Is Brow Bone Reduction Surgery Safe?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I know you said that the forehead augmentation surgery is safe. However I do have some questions about brow bone reduction- if you don’t mind giving me some clarity. 

  1. How safe is this procedure? Are there any health risks?
  2. Would that result in a loss of my ability to control my eyebrows / have facial expressions?
  3. How much pain is generally associated with this procedure and how long does the pain last?
  4. I know the sinuses are in the area where the brow bone would be reduced. How often is that an issue? I was reading one of your studies on a patient who underwent a brow bone reduction and forehead augmentation. Due to his sinuses it said something about him needing screws and metal T plate or bracing to undergo the procedure. It was a little hard for me to understand- can you please explain what that did? Also is this commonly a necessity with brow reduction?

Case Study Reference: https://exploreplasticsurgery.com/case-study-combined-male-brow-bone-reduction-and-forehead-augmentation/

Sorry for all the questions. I have never undergone cosmetic surgery so I just want to know what I would be getting myself into.

A: In answer to your brow bone reduction and forehead augmentation surgery questions:

1) Such surgery is perfectly safe and poses no health risks.

2) The surgery does not affect the motor nerves that work the eyebrows and forehead muscles.

3) Actually pain is not that significant with forehead surgery and that is because most of the forehead will have some temporary numbness.

4) By definition a brow bone reduction is a frontal sinus reduction procedure.The bone in front of the frontal sinus cavity is removed and moved back further into the front sinus cavity. That is what makes the projection of the brow bones less. To hold the bone in place as it heals in its new position a small plate is used to do so.

All males that want less projecting brow bones need this type of brow bone reduction surgery.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana