Forehead Shortening Basics
Forehead shortening is a procedure to help individuals shorten their long forehead by surgically repositioning the hairline downward and forward. Whether due to aging, genetics, or a combination of both, a long forehead can result in a disproportional appearance and take attention away from other parts of the face, such as the eyes or smile. In women, a long forehead can make it difficult to wear and style hair as they would like.
The procedure involves repositioning forehead skin and muscles to achieve a more pleasing proportion. In this section, you will discover:
- What you can realistically expect from forehead shortening.
- Whether you’re a candidate for forehead shortening.
- How forehead shortening is performed.
Once you’ve reviewed the benefits and details associated with forehead shortening, you’ll want to set up a consultation visit with Dr. Mosser in his San Francisco plastic surgery office to discuss your specific goals. In this relaxed environment, he will be able to explain to you:
- Whether or not forehead shortening makes sense for you.
- The alternatives for meeting your specific goals.
- The step-by-step procedure that you will undergo.
- The outcome you can reasonably expect along with risks and possible complications from forehead shortening.
The Best Candidates for Forehead Shortening
Forehead shortening can be performed conveniently for anyone in the Bay area. Forehead shortening is best suited to those who are healthy and possess skin and tissues that can be repositioned without complications. In arriving at realistic goals for your forehead shortening surgery, you should also take into account several key questions:
- Is your weight stable?
- Are you committed to a healthy lifestyle?
- Have you recently had dental surgery?
- Do you have diabetes?
- Do you suffer from cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure?
- Do you have an under-active or over-active thyroid?
- Do you suffer from Graves’ disease?
- Are you a nonsmoker?
- Do you have any medical conditions that could impair healing from surgery?
- Are you committed to proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, including moderate amounts of physical exercise?
- Can you fully disclose your health history to Dr. Mosser, including current medications, your use of vitamin and herbal supplements, as well as your use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs?
Surgery Specifics—What You Can Expect from Forehead Shortening
Dr. Mosser performs forehead shortening surgery in several locations in San Francisco. Plastic surgery procedures may be scheduled for the surgery center located at 450 Sutter in Union Square, as well as California Pacific Medical Center, and St. Mary’s Medical Center in San Francisco.
The specific surgery you will undergo depends on the unique characteristics of your body, realistic goals that you and Dr. Mosser have agreed on, and the specific conditions you want to correct.
For those undergoing forehead shortening, Dr. Mosser places various small incisions in the hairline. By making these incisions, he is able to reposition the skin and muscles underneath the forehead, effectively shrinking its size and decreasing its length. Because the incisions are made in the hairline, they are meant to be inconspicuous while healing.
Some patients may combine forehead shortening with a brow lift or facelift to bring balance and rejuvenation to the face.
Post Forehead Shortening Recuperation
Immediately following forehead shortening surgery, you will be wrapped in bandages to reduce swelling. In addition, small tubes may be inserted beneath the skin to drain excess fluid. Before you are released, Dr. Mosser will explain:
- How to care for your forehead.
- Medications to take orally in order to reduce pain and the risk of infection.
- How to monitor the surgical site for specific problems.
You may be groggy for the first day or two from the anesthetic and/or pain medications. You should lightly walk around as soon as possible to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Your stitches are generally removed within one week of surgery, although deeper stitches may remain for two to three weeks.
Your forehead will become puffy immediately after your procedure, sometimes producing temporary asymmetry. Most swelling is gone in a few days, with most bruising gone in a few weeks. You may feel some numbness for a short time following the procedure, but this too is normal.
Expect to take antibiotics to prevent infection. You can return to work within one week after approval by Dr. Mosser. Further, you should not participate in any strenuous physical activity for at least one month and should always first be cleared by Dr. Mosser.