Tyler Plastic Surgery

Dr. James R. Motlagh, MD

Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
700 Olympic Plaza Circle, Suite 420 | Tyler, Texas 75701 | 903-526-2500

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700 Olympic Plaza Circle,
Suite 420
Tyler, Texas 75701
903-526-2500

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Our Friendly Staff

Forehead Lift

 

For drooping eyebrows and isolated wrinkle treatment on the upper face, there's no better solution than a forehead lift, or brow lift.

About Forehead Lift Surgery


The Best Forehead Lift Candidates

Considering a forehead or brow lift

Adult men and women experiencing eyebrow ptosis (sagging) often seek a forehead or brow lift.

A forehead lift can raise and reposition the eyebrows to correct hooding of the upper eyelids, as well as treat forehead wrinkles, frown lines and bunny lines on the nose bridge that stick around even with Botox treatment. These are called static wrinkles that are present even when your facial muscles are at rest.

Patients who wish to undergo forehead lift surgery should be non-smokers in good physical and mental health with a good understanding of what can and cannot be achieved with the procedure.

A forehead lift will not address eye wrinkles or sagging eyelid skin, however it may be performed in conjunction with eyelid surgery for complete rejuvenation of the upper face. Also, a facelift or skin resurfacing procedure such as dermabrasion or a chemical peel may be performed along with a forehead lift.

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The Forehead Lift Procedure

What to expect during brow lift surgery

Patients undergoing brow lift surgery are placed under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. Before surgery, your hair will be tied back and possibly trimmed behind the hairline, where incisions will be made.

The surgery may be performed using a single incision hidden in your hairline that spans from ear to ear. This technique is known as a coronal brow lift. Another option is endoscopic surgery, which involves a few small incisions within the hairline instead of one long incision.

Coronal forehead lift

Alternative Brow Lift, Outline Alternative Brow Lift, Incision

Endoscopic forehead lift

Brow Lift, outline Brow Lift, incision

Once incisions are made, the forehead skin is lifted and repositioned, excess skin is removed and underlying muscle and tissue structures are plicated, or tightened. To eliminate frown lines, incisions may be made in the crease of your upper eyelids during forehead lift surgery. The entire procedure takes 1-3 hours.

Dissolvable sutures, surgical tape, skin adhesives or clips are typically used to close incisions. In order to maintain your new brow position, permanent sutures, screws or other devices may be used.

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Forehead Lift Complications

Understanding potential brow lift complications

Like all plastic surgery procedure, there may be complications after a forehead lift. Dr. Motlagh will discuss all potential forehead lift risks with you prior to surgery. General risks include:

  • Bleeding (hematoma)
  • Infection
  • Poor wound healing and scarring
  • Blood clots
  • Hairline elevation
  • Correctable hair loss near incision sites
  • Nerve injury
  • Skin loss
  • Dry eyes, irritation or other eyelid problems
  • Fluid accumulation
  • Need of revisional surgery

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Forehead Lift Recovery

Immediately after surgery, a soft dressing is applied, and your forehead is wrapped to help minimize bruising and swelling. Keeping your head elevated and applying cold compresses may also help reduce bruising and swelling during the forehead lift recovery period.

Drains may be needed to prevent fluid accumulation for the first few days after your forehead lift. Stitches or staples used to close your incisions will typically be removed within a week, and non-permanent fixation screws may be removed within 2-3 weeks.

Most patients may return to work within 7-10 days and may resume exercise and vigorous activity within 3- 4 weeks. After three weeks, your initial recovery period will be over and most temporary side effects will be resolved. It may take several months for all swelling to resolve completely, which is why final brow lift results cannot be measured for at least 3-6 months.

Dr. Motlagh will monitor your healing and recovery following forehead lift surgery during follow-up appointments at our office in Tyler, Texas.

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Forehead Lift Terms

  • Brow lift: A surgical procedure to correct a low-positioned or sagging brow. Smooths furrows across the forehead and between the brows.
  • Endoscopic surgery: Surgery performed with an endoscope, or 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.
  • IV 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.

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