What is a temporal lift, or fox eye surgery?
A temporal lift – also known as a temple lift, a lateral brow lift or, in everyday language, fox eye or cat eye surgery – raises the outer end of the eyebrow together with the soft tissue of the temple and the outer eye region. With age the tail of the brow usually drops before its centre does. That can leave a fold of skin hanging over the outer upper lid and make the face look tired or sad. The fox eye temporal lift is one of the procedures Dr. Yazır focuses on in his practice.
Working through small cuts at the temple, the operation aims to open up the outer eye area and give the brow a fresher shape. It is less extensive than a full brow lift and is frequently performed together with other procedures on the upper and middle face.
Why is the fox eye or cat eye look requested so often?
A raised outer brow with a gently lengthened, upturned outer eye corner – widely called the "fox eye", "cat eye" or "almond eye" look – has become a common request. Since a temporal lift moves the outer brow and eye corner upwards, it is one of the operations used to create this appearance.
How far the tissue is lifted is decided for each person. The aim is a change in harmony with your face and your own eye shape rather than an imitated or exaggerated look, and Dr. Yazır discusses this frankly at the consultation.
Who tends to be suited to a temporal lift?
| Points in favour | Points to clarify first |
|---|---|
| A brow tail that has dropped | The entire brow sitting low, inner part included, where a full brow lift may fit better |
| A hood of skin over the outer upper lid | Surplus upper lid skin as the main issue, which may call for eyelid surgery |
| A weary or downcast look at the outer eye | A very high or receding hairline at the temples, which affects where the scar can go |
| A wish for a discreet lift of the outer eye corner | Hopes of a dramatic change in the shape of the eyes |
| Good general health and no smoking | Poorly controlled health problems |
MedlinePlus points out that a brow or forehead lift may be advised against after earlier upper eyelid surgery, since it can interfere with closing the eyes. For that reason any previous eyelid operations are reviewed before surgery.
What techniques can be used for a temporal lift?
The literature does not use completely consistent names for these operations, and there are several closely related methods:
| Approach | Principle | Usually considered when |
|---|---|---|
| Subcutaneous lateral temporal lift | Through a hairline incision, the temple tissue is lifted in the layer directly beneath the skin | The outer brow needs lifting; published reports describe it as dependable with few complications |
| Temporal lift with an orbicularis muscle flap | The ring muscle around the outer eye is moved as well | The outer eye has sagged, with crow's feet and a lowered cheek |
| Deep (endoscopic) temporal lift | Tissue is freed in a deeper plane via small hairline cuts, sometimes using an endoscope | The brow droops mildly or moderately; it can be combined with a brow or midface lift |
| Temporal lift together with a midface lift | Temple and cheek are raised in one operation | Both the outer eye region and the cheek have aged |
The method is selected once your brow position, eyelids, skin quality and hairline have been examined.
What happens during a fox eye operation?
- Assessment and planning. Dr. Yazır examines your brows, eyelids and temples and plans in which direction, and by how much, the tissue will be lifted.
- Anaesthesia. Depending on the technique and any procedures added, either local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia is used.
- Incisions and release. Short cuts are made at the temple, inside the hair or along its edge, and the tissue is freed in the planned layer.
- Lifting and securing. The outer brow and temple tissue is raised and held with stitches; if there is surplus skin, it is trimmed.
- Closure. The incisions are stitched and a light dressing is put on. Many patients go home on the same day or after a single night.
How does the healing period go?
| Stage | Typical experience |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Swelling and bruising around temples and eyes, with a tight feeling at the temples |
| Days 7–10 | The stitches come out and the bruises are fading |
| Week 2 | Office work and most social plans are possible again |
| Weeks 4–6 | Sport and heavy exercise can be restarted |
| Months 3–6 | The outer brow settles into its final position |
During the first weeks the outer brow can sit higher than intended. This is normal, and it usually drops back a little as the swelling clears.
How should I organise my visit to Izmir?
Patients travelling from abroad usually set aside about one week (7 days). Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) is roughly 25–30 minutes by car from Konak, where the clinic is located in the Egeperla building.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | You land in Izmir for the consultation and examination |
| Day 2 | Operation; you go home the same day or after one night in hospital |
| Days 3–6 | Resting at the hotel, short walks and a check-up as scheduled |
| Day 7 | Stitches out (or a check), a final review and your flight home once Dr. Yazır agrees |
Before you travel, photos sent by WhatsApp allow an initial opinion. The plan is only confirmed after Dr. Yazır has seen you in person.
Which risks come with a temporal lift?
What we know about temporal lifting comes largely from case series by individual surgeons, so complication figures differ from report to report. A systematic review of brow lift methods concluded that every approach carries its own pattern of complications, and that for temporal and lateral brow lifts asymmetry stands out. In a series of 40 patients who had a temporal lift combined with a midface lift, a few developed temporary weakness of the forehead on one side, one was left with a hollow at the temple that was corrected with a fat injection, and one lost some hair along the scar.
Complications that can occur:
- Swelling, bruises and a temporary loss of feeling in the scalp and temple
- Brows that are not level with each other
- Short-term weakness of the forehead muscle
- A noticeable scar or thinning hair along the incision
- A hollow at the temple
- Infection, bleeding or a haematoma
- Uncommon problems linked to anaesthesia
Dr. Yazır explains the risks that apply to you during the examination and the informed consent discussion.
Is the fox eye result long-lasting?
The temporal lift is meant to last a long time, yet the face continues to age naturally. In a series of endoscopic temporal brow lifts followed over ten years, a single patient needed the operation repeated because of relapse. Long-term data comparing the different temporal techniques are limited, which is why realistic expectations form part of the consultation.
Why might Izmir work for a temporal lift?
Izmir lies on the Aegean coast and its international airport has direct connections to many European cities, with plenty of places to stay during the recovery week. Prices are well below those in the UK or USA – an estimated comparison appears below. Wherever you have surgery, what matters most is a properly qualified surgeon and enough time for follow-up before the journey home.