Eyelid Surgery Or Brow Lift -

If you’re considering eyelid surgery or a brow lift, it’s important to know that both procedures can be done at the same time but not everyone needs both. If you have questions about whether these procedures are right for you or how they might impact your life after surgery, speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in these treatments.

In this guide, we review the aspects of Eyelid Surgery Or Brow Lift, brow lift and blepharoplasty recovery, endoscopic brow lift with blepharoplasty, and best eyebrow lift procedure.

Eyelid Surgery Or Brow Lift

Both eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and brow lift (browplasty) are operations to help reduce extra skin and fat around the upper or lower eyelids. However, these procedures have some differences that make them better for certain patients than others. Eyelid surgery focuses on reducing skin and fat around the upper or lower eyelids, whereas a brow lift focuses on the area of the forehead or eyebrows.

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and brow lift (browplasty) are similar in that they both help to reduce “bags” or “hoods” around the upper eyelids.

Eyelid surgery is a cosmetic procedure, but brow lift can be done for cosmetic reasons or because of functional problems with your eyebrows.

However, eyelid surgery focuses on reducing skin and fat around the upper or lower eyelids, whereas a brow lift focuses on the area of the forehead or eyebrows.

However, eyelid surgery focuses on reducing skin and fat around the upper or lower eyelids, whereas a brow lift focuses on the area of the forehead or eyebrows. Eyelid surgery can be done for cosmetic reasons alone or to improve vision in patients with droopy upper lids due to aging.

Eyebrow lifts are typically performed to lift sagging eyebrows back into place. This procedure is often done at the same time as an eyelid lift so that both procedures can be completed at one time by your surgeon instead of requiring two separate surgeries within weeks of each other later down the road if you decide that’s what you want after all!

Eyelid surgery can be done for cosmetic reasons or because of functional problems such as drooping eyelids, inability to see clearly or even pain from rubbing together excessively.

Eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the upper or lower eyelids. It can also be done to improve the function of your eyes, such as improving vision or decreasing pain from rubbing together excessively.

If you’re considering undergoing eye-related procedures, it’s important to understand which type of surgeon you need and why they are qualified to perform your procedure. In order for an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) or plastic surgeon who specializes in facial cosmetic surgery to perform eyelid surgery on you, they must have completed additional training beyond medical school and residency programs required by all physicians before they can practice medicine independently.

Best candidates are in good health and want to get rid of extra skin and fat around their eyes.

As with any cosmetic procedure, you must be in good health to safely undergo eyelid surgery or a brow lift. You’ll also need to be motivated and willing to take time off work and have help at home while recovering from your operation.

If you’re considering either of these procedures, you should know that they are expensive–the average cost of an eyelid procedure is $6,000-$8,000 (including anesthesia), while a brow lift can cost anywhere from $5,000-$10,000 depending on where it’s performed and whether additional procedures are needed for optimal results

Sometimes insurance will cover a portion of these procedures if patients have functional issues such as drooping eyelids (ptosis) or bags around the eyes.

Sometimes insurance will cover a portion of these procedures if patients have functional issues such as drooping eyelids (ptosis) or bags around the eyes. Insurance companies can be very rigid about what they will and won’t cover, so you may want to check with your provider before scheduling any surgery.

Insurance coverage depends on the reason for the procedure. In general, cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance companies unless they are medically necessary to treat an underlying condition like sleep apnea or chronic headaches. On the other hand, functional surgeries (such as an upper lid blepharoplasty) are often covered because they correct problems caused by aging that have become disabling for patients–for example, you might need surgery if your eyelids don’t lift far enough when opening them wide enough for reading glasses; this would make driving at night difficult without assistance from headlamps mounted on top of each vehicle’s windshields!

Generally, complications are minimal with both eyelid and brow lifts.

Most patients experience minimal complications, including bruising, swelling and numbness of the eyelids. In rare cases, complications can include:
Dry eyes or double vision (problems with your sense of sight).
A droopy upper lid.
Loss of taste sensation on one side of your tongue or loss of smell sensation in one nostril (losses in taste and smell are often temporary).

Most patients describe recovery as not painful but rather uncomfortable.

Most patients describe recovery as not painful but rather uncomfortable. Pain medication and ice packs are usually enough to manage the discomfort, which typically lasts anywhere from a few days to a week after surgery. Pain is temporary and will subside as your body heals from any incisions or sutures used during the procedure.

Pain management varies by patient; some people experience minimal discomfort while others may need stronger painkillers such as Vicodin or Percocet for several days following their procedure. Your doctor will help you determine what type of pain management is best suited for you based on their evaluation of your medical history, lifestyle habits (such as smoking), current medications being taken (including over-the-counter drugs like Ibuprofen), etcetera..

Both procedures can be done at the same time, but not everyone needs both procedures.

Both procedures can be done at the same time, but not everyone needs both. Eyelid surgery is much more common than brow lifts. The main reason for getting an eyelid lift is to improve your appearance by removing excess skin from your lids and tightening the muscles that support them–this helps eliminate drooping lids and bags underneath them.

Eyebrows can also be raised with an eyebrow lift, which involves cutting into the upper edge of each brow bone (or orbital rim) to raise it slightly; however, most people don’t need this type of procedure because their eyebrows are already high enough or they don’t want any cuts made in their face bone structure.

brow lift and blepharoplasty recovery

Each patient is different, but here is a day-by-day summary of my post-op journey:

Day 0 (procedure day)

I am driven home by my friend at 11:00 am and go to lay down, dozing on and off to sleep off the rest of the anesthesia. By 2 pm I am hungry enough to eat a light lunch and take my antibiotic and prescription painkiller, to stay ahead of the pain as advised. I was also given Zofran against nausea but don’t need it. My forehead feels numb the rest of the day. My face looks great, no bruising yet. Just two neat rows of stitches along my forehead, and two smaller ones across the eyelids. I was surprised there were no dressings – somehow I have expected bandages.

Day 1

I didn’t get much sleep the first night, but not because of any pain. It was more due to sleeping on back with head elevated as advised – not my favorite sleep position. When I get up, I see that bruising has set in under my eyes, but fortunately no swelling. You’re allowed to apply ice after 24 hours, so I start doing that in 20-min intervals, which provides relief. I take one more painkiller around midday but don’t feel like I need more after that. I also apply saline eye drops to relieve dryness. Sensation has come back to my forehead and it feels like eyebrows are frozen in place, but not painful. I can already see the elevated arch of the eyebrows and LOVE it.

Day 2

I wake up refreshed after a good night’s sleep and check out my face in the mirror. I looks a little rough, like Rocky after 7 rounds of boxing, but aside from the bruising under my eyes everything looks pretty normal. My eyes aren’t red or swollen anymore, I can open and close them without problem, and the itching and dryness from yesterday are almost gone. My forehead still feels tight when trying to raise my eyebrows. By now I am allowed to gently wash my face without scrubbing, and I dab the stitches along the eyelids to remove dried blood. I am careful to always reapply the ointment given by Diane to keep it from drying out (the Soothe & Protect Recovery Balm by Alastin, although the Biocorneum Advanced Scar Treatment by Sientra also works well and contains a sunscreen of SPF 30.)

Day 3

My eyes feel great and I feel totally normal. The bruising has traveled down a bit lower on my face so that there is now a gap between eyes and bruises. At times my head tingles, almost as if water were dripping onto it. It must be due to the scalp coming out of being numb.

Day 4

Still feeling great. Bruises slightly smaller but still there, slowly changing color. Since I basically had no swelling at all on any of the days, the bruising doesn’t really bother me. I go out and about wearing sunglasses and it is no problem. Just make sure that if you do go outside you wear a hat and/or apply sunscreen to your scars. You’ll want to do this for at least six months, if not a year. The SPF strength is less important as long as you make sure it contains zinc oxide.

Day 5

By now the bruises have gotten slightly smaller and the rings around my eyes have morphed into this sickly mustard color, which at least means the bruising is going through the tail-end.

Day 6

I have a morning appointment at NuBody Concepts to get my stitches out. This takes all but 15 minutes. The doctor is happy with the way everything looks. Some stitches on the outside edges of my eyelids have already come out by themselves. I think I could have tried to more diligently sleep on my back as side sleeping is probably what rubbed them out. But according to Dr. Rosdeutscher this is not going to be a problem. The scars will fade either way and blend easily into my eyelid. The scars along the forehead are already much less noticeable with the stitches gone.

This sums up the first week of my recovery, and beyond that there is no news to report. The bruising faded more every day, and by day 17 was completely gone. I bruise easily and therefore think my bruising took longer to disappear than it would for most other people. But after about a week it was faint enough to use a bit of makeup to hide it.

Is Eyelid Surgery With Brow Lift Worth It?

If I had to summarize my eyelid surgery experience with a single observation, I’d say I was surprised how easy it was. I spent so much time mulling over the idea – years! – and then reading up on it and thinking about it some more before finally making the decision. And then it only took a few hours for the procedure itself, most of it blissfully asleep, and a few hours of grogginess afterwards before I felt more or less normal again, totally able to go back to my regular daily activities.

Granted, you’re not going to want to go back to any activities outside of the house until your bruising has subsided. This could be anywhere from 5 to 14 days. I’d say you’ll want to schedule at least a week of downtime with nothing much on your calendar, just to make sure that you don’t have to deal with any uncomfortable situations. But with a little bit of foundation, sunglasses, and perhaps a hat, running errands or going to the grocery store by day three was no problem at all.

Given the great results, the procedure was absolutely worth it fo me.

Results Vary by Patient

Again, every patient is different and will experience a different recovery. I’m a non-smoker, in relatively good shape with a BMI of 20, and have no prior surgical history. I also don’t take any prescription drugs. In other words I’m the kind of patient a surgeon loves to see, ensuring a fairly easy and routine recovery. Your recovery might be similar or it might take longer, depending on your specific risk factors.

One tip for you: If you do decide to have eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or even a face or neck lift done at NuBody Concepts, make sure you schedule an appointment with their aesthetician Diane well in advance of your procedure. She is fantastic when it comes to skincare and scar treatments and will make sure you have all the right ointments to promote healing. This includes preparing your skin before the procedure with the Alastin skin nectar. You will be amazed how great your skin feels and how fast your scars fade when you use the proper skincare regimen – and you will get great joy out of seeing the new shape of your eyes every day you look into the mirror!

This concludes this eye surgery series. If you have any questions about eyelid or brow lift surgery at NuBody Concepts, please contact us or directly schedule a consultation with Dr. John Rosdeutscher in Nashville or Dr. Marc Peters in Memphis.

NuBody Concepts is a cosmetic surgery practice with offices in Nashville and Memphis, TN. We specialize in surgical-like results without scars or downtime to help women & men of all ages transform their bodies with a wide range of plastic surgery services. Our team of board-certified plastic surgeons achieve great results at an affordable price.

Each patient is unique. What your treatment will look like is determined by you and the plastic surgeon who you will meet with in a personal consultation.

endoscopic brow lift with blepharoplasty

Are you finding that the skin around your face, brows, and eyes seems to be drooping or sagging? Do you notice that your skin doesn’t stretch or keep its shape the way it used to? Is loose skin changing the way you look and making you appear tired, angry, or sad? If so, you may want to consider a brow lift or an eyelid lift. Both of these treatments can give you a younger and more energetic appearance. You can even combine the two procedures when you visit the caring medical experts at Murphy Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO.

Why Does Skin Become Looser When We Age?

It’s an unfortunate truth that as we age, our bodies start to produce less and less of the proteins we need in order to help our skin retain its shape. Both collagen and elastin are crucial proteins in maintaining skin strength and elasticity. Without enough of these substances, our skin can become loose or saggy.

When not enough collagen is present in the skin, it starts to droop or sag. Often this is first visible around the eyes or brows, which is why so many people notice these areas first.

Why Do People Get Brow and Eyelid Lifts?

With a brow or eyelid lift, the skin is repositioned just enough to stretch it out and give it a taut appearance once again. Brow lifts are often used to eliminate forehead lines or pronounced frown lines. Meanwhile, eyelid surgery Denver can be used on either the lower or the upper eyelids to reduce baggy, droopy lids and even improve vision.

What Is a Brow Lift?

This type of lift, often also called a “forehead lift,” is one of the most effective ways to change your appearance when the brow starts to droop. Forehead lifts can be done a number of different ways, depending on your needs, but the basic idea is that a doctor makes an incision along or near the hairline and then repositions the skin of the face so that it is tighter.

This causes the entire brow and forehead to be raised or lifted slightly. Forehead lines disappear or are significantly softened by this technique. Frown lines and crow’s feet are also corrected. It is an extremely common brow lift Denver procedure, with millions of people getting it every year. Complications are not common

What Are Eyelid Lifts and Suspensions?

When it comes to eyelids, we do two different sorts of procedures at Murphy Plastic Surgery. The first is technically called blepharoplasty and is often referred to as an “eyelid lift.” This procedure can be done on both lower and upper lids or both. The second procedure is called a canthopexy, or “lower eyelid suspension.” Here, the goal is to raise and tighten the lower eyelids.

Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)

An eyelid lift is most frequently used to correct sagging eyelids. This condition is usually caused as a result of aging, when the skin of the eyelids stretches and the surrounding muscles lose some of their strength. Because drooping eyelids can occur on either the lower lids or the upper lids, the procedure is sometimes used on just one set or on both.

Our eyelid lifts are often paired with brow or forehead lifts as these two procedures complement one another. An eyelid lift can be done primarily for cosmetic reasons or because drooping eyelids are affecting self-esteem. It can also serve to correct a situation where a patient has excess skin or bags under the eyes, which can have a negative impact on vision.

Eyelid Suspension (Canthopexy)

A canthopexy is a procedure that specifically targets the lower eyelids and is therefore often referred to as a lower eyelid suspension. Lower eyelids can become damaged by overexposure to the sun, by aging, and sometimes by past eyelid surgery. By raising the lower eyelids, a patient can get rid of some excess skin as well as improve vision and reshape the look of their eyes to a more aesthetically pleasing contour.

The Benefit of Combining Brow and Eyelid Lifts

When both of these procedures are done at the same time, it allows us to plan a comprehensive approach that takes into account the entire look of the face: not just one part of it. In addition, the procedure requires a recovery period that often lasts for a week or two. If both the blepharoplasty and the forehead lift are done together, the patient can complete the recovery period at the same time rather than having to go through two recoveries.

FAQs

Will I Have to Remain in a Hospital Overnight After Surgery?

There are some instances where a brow lift will necessitate supervision and rest enough that it is better to wait before going home. However, in most cases, a patient will be able to return home on the same day as the procedure is performed. They are advised to rest and follow all the particular instructions that the doctor provides.

It will be very important to arrange transportation home, as patients should not drive a car or operate any sort of heavy machinery immediately following the procedure. An anesthetic will be used during the procedure.

Will I Be Awake for Surgery?

The anesthetics used for blepharoplasty or a forehead lift are fairly strong, but they are not typically procedures that require a patient to be unconscious. The patient will typically be awake but sedated. This ensures that the procedure goes smoothly and with no discomfort for the patient.

How Long Is the Recovery Period?

The usual recovery time for these surgeries is roughly two weeks. A patient may need to wear a bandage over the incision area for the first 24 hours or more. Over the next several days, the incisions will heal.

Do I Need to Avoid Anything Before Getting the Procedure?

Typically, we recommend that patients avoid aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers. These cause changes in the bloodstream that can lead to bruising or increased bleeding.

Additionally, if a patient smokes, they will need to stop smoking for days or even weeks before the treatment.

Do I Need to Avoid Anything After Getting the Procedure?

Again, smoking should be avoided during recovery. The reason for this is that smoking restricts the flow of blood in a way that can complicate and slow the healing process, meaning that your recovery period could be longer and the incisions slower to heal.

You will also need to avoid any strenuous activities or any movements or motions that could disturb the sutures that have closed up your incisions. Sleeping with your head elevated is also necessary in order to avoid too much blood flow directly to the head. In short, it’s best to take it easy for a few days and take only the pain medications that have been prescribed by the doctor.

What Can I Expect After the Procedure?

Generally speaking, you will need to rest and recover for two to three weeks, but the bandages can usually be removed after a couple of days. Once the recovery period is over, you will notice a tighter look to your face and a heightened and more youthful brow that sits naturally on your brow line.

If you also got an eyelid lift, you may notice improved vision soon after surgery and a significant improvement in the contour of your eyes. It may take a few days in order to see the results properly, as the treated areas will need to heal.

best eyebrow lift procedure

When you look in the mirror, does your face give off the correct impression about your feelings? The eyes and forehead play a prominent role in communicating our emotions. If a sagging, heavy brow is causing you to look tired or unhappy, brow lift cosmetic surgery could provide a lasting solution. Learn all about brow lift surgery below.

Price RangeBrow Lift

What is Brow Lift Surgery?

A brow lift, also commonly called a forehead lift, rejuvenates the face above the eyes to restore a more refreshed appearance that better reflects a patient’s natural vibrance. By removing excess sagging, skin on the forehead and repositioning the underlying muscles and tissues, a brow lift can correct a heavy, sagging brow, eliminate deep furrows, and restore a smoother, more youthful contour to the upper one-third of the face.

Why Have a Brow Lift?

The problem with an aging forehead is the effect it has on our facial expressions—a sagging, heavily furrowed brow can cause us to look constantly tired, worried or even angry. Some of us are also genetically inclined to have a heavier, thicker brow, making us look as though we are wearing a frown even when we are feeling our best. A brow lift directly addresses these issues, helping patients enjoy a more naturally refreshed appearance as well as other positive changes:

Choosing a Cosmetic Surgeon

Beautiful, natural results with brow lift surgery require a cosmetic surgeon with a thorough knowledge of facial anatomy and a keen eye for aesthetic detail. Just as important is the ability to adjust one’s surgical techniques to create results that respect a patient’s ethnicity, age, gender, and unique facial features.

When consulting with potential cosmetic surgeons, ask about their specific training and experience in facial cosmetic surgery. Look at before and after photos, paying particular attention to patients who look similar to you. While results will be individualized, a cosmetic surgeon’s past work is the best indicator of his or her aesthetic style. If you are male, your surgeon should have experience performing brow lifts for male patients, as brow lift techniques need to be tailored to preserve a naturally masculine appearance.

Consider the advantages of choosing a surgeon certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Board certified cosmetic surgeons are fellowship trained in all aspects of cosmetic surgery, including brow lift techniques, and choosing an ABCS surgeon ensures that your procedure will take place in an accredited surgical facility that upholds the highest standards for safety. Get helpful tips on choosing a cosmetic surgeon.

Types of Brow Lift Surgery

Cosmetic surgeons use different techniques for brow lift surgery; which is best for any given patient depends on a patient’s goals, unique anatomy, and the extent of corrections needed to achieve the desired results.

Endoscopic Brow Lift

Increasingly, cosmetic surgeons are using the endoscopic method for brow lift surgery, which is much less invasive than previous techniques, yet can often achieve an equally desirable result. For an endoscopic brow lift, your cosmetic surgeon will make a series of very short incisions (about ¾” in length) just behind the hairline. Then, using a special tiny camera and thin instruments, he or she will reposition the muscles and lift underlying tissues of the forehead, removing excess fat and tissue as needed to create a naturally more youthful brow.

Temporal or Limited Incision Brow Lift

A temporal brow lift involves slightly longer incisions than an endoscopic brow lift and is most commonly performed in conjunction with eyelid surgery. Incisions about 1 inch long are made just above each temple, behind the hairline. Through these incisions, your cosmetic surgeon will lift and reposition the tissues of the outer brow area. Then, through the incisions made for an upper eyelid procedure, the area between the eyebrows is lifted to smooth out frown lines.

Classic or Coronal Brow Lift

Once the standard technique, the coronal brow lift has generally fallen out of fashion, as well-qualified cosmetic surgeons are typically able to make needed improvements with less invasive techniques. In certain cases, however, a coronal brow lift may be necessary to achieve a patient’s desired results. This technique involves one long incision made behind the hairline, running from ear to ear. Excess skin, fat and tissue are removed and the remaining skin and brow muscles are repositioned into a more youthful appearance.

Brow Lift Surgery & Recovery

Brow lift surgery is an outpatient procedure, performed using general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia. The duration of surgery depends on the type of brow lift as well as whether or not another procedure is being performed at the same time. Your incisions may be closed with sutures or staples, which are typically removed about 1 week after surgery.

Patients typically experience very little pain after a brow lift, but it is common to feel slight discomfort as well as a sensation of tightness throughout the forehead. Swelling and bruising are most common during the first 10 days or so after surgery, and are mostly resolved after about 2 weeks.

The timeline for resuming activity after a brow lift depends on the individual—if you are having a brow lift alone, recovery is usually much quicker than that for a patient having a brow lift in conjunction with a facelift or other more extensive procedure. Below are typical recovery milestones following brow lift surgery:

Brow Lift vs. Eyelid Lift vs. Facelift

When it comes to facial cosmetic surgery, it can be difficult to know which procedure you really need to optimally address the signs of aging that are affecting you. If you have sagging, hollowed cheeks and eyelid bags, do you need a facelift or an eyelid lift? If you have a tired, concerned appearance, will an eyelid lift or a brow lift help you the most?

While the best way to find out the most appropriate procedure or procedures for you is to discuss your concerns with an experienced, qualified cosmetic surgeon, it may help to associate each facial procedure with a certain area of aging:

Of course, these are general areas that each facial procedure will address; your cosmetic surgeon may employ techniques from one or more of these procedures to address your unique concerns.

Will the results of brow lift surgery last?

When performed by an experienced, board certified cosmetic surgeon, the improvements made with brow lift surgery will last for many years to come. However, nothing can stop the normal aging process, and eventually your forehead tissues will begin to settle with time and gravity. You can help keep your results looking their best by living a healthy lifestyle. Wear sunscreen daily, eat a diet rich in whole foods and vitamins, and don’t smoke. This will help keep your body healthy and skin looking its best.

If you are bothered by the effects of an aging forehead on your appearance and self-confidence, we encourage you to consult with a board certified cosmetic surgeon to learn more about your options for brow lift surgery. You can use our ABCS Find-a-Surgeon tool to find cosmetic surgeons in your area.