Name of the Procedure:

Rhytidectomy; forehead
Common Name: Forehead Lift
Medical Term: Browplasty

Summary

A forehead lift, or browplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that addresses sagging skin on the forehead and upper eyelids. The goal is to give a more youthful and refreshed appearance by reducing wrinkle lines and lifting drooping brows.

Purpose

• Addresses: Sagging skin on the forehead, drooping eyebrows, deep furrows or horizontal lines across the forehead.
• Goals: To create a smoother forehead, elevate the brows, and reduce wrinkles or frown lines, resulting in a more youthful and rejuvenated facial appearance.

Indications

• Symptoms: Sagging or drooping eyebrows, deep horizontal forehead lines, frown lines between the eyebrows.
• Patient Criteria: Generally healthy individuals unhappy with the appearance of their forehead due to aging or genetic factors. Ideal candidates typically have realistic expectations and no contraindications for surgery.

Preparation

• Pre-Procedure Instructions: Patients may need to stop smoking and avoid certain medications like blood thinners.
• Diagnostic Tests: A detailed medical evaluation and possibly blood tests or imaging studies to ensure the patient's suitability for surgery.

Procedure Description

1. Anesthesia: Administered usually under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.
2. Incisions: Made behind the hairline to minimize visible scarring.
3. Lifting and Reshaping: The surgeon lifts the skin, removes or alters muscles causing wrinkles, and repositions the tissues for a smoother appearance.
4. Closing: Incisions are closed with sutures or staples, and may be covered with bandages.

Tools & Equipment: Scalpels, endoscopes (for less invasive techniques), sutures, and surgical staples.

Duration

The procedure typically takes about 1 to 2 hours.

Setting

Forehead lifts are usually performed in a hospital, outpatient clinic, or a surgical center.

Personnel

The procedure involves a team of healthcare professionals including:

• Plastic or cosmetic surgeon
• Anesthesiologist
• Surgical nurses
• Surgical technicians

Risks and Complications

• Common Risks: Swelling, bruising, numbness, and temporary discomfort.
• Rare Complications: Infection, adverse reaction to anesthesia, asymmetry, hair loss near the incisions, and scarring. Proper management typically includes medications, follow-up care, and sometimes revisional surgery.

Benefits

• Expected Benefits: A smoother, more youthful forehead, elevated brows, and reduction in wrinkle lines.
• Realization Timeline: Benefits typically become fully apparent within weeks to months after surgery with initial improvements visible almost immediately post-procedure.

Recovery

• Post-Procedure Care: Patients may need to keep their head elevated, apply cold compresses, and follow specific wound care instructions. Pain management is usually managed with prescribed medications.
• Recovery Time: Generally, 1-2 weeks for initial recovery with instructions to avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks. Follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor healing and remove sutures if applicable.

Alternatives

• Non-Surgical Options: Botox injections, dermal fillers, and laser resurfacing.
• Comparison: Non-surgical options offer less dramatic results and need regular maintenance, whereas a forehead lift provides more definitive and long-lasting results but with a longer recovery period.

Patient Experience

During the procedure, patients under sedation or general anesthesia will not feel any discomfort. Post-procedure, they may experience temporary pain, swelling, and bruising, which are manageable with prescribed pain relief measures and proper care following the surgeon’s instructions.