Mannquin Clamp
Eyebrow tail lift, temporal liftingThe mannequin clamp, or temporal lift, is a cosmetic surgery operation that is performed to raise the tail of the eyebrows. When the patient has drooping eyebrows, it is the whole face that is affected, and the patient has a tired and sad look.
Mannequin clamp : what are the indications?
In some patients, we can see an eyebrow that is positioned too low compared to the bone structure of the face. This phenomenon may simply be hereditary, but other factors, such as ageing and sagging skin can make the problem even more pronounced.
The patient suffering from a severe drooping of the eyebrow tail, whether male or female, has an aged and sad looking face. In this case, the signs of ageing will mainly concern the area of the face that includes the eyebrows and the temple, but also the cheekbones.
The operation is recommended for individuals who wish to treat the sagging of the eyebrows. This surgical procedure also makes the crow's feet smoother and tighten the skin in the temporal area.
Mannequin clamp: before the operation
During your first consultation, the surgeon will evaluate the degree of lowering of the eyebrow, he will also explain the procedure to be followed and the objective to be reached in order to restore a better facial balance.
The surgeon will give you recommendations to follow for a few weeks before the operation and the day before your admission to the clinic, including :
- Stop smoking at least one month before the operation (smoking can interfere with the healing process).
- Stop taking certain medications, including anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin (about 10 days before the operation).
As with any other surgery, you will need to prepare a full medical file, including a medical check-up and blood tests. A meeting with the anaesthetist will also be scheduled before the operation.
Following the diagnosis, the surgeon may suggest that you complete the operation with another surgical procedure to optimise the result. For example, the surgeon may recommend a blepharoplasty, which is a surgical procedure to lift drooping eyelids, another factor causing a tired appearance.
For other patients, the surgeon will discuss the possibility of combining the temporal lift with a facelift or a neck lift, always with a view to treating the signs of ageing of the face the best way possible.
The procedure of the Mannequin clamp
The temporal lift is performed either under general anaesthesia or under local anaesthesia. In general, the operation does not last more than 60 minutes.
The surgeon begins the operation by making incisions in the scalp, in the temporal area of the head. The doctor will then tighten the skin in the temporal area. The traction performed on the skin will allow the eyebrow to be raised and better positioned.
If a blepharoplasty is associated with the operation, then the surgeon will remove the excess skin of the upper eyelids; the excess fat located in the internal pockets will also be removed.
The blepharoplasty lasts on average between 30 and 60 minutes, the scar is made in the eyelid fold, more precisely in the upper palpebral fold. The surgeon concludes the surgical procedure by suturing the incisions with absorbable sutures and placing a bandage around the head. The hospitalization is done on an ambulatory basis, so you can leave the clinic the same day. For some patients, a maximum of one day hospitalisation may be required.
Mannequin clamp : after the operation
Generally there is no great pain after the operation, but you may feel for a short period a stretching effect of the skin in the operated area, which is quite normal.
This effect will disappear after a few weeks, and the surgeon may prescribe painkillers to relieve the painful sensations. This operation, if performed by a qualified and competent surgeon, does not pose any risks to the patient. However, as with any other surgical operation, there is no such thing as zero risk. Risks of the operation include problems with the anaesthetic, bleeding, infection or problems with healing.
Some side effects are to be expected such as swelling and bruising in the operated area, or a lack of sensitivity in the eyebrows. Everything will return to normal within a few weeks of leaving the clinic.
You will be able to return to work about a week after the operation; you will have to wait at least 4 weeks before you can resume physical activities. Follow-up consultations will be organised after your discharge from the clinic (a first consultation after one week, then a second after two weeks, etc.). These consultations will be used to evaluate the result over the months and to monitor the healing process.
The surgeon will give you recommendations that must be respected during the months following the operation in order to protect your skin. In particular, you will need to protect yourself from the sun, and you will also need to stop smoking for a few months (the sun's rays and smoking can damage the scars).
The result of Mannequin clamp
It will take 6 to 12 months to fully appreciate the results of the temporal lift. You will have a brighter, more natural looking and rejuvenated face. During the first few weeks, you may notice a slight lowering of the eyebrow, but its position will stabilize afterwards. The scars, given their size and location, will be very discreet and difficult to detect after the operation. The final appearance of the scars will be obtained after approximately one year.