Thursday, December 10, 2009

Ask Dr. Man- Endoscopic Browlift

Dear Dr. Man, I went for a consultation with my plastic surgeon and after speaking with him and evaluating my needs, we decided on an endoscopic browlift. The doctor gave me a little background about the procedure and what it will achieve, but can you give me some more details about what to expect, particularly with regards to recovery? Signed, Maya

Dear Maya, As we age, it’s very common to develop droopy eyebrows, hooding over eyes, forehead creases and frown lines. A browlift (a.k.a. “forehead lift") is a procedure that restores a more youthful, refreshed look to the area above the eyes. It can help to reduce deep creases, horizontal lines, and furrows in the forehead, while lifting heavy, droopy eyebrows that can create a hooding effect over the eyes and make a person appear angry, sad or tired. A browlift is a minimally invasive procedure often performed in conjunction with a facelift or eyelid surgery; however, it can be done as a standalone procedure.

The brow lift your surgeon recommended is one of the more commonly used techniques. Instead of one long incision from ear to ear (which the traditional browlift uses), this technique requires approximately three to five one-inch incisions. An endoscope (wand with a small camera on the end) is inserted into one of the incisions in order to see the underlying muscles and tissues. Next, the eyebrows are released and secured in a higher position underneath the skin. The frown lines are also decreased by weakening the muscles that cause them.

Many surgeons prefer the endoscopic technique for a brow lift because the scalp incisions are minimized, there is a lower chance of permanent scalp numbness, and the recovery is generally shorter. This technique is also recommended for people with thinner hair.

To reduce swelling after a browlift, you should keep your head elevated. Bandages are removed in a short time, and stitches are removed within a week. You should be able to shower and shampoo your hair within a few days.

Some numbness and tightness of the forehead are common after surgery. Your cheeks and eyes may also bruise and swell, but that should not last too long. Most people are up and about within a few days; however, you should rest for at least the first week after surgery. Avoid rigorous physical activity for a couple of weeks after surgery. Most of the visible signs of surgery should fade within the first few weeks.

The position of your brow can have a major impact on facial expression. An elevated and smooth brow can do wonders for restoring a youthful look and a positive facial expression. Good luck!

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Dr. Man


Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. He has a successful private practice in Boca Raton, FL. For more information about Dr. Man, visit www.drman.com.

1 comment:

  1. My skin was looking very attractive and I received so many compliments due to my smooth and charming facial expressions, which are only because of Brow lift cosmetic surgery

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