42yo Waited 6 Years to Have Surgery; Thailand, TH

Hmmm, I'm not sure what endotines are sorry. So far as recovery goes with the brow lift, I am still numb from the eyebrows, all over my forehead and up to the crown of my scalp. I also have 10cm scars each side in my hairline. I've lost a little hair where the scars are, but you can barely see the scars and they are improving gradually (I mostly put bio-oil or paw paw ointment on the scars). The scars have a couple of weird lumps near them too. The itching is driving me absolutely nuts. My GP has put me on cortisone cream which I apply once a night onto my forehead and eyebrows. This has helped to reduce the redness and itching but I'm not allowed to put it on my scalp which is so itchy it's uncomfortable. Will have to see the GP again and get something else for the scalp. Also, I can only raise one eyebrow now. Good party trick but weird I have lost my ability to control my facial expression on the right side. Ha! Even though I'm having a few issues, I'm happy I had it all done and I don't hesitate to encourage people like yourself to have it done. If there is anything else you would like to know, please ask. All the best.

Endotines are fixation devices that are used to secure the brows - a lot of plastuc surgeons used them. Sorry about all the itching. I've read on this site that the itching is the nerves waking up from being pulled from the surgery and it's a good thing. Though I would think it would b very annoying. How long is the numbness supposed to last?

You said you lost your ability to control facial expressions on one side - can you eat and drink okay? Are you back to work? Can you do your normal activities now? Sorry for so many questions - it really helps prepare me for what to expect. Thanks for all your help.

Thanks for that. I will have to check with my surgeon but I think he used endotines. The numbness isn't as bad now as it was in the beginning so it is getting better (albeit slowly). The surgeon seems to think I should be ok in another couple of months and I trust his judgement and advice. Yes the itching is very annoying. It feels like I have ants crawling under my skin on my scalp. Arrrrgh! All good though, I know it is all part of the healing process and I'm confident I will continue to get better and better with time.

Oh yes, I'm okay. It's just raising my right eyebrow that I can't do at the moment. All the rest of my face is fine. I can do all normal activities now but my surgeon has insisted I avoid strenuous exercise (i.e. activity that makes me get hot and sweaty) as this may prolong the healing. He has said this because I continue to complain to him about swelling on my upper lids directly below my eyebrows. I will try posting a photo at some stage so you can see for yourself. You also need to be prepared to have limited and blurred vision immediately post-op and maybe lasting up to 5 days. If you suffer from dry eye pre-op then you can expect to feel severe dry eye symptoms post-op which is something I also have trouble with after 2 months. Everyone is different of course, but I have some underlying problems which possibly contribute to my seemingly slow recovery. I strongly recommend you have a 'carer' with you during the first few days post-op as it can be quite daunting to be alone and not be able to see properly. I was with a group of fantastic ladies who all helped out during the 10 days we stayed in Phuket to recover from our surgeries. I was so fortunate to have such a wonderful bunch there to support me. Don't be sorry for asking questions. Please do ask, I'm happy to give you any and all feedback as this is a big decision.

Thank you for being honest and answering my questions. Sounds like you have a great attitude and are healing well - probably not as fast as you'd like tho. I think you got a good result and you are giving me hope that my surgery will be successful - I'm just really scared of the surgery, pain, itching, etc. I'm glad you are improving and hope you are completely healed soon.

Hi Cindy Yes, Dr Chirayut has been really great. He is a very experienced surgeon at the Bangkok International Hospital, Phuket. Bad days are not too bad. Since my GP prescribed some cortisone cream for my forehead and upper lids the redness, swelling and itching has reduced. However, my scalp is still extremely itchy at times (wasn't allowed to but the cream on my scalp). I am told the itching could be a nerve thing and even possibly a 'phantom' itch. That has not been an opinion from any professional though. I can raise both eye brows now. Only just noticed this week. :-) I'm not really in a lot of pain. It's not really 'pain' as much as it is tenderness if you understand what I mean. At this stage, when I look at my before and after photos I can definitely see the procedures have taken years off as I look almost exactly the same as I did in 2007 now. :-) I will find a photo of 2007 and post it over the coming weeks. I am a little surprised there is only what I perceive to be a marginal difference in the upper lids. I had expected to have a bit more skin removed from just under my eyebrows. Unfortunately, it's kind of hard to explain through typed words and photos. I'm not upset or disappointed, just surprised how subtle it is. Basically, if I haven't told anyone about my surgery, they don't know I had it. This is probably a good thing (people tend to judge - Ha!). Glad to help. I hope you have a successful operation. I'm sure you will because you are doing all this research first. All the best Sandi P.S. If you want to arrange a Skype chat some time my Skype name is sandi.jean.fitzgerald

Thanks for the quick reply. Glad you are not in a lot of pain. I've read on this site that it will take up to a year to recover from brow lift surgery. I think a subtle change is what you want - to look like you are very rested and eyes are not drooping. I've read on this site that a lot of people have the itching after a brow lift. Glad to hear that things are going well with your recovery. Thanks for the update.