Houston Browlift (Forehead Lift)

The browlift, also known as a forehead lift, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to lift the brow, effectively removing weight from the upper eyelids. The procedure can relieve a tired, stressed, or mean look that may have developed with age. While often overlooked and misunderstood, the browlift can dramatically rejuvenate the upper face and have a powerful affect on one's appearance.

Good candidates for the browlift include men and women who are in good health and seeking an improvement in the appearance of the forehead area. The browlift may be performed on its own or it may be combined with blepharoplasty for added rejuvenation of the upper face. For a complete facial rejuvenation, the browlift, blepharoplasty and a facelift may all be combined.

Dr. Vitenas can perform the browlift in his office operating suite or at the adjacent Day Surgery Center, an outpatient facility at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital. The surgery takes one to two hours to complete and is performed with general anesthesia.

There are several possible locations for the incision. For the traditional approach, a coronal incision is made which is located at or behind the hairline and runs from ear to ear. The less extensive hairline incision is another option and is located at the top of the forehead within the hairline. This incision does not raise the forehead and may be best for patients with high hairlines. The endoscopic approach is the least extensive and involves several very small incisions made within the scalp. The surgical technique for a browlift will depend upon the particular patient and their specific goals. In general, however, excess tissue is removed, the forehead muscles are altered or released, the eyebrows may be elevated, and excess skin is trimmed.

The recovery after a browlift takes one to two weeks. Patients can expect some swelling and bruising. Most of the swelling fades within a week or so, and the bruising will clear up within two to three weeks. Any discomfort that patients experience can be managed with medication. Patients undergoing a traditional browlift with a coronal incision may also experience some itching. The recovery after an endoscopic browlift is generally shorter and less extensive than after a traditional browlift. Stitches are removed within five to ten days. Work can usually be resumed after one or two weeks, though more strenuous activities will need to be postponed for four to six weeks.

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Q - What is a browlift?

The browlift, also known as a forehead lift, is a plastic surgery procedure which lifts the brow area and removes weight from the upper eyelids. The procedure can dramatically rejuvenate the upper face and relieve a tired, stressed, or mean look that may develop with age.

Q - Who is a candidate for a browlift?

Men and women who are in good health and looking to improve the appearance of the brow area may be good candidates for a browlift.

Q - What should I expect during a consultation for a browlift/forehead lift?

During the consultation for a browlift, Dr. Vitenas will go over your complete medical history, take the time to understand your goals, and answer all of your questions. You will see pre-op and post-op photos of previous browlift patients, and computer imaging will be used to help you visualize your own personal results. Dr. Vitenas will discuss reasonable and expected outcomes, and explain the details of the procedure including the technique, the recovery, the risks, the costs, and financing options.

Q - Where is the browlift surgery performed?

Dr. Vitenas performs the browlift surgery in his office operating suite or at the adjacent Day Surgery Center, an outpatient facility at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital.

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