Brow Lift

If the eyebrow has dropped or flattened, then an eyebrow hitch can be performed through the same incision as an upper eyelid blepharoplasty with no additional scars or signs of surgery.

If the brow hitch is performed alone then a small incision is made within the eyebrow, so it is well hidden. A small space is created and then a stitch is passed from the under-surface of the skin and attached to the deep tissue. The stitch is then tightened, which elevates the outer part of the eyebrow.

Stitches are not required on the surface of the skin and the suture under the skin will not be visible.

The procedure takes no more than half an hour to perform and is normally carried out under local anaesthetic (you are awake, but the area is numb) in the clinic procedure room.

However, it can also be performed with sedation (you are awake but drowsy) or under general anaesthetic (you are unconscious) if you prefer.

This treatment is ideal for individuals who have early heaviness of the upper eyelid skin with loss of the natural arching of the eyebrow. It can also help to restore symmetry of the eyebrows.

If the eyelids are very heavy, it may only be effective if done in combination with a blepharoplasty.

Post surgery there will be some swelling just above the outer eyebrow for a few days. Bruising is uncommon and should settle very quickly. Normal activities can be resumed the following day.

Having cosmetic surgery should be a very positive experience. Complications are infrequent and usually minor. However, all surgery has risk, and it is important that you are aware of possible complications. All the risks will be discussed in detail at your consultation. However, if you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to discuss them with me. Decisions about cosmetic surgery should never be rushed.

These risks can be divided into those specific to the surgery and those that relate to the anaesthesia.

General Anaesthetic risks: If undergoing this procedure under a general anaesthetic, this is very safe. However, should a complication arise, the relevant medical expertise is immediately available to deal with this.

The risks increase if you have certain medical problems, which will be discussed at length during the consultation. The risks include:

• Unintended intraoperative awareness, which is very rare.
• Dizziness and nausea.
• Sore throat.
• Damage to teeth or mouth.
• Nerve injury due to body positioning.
• Allergic reaction or anaphylaxis.
• Malignant hyperthermia, which is a rare life-threatening condition.

The anaesthetist will go through these risks in more detail prior to your surgery.

Scars: Scars on the eyelids or eyebrow tend to settle remarkably well, so that the scars are barely perceptible. However, some patients heal with thick scars, and this can make them more noticeable.

Bruising and swelling: This is very common, and bruising may take a couple of weeks to settle. Many patients wear dark sunglasses to conceal this.

Nerve irritation: It is possible to have sensitivity or tenderness at the site of the deeper suture. This is uncommon but if it occurs it should settle with time. However, there is a small risk of permanent tenderness.

Infection: This is rare as the eye area has good blood circulation.

Asymmetry: The height of the eyebrows is rarely identical as our faces are made of two different sides. Symmetry will be checked with a ruler during the surgery, and it can be used to correct pre-existing eyebrow asymmetry.

Recurrence: The suture used to secure the eyebrow in position is absorbable and will disappear after several weeks, when the eyebrow has healed in the new position. If, on a rare occasion, the suture breaks before it has healed, then the procedure would need to be repeated. This correction would be covered within the terms and conditions of your warrantee.

All risks will be discussed in detail at the consultation. However, if you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to discuss these further with me.

You will be given an appointment to see the nurse one week following your surgery to check that everything is healing well and that you are not experiencing any problems. There are no sutures to be removed. I will review you in clinic two weeks after the procedure.

It is best to organise transport to and from the clinic as you will not be able to drive home after a local anaesthetic in case you feel unwell.

You can return to work the following day, and you need to avoid strenuous activities and contact sports for 1-2 weeks.

For self-funding patients, surgical fees are a combination of the hospital costs, the surgeon, anaesthetic fees and any consumables. I do not charge additional fees for post-op appointments. The fees are based on the surgical time taken to perform the surgery, rather than procedure itself. This means that the costs are calculated fairly.

You will be given a quotation for surgery approximately 48 hours following your consultation.

Brow Lift - Nicotine and Surgery

Brow Lift - Local Anaesthetic Pre-Op Instructions

Brow Lift - General Anaesthetic Pre-Op Instructions

Brow Lift - Post-Op Instructions