Improve your appearance with a frontal lift

If you are bothered by expression lines or other signs of aging in the forehead area, a frontal lift may be right for you.

• Minimizes creases on the forehead or around the eyes;
• Improves what are commonly referred to as expression lines, that is, vertical wrinkles that develop between the eyebrows;
• Repositions the low or sagging frontal region;
• Raises eyebrows to a more youthful position.

• Eyelid surgery to rejuvenate the eyes;
• Facelift to correct aging changes in the lower third of the face and neck;
• Peeling techniques.

A brow lift is an individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to satisfy someone else's desires or to try to adapt to any type of ideal image. Front lift surgery is a good option for you if:

• You are physically healthy;
• You don't smoke;
• You have a positive and realistic attitude towards the surgical outcome.

The success and safety of the procedure largely depends on your sincerity during the consultation. You will be asked about your health, desires and lifestyle.

• The reason why you want to undergo surgery, your expectations and the desired result;
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments;
• Current use of medications, vitamins, natural medicines, tobacco, alcohol and drugs;
• Previous surgeries.

• Assess your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors;
• Discuss the facelift and facial rejuvenation options available to you;
• Examine and measure different parts of your face;
• Take photos for medical records;
• Discuss your options and recommend the most appropriate treatment;
• Discuss possible results of a facelift and any potential risks or complications.

Before surgery, it may be necessary to:
• Take laboratory tests or medical evaluation;
• Taking certain medications or adjusting your current medications;
• Stop smoking well before surgery;
• Avoid taking aspirin and some anti-inflammatories and natural medicines, as they can increase bleeding.

• What to do on the day of surgery (fasting time, medications, bath);
• The type of anesthesia to be used in the procedure;
• Post-operative care.

Be sure to ask someone to accompany you and stay with you for at least the first night after surgery.

The decision to undergo forehead lift surgery is a personal one and it is up to you to decide whether the benefits will achieve your goals and whether the risks and potential complications are acceptable. Your plastic surgeon and/or assistants will explain in detail the risks associated with the surgery. You will be asked to sign the consent form to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any potential risks or complications.

• Unfavorable scarring;
• Bleeding (bruise);
• Infection;
• Poor healing;
• Anesthetic risks;
• Hair loss in incisions (alopecia);
• Elevation of the hairline;
• Facial nerve injury with weakness or paralysis;
• Facial asymmetry;
• Skin loss (necrosis);
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensitivity;
• Irritated or dry eyes;
• Dysfunctions involving abnormal position of the upper eyelids (palpebral ptosis), residual sagging of the eyelid or everted lower eyelid (ectropion);
• Accumulation of fluid (seroma);
• Pain, which may last;
• Irregular contours;
• Skin discoloration and swelling;
• Sutures may emerge spontaneously from the skin, becoming visible or producing irritation that requires removal;
• Possibility of a new surgical procedure (touch-up).

It is very important that you ask all your questions directly to the plastic surgeon about the procedure you will be undergoing. It's natural to feel anxiety, whether it's anticipation about your new appearance or pre-operative stress. Don't be embarrassed to discuss these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or an abnormal heartbeat, seek medical attention immediately. If any of these complications occur, you may need hospitalization and additional treatment.

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure, requiring further surgery.

Following your doctor's recommendations is essential for the success of the surgery. It is important that surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or movement during the healing time.

 What happens during forehead lift surgery?

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Options include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you.

Step 2 – Incision

A forehead lift can sometimes be performed using an endoscope (video surgical device) and special instruments placed through small incisions made in the scalp. This allows the muscle tissue, located below the skin, to be repositioned or removed, correcting the wrinkles and furrows visible on the forehead. The procedure can be performed without the use of an endoscope, through incisions in the temporal region, in the scalp, or hidden within the natural fold of the upper eyelids. An alternative forehead lift technique is the coronal incision. This technique involves an incision from ear to ear, with the frontal region repositioned after removing excess skin and scalp. Recovery time is often longer than with the endoscopic technique, due to the size of the incision. Incision lines are well hidden in the natural contours of the hair or face unless they are placed at the hairline to shorten the forehead. The results appear gradually, with the disappearance of swelling and bruising, revealing a smoother forehead, younger skin and a rested appearance.

Step 3 – Closing the Incisions

The incisions are typically closed with:

• Removable or absorbable sutures;
• Skin stickers;
• Surgical tape;
• Special clips.

Step 4 – Results

Forehead elevation can be maintained through the use of:
• Permanent sutures;
• Small surgical screws;
• Absorbable fixation device placed in the temporal region.

When the procedure is complete, you will have a bandage on your head to minimize swelling and bruising. A drain may be placed to drain any excess blood and fluid that may accumulate beneath the skin.

How to care for the surgical site, medications to take by mouth to help reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns about the surgical site or general health, and when your return appointment will be.

• Where will I remain in recovery after surgery is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will bandages be needed? When will they be removed?
• Will the stitches be removed? When?
• When can I resume normal activities and exercise?
• When will the return appointment be?

Initial wound healing may take 5 to 10 days, during which time the sutures and clips will be removed. You will be ready to return to work and normal daily activities at this time. Cosmetics can camouflage any wounds that remain. The final result will appear after several weeks, when the swelling subsides. Scars tend to improve over time. Throughout life, sun protection helps maintain a rejuvenated appearance, minimizing photo-aging or sun damage. Furthermore, a healthy lifestyle also helps to maintain a younger appearance.

Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. A surgeon's fees may vary depending on their experience and the type of procedure performed.

• Surgeon's fees;
• Hospital and surgical center costs;
• Anesthetist's fees;
• Prescribed medications;
• Meshes used post-operatively;
• Medical exams.

When choosing a plastic surgeon to perform this procedure, remember that the surgeon's experience and your good relationship with him or her are as important as the final cost of the surgery.

• Eyebrow lift: Surgical procedure to correct the low position of the eyebrow. Smoothes wrinkles on the forehead and between the eyebrows.
• Endoscope: Surgical video device that can be used during the procedure.
• General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during surgery to relieve pain and reduce consciousness.
• Hematoma: Accumulation of blood beneath the skin.
• Intravenous sedation: Sedatives given by injection into a vein to help you relax.
• Local anesthesia: Drug injected directly into the incision site during surgery to relieve pain.
• Peeling: Treatment to improve the general appearance and texture of the skin.
• Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.

Use this list as a guide during your consultation:
• Are you a specialist by the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery?
• Have you been trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
• How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What is expected of me so that the best results are obtained?
• Where and how will the procedure be performed?
• How long can I expect to recover, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
• How are complications treated?
• How will the evolution be over time?