Endoscopic Brow Lift
The practice of endoscopy in the field of cosmetic surgery has led to the development of procedures which are less invasive and leave less conspicuous scars on the areas of incision. This has caused endoscopic procedures to become a popular option among patients who do not wish to suffer from permanent visible scarring, especially in the facial area. The use of endoscopy has evolved largely over the last 30 years, starting primarily in the field of gynecology for diagnostic purposes. The use of endoscopy then began to be used in other fields such as orthopedics as well as general surgery and most recently, in plastic surgery.
The Endoscopic Technique
In cosmetic surgery, endoscopy has become a common technique due to its effectiveness and ability to correct a flaw as inconspicuously as possible. Endoscopic procedures have and continue to be used in many parts of the body such as the breast, the hand, and the abdomen but most particularly in areas of the face such as the forehead and brow area.
Before the performance of an endoscopic brow lift, the surgeon will examine the face in order to determine the best way for the surgery to be performed. There are several reasons why a patient may decide to undergo a brow lift. These include the desire to correct a naturally low brow or a brow that has drooped due to age, correct asymmetry in the brows, change the shape of the brows, decrease wrinkles in the area of the forehead surrounding the brows, and decrease the function of the muscles in this area in order to avoid further wrinkling. This surgery is also performed in patients who have an excess of skin in the area of their upper eyelids which can cause the eyes to have a very heavy appearance. Patients often find that, after the surgery, their brow and eye area looks more awake and vibrant.
The positioning of the brow is largely due to genetic inheritance although, with age, the skin on the forehead will naturally give way to gravity and begin to droop causing the brows to become lower on the face. In addition, overuse of the muscles in this area can lead to an increase in wrinkles and a lower brow as well.
The surgery can be carried out under general or local anesthesia and the patient may be able to leave the hospital that same day or can remain in the hospital for one night but more time is generally not required unless very rare complications were to arise.
During an endoscopic brow lift, the surgeon will insert two parallel, vertical incisions behind the hairline of a patient as well as two incisions in the temple that are typically about 4 centimeters long. It is through these incisions that the surgeon will then be able to separate the tissue from the bone and lift upwards along the orbital, superior margin of the forehead. This causes the skin of the forehead to be raised and pulled back toward the top of the head. Along with flattening out wrinkles on the forehead and raising the brows, this typically also weakens the muscles on the forehead which are responsible for frowning. The decrease of the use of these muscles will aid in preventing future wrinkles on the forehead and continued sinking of the brows. The tissues are held in their new position through the use of two screws which are placed into the skull. These screws will be removed between 10 to 14 days after the procedure.
Recovery and Risks After Endoscopic Surgery
Following the surgery, it is essential that the screws be kept clean in order to avoid infection of the area. Therefore, it is necessary for the patient to wash his or her hair daily. Antibiotic cream is also given to the patients to use on and around the screws in order to prevent the outbreak of infection. If infection were to occur, the hair follicles surrounding the incision could be damaged which can lead to alopecia, or hair loss which can lead to bald spots. Alopecia is, however, fairly uncommon in patients who have had this procedure performed. Swelling and bruising are usually very slight and the application of ice around the eyes typically resolves the issue quite speedily. The most common side effect is a headache although this will also pass soon after the procedure.
When performing the surgery, it is important that the surgeon be aware of the location of the nerves and avoids injuring them to prevent permanent numbness of the area. Following the surgery, temporary numbness is often seen due to edema or the stretching of the nerves in the area of the forehead. This numbness typically ceases within a few days or weeks. There is also a nerve in this area of the forehead which allows for the movement of the brow area. However, damage to this nerve is quite rare, occurring in less than 1% of all patients.
Another risk of the procedure, which many patients are concerned about, is the likelihood that the eyebrows will be overly raised making the individual appear permanently as though surprised. If an examination prior to the surgery is done thoroughly, however, this should not occur. Correction of an overly elevated brow is difficult to perform without adding to its irregular appearance. Irregularities in the contour of the forehead are another possible side effect, although quite rare and can be corrected using fat grafts.
Unlike other more invasive procedures, endoscopy leaves very inconspicuous scars due to the small size and location of the incisions. However, in some patients, scars have been known to stretch. It is important to note also that the use of the screws in the forehead may add to the healing time and may cause the scars to stretch. This should, however, be temporary. Scars are also fairly easy to excise if they do become too conspicuous through a simple procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia.
Our Practices
Mr Fourie practices at Nuffield Health Hospital, Leeds, conveniently situated in the city centre near Leeds General Infirmary and at Barnsley Medical Consulting Rooms in central Barnsley.
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Mr LeRoux Fourie offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical treatments and below is a brief outline of each
Inverted Nipple Correction
Many women find their nipples to be a great cause of embarrassment as they do not project past the breast and remain inverted. Mr Fourie is able to correct this problem using a quick and reliable treatment that can be done in as little as thirty minutes
Prominent Ear Correction
Although having prominent ears typically causes no physical discomfort as such they can sometimes lead to a lack of self-confidence and be on the receiving end of cruel jokes. Sometimes just one ear is the problem but usually both will be pinned back. It is also possible to perform other types of ear surgery to the lobes depending on the complexity of the case.
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is the medical term for male breasts and can be a very humiliating condition for men and can make them very self-conscious. Because of this, some individuals decide to undergo a male breast reduction procedure in order to remove the excess tissue and, occasionally, even skin from the area of the breasts.
Liposuction / Liposculpture / Body-Jet Lipo
You can now experience the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery with the revolutionary Body-Jet Water-jet assisted liposuction procedure. The gentle water jet washes away the fat without damaging the underlying structures such as the blood vessels and nerves which means less recovery time and bruising.
Non Surgical Treatments
Antiwrinkle Injections
It is inevitable that as we age lines and wrinkles will become visible and to some this is of concern. Lines around our eyes can develop as can lines on the forehead. The prescription injection treatment we all know as BOTOX® is now formally approved for cosmetic use and is called a new name which is VISTABEL®. VISTABEL® is a treatment that is used to relax the frown lines that can trouble our forehead as well as crows feet which can develop around the eyes.
Excessive Sweating
Our body uses sweating to help control body temperature and is normal human function however some people suffer from excessive sweating which can lead to severe embarrassment and anxiety. Following a consultation if your suitable we can provide a treatment that will prevent your excessive sweating that involves BOTOX® being injection into your arm pit.
DermaRoller
Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy™ can offer a significant improvement in appearance for those who suffer from acne scars, sun damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles and stretch marks. The DermaRoller procedure stimulates your skin to help with the regeneration and repair of itself and is a natural and safe way to create smoother, brighter and healthy skin.
Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used for many different non surgical enhancements and anti ageing treatments. They can be used for lip enhancement to create subtly increase the volume of the lips, smoothing lines around the lips, nose and cheeks as well as many other areas of the face and body to improve the appearance of the skin.
Mole Removal
It is very common for moles, lesions or cysts and can appear in many different places on the face and body. Sometimes they can be in a prominent position which can cause frustration or self awareness. Mr Fourie is able to assist in many different types of these problems and would be happy to perform many of these in the minor theatre or treatment room if he is able.
Mr Fourie
About Mr Le Roux Fourie
Mr Le Roux Fourie is a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon based in West Yorkshire. Mr Fourie was born and raised in South Africa and underwent his medical and post graduate training in South Africa, obtaining his basic Medical Degree in 1979. Thereafter he served as a Medical Officer in the South African Defence Force Medical Corp, before starting training as a registrar in Plastic Surgery at the University of Stellenbosch in CapeTown. He qualified as a Plastic Surgeon in 1987 and was appointed a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Number One Military Hospital in Pretoria, where he served as full-time Consultant for three years reaching the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1991 and 1992 he was in full-time Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Pretoria.
In 1993 Mr Fourie joined the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at Pinderfields General Hospital as the second consultant to be appointed after the tragic murder of the two previous Plastic Surgeons. He helped establish the current Department of Plastic Surgery from two members to the current seven consultants. During his time in Pinderfields General Hospital he established a Breast Reconstructive Surgery Service, which works mostly with the Breast Surgeons in dealing with primary breast reconstructions and delayed breast reconstructions after breast cancer.
Mr Fourie has been in part-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital, Nr Leeds since 1993.
Since April 2008 Mr Fourie has been in full-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital.
Special Interests
Mr Fourie is an experienced Breast Surgeon dealing with congenital breast problems, acquired breast problems such as breast reconstructions after cancer surgery (both immediate and delayed) and cosmetic breast surgery.
He has published articles regarding nipple areola reconstruction and has developed a tattooing technique which is now used by Cosmetic Tattooists in the UK.
He has been involved with the Allergan Implant Corporation in a ten year follow-up study of the long term effects of silicone breast implants which was published in the International Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mr Fourie further specialises in Facial Aesthetic Surgery and is one of the first surgeons to use the MACS (Minimum Access Cranial Suspension) face lift technique in the UK in October 2002. His long term results using the MACS face lift were presented at the Summer Meeting of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons in Dublin in 2005.
Publications and Presentations
Mr Fourie was awarded the BAPRAS prize for the best clinical paper read at the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Anaesthetic Surgeons Summer Meeting in Windsor in 2005.
He was awarded the BAAPS prize for the best paper read at the 2007 Conference in London. The Hackett Prize for the best paper at the BAAPS Conference 2007 was awarded to Mr Fourie.
Mr Fourie has lectured on nipple areola reconstruction and tattooing techniques, the treatment of pressure sores, wound infections and wound problems, facial aesthetic surgery and body contour surgery.
Mr Fourie has appeared in the Discovery Channels series on cosmetic surgery. He also featured on BBC's Inside Out in October 2007.
Mr Fourie has published papers in International Peer Review Journals on topics such as Breast Reconstruction, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Nipple Reconstruction and Facial Plastic Surgery
Charity Work
Mr Fourie does voluntary charity work in Africa as part of the Facing Africa Team involved in the treatment of noma (www.facingafrica.org). This is based at Yakatit 12 Hospital in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia where reconstructions are done on patients suffering from Noma
Qualifications
MBCHB.
FCS (SA) PLAST
FRCS
BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons)
BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons)
BAHNO (British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists)
GMC Specialist Register - Registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon on GMC full registration. The GMC registration is 3633562.
Contact Form
Patient Finance
