper-eyelid region will be evaluated. In developing
your surgical plan, these factors will be considered
as they relate to the position of your eyebrows, the
amount of excess upper- eyelid skin and the height of
your hairline. Sometimes, Patients who are bothered
by excess skin in their upper eyelids don’t realize
that a sagging brow is contributing to that appearance.
Your
plastic surgeon may explain additional procedures that
can be performed along with a brow lift to meet your
appearance goals, for example, a brow lift is frequently
combined with :
A
face lift, which removes excess skin and tightens muscles
in the mid and lower face and neck.
Eyelid
surgery, which can correct excessive skin overhang in
the upper eyelids and minimize puffy bags beneath the
eyes.
b)
With a coronal incision, often the incision is made
across the top of the scalp, beginning above the ears
and concealed within the hair.
c) Another forehead lift technique uses an endoscope
which is inserted through several tiny incisions in
the scalp.
How
is a forehead lift performed
The
technique chosen for your surgery depends on your features,
your surgeon’s preferences and your desired results.
There
are several variations to the forehead lift procedure.
Your plastic surgeon will recommend the surgical technique
that he or she feels will obtain the best outcome for
you.
One
common method is the coronal incision technique. Using
this technique an incision is made across the top of
the scalp, beginning above the ears and concealed within
the hair. Sometimes, the incision may be placed at the
front of the hairline. The incision is designed to be
inconspicuous when healed. Working through this incision
, your plastic surgeon can modify or remove parts of
the muscles that cause wrinkling and frown lines, remove
excess skin and lift your eyebrow to a more pleasing
level.
Are
there other options ?
In
selected patients, instead of the coronal incision technique,
a limited incision technique can be used. One such technique
uses an endoscope, a long, thin tube with a light on
the end, which is attached to a video camera. The endoscope
is inserted through several small incisions in the scalp
and allows the plastic surgeon to see and work on the
internal structures of the forehead. In some instances,
a combination of endoscope and other technique may be
used.
Another limited-incision technique can be performed
without an endoscope. This technique uses incision near
the temples to lift the drooping eyebrows and upper
– eyelid incisions to treat the frown lines.
If
your only concern is frown lines between the eyebrows
or across the top of the nose, your surgeon may elect
the frown lines using only upper eyelid incisions the
same incisions that would be used for a blepharoplasty
(eyelid surgery).
How
will I learn about the safety of forehead lift surgery
?
Each
year, thousands of men and women undergo forehead lifts
and experiences no major complications. However,
It is important for you to be informed of the risks
as well as the benefits. One of the most important parts
of your consultation is the discussion that you and
your surgeon will have about the possible complications
of forehead lift surgery. In addition to listening carefully
to what your surgeon tells you, be sure to raise any
question or concerns that you may have about the safety
of the procedure.
Remember,
by carefully following your surgeon’s advice and
instructions – both before and after surgery –
you can do your part to minimize some of the risks.
What
can I do to prepare for my surgery ?
When the dates for your surgical procedure has been,
set, your plastic surgeon will provide you with specific
instructions for the days immediately before and after
your surgery. A number of points will be covered, including
:
• avoiding medications that may complicate surgery
or recovery
• stopping smoking for a period of time before
and after surgery
• arranging for help or special care following
surgery
• letting your hair grow long enough so that it
will cover the incisions as they heal
How
will I be cares for on the day on my surgery ?
Forehead
lift surgery may be performed in a hospital, an out
patient surgery center or an office based surgical suite.
If you are admitted to the hospital, your stay will
be a short one.
Medications
are administered to keep you comfortable during the
procedure. Your plastic surgeon may use local anesthesia
and intravenous sedation for your brow lift. However,
for some patients, general anesthesia may be the best
choice. Your physician or your anesthesia provider and
the nursing staff will monitor your physical status
throughout the operation and during your time in the
recovery room.
How
will I look and feel right after surgery ?
In
the recovery area, you may find that a head dressing
or headband has been placed around your forehead and
scalp to minimize swelling. Sometimes, a small drainage
tube is placed beneath the skin drainage tube is placed
beneath the skin to drain away fluids that might otherwise
accumulate and increase bruising. Discomfort is usually
minimal, but any pain you feel can be controlled with
medication prescribed by your surgeon.
Although
everyone heals at a different rate, you can expect that
your recovery will follow this general time line :
The
first day
• In this early stage of healing, you should rest
quietly with your head elevated. One rule of thumb is
to always keep your head higher than your heart.
Within the first week
•
Swelling and puffiness, which may affect the eyelid
and check areas, reaches its peak, and then begins to
subside.
• Bandages and drain tubes (if used) are removed
and you may shower
• You may resume light activity.
Within two weeks
•
Most of the bruising will disappear
• Stitches or clips will be removed.
• You can wear makeup to conceal any discoloration.
• You may resume many of your normal activities,
including light exercise.
After
three weeks
•
You may resume more strenuous activity and exercise
.
• Swelling and puffiness will continue to subside.
• Numbness and itching of the scalp will diminish
as the nerves continue to heal.
Throughout
the healing period, you should avoid exposure to direct
sunlight and, for the long term, be conscientious about
using sun block lotion to protect your skin.
d)
The result of a forehead lift is a rested, more attractive
look.
What
should I know about my results ?
If you’re like most people who have a forehead
life, you’ll be very pleased with your refreshed
and rejuvenated appearance. Although it may take several
months to see your final result, you will probably agree
that your new appearance was worth the wait.
A
number of factors, including your heredity and your
lifestyle, play role in how long the result of your
forehead lift will last. Remember, even though your
“ aging clock “ will be turned back several
years, that clock will continue to run. However, at
any point in the future, you will still look better
than you would have looked without surgery. Patients
are usually happy with their appearance for many years
following a forehead lift.\
How
long will I continue to see my plastic surgeon ?
After
the initial healing period, you will return to your
plastic surgeon’s office for a post-operative
follow-up visit so that your healing and progress can
be evaluated. In the following months, your surgeon
may ask you to return for periodic checkups. It’s
important to keep these appointments so that your surgeon
can assess your long term results and address any question
or concern you may have.
Choosing
a qualified surgeon
No
matters what type of plastic surgery you’re considering,
One of the most important factors in its success is
the surgeon you choose. Although it may seen hard to
believe, some of the physicians who are performing cosmetic
surgery today have had no formal surgical training at
all.
It’s
advisable to consider the following points before scheduling
a consultation ;
Find
out if he or she is certified by the American Board
of plastic surgery (ABPS). Surgeons with this certification
have completed a minimum of five years of surgical training
following medical school, including a plastic surgery
residency program. During this intensive program, surgeons
learn to perform surgical procedures for the entire
body and face. At the same time, they develop their
technical skill and aesthetic judgement. After training,
a surgeon must pass comprehensive oral and written exams
before being granted certification. The two professional
organizations that have prepared this brochure, the
American society of plastic surgery, require their members
to be certified by the American plastic surgery, requires
their members to be certified by the American Board
of plastic surgery.
Ask
about surgeon’s hospital privileges
Even
if you are planning to have your surgery in your doctor’s
office or at a surgery center, it is important to find
out if your surgeon has operating privileges in an accredited
hospital for the same procedure you would like to have
performed. Before granting privileges, hospital review
committees evaluate a surgeon’s training and competency
for specific procedures.
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