Looking tired and saggy around the eyes? Bothered by deep forehead wrinkles? Office procedures including Botox, fillers, laser treatments and skin care can minimize these effects to a point. However, sometimes a brow or eyelid lift is needed and there are better options available today. Patients are now have the option of minimally invasive, yet effective cosmetic surgery with less down time. Many people today seeking cosmetic facial surgery are inconvenienced by the long duration of recovery time associated with “extreme make-overs” such as full facelifts, or full face laser resurfacing. An endoscopic forehead lift is one such minimally invasive surgery that reduces the harsh frown lines of the forehead while also lifting extra sagging skin from around the eyes, resulting in a refreshed more youthful appearance.
An endoscopic eyebrow and forehead lift is an outpatient procedure, performed safely under sedation and local anesthetic. With the aid of a tiny video camera, microdissecting instruments are placed through small incisions behind the hairline to avoid visible scars. The forehead skin is lifted and the muscle that contributes to the frown lines between the brows and horizontal lines across the forehead are weakened, creating a smoother, tighter appearing forehead region. Secondarily, the eyebrow region is also lifted upwards, and redundant heavy eyelid tissue is often minimized. After the forehead is lifted upward into its new position, it is fixated to an implant or suture that is absorbable, and placed behind the hairline. If extra sagging skin remains on the upper eyelid, this can also be removed by an eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, at the same time.
Brow lift surgery lasts about an hour. Ice packs are used faithfully for the next 48 hours. Bruising, swelling and discomfort should be minimal. Most patients do not need to take pain medication after the first or second day following surgery. Patients are asked to rest for the first 48 hours, and many return to work at one week after surgery. The majority of the swelling resolves after the first few weeks with residual healing taking up to 8 weeks. Patients can usually return to full activity after two weeks.
The results of endoscopic surgery, like all cosmetic surgery is variable. Patients will have a significant improvement of eyelid heaviness and a raised brow position and a slight reduction in forehead wrinkles. Often, patients will continue Botox injections to smooth the fine lines of the forehead and enhance and prolong the surgical results.
Surgeons must be well trained in this procedure and comfortable with the anatomy around the face and eyes to avoid risks including damage to the facial nerve resulting in facial paralysis, or bleeding. An experienced surgeon is mindful of “overlifting”, causing exposure of the eyes and severe dry eyes. Minimally invasive forehead lift is not for everyone. Some patients with a very high forehead may prefer a procedure that lifts the forehead, while also shortening it, but requires a larger scar.
Endoscopic forehead surgery can be performed alone or safely in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation surgeries or procedures, such as blepharoplasty, botox and fillers, and is an excellent alternative for upper face aesthetic surgery. For the dramatic result it provides, it is an effective means of facial rejuvenation with less recovery time for the active patient of the 21st century.
After completing a 2-year accredited fellowship in eyelid and facial surgery, board certification and training and Stanford and Georgetown Universities, Dr. Amato brings to Austin 17 years of experience specializing in minimally invasive aesthetic and reconstructive facial surgery.
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Call Dr. Amato Now at: 512-501-1010!