Fat Transfer: Stories

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Poor Results from Fat Grafting Around Eyes - California

  • posted 3 years ago
  • updated 3 years ago
  • Not Worth It
  • Cost: $4,000
  • California

I had a fat grafting around my eyes over 5 months...

I had a fat grafting around my eyes over 5 months ago. The effect has been poor. One eye has triple creases while the crease on the other one is gone because of the puffiness caused by the drapping fat. The doctor told me fat transfer is not permanent and I would need to go back for a refill in 8 to 12 months. I do not plan to go back to that surgeon at all or getting another fat grafting.

Pro: Eye bags are gone

Con: Uneven upper lids, puffiness

I did it because the doctor insisted this is the procedure I should use for the result I wanted - fuller, rounder eyes

I just wanted to know if it is true that the fat will be desolved and I can at least get back my pre-surgery look? Or I should start researching for another surgeon to fix my eyes? Thanks

Great review?

Comments (35)

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MRa1000 3 Jun 2012
The "after" picture shows a brow lift that could be the cause of the asymetry.
First option: botox (2u) in the left frontal muscle.
Second option (I prefer this one) 1cc of fat injected in the upper eyelid (under the muscle but in front of the septum). Good luck!
Thanks2012 20 May 2012
So you had a a second procedure done? Asian with olive blue eyes whatever your still pretty and if it makes you happy I'm thinking of getting this procedure I've heard good results but still but yours is in Cali and I live there as well Palmdale and I'm in the same boat
popthehood 28 Oct 2011
The pictures don't look too different if you consider the proportions, the eye with triple crease, and nose bridge. DUH!
Man on Mars_74 11 Aug 2011
I understand Robert : the two pictures really look like two different persons, I must admit.
I'm glad you, more or less, managed to remove that fat from your eye. What i don't understand which is the eye you are complaing about of the two, sure they are not symetrical :-( It looks to me like if your right eyebrow is fuller (i guess it's the fat graft - that looks good to me)while the left one junction between eyelid and eyebrow were not filled up enough.
Robert said "I don't think you needed it on the upper eyes at all. Gravity takes care of that area already it's not normally an area fat is injected to."
God, how untrue ! I LOVE full and fatty eyebrows that show very little eyelid, mine is not like that and the older i grow, the skinnier this part get, it looks like if my eyes have started sinking into the orbit, it gives you a "skeleton glance". Trouble is that "hollow eyes" are not easy to be treated and fat transfer and hyaluronic acid are the only solutions, but still risky. Honestly, i prefer by far a droopy upper eye-lid !
Gogi 9 Apr 2011
@Goodfacegonebad: I am sorry for not replying. Somehow I missed the email notification of your post. I did find a different doctor. It was last June. He fixed me. I can't say I am 100% how I want it but close enough. Like you said, people need to be very, very careful with this procedure. My first doctor told me the effect is not permanent as the fat will dissolve in 6 to 12 months. This is not true. Not to me at least. I waited for 8 months, seeing the fat is still there (I can actually jiggle the fat underneath the skin with my finger!!) and decided to go for a second procedure to get it fixed. The second doctor who fixed me took out the fat graft for me. I heard the nurse asked which was the natural fat and which was the fat graft. Doc told her the yellowish ones are the fat graft (kind of weird to hear people discussing it when they were operating you lol) Anyway, I am happier now. Not 100% but I have to be "Glass Half Full"...The second doctor didn't go in to take out the fat injected under eye. But since it have been almost two years now, most of the fat is gone. However it actually left me a weird hallow concave under my eyes which were accentuated by the still swollen high cheekbone area. :(

Yours2love and Goodfacegonebad: Wishing both of you best of luck that you will find a fix.
cherryzz 5 Dec 2012
hi, you said "The second doctor didn't go in to take out the fat injected under eye. But since it have been almost two years now, most of the fat is gone. However it actually left me a weird hallow concave under my eyes which were accentuated by the still swollen high cheekbone area" Do you mean that your fat grafting on under eyes has gone away naturally after 2 years?i need to fix upper eyelid with fat injection, but im so afraid that fat grafting wouldnt last and it would give me triple fold. please reply, i would really appreciate your help. thanks!
Gogi 5 Dec 2012
Fat grafting only last for one year mostly even the procedure is successful and the result is satisfying. If you like the result, it means in about 12-16 months, you will have to go back to retouch it. That's why most doctor will harvest enough fat from you, in order for you to come back in a year for retouch. Two of my more mature lady friends have satisfying results with fat grafting to reduce aging eye look and they have to go back regularly to repeat the procedure.
cherryzz 5 Dec 2012
thank you for the prompt reply. the fats on your right eye are gone now?
cherryzz 5 Dec 2012
also, your eyes formed triple lid after some sort of double eyelid surgery or you naturally had triple fold? thanksss =)
Gogi 5 Dec 2012
Yup. Fat is all gone, leaving behind is the hallow undereye. So I always look tired because of that. I learned to accept it though. Dwelling on it will just make me obsessed and not doing me any good :) Good luck with your journey. Remember to ask a lot of questions and do not rush in making a decision!!
Gogi 5 Dec 2012
It was naturally like that but they only folded triple when I lowered my head while looking up, or when I opened my eyes really wide. :)
cherryzz 5 Dec 2012
sorry, i meant the fat grafting on your right upper eyelid. gone too? yeah dont wanna make bad decision again.. thats why im doing my research now =(
Gogi 5 Dec 2012
Yup, all gone (Upper, lower, right and left) All gone almost two year ago :)
cherryzz 5 Dec 2012
you posted this 2 years ago.. which means your fat grafting only lasted for around 6 months? =))
Gogi 5 Dec 2012
I first posted almost 3 years ago in Jan 2010, it is now Dec 2012. (35 months) I said in my post in Jan 2010 I had the procedure done 5 months ago, which was around Aug 2009. It lasted about a year or so.
cherryzz 22 Jan 2013
i forgot to say... Thank you =)
Good face gone bad (RealFriend) 3 Dec 2010
Did things improve for you at all from the time of your initial post? I sympathize with your plight. I went to a well-regarded doctor in CA and yet, I am five months post fat transfer and very, very sad. I was swollen for 4 months solid and still have a little bit left. I look so stuffed by the nose, undereye and tear trough. No one tells me I'm pretty anymore or that I have beautiful eyes - perhaps because I hide them behind my hair so no one sees the irregularities. They just notice this rather unnatural effectin the cheek area.I had just wanted a little fill under the eyes and instead, the doctor determined that I needed this extra volume that wasn't there before.I liked the face I was used to.I don't feel right in this new face and I do have some lumps that require much more filler just to attempt to fix. I wish you the best of luck, but encourage people to be very, very careful with this procedure. It's so unpredictable.
Robert T (RealFriend) 21 Oct 2010
I understand.

Yours2love wasn't the most helpful as she kinda added gasoline to a fire.


I don't think you needed it on the upper eyes at all. Gravity takes care of that area already it's not normally an area fat is injected to.


A second fat transfer or an Upper Eyelid Surgery ie (Blepharoplasty)
or a MICRO liposuction would take care of it.

I think a micro liposuction with a slight fat transfer would be best bet.

(I'm not a plastic surgeon though I just study it too much) I can recommend somebody in Southern CA if you want. A doctor I heavily trust in on my review and the doctor who has worked on my girlfriend (different one I can also recommend)

Another suggestion is use this site and have a few doctors answer questions about your eyes. How to fix things?

Hope you are smiling soon.
God Bless.
yours2love 8 Apr 2011
I'm sorry as well! I'm also very emotional and upset. When I read Gogi's post, it remimded me of my own misfurtune with the same procedure. I have posted on the venue many times.
It has be in excess of 14 months since my upper and lower fat grafts to upper and lower eyes. I look as though I need to have my lower eyes done, they are awful and If been walking around with glasses for 14 months to hide them. I now live with buldges of fat and bags under my eyes which were not there prior to surgery. The Dr. now tellls me how GOOD I look PLEEEEEZE! And says he does not want to cut under the eye to remove the excess skin. So, where does that leave me? I went to my eye dr. Who does cosmetic surgery for the eye and he doesn't even know or dare to fix it. I have 2 other drs. to consult with and then, who knows, maybe I should have left well enough alone...... I'm so sad over this
Robert T (RealFriend) 16 Oct 2010
Sorry didn't mean to come off as an attack.

All I did was asking questions of things that weren't clear. It was asking for a clarification.
Gogi 20 Oct 2010
Robert, I think I also over reacted too. I also need to apologize :) I am quite emotional with the situation, please pardon me for being defensive.
Gogi 16 Oct 2010
Both are real me. I understand you are trying to be fair but at the same time I am sure I am sure you wouldn't said those things if you were a woman. First of all, It is so easy to change skin tone color for the fact that first of all, Asian get tanned easily and secondly. First pic was me in my swimming suit in summer. Second pic was me after the surgery in JANUARY! Plus, one is outdoor lighting and the second is indoor with flash. Yes, I am was wearing color contact lens. Like I said, I am an Asian,,,don't think Asian have natural blue eyes, right?

Eyebrows change shape when you have different people pluge and trim for you..simple cosmetic effect every woman would know..but then you are a guy...so I understand.

However, thank you for noticing that...the fat graft ing CHANGED my eye shape IN A BAD WAY!!!!!!

Thank you Yours2love for defending for me. I stand by all my comments. I am a real patient, real victim. Please don't imply I was making this up. I have suffered enough to have to endure your accusation.
Lincoln9542 13 Sep 2011
-:- Message from RealSelf staff -:-

This comment does not follow our Community Guidelines and/or Terms of Service. We reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.
Portland3931 13 Sep 2011
Lincoln, what is the matter with you? People seek cosmetic surgery for many, many different reasons. You have no idea what motivated this young woman. Since her results were not satisfactory she deserves sympathy not contempt. Go hang out on some other blogs, you jerk.
Lincoln9542 13 Sep 2011
-:- Message from RealSelf staff -:-

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