As aging proceeds, a person may see its signs in the forehead and brow area as well. One may develop deep wrinkles or frown lines, which give the person an angry look. One may also develop sagging of the eyebrows, which can worsen the sad, tired expression of the face and eyes. The Virginia brow lift is designed to counteract these signs of aging and give the person a more youthful appearance.
The Virginia brow lift operation may be performed with local anesthesia and sedation or by general anesthesia. Depending on the extent of wrinkling in the forehead or the specific anatomy of the patient, there may or may not be an incision line in the hair-bearing segment of the scalp. If it is possible, the surgeon may elect to perform this operation with the use of endoscopic techniques. With endoscopic brow lift surgery, the entire procedure is done with the aid of video technology through small incisions that are placed in inconspicuous areas. With improvements made in the skin or in the deeper muscles and facial layers, the forehead and brow assume a younger appearance.
The Virginia forehead and brow lift are often done in conjunction with other rejuvenating procedures. Combining these procedures in a single operative stage does not increase the risk to the patient.
After Virginia brow lift surgery, there will be a temporary period of swelling and discoloration that generally subsides within 7-10 days. Some of the bruising may become evident in the eyelids, but this is not unexpected. These signs disappear after a short time. Having temporary numbness in the scalp is also common, but after a few weeks, normal sensation will return. The sutures or surgical clips will be removed in approximately 10 days. Generally, patients can expect to return to normal activities after a week.
As aging proceeds, you may see its signs in the forehead and brow area as well. You may develop deep wrinkles or frown lines, which give you an angry look. You may also develop sagging of the eyebrows, which can exaggerate the sad, tired expression of the face and eyes. The Virginia brow lift procedure is designed to counteract these signs of aging and give you a more youthful appearance.
The purpose of Virginia brow lift is to remove the signs of aging in the forehead by pulling the forehead skin and the structures underneath the skin in an upward direction, counteracting the effects of gravity. The beneficial effects of a Virginia brow lift can vary depending on your anatomy and lifestyle. The role of genetics is also important on the effect that the Virginia brow lift will have on your overall appearance.
In the first consultation, you will have a chance to discuss your concerns with our patient care coordinators and Dr. Marefat. We will explain what you need to know about your Virginia brow lift procedure and help to determine what is best for you. You will receive information booklets, review before and after photographs, and receive pricing on the procedures.
We usually perform Virginia foreheadplasty (brow lift) in an outpatient surgical facility with the patient under general anesthesia. The skin of the forehead is lifted, and the tissues underneath are fixed in their proper position. If necessary, the muscles of the forehead that cause frown lines are weakened to help soften the appearance of the forehead skin. The excess skin is pulled and trimmed. The suture line is hidden in the hair-bearing skin and, therefore, not seen. If possible, the surgeon may elect to perform this operation using endoscopic techniques. With endoscopic brow lift surgery, the entire procedure is done with the aid of video technology through small incisions that are placed in inconspicuous areas.
There will be a moderate amount of swelling and bruising with a brow lift. You should take off of work for at least a week. This would give you adequate time to recover from Virginia brow lift surgery and to be seen without drawing attention. Although most of the evidence of brow lift surgery will have disappeared by the end of the week, the ultimate result of the Virginia brow lift operation will not be evident until at least 5 or 6 months have passed. You should expect a moderate degree of overcorrection of the brow immediately after surgery. Much of this initial overcorrection will settle down, and the brow will descend after several weeks. You may have some swelling in the eyelids due to the surgery. This will subside shortly after surgery. Sometimes, a small amount of bruising in the eyelids may be present up to 2 weeks after surgery. You can cover this with makeup within a few days. Having temporary numbness in the scalp is also common, but after a few weeks, normal sensation will return.
Most sutures are removed within a week. However, there may be sutures or staples that remain up to 2 weeks in order to provide additional support in critical areas.
We like to see our patients frequently after surgery. You are seen by the doctor or nurse within 2-3 days of surgery. Then, the normal routine after surgery is 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Of course, if there is a need, you are seen as many times as necessary. We encourage our patients to come in for routine follow-up visits every 3-5 years.
You should be able to put makeup on your bruises after 1 week. However, we do not recommend putting makeup on your incisions until the skin is completely healed because this may result in tattooing from pigments in the makeup.
The ideal candidate for a brow lift is a person who has eyebrow ptosis (lowering of the eyebrow) or heavy forehead frown lines. There is no definite age category for when the surgery should be done. In general, the ideal candidate for foreheadplasty is a self-motivated patient who has realistic expectations about the results. Generally, the younger you are, the better a candidate you are for surgery. The physiologic age of a person is more important than the chronologic age. That is to say, you may be 60 years old, but your skin and general health could be better than that of most 50 year olds.
You can pay for surgery by certified check, credit card, or cash. Payment for cosmetic surgery is expected prior to any procedure. If you are scheduled for surgery several weeks in advance, you may pay by personal check.
Yes. The extent of the scars depends on the type of Virginia brow lift you are having. If you have an endoscopic brow lift, the scars are quite short and inconspicuous. The traditional brow lift incision is located in the scalp about 2 inches above the hairline. In those who have high foreheads, the incision may be placed at the hairline. In either case, the incisions heal very nicely and are not noticeable.
Yes. However, the pain involved in brow lift Virginia procedures is very tolerable. We have heard our patients describe it as mild discomfort or soreness. For some reason, injuries to the face (including those surgically induced) do not hurt as bad as they look. Many patients do not finish the pain medications prescribed to them for pain relief. Having said that, remember that pain is very subjective, and it is not easy to predict how you will react to the discomfort.
If you are having a regular brow lift operation in Virginia, you will be asleep. It is to your advantage to be comfortable and have an anesthesiologist monitor your heart and lungs. This would also help the surgeon to concentrate on his work and accomplish what he wishes to do with ease. Although Dr. Marefat prefers to have his patients asleep during this procedure, you could have it done under local anesthesia if you do not wish to go under general anesthesia.
The operation is performed in an outpatient surgical facility using general anesthesia. Only in rare situations, in which the patient may have medical risk factors, does Dr. Marefat suggest surgery in a hospital environment.
Yes. Photographs are mandatory for all cosmetic and reconstructive cases. Photographs are the best way to compare your before and after results. Photographs in plastic surgery serve the same role that x-rays do in orthopedic surgery.
Dr. Marefat and the staff at Metropolitan Plastic Surgery would be happy to help you set up a private consultation to discuss Virginia foreheadplasty (brow lift). Schedule an appointment online or call one of our locations at 703-516-7600 (Arlington area) or at 703-560-9583 (Woodbridge).
Dr. Marefat offers a number of financial assistance programs and payment programs to cover the cost of foreheadplasty (brow lift) in Virginia. Please visit the patient financing section of our website for more details or ask the staff at Metropolitan Plastic Surgery about these options so that you can get started with foreheadplasty (brow lift) in Virginia today.
