Problems with Endoscopic Brow Lift
Like any procedure problems can occur. The endoscopic brow lift is no exception. The problems that do occur happen approximately one percent of the time. Your individual reviewing of the brow lift procedure should reveal low complication rates with a high acceptance rate. Of course, counseling with your doctor should eliminate some of the risks.
Since this procedure can be completed under local anesthesia and/or general anesthesia you will have some recovery time either at home or in the hospital. Can you be conscious for the procedure? That will be a discussion during your initial consultation. If so you probably will be aware of the sensations like tugging and pulling associated with it, and for most people that might not be unacceptable. Being put to sleep by IV sedation would be the choice for most people including your physician, unless he sees otherwise. As always there is an inherent risk associated with any anesthesia, if any symptoms occur before or after your surgery your doctor should be notified. Stress and surgery go hand in hand.
Although the endoscopic technique is less traumatizing than the coronal lift, care should be taken when visualizing around the nerves and cutting around the hairline, nerve damage or minor hair loss may occur. The surgeons experience may be a factor. Irregularities of the forehead surface afterwards have been reported but may be rare occurrences. Swelling, pain and minor bruising are considered a result of the procedure more than a problem. A few days of rest and maybe some ice packs will reduce the pain and swelling along with some pain medication suggested by your physician. There may be a possibility of numbness, but should subside with time. In rare cases numbness may be permanent. Analyze your symmetry, make sure your eyebrows are even, if not, let your plastic surgeon know and he should be able to fix these types of problems.
Longevity of an endoscopic brow lift varies but on the average they last about 10 years and some patients will last a lifetime. The health of the patient generally may determine the lasting effects. Factors such as smoking and how well you treat your body physically and internally may also have a role.
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Bruising from Endoscopic Brow Lift
One of the many benefits from the endoscopic brow lift is the recovery time and the minimal bruising from the surgery. When consulting with your certified plastic surgeon he should be able to discuss, the complications, the risks and or your specific needs. Ask for pictures so you can see a before and after results. It would be a good idea to visualize what kind of bruising occurs and how long it will last. Make-up can cover the bruising until the healing is finished.
Pain from the procedure is described as minimal to moderate and swelling and bruising does occur also. Of course pain tolerance is different from one person to another. Usually healing occurs between 5 to 10 days.
If you ask one person on a scale of one (1) to ten (10) what is your pain like? They might say a five (5). Another individual might describe that same pain as a nine (9). Discuss your pain tolerance with your plastic surgeon and find out what the doctors previous patients also said. The incisions made will probably be sutured so they will have to be taken out too. So the results of a brow lift have to be weighed. Do you want to sacrifice time and pain for a better looking less tired look, or do you want to forgo the procedure and keep your current look.
The Coronal lift is still used for eyebrow lifting, but seems to be a more traumatic surgery, since the cut is made across the forehead, either at or behind the hairline from ear to ear. The numbness may be more pronounced since less care is taken to avoid the nerves. One or two Centimeters of skin is removed from the top of the forehead and then sown together to give the eyebrows its lifted look. Also the muscles are manipulated to give a better look. Bruising and swelling still takes place.
Ask your Surgeon
Your plastic surgeon might give you some pointers for before and after your endoscopic lift. For instance you might be told what medications you should avoid and which ones to take. You should ask if there might be any severe bruising after the surgery and will there be any bandaging present. Find out when you need to come back for consultation and when you can take off any bandages that were applied. Ask about the swelling and if an ice pack will help or relieve the pain. Do you need to rest or do you need to keep a moderately active lifestyle? Your muscles in your face are used for so many expressions. It is easy to forget that we use them so often. Expressing your self in the usual manner may be a little painful and any extreme laughing may not be advised.
Always get two or three opinions about any surgery. You should be informed to the best of your ability and ask many questions. Pick a qualified surgeon who is successful and has your best interests at heart. Don’t be pushed into any surgery, gather your information and discuss it with your family or friends. The bruising, swelling and pain may be a minor nuisance to a beautiful set of eyes.
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More About the Endoscopic Lift
Look Younger
Everyone wants to look just ten years younger. Look at your picture albums and notice the changes. Usually around very 4 to 5 years we seem to age noticeably. With new technologies we are always looking for new ways to look younger with a smoother appearance. Can we take ten years away from our looks? Drooping sagging eyelids, wrinkles in the forehead and sagging necks all attribute to the way we look and how we feel about ourselves. An endoscopic lift may be the answer.
The Small Effective Endoscope
Endoscopic procedures have increased since its explosion in the late 1990s. A small camera called the endoscope is used to visualize internal body parts. Historically the scopes have been used for knee surgeries, spinal surgeries, bladder, kidneys, bronchi, larynx ear and abdomen. They can be rigid or flexible. With evolving technologies, now plastic surgeons we are using this tool to reshape and implement reconstructive surgery and in doing so improving the look of the face. The endoscope is equipped with a small camera with a light that the doctor can see through a television screen or monitor. Tools such as cutters and Endoscopic Facelift Elevators are held externally and they can be manipulated internally at the doctors’ discretion. The elevator simply lifts the skin up and away from the skull giving the surgeon room to maneuver his scope and cutter easily.
Small Cuts May be the Answer
Unlike the Coronal lift that makes a long cut across the forehead ear to ear, small incisions are made, typically 3 to 5- usually one to two centimeter in size. These incisions are made for gaining access to underneath the skin. The incisions are minimally invasive, typically put at the hairline or some indiscreet area so they fade quickly making a more natural appearance to the skin and for better healing. The tools that are used are brought underneath the skin; they cut the muscles, tissues and, caughterize veins. Muscles that are causing frown lines are minimally cut and at the same time nerves are bypassed and saved.
Of course finding a surgeon that does quality work is important. If the procedure is performed correctly it should last a long time. Facial lifts with an endoscope are relatively new so there really hasn’t been a long term study on the lasting effects of the surgery. Long coronal incisions across the scalp are not used with the endoscopic lift, therefore; on the positive note discomfort and numbness for the patient is decreased or somewhat eliminated.
There are different types of lifts. They are the brow lift or eyelift, the midface lift and the neck lift. The endoscope is very useful tool and coupled with other tools you can easily see results that bring a more youthful appearance.
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