A brow lift can erase telltale signs of facial aging by gently lifting your eyebrows and smoothing wrinkles and creases on your forehead. When performed by an experienced, qualified facial plastic surgeon like Dr. David Magilke, brow lift is the perfect solution to a low, heavy brow that creates a sad or angry facial expression.
There are a few ways to perform brow lift. Dr. Magilke prefers the minimally invasive endoscopic approach. With an endoscopic brow lift, he is able to significantly improve the appearance of the brow and forehead through minimal small incisions created in the temples and hairline. The incisions serve as entry points for small surgical instruments, including a video camera that projects images from under the skin onto a monitor in the operating room. The endoscopic brow lift incisions are well-hidden and fade significantly after surgery, so scarring is difficult to detect.
Another advantage of the endoscopic approach is the recovery, which is shorter than that of traditional open brow lift. Dr. Magilke’s patients are usually pleasantly surprised at how quick and comfortable the endoscopic brow lift recovery is.
Read on to learn more about the recovery from endoscopic brow lift.
How Will I Look and Feel?
After endoscopic brow lift, you can expect your forehead and brows to look mildly swollen and bruised. The bruising may extend over your upper eyelids and possibly over your lower eyelids, too. Swelling should peak a day or two after the procedure and then gradually subside.
You may have a mild to moderate amount of pain or discomfort after your surgery, and your forehead and brow region may feel slightly tight. Luckily, any pain can be easily controlled with oral medication. Severe pain is rare.
Your brow lift incisions will be covered in bandages, and a compression dressing may be placed over your forehead and scalp. If you notice drainage from the surgical incisions, there is no need to be concerned. This is common.
What Can I Do to Promote Optimal Healing?
To increase your chances of a comfortable and speedy recovery, do the following:
- Sleep with your head elevated for four weeks.
- Apply cool compresses to your eye area and forehead to minimize swelling.
- Use tear solutions if your eyes feel dry or irritated.
- Keep your compression dressing in place until Dr. Magilke advises you to remove it.
- Take antibiotics and pain medication as prescribed by Dr. Magilke.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol.
- Follow the incision care instructions provided by Dr. Magilke.
- Take it easy; avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activity until Dr. Magilke clears you.
- Alert Dr. Magilke to any severe pain, as it could suggest a complication.
If at any time after brow lift you have a question or concern, please do not hesitate to contact our practice. We can offer you information and reassurance as you heal from surgery.
