BROW LIFT SURGERY

BROW LIFT SURGERY IN SANTA BARBARA – FOREHEAD LIFT – BROW LIFT UNDER LOCAL ANESTHESIA

The brow lift surgery creates a more refreshed and youthful look for the patient by correcting the drooping of brows and improving the horizontal furrows and lines that create an inaccurate outward appearance of sadness or tiredness.

FOREHEAD LIFT CANDIDATES

Patients who fall between the ages of 40 and 60 tend to rely on these procedures the most for facial rejuvenation. Patients of any age with unsightly frown lines or furrows may also benefit. Some individuals may also experience inherited conditions.

Heavy, low brows and/or furrowed lines are often passed down. As a result, patients obtain this plastic surgery procedure so that they can enjoy a refreshed and alert look.

A facelift is often included with the forehead lift, or eyebrow lift, as a means of providing the face with a smoother overall look. Eyelid surgeries are often performed at this time as well. A patient who is experiencing sagging skin overhanging in the upper eyelid region stands to benefit greatly. Some patients may believe that they could use blepharoplasty but may actually benefit more from a brow lift Santa Barbara. The brow lift facial surgery is generally a cosmetic procedure and not a reconstructive surgery.

Bald or receding hairline patients could still be a proper candidate for the forehead lift. All a surgeon will need to do is make a simple alteration to the location of the incision or plan for a more comprehensive operation.

* Disclaimer

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Forehead lifts may serve as a great way to enhance your level of self-confidence, but it is not going to allow you to achieve any personal ideals and no one in your life is going to view you any differently. Discussing your goals and objectives with Dr. Sheffield before facial plastic surgery is in your best interests.

PROPER BROW LIFT SURGERY PLANNING

In order to fully understand the ramifications of this decision, take a look in the mirror and use the palms of your hands to gently draw the skin upwards at the outer edges of your eyes above your eyebrows. By raising the skin to the forehead area, this gives you an idea of what a forehead lift would look like.

THE CONSULTATION

Dr. Sheffield discusses all of your objectives and asks all of the most important questions. There are a range of conditions that could cause issues while the plastic surgery procedure is taking place or after it has been completed. Patients with blood clotting problems, uncontrollable blood pressure and a history of massive scars need to be forewarned.

Please inform Dr. Sheffield about any smoking, past facial surgeries or current vitamin and medication needs. At this time, he will explain his surgical technique, the facility he is going to use and the recommended type of anesthesia. If there are any high costs or major risks involved, they are discussed at length.

This is the perfect time to ask any questions you may have. Patients need to address any concerns they may have about their surgery before it takes place.

SURGERY PREPARATION

The instructions that you need for brow lift surgery will be provided by Dr. Sheffield at this time. All guidelines related to smoking, vitamin and medication intake and eating and drinking are offered during this step. Following these instructions allows the patient to maximize the positive effects. Short hairstyles may need to be grown out to conceal early scarring.

Whether the brow lift surgery is performed in the hospital or in outpatient services, the patient must arrange for someone to be driven home afterwards. This person will also need to assist them at home for a day or two.

SURGERY LOCATION

Brow lift surgery can be performed in an outpatient surgical center or the surgeon’s own office based facility. These types of procedures are typically offered on an outpatient basis.

ANESTHESIA

The position of the brow is heavily influenced by culture and fashion. Generally speaking there is a natural peaking of the brow laterally in women. The brow normally sits lower in the male. If the brow position is lower a determination is made how to reposition it. There have been a number of described ways to carry this out. Many procedures require general anesthesia to give a sustaining result. Procedures under local anesthesia can produce a dramatic result. In his practice over the years Dr. Sheffield has done every described way to elevate the brow, however, with the current technique he has found it to be a very effective way under local anesthesia. The procedure requires two small separate incisions just at the hairline. The extent of the procedure depends whether mainly the tail or both the tail and the medial portion of the brow needs elevation. The procedure is carried out with oral sedation. There is only modest swelling after the procedure. The patient only a few days of recovery and normal activities are resumed.

* Disclaimer

THE SURGERY

Dr. Sheffield offers the proper insight into surgical approach. Some patients may benefit from the classic endoscopic forehead lift. Be sure to do your homework on each technique so that you fully understand what you are agreeing to.

The classic forehead lift: The hair is tied with rubber bands on both sides of the line where the initial cut is taking place. The head is not going to be shaved. A trim may be necessary for hair that is growing where the cut of the scalpel needs to be made.

A coronal surgical opening is used for most patients. It follows a pattern much like a headphone. The opening starts at ear level and runs across the top of their forehead before making its way down the other side of their head. The scar is not visible because of where the initial cut is made.

A high or receding hairline will cause the incisions to be placed in a different location. Otherwise, more height is going to be added to the forehead. Patients that are balding require an opening in the middle of the scalp.

To make the scars more inconspicuous, the hairstyle should be worn flat on the forehead. For male patients, some additional planning might be needed before the procedure can take place.

A mid scalp precise cut is often required for bald or receding hairline patients. This allows the resulting scar to follow the bones’ natural junction and is less noticeable.

The skin of the forehead is then lifted by working through these type of incisions. Underlying tissue is removed and forehead muscles are released or altered. Excess skin is trimmed away and eyebrows can be elevated at this time. This creates a more youthful appearance.

The hairstyle will be tied back with rubber bands behind the incision area and in front of it. Usually, the cut of the scalpel is made just behind the hairline and across the head.

The skin of the forehead is gently lifted. This allows for excess skin and facial muscle portions to be removed. Clips and stitches are used to close the precise opening. The head is washed as a means of preventing irritation.

While there are plastic surgeons out there that are not going to use dressings, incisions may be covered with gauze padding before the head is bandaged.

The endoscopic forehead lift: The same preparation steps are used for this procedure as the traditional forehead lift.

One key exception: long coronal incisions are replaced by three to five shorter incisions. Each cut of the scalpel will under an inch long. The endoscope (a pencil sized camera device that connects to a TV monitor) is placed in one of the incisions. This gives the surgeon a better view of the tissues and muscles beneath the surface.

Different incisions are used to insert another instrument. Forehead skin will be lifted and alterations are made to tissues and muscles. Eyebrows can be lifted at this time and placed in a higher position. Temporary fixation screws and sutures are placed behind the hairline to hold them in place.

Scalp incisions are closed as soon as the procedure is complete with the use of clips and stitches. Once the area is cleaned, the surgeon may choose to dress the area with gauze and a bandage.

An endoscope may be used to perform the browlift. Small incisions are made within the patient’s hairline so that additional instruments are placed inside. Muscle and tissue underneath can then be removed, altered or re-positioned. Visible furrows and creases are improved immediately.

Sagging brows, brow ptosis or droopy eyebrows can be corrected with the usage of scalp and temple incisions and no endoscope is needed. Incisions that are hidden inside of the upper eyelids’ natural crease may also be required. This is how lines on the nose’s bridge and between the brows are eliminated.

The coronal brow lift serves as an alternative technique and pinpoints specific areas that need to be addressed. An incision is made from ear to ear and the forehead is lifted so that excess scalp skin can be removed.

Endoscopic browlift surgery comes with a longer recovery time because of the incision size.

Brow lift incision lines remain concealed within a patient’s natural facial contours or their hairline. There are instances where the incisions may be more visible because they are placed in an area that designed to shorten the forehead. As the bruising and swelling diminishes, the results become more visible and the patient’s appearance is more youthful.

CLOSING INCISIONS

These incisions are closed with:

• Removable sutures

• Specialized clips

• Skin adhesive

• Surgical tape

VISIBLE RESULTS

The elevation of the brow is maintained with:

• Tiny surgical screws

• Permanent sutures

• A fixation device that is absorbable and at the temple in an inconspicuous location

* Disclaimer

THE RECOVERY

The head may need to remain elevated for 48 to 72 hours in order to reduce swelling. The eyes and cheeks may also be affected. Within a week or two, these affects will diminishes. The effects of a classic brow lift surgery will differ greatly from an endoscopic lift.

Take it easy for the first week of the recovery process. The patient should be able to shower within two days of the surgery taking place.

The average patient returns to work or school within a week to 10 days but some patients may recover more quickly. Strenuous physical activities need to be limited for the first several weeks of the recovery period.

Sex, bending, heavier forms of housework and any activity that leads to a spike in blood pressure is included. It will take several months before the patient is ready for prolonged sun/heat exposure as well.

Most of the visible effects of the surgery should have faded entirely within a few short weeks. Camouflage makeup can be used to conceal the more minor swelling and bruising. Your energy level may dwindle at first but this will improve as your condition does.

YOUR NEW LOOK

Patients tend to be pleased with the outcome no matter which method is used. They do not always realize how much of a difference this procedure will make until after it is complete. This procedure does not stop the aging process but it certainly help with rejuvenation.

The scalp may begin to itch as the nerves heal. It could take up to six months for these sensations to subside. Bandages are removed in a day or two while stitches or clips are taken out within two weeks.

In the area where the incision took place, the hairstyle may thin or fall out completely. The growth should resume within weeks or months and permanent losses are rare.

Patients who receive an endoscopic lift could have swelling, numbness or discomfort in the area where the incision took place. The pain is usually minimal but patients can receive medication if necessary. The classic forehead lift tends to cause more of an itching sensation.

Temporary fixation screws are gone within a two week period and staples/stitches are removed within one week.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS