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BACKGROUND:
As we age, the eyebrows can descend below their more youthful position. In some cases, the lowered eyebrows can impair vision, or make it difficult to open the eyes. Three factors affect drooping of the upper lids: lowering of the lid margin (true ptosis); excess tissue between the eyebrows and eye lashes (dermatochalasis); and dropping of the eyebrows (brow ptosis). These distinctions are important in that each problem is addressed with a different surgical procedure or technique.
THE SURGERY:
Surgery is performed in an outpatient setting; patients are able to go home directly following their procedure. Patients are given a mild sedative intravenously, and then a local anesthesia is then applied to the operative area to further ensure patient comfort. On average, surgery for bilateral brow lift takes approximately 60 minutes to complete.
The Direct Brow Lift requires removing a section of skin and underlying tissue above and following the length of the eyebrows. This is NOT the same as a cosmetic browlift procedure, where incisions are in the hairline and surgery is performed endoscopically. Care is taken to position the scar just along the eyebrows so that it is maximally camouflaged. Patients must understand that there will be a visible scar at the upper edge of the eyebrows. This scar generally takes several months to fully heal and often minimally visible. For patients with pre-existing wrinkles in the forehead and full eyebrows will find the scar is quite cosmetically acceptable.
The procedure is very effective and allows for greater field of vision, especially when combined with upper eyelid surgery.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SURGERY:
Recovery is generally painless. Patients sometimes experience some tightness and minor discomfort for a few days. Over the counter antibiotic ointment will be applied to sutures above the brow several times a day. This will aid in suture dissolution and wound healing. It is common to have bruising around the eyes for a week or two following the procedure. Strenuous activity and rubbing of the are should be avoided for 2 weeks following the procedure.
Specific instructions for post-operative care will be provided and explained at the time of surgery. As always, please call with any concerns or questions that are not addressed in your materials.