Brow Lift (Browplasty) or Blepharoplasty: Which Surgery Is Right For Me?

When it comes to cosmetic surgery, “Which surgery is right for me?” is an important question. Some procedures use similar techniques, or target similar areas. As a result it can be tricky to figure out which is best suited for your needs. This is often the case for patients seeking either brow lift, sometimes called browplasty (lateral temporal lift) or blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery.

These two procedures are common facial operations. Although they may seem similar, they are entirely different procedures that target different issues. Knowing the difference can help you get a better idea of what you can achieve and which procedure might be a good option for you.

Deciding which procedure is right for you

The process of deciding which surgery is right for you is very personal. Not everyone knows what they want straight away, so it can take some time and thought.

Firstly, think about your motives and what kind of outcomes you desire to achieve. In general, it’s a good idea to do your research before you make a decision about which surgery you want.

Thankfully, you don’t have to make this decision on your own. A meeting with a specialist plastic surgeon is a good way to get more information about your desired surgery. Melbourne plastic surgeon Dr Jeremy Richardson will talk to you about each procedure, provide guidance, and help you decide.

(Browplasty) brow lift or blepharoplasty: what’s the difference?

Here are the main distinctions between the two procedures:

Browplasty
This surgery focuses on the brow and forehead area. It targets concerns about eyebrow position, shape, wrinkles, and frown lines. If you desire to address laxity or signs of ageing on the upper face and forehead, you might consider this procedure.

Blepharoplasty
Also, called eyelid surgery, this procedure doesn’t focus on the brows and forehead. Instead, it’s mainly concerned with the upper and lower eyelids. Some people find that excess eyelid skin may develop with age, and this can have cosmetic effects on the eyes. Not only that, but in severe cases, excess skin on the upper eyelid can affect a person’s vision. In order to target these problems, the surgery removes the extra skin from the area.

Risks and recovery times of (browplasty) brow lift or blepharoplasty

Although every surgery comes with risks, they can differ slightly with each procedure. Both procedures carry a risk of poor side effects, healing issues, infection, and unwanted results. But blepharoplasty carries other risks due to dealing with structures close to the eye. For example, patients might have trouble closing their eyes or have irritation.

The recovery process is also something to know about. Every post-op patient will need to get lots of rest and care for their treated areas, but recovery times will slightly differ. Most browplasty patients can get back to their usual routines after about two weeks. However, full recovery may take a little while longer. Blepharoplasty patients may take a few weeks to get back to their normal activities.

Can you combine the procedures?

So, to put it simply, a browplasty is designed to target the forehead, brows, and upper-face area. In comparison, surgery on the eyelids targets mainly the eye area, removing excess or lax skin.

But some people may have concerns about both of these target areas. In these cases, Dr Richardson can combine the procedures. This means they are both done on the same day. However, this option is only for people who have severe signs of ageing and have discussed the risks with their surgeon. You can discuss combining the procedures with Dr Richardson to decide if it’s an option for you.

Reasons to choose Dr Richardson for a (browplasty) brow lift or blepharoplasty surgery in Melbourne

Dr Jeremy Richardson cares for each patient based on their desires, needs, and preferences. He ensures that patients know their options and are aware of the potential outcomes to help them to make informed and personalised decisions. If you wish to learn more about whether brow lift or blepharoplasty may work for you, please contact us to book a private consultation with Dr Richardson in Melbourne.