We interview Dr. Brian M Kinney MD about this topic. Learn more about Dr. Brian Kinney and his experience with brow Lifts.
Q: How do I find a doctor who specializes in Brow Lift?
Dr. Brian Kinney: Ask friends or your personal physician for referrals or consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Look for someone respected by colleagues, who has achieved distinction, works in a certified operating room and who is on staff at a nearby, well-known hospital.
While many people search the internet for smaller procedures, deciding to undergo a brow lift is a major decision. You may search the internet, review pictures of before and after surgery, and scan various websites, but realize that many patients prefer privacy and don’t post comments or pictures online, especially those who desire the natural, subtle or “not done” look. Remember too, on websites there may be a number of people who are unhappy and much more likely to post than those who are happy. Weigh the pros and cons accordingly. Finding pictures of someone like you who has a result you like can be very helpful. Often computer imaging is available in the doctor’s office. Be aware of many doctors who claim special techniques or Board Certification from any organization other than the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This is the original organization in place since 1937, while others are late newcomers, post 1990, since the surge of interest in cosmetic surgery.
For better information than the internet, ask your general doctor, your OB/Gyn or ask friends if they have a referral.
Q: Should I have more than one consultation for a Brow Lift?
Doctor Brian Kinney: Yes, you may choose to have two or three consultations with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, one who has been referred by a friend or doctor. Generally having four, five or more consultations will not add much value. If you are comfortable with your first consultation, have a good friend who underwent a procedure in the office or if the doctor was highly referred, additional consultations are not essential.
These are some of the reasons:
Q: Do I qualify for Brow Lift?
Brian Kinney MD: A. Good candidates are healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing, non-smokers, and individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improvement through a brow lift surgery. If your eyebrows or frontal scalp is sagging, you have strong, deep wrinkles in the forehead or wrinkles around the eyes you are a good candidate. Even if you have a receding hairline or are bald, you may still be a good candidate.
You should ask a number of questions because this is a procedure that changes your face profoundly. Are you in a comfortable, happy state in your life (no recent divorce, job loss, death in the family, psychotherapy, sleep problems, excessive stress, for example)? Are you actually thinking this procedure is going to be a big breakthrough for you (get a promotion, become a famous actor or actress, become the best looking in your school, work, social circle)? Are the goals of your procedure generally acceptable and common in practice? Is it experimental or the latest, newest, “hottest” procedure (be cautious, especially if the doctor is promoting it heavily in the media)? Is it straightforward to perform surgically and relatively risk-free (do not always go for the risky, big change)? Will it put undue financial strain on you (too much time off work, too expensive)? Can you afford the loss of privacy if others notice your change?
Q: Should I do any kind of treatment before a Brow Lift?
Dr. Brian Kinney: While it is not necessary, general skin care, chemical peels and laser treatments often accompany brow lift and are likely to improve the results. Generally, good health, physical condition, height and weight are important. A commitment to nutrition, diet and exercise will enhance the results. Herbal formulas, supplements and over the counter “miracles” do not significantly lift the brow or substitute for surgery, in spite of the temptation to conclude otherwise.
Q: What risks can occur if pain medication is taken two days prior to Brow Lift Surgery?
Doctor Brian Kinney: Always consult with a Plastic surgeon before taking any medications before surgery. Some pain medications contain ingredients from compounds like aspirin, Motrin, Nuprin, Advil or Aleve that will cause the blood not to clot and thus cause excessive bleeding, bruising, and poor healing. It is necessary to stop these for 7-14 days before surgery. Please check with your plastic surgeon or general doctor.
Q: How long does a Brow Lift surgery take?
Brian Kinney MD: In a very straightforward case, perhaps the surgery will be an hour. In most cases, it will be between one and two hours, while difficult “redos” or reconstructive cases may take as much as three or more. When multiple small procedures are added – like pulling one eyebrow more than the other or removing portions of the muscle – the difficulty and time allotted increases. .
Q: When can I go back to day-to-day activities after a Brow lift?
Dr. Brian Kinney: With a small brow lift through the upper eyelid, it may only take three to five days to get back to work. More commonly, it will take a week for general, light activities and two to three weeks for vigorous athletic competition. The full incision (ear-to-ear) brow lift may take a bit longer..
Q: Is icing important after Brow lift?
Doctor Brian Kinney: Patients are normally wrapped with compressive bandages or foam underneath the bandage and this greatly speeds healing and prevents swelling. However, for the first couple of days, it always makes a difference. The more ice is applied the sooner the bruising, swelling and tenderness will resolve. Being good at following post-operative instructions in the early days makes a big difference for the healing weeks later. In any case, it would not hurt to ice.
Q: What are average Brow lift prices?
Brian Kinney MD: It ranges from $3500.00-$5500.00 depending on the approach of the brow lift when performed in isolation. More commonly, it is performed in conjunction with other procedures, so the total cost is higher.
Q: Will I need to stay in an aftercare facility post Brow lift?
Dr. Brian Kinney: Most likely, you will not. Going home is generally acceptable. It all depends on the patient. If you are a healthy candidate usually no after care facility is required.
Q: What will I feel after Brow lift surgery?
Doctor Brian Kinney: Numbness in the forehead following a brow lift generally lasts from just a few weeks to as long as two to-6 months. Patients more commonly complain of headache after surgery, rather than pain and this goes away quickly, within a week or so.
Q: How long will my recovery time be after brow lift?
Brian Kinney MD: Recovery for a brow lift requires seven to 10 days on average before a return to work. This can be shorter for a mini-lift and a few days longer for more aggressive surgery.
Q: What kind of scaring if any will I have after Brow lift?
Dr. Brian Kinney: The lateral brow lift incisions are at the hairline or sometimes behind the hairline depending upon the patient and surgeon’s choice. Usually they are one and one half to three inches long and are blended in the hairline. When no scalp is excised, the scope is used or you undergo a “thread lift” the incisions may be smaller and the chance of unsightly scarring will usually be less.
Q: Will I see results immediately after Brow lift?
Doctor Brian Kinney: In the case of a heavy brow, advanced sagging the forehead or very deep wrinkles, you will see the results almost immediately. It will take a few weeks to a month to see more of the subtle details, but they will show with time!
Q: Can asymmetric eyes or eyebrows be fixed?
Brian Kinney MD: While sometimes the results are not so obvious, patients often are very pleased with subtle effects. Asymmetry allows more dramatic results to be appreciated. Every patient is evaluated for asymmetry and it is more common than patients would expect, found in perhaps 1/3 of patients in my experience. These patients are often particularly satisfied with their surgery.
Q: How painful is an endoscopic brow lift?
Dr. Brian Kinney: Fortunately, this procedure is not very painful and the postoperative use of analgesic medication is minimal to moderate.
Q: How effective is a brow lift?
Doctor Brian Kinney: This highly effective operation brings high satisfaction rates. Achieving a smoother forehead, less sagging of the brow and a more youthful, rested look is generally predictable and reliable.
Q: When can I have brow lift re-done?
Brian Kinney MD: A brow lift can be redone when the forehead wrinkles return, the brows sag or excess skin accumulates. Likely, this will not occur for five to ten years or more. In younger patients, it could be longer, while in older patients it could be just a few years. Remember, when looking for the subtle, natural look, the surgical result is not as aggressive, but may not last as long either. Healing goes more quickly, as does return to day-to-day activities.
Q: How is a brow lift different from a blepharoplasty?
Dr. Brian Kinney: Brow lift and Blepharoplasty often go hand-in-hand. However, they are not the same and can be easily confused. Sometimes only one is needed, sometimes both are needed. The eyelid tissues can sag alone, the brow can sag alone and both can age or sag together. Your plastic surgeon will make a precise diagnosis based on your anatomy and explain the specific surgical goals required for correction. Be careful in overestimating what blepharoplasty alone can achieve. Sometimes patients are disappointed when a blepharoplasty does not lift the brow, even though it would be hard to incise and remove skin below the brow to create a lift. There is a newer procedure, a direct brow pexy, which tunnels from an eyelid incision superiorly to a deep position above the brow and suspends the brow with internal sutures. Make sure these advanced techniques are explained to you in detail.
Q: How early can I get a brow lift?
Doctor Brian Kinney: Most brow sagging and skin excess comes from aging, loosening of connective tissue, the effects of the sun and related conditions. Some people, though, have these findings from birth and may be eligible for brow lift, even at a young age.