Gliding Brow Lift Surgery
Tunbridge Wells, Kent, London
Gliding Brow Lift (GBL) Procedure
A Gliding Brow Lift (GBL) is a procedure most commonly performed as a daycare under a general anaesthetic.
It might be performed on its own, or frequently as part of a facial rejuvenation surgery that may include surgery to the upper eyelids +/- a facelift . Four tiny incisions are made at the hairline (two on each side) to enable access so specific instruments can be used to separate the skin of the brow, temples and upper cheek from the deeper tissues. Once the tissues are free, they can be elevated in the operating theatre, and once in a desired position, rows of stitches are placed through the skin to adhere the skin and brow to the new position (using a “haemostatic net”). The “net” stitches are removed at 48-72 hours after surgery, with a few key stitches in the eyebrow itself left in place until 1-week.
“I am now 5 months on from surgery for eyelids and brow lifts. My experience with Marc Pacifico the surgeon and the team at Purity Bridge was that I was a returning patient having already undergone previous treatment… I can see a vast improvement and my eyes are now wide open and the asymmetry I had in my eyebrows has been rectified and now symmetrical. Marc is a knowledgeable professional who is confident in surgery and has a good competent team around him which I would highly recommend.”
What does it involve?
The procedure is done under a general anaesthetic (with you asleep) either on its own, or often in combination with other procedures such as upper eyelid surgery. It may be done as a day case (in and out the same day) or if with other procedures, with you staying in hospital, depending on the nature of the other procedures.
What are the benefits?
The gliding brow lift elevates and stabilises your brow, removing the tired or sad look that may have developed from the heaviness of your low brow. The frown muscles can also be weakened in addition to the lifting of your brow.
How long does the surgery take?
The gliding brow lift alone takes 60-90 minutes
What is the recovery period?
It is common to experience some headache in the forehead region after the surgery. You will have some swelling and bruising afterwards, which will fade after 1-2 weeks following surgery and the scars heal quickly. As above, the net sutures are removed at 48-72 hours after surgery, and the residual stitches in the brow are removed at 1-week. It can take around 2-weeks in most people for the small dots of stitch marks from the net to disappear. Occasionally (and more commonly in pigmented skin) the marks can last longer.
How long before daily activities may be resumed?
Rest is advised initially, and you should sleep with 2 or 3 pillows initially so your head is elevated – this will help the swelling resolve – the upper (and lower) eyelids can also swell during the recovery period. During the first week you should avoid straining and bending down as this tends to increase swelling. Most people are ready to go out and return to work after about 2-weeks, but it is usually 3-weeks before you will be ready for major social events. Strenuous activity should be avoided for at least 4-weeks. Contact lenses should not be worn for 2-weeks after a brow lift.
What are the success rates?
Gliding brow lift has a high success rate and is an excellent operation for rejuvenating the forehead and lifting the brows to give an open appearance and fresh look the upper third of the face, which are characteristics of youth and beauty.
What are the possible complications?
These include wound problems, such as infection and slow healing, as well as bleeding from the wound on occasion. There may be a small degree of asymmetry between the two sides. Transient numbness to the forehead and scalp is to be expected for a few weeks-months after the procedure.
Occasionally there can be more bruising than expected – this usually settles uneventfully. Also, there can be damage to some sensory and possibly motor nerves. In the worst case scenario (which is fortunately rare) there can be impairment of brow movement after the operation (this normally recovers within 3-months if it occurs), and possible permanent numbness to the forehead and scalp.
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