Fat Transfer correction through Blepharoplasty?

I had a fat transfer under my eyes because they were so hollow. Around 6 months later, there was an uneven swelling that hardened into uneven lumps. It made me look like I had pouches. So I went back to the surgeon who suggested that the best correction to resolve this was to perform a full blepharoplasty. This was 2 days ago and am panicking about what I have done to myself. Was this a bad choice? What options do I have for correcting this?

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8 answers to “Fat Transfer correction through...”

A: There are other ways to help this issue

By Philip Young, MD - Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Lumps and Bumps can happen without almost anything that you do when you manipulate the tissues. When they are around the eyes, it's pretty hard to mask their appearance. I can appreciate the concerns. There are many things that can be done to help this. First, steroid injections can help by causing some... more

A: Correction of lower eyelid nodules after fat transfer

By Raffy Karamanoukian, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Fat transfer is a well established method of restoring volume to the face. The amount of fat survival depends on technique of harvest and injection. Technical considerations may affect volume loss, symmetry, and need for further revision. The advice of your surgeon on the fat transfer should be... more

A: Relax, Turn Off Your Computer, and Be Patient

By Michael A. Persky, MD - Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hi Luis, Sorry to hear about your ordeal. I can imagine how scared and anxious you must be. The most important thing for you to do now is to follow your post-operative instructions and stay in close touch with your treating surgeon. Panicking and searching the web two days after eye lid surgery... more

A: The eyes have it again

By Kenneth R. Francis, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Luls, Lumpiness can occur in the lower lid tear trough area after fat injection to correct hollowing. Removal may require a surgical procedure such as blepharoplasty, done through a transconjunctival (inside the eyelid) or skin incision approach depending on the depth of the fat injected. This... more

A: Caution!

By Brent Moelleken, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

If your surgery was six months ago and things have reached a plateau, it is likely that you have a stable problem. The problem is how to treat it. Firm lumpiness from fat injection to the lower eyelids is a common problem. In my experience it is usually necessary to remove the fat injection lumps... more

A: Hang in there

By Marc Cohen, MD - Philadelphia Oculoplastic surgeon

It is difficult to fill in the area under the eyes. Many people choose to have fat injected in the hollows under the eyelids. This is appealing because it has the chance of being a "permanent" correction. The problem is that fat is living tissue. In order for it to last it... more

A: You may need to look at other options.

By Steven H. Williams, MD - Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

I think Dr. Wallach thought your surgery was two days previous and if that were the case I completely agree with his assessment. However, if you had fat transfer 6 months ago then you may have issues with the fat not surviving or scar tissue forming where the fat transfer was attempted. The lower lid and... more

A: Wait it out

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

The firmness from after the fat injections to the lower lids was the fat that was injected. The skin of the lower lids is very thin and unfortunately, sometimes the grafts become palpable. I can't answer you about whether or not you made a mistake to have undergone bleph 2 days ago, because I don't... more

Comments

luls7
6 posts
8 Dec 2008

Hi Dr. Wallach, Thanks for your answer. I started out needing (wanting) my under eyelid hollows fattened up. I have always had deep set hollow under eyes. The fat transfer did not help, but instead turned my hollows into protrusions. The surgeon said the best way to fix it now was to perform a bleph to take out the transfer fat and then try pulling the skin a bit tighter to soften the socket rim. I have searched all over the web to see if anyone has done a bleph to correct a fat transfer, and if so...has it worked (or should it work)? I know it's a little late now...but I am still hoping for a happy ending. Thanks again!

secrets
42 posts
10 Dec 2008

although very different,i had fat transfer to my hands,the immediate result was great,but in my experience fat transfer is very short lived, and its not viable to continually have top ups. i reckon,after 3 months it was completely gone.

Mara1234
3 posts
9 Feb 2009

Luls, How did your surgery turn out?

Tuscany
8 posts
19 Feb 2009

Hi luls, I am 25 years old and i have been suffering from both hollow eyes and dark circles. I went to see two plastic surgeons and both suggested fat injections. I had the procedure done 4 months ago. I'm also not very happy with the results. Too much fat was injected under the left eye and its not symmetrical. I also have protrusions or baggyness under my eyes. I am extremely conscious about it. I am currently seeking the advice of other PS to help me sort out my problem. I have been reading about a transconjuctival blepharoplasty to help sort out the problem. How did the your surgery turn out? Did it help you at all?

aliu
109 posts
9 Dec 2008

Rather than focus on the pros & cons of fat transfer, let's focus on how we can correct the uneveness. Direct fat excision from where it was placed usually yields the best result. I would recommend asking your doctor where exactly he or she placed the fat as there are many compartments of the lower eyelid where the fat could've been placed. Depending on the location, there are options to resolve it. If it is in the deeper orbital location, an incision through the conjunctiva can usually address it. If it is superficial to the orbital septum, it may require an external skin incision to reach the fat deposited. Sometime steriod injections can help "melt" the fat injected although this may take repeated injections and have risks within themselves. I would worry about addressing the hollow tear trough area after the resolution of the fat lumpiness as there will likely be scar tissue that needs to be taken into consideration as well. Hope this helps! Alex Liu, MD

Diamond Haynes
1 post
11 Mar 2009

My under eye area was hollow, so I decided to have a cosmetic procedure using injections. I believe the doctor used Radiesse and Juvaderm under both my eyes. It took a few trips to the doctor's office, but eventually it turned out beautiful. A week after the last procedure was done I put one of those peel masks on my face and left it on overnight. The next morning I noticed some swelling or fat pockets had developed on both of my eyes. I went back to see my doctor to see if this could be fixed. I was hoping that the swelling was the medicine lumped up and that my doctor could use an injection to melt those swollen areas. My doctor stated that it looked like fatty tissue and their was nothing that could be done about it. I wanted those areas to go back to looking smooth and flat again. He did inject more Radiesse and Juvaderm to try to even those ares out. It made it worse. First of all other areas of my face has swollen from all the medicine injected under my eyes. Second of all those swollen areas that developed after I used the mask are more noticable because more medicine was put in those areas. I know the medicine will eventually leave my system, but will those swollen ares or fat pockets that developed be permanent. Is there something that I can do? Thank you for your input.

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