Forehead Lift, Brow Lift Surgery in San Jose, Bay Area

Forehead Lift / Brow Lift

Forehead Lift / Brow Lift

Forehead lift, also called brow lift is designed to correct sagging or low eyebrows, which can cause a tired or sad looking appearance. This operation can reduce the horizontal creases across the forehead and frown lines that give the appearance of an angry look

Who is a Good Candidate?

Anyone who has any one or combination of the following:

Laxity of the skin of the forehead.

Deep horizontal lines of the forehead.

Frown lines between eyebrows and on occasion, across the top of the nose.

Drooping of brows below a certain level.

Private Consultation:

During your initial consultation you will discuss with your plastic surgeon about your past and present medical conditions and current medications used. He should know if you have hypertension, thyroid problems, diabetes or if you may be pregnant. You should reveal any past surgeries, personal habits, such as smoking and drinking. Let him know about any allergies to any medications. A physical examination will be performed and preoperative photographs will be taken. You may be shown before and after photographs. Lab tests, x-rays or EKG may be ordered depending on your general health. At the conclusion of your consultation and physical examination, the fees will be discussed with you by the doctor and his staff.

Preparation:

Stop all non-prescriptive medication, diet pills, herbs, and garlic two weeks before surgery.

It is advisable to stop smoking two weeks prior to and two weeks following surgery. Do not drink any alcoholic beverage two days prior to and one week following surgery.

Avoid taking aspirin and aspirin containing products such as Advil and avoid garlic and garlic products two weeks prior to surgery. These products can prolong bleeding and increase bruising. Tylenol may be taken during this period.

For a period of two days before surgery you should wash your face, neck, chest and hair for 15 minutes twice a day with Betadine soap. An additional wash should be done right before the surgery. No skin product should be used two days prior to the surgery, You may wear regular skin care products following these washes, except the last wash before surgery, when no make-up or skin care products should be used.

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before surgery. You may, however, take prescriptive medication with a small amount of water and brush your teeth the morning of surgery. Wear a loose fitting blouse or dress that does not pull over your head to the surgical suite. Loose sweats are recommended as you will be in a compression garment after surgery and they may be difficult to get on. Do not wear jewelry or bring valuables.

Please plan to have someone bring you to and take you home from the surgical facility and stay with you the first 24 hours. Notify the office staff of this person's name and telephone number.

Have all prescriptions filled a few days before surgery, so it will be available for you when you arrive home from surgery.

The Procedure:

The operation can be performed under local anesthesia with conscious sedation or under general anesthesia as an outpatient. For the traditional forehead lift an incision is made across the top of the scalp starting above the ears. This incision is designed to be concealed by your hair. Through the incision your plastic surgeon can modify or remove the muscles that cause wrinkling and frown lines, remove excess skin and lift your eyebrows to a more desired position.

An alternative to the traditional method is the endoscopic technique, which uses an endoscope (a thin long tube with a light at the end of it and attached to a video camera). The endoscope is inserted through several small incisions in the scalp and allows your plastic surgeon to see and work on the internal structures of the forehead. The endoscopic method has an advantage of less scarring, but is not recommended on all patients. Your plastic surgeon will evaluate you and let you know if you are a good candidate for either method of forehead lift. The result of this surgery is long lasting. It can be affected by lifestyle and genetics.

Postoperative Care:

Rest with your head elevated on two or more pillows the evening after surgery.

You may have a bulky bandage in place for the first couple of days following surgery, which will protect the incisions. The sutures will be removed in stages within two weeks. A slight fever is also normal a few days after surgery. Pain medication may be taken as needed to control any postoperative pain. You may take a shower three days after surgery.

Make up can be worn one week following surgery.

Social activity can be resumed in approximately two weeks or so when the swelling is mostly gone. You may return to work after one week depending on your job. Traveling is allowed after three weeks. Driving is allowed after 3 or 4 days. Strenuous activity or exercise should be avoided for three to four weeks.

You are encouraged to call the office if you have any questions.

Fees:

It is customary that the fees for surgery to be paid two weeks prior to surgery. This assures that the patient is sincere in his or her motivation. The fees include the surgeon's fee, the facility charge, which is private and fully accredited with high tech equipment, and anesthesiologist or certified nurse anesthetist, if general anesthesia is used. Also included in these fees are any laboratory tests performed in the office, use of special equipment such as laser or endoscope, etc. It is very rare that insurance plans cover cosmetic surgery. Please feel free to ask the office staff if you have any questions in that regard.

We understand this is a very important decision in your life and you would like to do this for yourself. In your private consultation with Dr. Zandi, who is a Board Certified plastic surgeon, you may discuss your needs and also obtain additional information.