Endoscopic Brow Lift Procedure
Conveniently located to serve Fort Worth
Drooping brows can cause you to look tired or angry. They can also obstruct your peripheral vision. A brow lift is a surgical procedure that rejuvenates the forehead and eyebrow regions by smoothing the forehead, raising the upper eyebrows, and improving the frown lines.
The Endoscopic Brow Lift Procedure
Advances in brow lift surgery make it possible to perform the procedure through a variety of approaches, including endoscopy. Endoscopic brow lift surgery is usually done through 3 small poke holes back in the hairline. Browlift surgey and the approach to brow lift surgery are individualized for each patient.
The surgical incision used will vary with the technique selected by Dr. Lovelace. At your personal consultation with Dr. Lovelace she will discuss your options with you. This procedure is typically combined with other procedures like blepharoplasty or facelift. If your drooping brow is contributing to obstruction of your peripheral vision, your insurance may approve your procedure.
Below is some additional information regarding the procedure, if you have any additional questions please call us to schedule an appointment at our Fort Worth office which is conveniently located to Southlake, Keller, Argyle, and Mansfield just off of Heritage Trace Parkway.
Why is an endoscopic brow lift better than the traditional brow lift technique?
1. Smaller Incisions and Reduced Scarring
In the traditional brow lift, a coronal incision is made on the top of the head that extends from one ear to another. This is a lengthy incision that can leave long and prominent scarring resulting in an artificial hair parting. In the endoscopic brow lift, Dr. Lovelace makes five small incisions behind the hairline. Since the incisions are short, it leads to reduced scarring and minimal effect on hair.
2. Magnified View
In an endoscopic brow lift, a specialized instrument named endoscope is used for transmitting the operative field onto an HD screen. The monitor magnifies the site so that the doctor can see all the details. This facilitation of the frowning musculature dissection reduced the risks that are associated with open surgery.
3. Fewer Complications and Risk of Nerve Damage
Since Dr. Lovelace is using an endoscope for performing the brow lift surgery, their visual field will be improved as well. They will be seeing the magnified operative area on a monitor that provides an optimal view. This allows Dr. Lovelace to exercise caution and care during the procedure. It also helps reduce the risk of any damage to the tissues, especially the sensory nerves running through the corrugator muscles. Also, since the incisions made are smaller, the risk of tissue trauma is lowered as well.
4. Improved Results
Through the endoscopic brow lift technique, Dr. Lovelace is able to achieve a better lift and release of the sagging tissues as compared to the traditional method. She can minimize frown lines and give you a more approachable and youthful appearance by reducing the corrugator muscles.
5. Quicker Recovery
The recovery duration for an endoscopic procedure is quicker than the traditional ones. This is because the smaller incisions of the former cause less discomfort and heal quickly. You might be able to get back to work in just two weeks.
FAQs About Endoscopic Brow Lift
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How much pain will I have?
Mild to Moderate
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How much will it cost?
If your drooping brow is contributing to obstruction of your peripheral vision, your insurance may approve your procedure. Otherwise, a price quote detailing fees for the facility, anesthesia, and surgeon will be given at the consultation.
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What is the hospital/surgery center time?
The procedure takes 1-2 hours. You will either go home the same day or stay overnight in the hospital depending on your individual needs.
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What medications should I take or avoid with my surgery?
You should not take any blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications for a week before your procedure, and you should hold all over the counter supplements a week before surgery. This will help reduce the risk of bleeding intraoperatively, and help reduce the risk of postoperative hematoma (collection of blood). If blood thinners are prescribed for you by your cardiologist or primary care physician, you should get clearance from them to hold these medications before they are discontinued. You should hold all hormones 6 weeks before surgery. Birth control pills should be held 6 weeks before surgery as well. Of course you should make sure to use alternative forms of birth control during and after this time. Hormones and birth control pills put you at a higher risk of blood clots. These clots can go to your lungs and cause serious illness or even death. We call this a pulmonary embolus. Steroids should be weaned off at least a month before your surgery, and this weaning process should be set up and cleared by your prescribing physician. Dr. Lovelace and the staff will go through your list of medication, and let you know what exactly you need to do with those medications preoperatively. Make sure that you bring all of your medications with you to your consultation. You will usually be given your prescriptions for your postoperative medication on your preoperative visit so that they can be filled and at your house when you get home from surgery.
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Will I need clearances from any other physicians?
Depending on your age and medical issues, Dr. Lovelace and her staff will set you up with your primary care physician, cardiologist, etc. for clearance prior to your surgery. At that time any necessary labs, EKGs, or chest x-rays will be done.
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Recovering from the brow lift procedure.
Sutures are normally all dissolvable and do not need to be removed. Most patients return to non-strenuous work in a week following surgery. Swelling, bruising, and soreness are typically gone within 2-3 weeks. Strenuous activities can be resumed at approximately 6-8 weeks after surgery.
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What are the risks of a brow lift?
The risks of a brow lift include bleeding, infection, scarring, hematoma, seroma, asymmetry, poor cosmesis, need for further surgery, ectropion, entropion, chemosis, loss of vision, globe injury, numbness/hypersensation, nerve/vessel/muscle injury, dehiscence, keloids, visibility/palpability of hardware/sutures, cardiac/pulmonary/stroke/DVT/PE events, death, etc.
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What are the risks?
The risks of a brow lift include bleeding, infection, scarring, hematoma, seroma, asymmetry, poor cosmesis, need for further surgery, ectropion, entropion, chemosis, loss of vision, globe injury, numbness/hypersensation, nerve/vessel/muscle injury, dehiscence, keloids, visibility/palpability of hardware/sutures, cardiac/pulmonary/stroke/DVT/PE events, death, etc.
Contact Our Office
If you have questions about whether this procedure is right for you please schedule an appointment with Dr. Lovelace at our Fort Worth office which is conveniently located to Southlake, Keller, Argyle and Mansfield just off of Heritage Trace Parkway.