An Endoscopic Forehead Lift Minimizes Pain and Recovery | Dr. Wayne Carman

An Endoscopic Forehead Lift Minimizes Pain and Recovery

While good things often take time, there are certain aspects of life—healing after a forehead lift at my Toronto practice, for instance—that should wrap up as quickly as possible.

Many cosmetic surgery procedures, including a forehead lift, have multiple possible techniques available to allow a doctor to choose a method most suited to each specific patient. I choose which method to use based on a variety of factors, including the patient’s general health, the current state of the body feature under consideration, the desired result, and more. I also factor in recovery time, because I want my patients to get the safest, best results possible—and then get back to everyday life as soon as possible. After all, everyone’s time is valuable.

To continue with the forehead lift example: Some doctors choose to use what’s known as a coronal incision, which runs from ear to ear across the top of the head, where a crown would sit. This is a very long incision, and can be intimidating. While it is a very effective approach to expose muscle and tissue to be altered during a forehead lift, recuperating patients will likely experience some soreness and numbness along the length of the coronal incision site.

I prefer an endoscopic forehead lift, which involves only a few small incisions. Using three to five access points just behind the hairline with each one about half an inch long, I use a small camera to look at the underlying tissue, assess the situation, and trim the necessary muscles to achieve that tight, smooth look.

The endoscopic approach to forehead lift causes less pain and scarring than do other similar open procedures, and the recovery period is quicker. Patients are back to their normal day-to-day life within two weeks or less. No forehead lift procedure is without the need for some recovery time, but the use of several shorter incisions means less soreness and swelling and a faster, easier recovery.

No matter which procedure one considers—forehead lift to breast augmentation—I take time to personally meet with each patient to discuss and develop an individualized surgical plan. During the consultation visit, patients can (and should) ask any questions they might have about why I choose the methods I have recommended and what other options may or may not be available. Careful planning of plastic surgery procedures is time is well spent.