Brow Lift: What It Is Really Like
I really only wanted a slight upper tilting of the outer brows. I wanted to look more exotic, like Natasha Henstridge. I had already tried Thermage, and I didn’t want a Feather Lift to the brows because at that time I had seen quite a few complications associated with the procedure in this area. So, I figured a temporal brow lift would have been sufficient.
I was already having cosmetic plastic surgery for a makeover for a documentary and since I was going under, why not? He felt I needed a mid brow lift as well and told me he didn’t feel the endoscopic brow lift versions were long-lasting. He said he would use a modified brow lift surgery technique he favored to achieve what I wanted without visible scars. So I scheduled.
This is the actual photo of me during brow lift surgery. Judging from the intra-operative photos, whew! He was all up in my scalp. I had no idea the incisions would be so incredibly long. They were also very close to my hairline and in my opinion, severe for my needs. I have spoken so several plastic surgeons who feel that both the incision length and method were not warranted. But, I have to say two things—it’s holding!!! And I do have the arched brows I want. But I feel it could have been achieved with a less invasive method.
My recovery wasn’t too bad, other than the abscesses I had from the larger sutures (not the fine ones). Apparently I was supposed to remove them a few days after I got home but I honestly do not remember this at all. I could not go back to my doctor for this because I lived three time zones away.
I had no pain because I can’t feel anything on top of my head anymore. It was annoying for the first couple of years but I have hit my head so many times since then that I have actually benefited from the numbness.
The brow lift scars? I have thin, fine hair and I feel the brow lift scars are not covered amply enough. It looks great at fist but then the skin slightly separated and the scars got bigger. Then the hair never grew back in the abscessed areas, not that I expected it to. There are the initial incision lines and then there are round scars from the larger sutures (white, kite string looking sutures) that were supposed to keep the incision lines from separating.
I just wish I would have known how big the scars would have been so I could have made a proper decision. I would have like to have experimented with an endoscopic brow lift I first before bringing out the big guns. But mission accomplished, right? Still, weigh the risk versus reward and be informed of what to expect before scheduling a surgery of any kind.
Good luck!
Marianne
6 Comments
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (6)
Hi Marianne--
It's nice to find your blog. I actually need a browlift but have just made do with botox because I have very thin hair and am afraid of more hair loss. I am sorry that you experienced this. I am waiting for hair multiplication -- when??? It seems it might be available on a limited commercial basis in a few years.
I wish I knew when hair multiplication is going to be ready for us :( It's one of those things that 2010 seems reasonable but who knows once the kinks get worked out--then steps in the FDA.
I'd say foreign markets will have it available before we do, like everything else of course.
I'd stick with the Botox for as long as you can, maybe some less invasive thermal treatments (be careful!) and then maybe an endoscopic lift. You don't want to be where I am. I can hide it if I lay my hair just so but if it starts whipping around. I need to post an updated pic.
Keep me updated...
Hope you are doing ok after the horrible fires.
Re the endoscopic lifts-- I've been told to stay away from those also because of the tension on the areas. Also, hair loss from the general anesthesia. Grrr. Botox works but it's so expensive.
Re the hair cloning, I won't wait for it to be available in the U.S. If it is first in Europe, I will get on the next plane!!
I had received the same warnings about the endo lifts as well but I have more than enough friends who are happy they went that route to change my mind about my own path taken :) However, I have seen a few stretched scars. They're better than my own though!
The fires are pretty much over where I am, I am back home. It just burns your nose, sinuses and throat if you stay outside too long. Thank you for your kind words :)
Hey, I'll join you on that plane if you hear word that multiplication available!
Try the endoscopic brow lift. I had Dr. Owsley in San Francisco do mine. He is one of the best plastic surgeons in the world--he invented the SMAS facelift--and his work is flawless.
I had absolutely no problems or complications with my list.
P.S. I have no scars whatsoever form the browlift.