Brow Suspension Lift

Brow Suspension Lift, often known as a Cat Eye or Fox Eye Lift, is a procedure usually performed on younger women who like a strong windswept brow, or for anyone with heavy skin of the upper eyelids.

Brow Suspension Lift

A Brow Suspension Lift, often known as a Cat Eye or Fox Eye Lift, is a procedure usually performed on younger women who like a strong windswept brow, or for anyone with heavy skin of the upper eyelids. The almond shape eye is harmonious with the angle of the brow (and midface) however this procedure can be performed on any shape of the eye.

The Brow Suspension Lift procedure also helps to enhance the anatomy of the shape of the eye to give a straight flared brow look. It helps to open the eyes and can even be incorporated with a midface lift to smooth under eyes and lift the cheek.

Womans face being marked to show facelift areas

How can a brow suspension lift adjust the contours of the eyes?

It’s important to remember that every individual is unique and so too are their needs and desired outcomes for cosmetic surgery. If you’re considering a procedure, it’s essential to have a comprehensive consultation with one of our experienced surgeons. They can help you understand whether you’re a suitable candidate and what you can realistically expect from the surgery. The information provided here is meant to help guide you, but it’s not a replacement for professional medical advice. Always organise a consultation for personalised advice.

If you are concerned about the way you look or are thinking about cosmetic surgery for confidence reasons, there are alternatives. Talking to a counsellor or psychologist may help you overcome your concerns about your appearance.

Lift of Outer Eye Corners: The procedure elevates the outer corners of the eyes, which is a characteristic feature of the 'cat eye' look.
Definition of Upper Eyelid: It may provide more definition to the upper eyelid, potentially enhancing the appearance of the eyes.
Enhancement of Eyebrow Arch: Brow suspension lift surgery can potentially enhance the arch of the eyebrows, contributing to an alert appearance.
Improvement of Eye Symmetry: Depending on the individual's anatomy, the procedure can help improve symmetry between the two eyes.
Reduction of Drooping Eyelids: For some, the surgery can help reduce drooping or sagging of the upper eyelids.
Creation of Almond-Shaped Eyes: The aim of the procedure is to give a more almond-shaped appearance to the eyes, which is often associated with the 'cat eye' look.
Changes in Eye Proportions: The surgery can potentially alter the perceived proportions of the eye and surrounding facial features.
Potential Enhancement of Facial Harmony: The procedure can potentially contribute to an overall sense of facial harmony, based on individual features and cosmetic outcomes.

What to expect

Consultation

The first step in the brow suspension lift surgery process is a comprehensive consultation with our expert surgeon. During this meeting, your aesthetic goals, medical history, and current eye structure will be assessed. The surgeon will examine your eye shape, skin elasticity, and symmetry. This consultation provides an excellent opportunity for you to express any concerns or ask any questions you may have about the procedure.

Number and type of consultation

It is a requirement under the law, that a patient seeking cosmetic surgery must have at least two pre-operative consultations. The patient’s first consultation must be with the medical practitioner who will perform the surgery or another registered health practitioner who works with the medical practitioner who will perform the surgery (not a patient advisor or an agent). At least one of the two consultations must be in person with the medical practitioner who will perform the surgery. Other consultations can be in person or by video.

When consent can be given

A patient must not be requested to sign consent forms at their first consultation and cannot consent to cosmetic surgery until they have had an in-person consultation with the medical practitioner who will perform the surgery. The decision to have the surgery (provision of informed consent) must be made at a consultation with the medical practitioner who will perform the procedure (in person or by video).

Cooling-off Period

There must be a cooling-off period of at least seven days after the patient has had two consultations and given informed consent (signed consent forms), before the surgery can be booked or a deposit paid. 

Preparation

Once the surgical plan has been mutually agreed upon, you will receive specific instructions on how to prepare for your brow suspension lift surgery. These may include dietary guidelines, advice on smoking and alcohol consumption, instructions about certain medications or supplements, and skincare recommendations.

Surgery

Brow suspension lift surgery typically takes between one to three hours and is often performed under local anesthesia. The procedure involves making small incisions hidden in the hairline at the temples. Through these incisions, the surgeon lifts and repositions the outer corners of the eyes and eyebrows to achieve the desired almond-shaped appearance. The incisions are then closed with sutures that will later be removed or will dissolve on their own.

Recovery

After the surgery, you’ll be monitored briefly before being allowed to go home. Since this is a relatively minor procedure, an overnight hospital stay is rarely required. Swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort are normal but will begin to improve after a few days.

Most patients feel ready to return to non-strenuous daily activities within a few days, while more vigorous activities should be avoided for about a week. Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your progress and ensure a smooth recovery.

The final results of your surgery will be noticeable within a few weeks once the swelling has completely subsided, but the full effect may not be apparent for several months as the incisions continue to heal.

Surgery Time
1 to 3 hours
Hospital Time
Day stay with an option for overnight
Time off work
2 weeks
Cast Removal
Hand band required for 1 week
Showering
Can shower next day, however hair and incisions must stay dry
Exercise
4 to 6 weeks
Driving
24 hours after general anaesthetic and not while taking prescribed pain relief. We also recommend checking with your CTA insurer as to the post surgery exclusion period.
Travel
After 14 days for national and 4 weeks for international
Full Recovery
3 to 6 months for final results

Considerations Before Cosmetic Surgery

While we aim to provide accurate information about the different surgical procedures available, it’s important to understand that the content provided here serves as a general guide only. The specifics of each surgery, including the procedure detailed above, can and will vary significantly from person to person, depending on their unique circumstances and physical characteristics.

Undergoing cosmetic surgery is a serious decision that requires ample thought, careful consideration, and meticulous planning. It should never be taken lightly or treated trivially, as it can have profound impacts on one’s lifestyle and wellbeing.

Recovery from cosmetic surgery, too, requires time, support, and proper aftercare. We strive to present realistic and transparent information about the recovery process, but individual experiences may vary. It is typical for recovery to involve certain services or requirements, such as the use of compression garments or receiving therapeutic massages. It also often necessitates significant lifestyle changes, which may include a period of absence from employment and temporary restrictions on certain activities.

In light of these considerations, we strongly encourage potential patients to engage in comprehensive discussions with their GP and our surgeons. The goal is to fully understand the implications, requirements, and likely outcomes of any chosen procedure, and to make informed decisions about their health and aesthetics.

For more information on preparing for cosmetic surgery visit health.gov.au/cosmeticsurgery

General risks and complications of surgery include:

Substantial Hemorrhage: This involves severe blood loss from the area that underwent surgery, which may necessitate additional medical interventions.
Susceptibility to Infection: Post-surgery, the risk of infection can rise, potentially requiring either antibiotic treatment or subsequent surgical interventions.
Allergic Responses: Patients may exhibit allergic reactions to medical materials such as sutures, dressings, or antiseptic solutions used during and after the procedure.
Hematoma Formation: This involves the development of a sizable clot of blood beneath the incision site, which may necessitate medical drainage.
Post-Surgical Discomfort: Patients may experience pain, bruising, and swelling in the area surrounding the surgical site.
Scar Development: There's a risk of developing keloids or hypertrophic scars, which are elevated, red, and thickened scars over the healed incisions. Though they can be bothersome and aesthetically displeasing, they don't pose a direct health threat.
Delayed Healing Process: Healing can be sluggish, especially in patients with pre-existing conditions like diabetes or those who smoke.
Anaesthesia Risks: Patients may experience short-term nausea following general anaesthesia, along with other potential risks associated with anaesthesia.

Brow Suspension Lift surgery risks and complications include:

Post-Surgical Pain: Patients undergoing cat eye or fox eye surgery may experience significant post-surgical pain, requiring an appropriate pain management plan.
Risk of Infection: As with any surgical procedure, there's a potential for developing a postoperative infection, which may require further treatments or interventions.
Visible Scarring: Despite attempts to strategically place incisions, the surgical procedure could result in noticeable scarring.
Altered Sensation: Patients may experience altered sensation around the eyes, including numbness or tingling, which could be temporary or permanent.
Asymmetry: There's a risk that the surgical outcome may result in an asymmetrical appearance of the eyes, contrary to the desired cosmetic enhancement.
Unsatisfactory Cosmetic Outcome: The aesthetic results of the surgery may not align with the patient's expectations, potentially necessitating further corrective procedures.
Changes in Eye Function: The surgery could lead to temporary or permanent changes in eye function, such as difficulty closing the eyes, dryness, or excessive tearing.

How Much Does Brow Suspension Lift Cost?

Your personalised quote will be prepared following an in-depth evaluation by our expert surgeon. This includes a thorough assessment of your individual needs, detailed explanation of the procedure, and a tailored approach to best achieve the desired outcomes. The quote considers various elements including surgical supplies, hospital requirements, and the specifics of the surgery itself.

Potential rebates might be available if the procedure is deemed medically necessary by relevant health authorities. Conditions for this include providing evidence supporting the medical necessity of the surgery and a referral from a healthcare professional. Your private health insurance may also provide coverage, so it’s essential to discuss this with your provider.

FAQ

There are a few different options in performing the Cat Eye or Fox Eye lift. One option is to use threads however this result does not appear to give a long-lasting option, it can however be performed under local anaesthesia in the office.The surgical technique is longer lasting and the option Dr Zacharia tends to prefer. With this technique an incision is hidden behind the temporal hairline, the lateral brow skin is elevated and pulled in a horizontal (sideways) or horizontal and vertical direction. This approach can also extend down into the midface so that a combination of the lateral brow and midface can be lifted. A Canthoplasty can also be incorporated with the Cat Eye which lifts the position of the lateral eye to make it more almond shaped. An Ophthalmologist colleague would usually perform this. The surgical Cat Eye lift is a longer lasting and more predictable option.
The length of time that the results of your Cat Eye or Fox Eye Lift will last for is dependent on the technique used. If you choose to have threads, results typically last between 3 to 12 months. The surgical technique will give you results that last approximately 4 years on average.

Self-Assess Your Readiness For a Facelift

Thank you for taking the Dr Zacharia self-assessment form to better understand how mentally and physically you are for achieving the best facelift possible. Please answer all questions below, and provide photos for a pre op screening by Dr Zacharia.

Disclaimer: Please note that Dr Zacharia has the same rights as a patient. If you choose not to go ahead with Dr Zacharia based on his recommendations, he also has the right to turn away patients who he feels may be too high risk for surgery or show a lack of compliance for surgery protocols.

Surgery is a serious decision, and we are striving for the best outcomes for all. However, all surgery comes with a risk of complication or revision. Follow your pre and post op instructions for your safety and best possible outcome. However, the human body is not an exact science and Dr Zacharia and his team can only use their extensive experience to help guide you through any issue that could arise.

Please complete the following information, so we can send you your results and contact you for further discussion later.

Dr ZACHARIA’s opinion will be based on your anatomy. If the budget you have specified does not meet his recommendations, we will highlight the limitations of lesser invasive treatments based on your budget/ anatomy.

Please provide a front on and profile photo of your face. Also, a photo of you on your profile looking down. Ideally stand in front of a plain wall or door and have someone else take the photos for the best pre op consult advise.

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