Browlift

Why do patients request a browlift?
Most people request surgery to correct the brow region is because they feel the brow area has sagged downwards. This tends to give a heavy appearance to the brow and upper face. The heavy feeling in the brow area is often associated with excess skin in the upper eyelids. Sometimes some of this appearance can be corrected by injectable treatments.

Are there any reasons not to have a browlift?
There are no absolute reasons not to have a browlift. Previous upper lid blepharoplasties can make performing a browlift difficult depending on how much skin is left in the eyelid. Medication such as aspirin or warfarin should be discussed with your surgeon before undertaking the procedure.

What does the operation involve?
There are two types of browlift: the endoscopic browlift which is performed through 4-5 incisions on the scalp, each incision being approximately 2-3cm long or the open browlift that uses a scar across the top of the head.

Both techniques lift the scalp and forehead skin from the underlying skull. The skin is released from its attachments around the eye socket and the scalp pulled upwards and backwards to put the brow in a better position. The scalp is held in place with sutures and/or tissue glue.

The operation is usually performed under a general anaesthetic.

What you need to know

How long does the operation take?
The operation takes 45-60 minutes

How long am I in hospital?
Patients usually stay in hospital for 1 night but the operation can be done as a day case.

What happens when I go home?
There can be some swelling and bruising around the eyes for up to 10 days following the operation. Sometimes black eyes appear. The sutures or clips used to close the wounds are normally removed at around 10 days after the operation.

Hair can be washed 48 hours after surgery.

Driving should be avoided for 4-5 days after the operation and patients return to completely normal activities after 3-4 weeks.

How long do I need of work?
People normally take 10-14 days off work.

Will the operation need redoing in the future?
As with any aesthetic surgery operation there is no absolute guarantee and therefore very occasionally revisional surgery is required.

What are the risks and complications of the operation?

• Swelling and bruising
• Bleeding and haematoma formation.
• Infection, wound breakdown and visible scarring
• Loss of hair around the scars
• Damage to nerves in particular the supra-orbital nerve and the facial nerve