Can An Endoscopic Browlift Be Reversed?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I reached out to you a year ago. I had a sliding genioplasty two years ago (6mm horizontal movement) that left me with some scarring/webbing that has my lip pinned down.  I am also dealing with numbness (I have the slightest sensation) on lip/chin area and tightness.

Also, I had an endoscopic brow lift done at the same time, that I feel was overdone, especially my right eyebrow, which i can hardly move at all.  

I feel after two years I can not expect any improvement and my original surgeon is no help.  

I would like to schedule a surgery date with you if you feel this something you can improve.

A: I do reminder your inquiry from a year ago. I am not sure if this is the first time I have seen your postoperative pictures of your browlift result or not. I have seen and treated numerous high browlift results and, while it is straightforward to lift the eyebrows, it is not so easy to bring them back down. It is not a matter of just releasing them and they will move down…as they will not. An endoscopic browlift is an epicranial scalp shift. As a result the forehead and scalp tissues are stretched and pulled back and now scarred into place. 

The only chance at dropping down the eyebrows is to create the extra tissue to do so. This would require a tissue expansion approach of the scalp which would release it and create the necessary stretch of the scalp/forehead tissues to allow them to stay lower.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana