As with any plastic surgery, prospective patients of brow lift have many questions and concerns for their surgeons. While some of these are specific to the individual patient, others are more universal and make many patients worried, confused and anxious about the brow lift procedure. If you are interested in undergoing brow lift surgery,it is important to seek out as much information as possible before you move forward. With that in mind, here are some common concerns people have about the procedure.
Will My Forehead Be Numb?
Unfortunately, this is a known side effect of brow lift surgery. This numbness is usually temporary (caused by nerve stretching from the procedure), but it can last for several months following surgery.
In rare cases, numbness may be permanent. Endoscopic brow lifts require smaller incisions and may involve less numbness following surgery.
Is it Painful?
No plastic surgery procedure is completely comfortable during the recovery period, and while brow lift surgery does involve some discomfort, it is not exceptionally painful, particularly endoscopic surgery. Medication is prescribed to manage pain following surgery, and patients can usually switch to a less powerful painkiller a few days after surgery. Patients usually bounce back fairly quickly, with most returning to work and most other normal activities in about one to two weeks.
Will I Look Surprised?
The poor result of a surprised expression is due to the skin of the brow being pulled excessively tight. Fortunately, experienced surgeons are aware of the potential pitfalls of forehead lift surgery and should be able to avoid this complication, with natural results that make the patient look refreshed, not startled. During the healing process, swelling might give the illusion of this appearance, so it is important to wait until healing is complete to worry about looking startled.
Will There Be a Scar?
All plastic surgery involves a scar of some sort, but unlike medically necessary surgical procedure, an emphasis is made on keeping scarring discreet and to a minimum. Plastic surgeons are very talented at minimizing scarring and have the luxury of time to plan and execute procedures. Brow lift scars are often very minimal because many surgeons favor the endoscopic approach to forehead surgery, which involves only a few small incisions, typically hidden by the hairline. If the hairline is receding, a special surgical plan may be needed to avoid scarring.
How Long Do the Results Last?
Nothing can stop the aging process, but the results of a well-performed brow lift should last several years, often five or more. After the results have begun to fade, other options for facial rejuvenation can be explored, such as a facelift.
Will I Lose Some Hair?
More invasive brow lift methods can involve a risk of hair loss, but the common endoscopic approach has a very low risk for this complication. Scar tissue may prevent hair from growing normally on the incision site, but this is only a concern when the patient has thin hair which would make the incision and minor hair loss obvious. Temporary hair loss may occur following the procedure, but long-term problems are rare with endoscopic surgery. As a preventative measure,patients should avoid scratching the scalp throughout the healing process, as this can aggravate potential hair loss.
Will My Brow Be Very Tight?
Excessive tightening of the brow is something plastic surgeons try to avoid, as it tends to look unnatural as well as being uncomfortable for the patient. The brow may feel tight during the recovery period, due to numbness and swelling, but this should resolve over time. As with other complications, the best way to prevent this problem is to choose an expert, board certified plastic surgeon.
What Happens if My Brow Becomes Asymmetric?
Naturally, it would be ideal if every procedure turned out perfectly, but unfortunately there is always the potential for a poor outcome. Risk of poor aesthetic outcomes can be minimized by choosing a qualified surgeon to perform your surgery. In the unfortunate event that such asymmetry or other problem occurs, a revision procedure may be necessary.
Getting Specific Answers
Naturally, each patient is unique, and needs to have specific answers to questions about their individual brow lift procedures. This is where consultations come in. Before you select your surgeon (a very important decision you will need to make), you should meet with a few board certified facial plastic surgery experts to see which one might be a good fit for you. Skill, knowledge, experience, and a good bedside manner are all important qualities in a plastic surgeon, and your consultations will help you evaluate these qualities.
For the best in facial surgery in the Austin area, come to Buckingham Center and meet with Dr. Edward Buckingham, an acclaimed, board certified facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Buckingham can help you determine candidacy for brow lift surgery or discuss facial rejuvenation alternatives with you, as well as answering any questions you might have. For more information, call 512-401-2500 today to schedule your consultation.