Panama Medical Vacations

Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery

Brow Lift / Forehead Lift Surgery
Facial beauty is the ideal combination of several different elements. As we age, facial features sag in relationship to the underlying bone and cartilage framework. Frown lines deepen with stress and over activity of the muscles of facial animation. Trauma and nerve injury can also cause facial features to droop. A brow lit surgery reverses the trend of gravity by placing the facial features back to where they where when you were younger. Your face will appear less tired. This operation can be done alone or in conjunction with other operations.

Prior to Surgery
Any necessary precautions prior to surgery will be outlined for you in the treatment plan. If you require pre-op therapy, you will receive the proper instructions. If you are a smoker, you may be asked to stop for a time prior to your surgery. You might also be asked to refrain from using vitamin E (in large does), aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines since they can lead to increased bleeding during surgery.

The Procedure
There are two standard types of brow lift surgeries. They are:

  • Coronal brow lift surgery
    An incision is made starting just above the ears and continuing across the top of the scalp. Designed to be inconspicuous, it is usually hidden in the hairline. A small band of hair is removed to give the surgeon sufficient room to operate. Most of this trimmed region is removed with the operation. Patients are able to cover up the scars from this surgery with their hair, if they have it. If not, a surgery can camouflage scars along boney features of the skull.
  • Hairline brow lift surgery
    For someone with a high forehead, pulling the hairline back can cause the unwanted appearance of increased hair loss. Sometimes the surgeon can place the incision just in front of the hairline in such cases to avoid adding even more height to the forehead. The scar at the hairline is then hidden by the hair. .However sometimes it shows and combing the hair over the forehead helps hide the scar. In cases of baldness, it may again require special planning by the surgeon.

This operation is usually performed as an out patient. This means you will go home after surgery. We attach a number of monitors to watch your pulse, blood pressure, heart, and blood oxygen level. Anesthesia is usually local but in some cases general anesthesia is use

After Your Surgery
After surgery you are taken to a recovery room to be closely monitored before discharge. You will likely have a dressing or headband to apply pressure to the incision area and protect the tissue. In some cases a small temporary drain keeps fluid from cumulating. The nurses will show you how to monitor and care for this drain.

Risks
Complications are rare and usually minor in brow lift surgery. The nerves that control eyebrow motion can be rarely injured on one or both sides resulting in inability to wrinkle the forehead or raise the eyebrows. Typically temporary, the loss may last for months or be permanent. Broad, highly visible scars are rare. In such cases surgical revision may improve such scars. Hair loss may occur in some patients near the scar. Lost sensation along or below the incision line is common but usually only temporar

While there is always an element of risk, having an American-trained surgeon, a professional staff and a world-class hospital make your Panama brow lift at Hospital Punta Pacifica, Affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, a safe and rewarding procedure.