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Is It Possible to Put Back Fat After Lower Blepharoplasty?

asked 3 years ago by Babyjoe
Latest answer by Thomas A Lamperti, MD
Question viewed 2,083 times

If the doctor takes out too much fat during lower blepharoplasty, making the eyes hollow-looking, is it possible to put back fat in the area? If so, what are some options for getting this done?

14 answers to Is It Possible to Put Back Fat After Lower Blepharoplasty?

Fat grafting to correct hollow eyes after surgery

Excessive removal of lower lid fat pads results in a hollowed-out appearance that makes blepharoplasty patients look tired or even ill. I see quite a number of eyelid surgery patients who require structural fat grafting of the lower lids to improve that very problem following an over-aggressive lower blepharoplasty in the past. A relatively new technique has been developed called structural fat grafting, in which small amounts (less than 0.1 cc at a time) of fat are carefully... more

Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Fat can be added to correct the hollow eye after blepharoplasty

Fat grafting to correct hollow eyes or dark circles under eyes" /> Dear Babyjoe, Hollow looking eyes after blepharoplasty can be corrected by grafting fat from another body area into the lower or upper eyelid. I use a direct method which places a fat graft back into the lower eyelid using a technique called a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. This technique is much more reliable that injecting fat. Injecting fat risks injury to the eye, and injected fat often heals with lumps and is easy to... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

Fat grafting can be used to correct over-resection of orbital fat

By using fat grafting techniques fat can be gently removed from another part of your body (e.g. abdomen, thighs, hips) and then injected into the hollowed out area under your eyes. Fat grafting in this area is very technique-dependent so you will want to have it done by someone who has extensive experience with this.

Thomas A Lamperti, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Fat replacement is not common

Fat replacement is not a commonly performed procedure, if ever it is performed at all. Fillers may be placed under the eyes to help smooth the surfaces. For more examples of Dermafillers injected to the eyes, Click on the link below.

David Mabrie, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

Replacing fat after blepharoplasty

Yes it is possible to place fat back into the lower eyelids after blepharoplasty. Sometimes the fat can be repositioned. Other times the fat can be harvested from another site. It really depends on what the problem is to find the best solution.

Chris Thiagarajah, MD
Washington DC Oculoplastic Surgeon

Excess fat removal after blepharoplasty can be corrected by fat grafting.

If too much fat has been removed after lower lid blepharoplasty, fat grafting can restore the volume. In the past, aggressive removal of fat was considered proper technique. As perspective was gained on results, the removal of fat has become much more conservative and, in some cases, unnecessary. Occasionally, miscalculation can occur and the patient may end up with a "hollowed out" look. Replenishing fat deep to the orbital septum can help. more

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Yes, fat grafting is possible

Yes, there are fat grafting techniques that can be performed. The fat needs to be put back into the proper anatomical position and into the orbital septum and not into the subcutaneous skin. If it is placed in the subcutaneous area it will look like a glob of fat in the wrong location.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Fat grafting can restore the lower lid without surgery

I'm sorry to hear that you are disappointed after your lower blepharoplasty. The trend in blepharoplasty has been less fat removal for several years now. Instead we attempt to strengthen the septum in the lid which holds the fat back and prevent future hollows. As we age we lose facial fat and the skin and muscle thin giving the eye an open hollow and aged appearance. This can occur many years after a lower bleparoplasty and consevation of fat is key to help prevent future aging. Fat... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Frat Transfer After Blepharolplasty

Hi Babyjoe, Yes it is possible to perform fat transfer to the lower eye lid area after a blepharoplasty if it is felt that there is too little volume left. One should wait a few months to allow swelling to resolve and all healing to take place. The procedure is done with fat transfer and micro-fat injections. Good luck and be well. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Fat Can Be Transferred to Lower Eyelids

If too much fat is removed during lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) there are methods to refill this area. Skilled cosmetic surgeons can transfer fat removed from other places in the body to the lower eyelid area. Prior to under taking this or as an alternative, fillers like Restylane and Juvederm can be used to refill this delicate area. Fillers in this area can last as long as 18-24 months. Preventive measures are best. Choose a skilled Ocular Plastic or Cosmetic Surgeon to perfom... more

Mark Berkowitz, MD
Sterling Heights Oculoplastic Surgeon

Micro fat transfer with injections can often significantly improve this problem.

Fat transfer of your own tissue which can be harvested from the hip, thigh, or abdomen can usually provide improvement to the overly "hollowed eye." This is done with a micro injection technique. It is not possible to predict the amount of fat which will survive and it is sometimes necessary to inject more than once if there is significant absorption of the fat. In some cases it may be helpful to elevate the soft tissues of the midface as well to disguise the infraorbital(below... more

Stanley G. Poulos, MD
Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

www.psspecialists.com

The remaining fat can be repositioned outward.

To babyjoe, Hi! Unfortunately, the hollow look after lower blepharoplasty is not rare. Here are some options that can be used separately or together. I recommend revisions only if the problem is significant. For a minor problem, injection of a filler like Restylane can help. 1) Even when a lot of fat is taken out, there is almost always some left. This remaining fat can be redraped outward to create a fuller look. 2) Fat injections can create a smooth transition between the lower... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

You have a couple of options

Babyjoe, If too much fat was removed during a blepharoplasty, it is possible to perform fat transfer/grafting operations. It is also possible to augment the area with a dermal filler such as Juvederm (HA) or Evolence (collagen). However, you need to see someone who knows what they are doing when injecting around the eyes. Also, if you are immediately post-op, please be patient since you will see changes over several months after surgery and it would be a mistake to rush into anything too... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Not like it used to be - so be careful!

Fat removed from the lower eyes during a blepharoplasty is different from the fat from your abdomen. This fat is located around the eyeball and does not get larger or smaller with weight gain or loss, as opposed to fat in other parts of your body. When it is removed it does not return. Overzealous removal of this fat can lead to a hollowed out look in those patients who are anatomically predisposed to hollowed out eyes - those wide large orbits or those with deep set eyeballs. The only... more