What is a forehead lift?
A forehead lift is the operation that reshapes brows and reduces wrinkles, creases and furrows around the forehead and brow area. The operation can also reduce skin folds in the upper eyelids.
Who is a good candidate for surgery?
People with creases between the brows, brows that are droopy or those with horizontal furrows in the brow are generally good candidates for the procedure. Most people in good general health can undergo the procedure, although some men with receding or thinning hair may not wish to have incisions on the scalp. |
|
How is forehead lift performed?
The traditional method of lifting the brow involves removing a strip of skin either at the level of the brows, around a wrinkle on the forehead or behind the hairline. These methods are still indicated in certain circumstances, but most brow lifting is performed endoscopically. Typically, the surgery consists making several small incisions behind the hairline. A lighted endoscope is attached to a video monitor, and the surgeon visualizes the surgical planes on a TV screen. Over-active muscles are weakened, and the forehead is repositioned at a higher level. The scalp is suspended in its new position by a temporary pin which is removed a few days later. In most cases scalp incisions are very inconspicuous. Forehead lift is usually performed under general anesthesia in the operating room. It is typically a day surgery procedure. The typical operation usually lasts for a couple of hours.
What is the recovery from surgery like?
Recovery from forehead lift involves several phases. Since general anesthesia is used, you may experience some nausea for the first 24 hours, and you should avoid eating substantial amounts of food. Slight oozing may occur around the incisions. Most people get some bruising and swelling around the eyes. They also get swelling around the scalp and forehead. Some patients need to have a temporary drain placed and others need a gauze dressing around the scalp for a day or so. Limiting strenuous activity and keeping the head elevated will cut down on much of the swelling. The bruising resolves in about 7-9 days. Placing a cool pad over the eyes for the first 48 hours will help with the bruising. Most of the swelling is gone by two weeks. |
|
When should I come back to the doctor?
You may need to come back in a day or so to get the drain removed and the bandage changed. A few days after that, the pin is removed with a little local anesthetic in the office. A few surgical staples will be taken out of the scalp at the same time. This is usually quite painless.
When can I go back to work?
Workers that perform heavy tasks should avoid work for two weeks. After 2 weeks, patients may resume their normal exercise routines. Some office-type workers are able to return to work after 4-5 days to read mail, make phone calls and do some work with the computer.
Will my insurance pay for this?
Most insurance companies consider forehead lift a cosmetic procedure and do not cover the costs. There are some exceptions, and these are judged on a case by case basis.
