What to Expect During Your Brow Lift Consultation

Some individuals explore the option of a brow lift to address changes in their facial appearance over time. If this is something you’re considering, a thorough consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon is an important step in understanding whether the procedure is suitable for your needs. 

During a brow lift consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your concerns, learn about the procedure, and explore possible approaches tailored to your situation.

Share Your Goals and Expectations

A brow lift consultation is an opportunity to openly discuss your thoughts and concerns about the appearance of your forehead and brow area. It’s important to approach this conversation with the understanding that not all signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, need to be changed or “solved.” 

Everyone’s ageing process is unique, and these natural features are a normal part of life. During your consultation, your surgeon will offer information about the procedure, including its potential benefits, risks, and realistic outcomes. 

This will help you make an informed decision based on your personal preferences, while keeping in mind that surgical procedures may not address every concern or lead to a specific result for everyone.

Review Your Medical History and Lifestyle

Be prepared to discuss your medical history and lifestyle during the brow lift consultation. 

You must disclose current health conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure or thyroid issues). It’s important to disclose any current health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid issues, as these factors may influence the surgeon’s recommendations or require additional precautions.

Inform your surgeon of any medications you’re currently taking, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medication can increase the risk of bleeding, so it’s best you disclose this information with your surgeon.

It’s also a good time to mention any prior cosmetic and non-cosmetic surgeries you’ve undergone, as these details will inform your surgeon’s planning process.

Lifestyle habits also affect the healing process, apart from your medical history. If you’re a smoker and consume alcohol regularly, be upfront. 

Smoking hinders wound healing and can increase the risk of complications, so your surgeon may advise you to quit several weeks before and after your brow lift. While moderate alcohol intake should be all right, it’s best to discuss it openly with your surgeon.

Undergo a Physical Examination

During the consultation, your surgeon will conduct a thorough examination of your face and brow area. This includes assessing factors such as

• Skin tone and elasticity
• Depth and location of wrinkles
• Brow position
• Muscle function

These assessments help guide the surgeon in understanding your specific concerns, but it’s important to remember that this is a no-obligation process. 

The consultation is an opportunity for you to gather information and ask questions, and if at any point you feel uncertain or wish to reconsider, you are free to do so without any pressure.

Your surgeon may also take “before” photographs for reference. If you have concerns about privacy, you can discuss options such as having your identity obscured in the photos. 

Your comfort and informed decision-making are the top priorities throughout the consultation.

Explore Brow Lift Options and Techniques

Your surgeon will also cover the various available brow lift procedures. They will explain the key differences between the techniques:

• Endoscopic brow lift: Utilises smaller incisions hidden within the hairline and relies on specialised instruments and cameras.

• Traditional (coronal) brow lift: This procedure may result in a longer scar (typically concealed within the hairline). It is sometimes recommended in cases where broader adjustments to the brow area are required, depending on individual needs and the surgeon’s assessment.

Your surgeon will outline the pros and cons and where they will make the incisions. They will also recommend the technique they believe will deliver the best outcome based on your specific goals, anatomy, and overall health.

Expect the surgeon also to prime you on the anaesthesia, which will be used for long-term pain relief during the operation. Depending on the procedure’s complexity, options include local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia. 

Understand Recovery and Potential Complications

Understanding the recovery process after a brow lift surgery is also crucial during the consultation. Your surgeon will explain the typical healing timeline, including what to expect regarding swelling and bruising and when you can return to normal activities. 

They will detail instructions on caring for incisions, managing discomfort, and minimising the risk of complications.

Awareness of the potential risks involved is crucial in brow lifts. Your surgeon will openly discuss possible complications like bleeding, alopecia (hair loss near the incision), numbness, infection, reaction to anaesthesia, and asymmetry.

Understanding these risks helps you decide about the appropriateness of a brow lift, considering the procedure’s potential results and inherent risks. 

Evaluate Surgeon Qualifications and Experience

Choosing a qualified brow lift surgeon is important for ensuring you are well-informed about the procedure and its potential risks. While a skilled surgeon can help guide you through the process, it’s essential to understand that results vary from person to person, and no specific outcomes can be guaranteed. 

Additionally, while every precaution will be taken to minimise risks, all surgical procedures carry inherent risks that cannot be fully eliminated.

Do not hesitate to ask questions about your surgeon’s expertise and background. Here are some aspects to focus on:

• Board Certification: Ask if they’re a board-certified plastic surgeon and ask to see their registration number within the AHPRA system. This allows you to verify their qualifications and professional status
• Brow Lift Experience: Find out how many brow lift procedures they’ve done – ideally, you want someone who does them regularly. 
• Before & After Photos: While before-and-after photos can provide insight into the surgeon’s previous work, it’s important to remember that results vary from person to person. These photos should not be used to predict or guarantee your outcome, as every individual’s anatomy and healing process is different. Rather than focusing on matching a specific look, it’s essential to prioritise a clear understanding of the procedure’s potential risks and realistic outcomes based on your unique needs.

Remember, a surgeon’s qualifications and experience are essential to ensuring that you receive accurate, balanced information about the procedure. 

It’s important to feel comfortable discussing your concerns openly, but it’s equally critical to focus on understanding the potential risks, limitations, and realistic outcomes. A responsible surgeon will provide you with clear, transparent information without making any promises or guarantees.

A brow lift consultation is designed to help you gain a deeper understanding of the procedure, but it’s essential to manage expectations and recognise that results can vary from person to person. Your surgeon will guide you through what is achievable based on your individual anatomy and health. If you’re thinking about exploring your options for a brow lift, consider booking a consultation with Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr. Jack Zoumaras in Sydney. His expertise can help you understand if this procedure is suitable for your specific needs, but remember, the decision is entirely yours, and there’s no obligation to proceed.

Disclaimer: At Artiste Plastic Surgery, our Plastic Surgeons led by Dr Jack Zoumaras have been trained to the highest possible degree. All surgery has risks and it is always advised to get a second opinion. Risks are very real and we cannot guarantee any result. Results are illustrated as a guide only. All risks are managed and any need for revision surgery or complications (1-5%) can be managed by our specialist plastic surgeons.

Any statements on how you will feel is based on Level V Evidence:

Level V:  How you will feel after plastic surgery varies between individuals, depending on psychological and physical factors. Our internal research is based on how patients in our practice feel after surgery.

The blogs are not a substitute for a medical consultation and do not form as part of the doctor to patient relationship.