Fat Transfer Reviews
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“Has Anyone Successfully Corrected Under Eye Fat Transfer? - New York, NY”

Not Sure
Spent: $3,000 in New York, NY

Comments (378)

Posted 9 Nov 2011

I had fat transfer under eyes in my early 20ties to plump up the hollows. It was way overdone and I have been getting cortisone shots to dissolve it and it is fine for maybe a month and then it starts growing back. Within a few months, it is all back and looks very abnormal - see pictures. I have to hide behind glasses or else... It's been almost 10 years and now I am reluctanlty considering transconjunctival blepharoplasty (or maybe 5 FU or whatever else) but can't seem to find an oculoplastic surgeon that has dealth with a reasonable amount of these cases so I am sure they are qualified in this. It could get worse AND still need shots.

Can any of you that have successfully corrected a similar problem please tell me how and who you went to? If I could get the result I get with cortisone permanently so it doesn't grow back, I would be satisfied (as per last photo). You can contact me privately or reply here. Thank you in advance. I just want my life back.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

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Comments (378)

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Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager) 9 Nov 2011

Hi Jane -- Firstly, welcome to RealSelf. I hope you're able to find the help and answers you need here.

I don't have any removal advice to offer, but here is a very good thread to check out for different fat removal options. Those ladies have tried many of the options out there and are very helpful in sharing their outcomes (good and bad).

Please stay strong and keep us posted on your progress. I hope you can find a treatment that works for you.

JaneSt 10 Nov 2011
Thank you Sharon. I am in contact with a few oculoplastic surgeons (with differing opinions) so I can make an educated next step. I am also wondering if there is enough people on here to somehow petition more research/FDA approval of ATX-101, a modified form of lipodissolve http://www.drugs.com/clinical_trials/kythera-biopharmaceuticals-presents-positive-data-phase-iib-study-atx-101-demonstrating-reduction-11230.html

I have always been of the opinion that an injectable substance that selectively eats away fat while leaving the other tissues pretty much intact wouldbe far superior to any surgery for at least two reasons:
1) There would be no cutting, pulling, scarring etc of all these tissues and layers
2) Precision - you could inject tiny bits of the substance precisely where you need it and do so little by little till you get it to the level you want it.
Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager) 18 Nov 2011

That's an interesting idea. I didn't realise that's how LipoDissolve works. My only concern would be that it would spread and lead to facial wasting, but the idea sounds plausible. If you're curious about it you may want to post on the Doctor Q&A Forum with a link to the study. I'm sure the docs will have some opinions on it!

Emmekay 5 Feb 2012
What is the substance that eats away fat? I have a pocket of fat under one eye that does not seem to be going down after 12 wks post-op.
JaneSt 7 Feb 2012
Kenalog cortisone - used that early on, it should be permanent. I am currently using a chemo agent 5fu with some success.
notsogood (RealFriend) 9 Nov 2011
Welcome to the group. If you go to the reviews by "Good Face Gone Bad" you will find the rest of us...victims of fat transfer. Many of us are from California or had the fat transfer done there. There is a least one woman from New York that I know of. I am currently working with Dr. Guy Massry in Beverly Hills to remedy the problem under my eyes. They look a lot like yours. I also have lumps over my left eye that he is using 5fu on now. Two injections but only mild success. The lumps are slightly softened but still there. He is an ocular surgeon who specializes in bad eye jobs or other facial mishaps. He says over half his practice is repair work. He wants to do surgery under my eyes, and I am trying to work up the nerve at the moment. After the fat transfer disaster, I'm a little afraid of making matters worse. Its not cheap, $15,000. It also involves taking some tissue from the roof of my mouth to use for the repair. Its an intricate surgery that he guesses will take about 2 hours on the table under full anesthesia. I really think he knows what he is doing with this...I just need to make the leap. I am dealing with a herniated disc at the moment, but once that is under control, I'm guessing I will go ahead with it. Not til after the holidays...and probably not till May 2012. I'd like to give it one full year after the original surgery done in May 2011. If you are willing to travel to California, he may be someone for you to talk to...even if just to get another opinion on your options. Others have found some limited success with Dr. Hoenig, also from Bev Hills. But it is my understanding that he is now referring new fat transfer patients to his associate because he has become overwhelmed with patients... most of whom are not completely happy with the limited improvement. I would guess that could become discouraging to any doctor. He uses a combination of 5FU, micro-lipo, and restylane to even out the areas surrounding the lumps (or swelling). I am assuming his associate would use similar methods. You will find lots of company here. There are so many of us...its scary. We all know and understand the frustation you are feeling. I spend a lot of time behind sunglasses...and rarely venture out to social events anymore. It's a life changer to be sure. I will keep you posted on how I am doing with Massry. Good luck to you Jane. I am so sorry about what you are going thru.
JaneSt 10 Nov 2011
I have contacted Hoeing who referred me to Massry yesterday but I will see a friend of his here in New York first. One fortunate thing in all this is that a couple months before fat transfer, I got slightly tinted glasses (for vision; the tint was just a fun fashion thing) whose rim just happens to hit my eyes right where that big left eye bulge is. The slight tint and natural shadow from the rims camuflauges it very well so that other than dating life, my social life didn't have to suffer to the degree it otherwise would. I think those glasses preserved my sanity and I highly recommend it to all of you to get the right rims and reestablish a degree of normalcy as you await resolution. Also, the bulges are a bit more swollen for up to 3 days after cortisone so glasses hide that too. The cortisone shots I got when the fat was fresher were probably able to remove some of it permanently so as someone who has gotten hundreds of them over the years (and you can see how good it looks after it - just in my case isn't all permanent), I highly recommend them and the sooner the better. My doctor mixes kenalog with lidocaine and I found that under 10% had no effect. I do between 12-15 or more usually. Also high concentration low volume makes it so that you only put a small amount right where you want it instead of injecting too much and have it run beyond the area of treatment. I get the best result when I put it in the top part of the bulge so if it runs down just a bit naturally due to gravity and as it eats it, it's just right.
M.chelle. 30 Jan 2012
Hi Jane. I was wondering who you're seeing in New York as I need to find someone here as well. Also, how soon after he fat grafting did you start treating it with the shot? I'm a year after so am hoping it's not too late or that it won't be too complicated. Thank you so much for your help in this. It's always great when it turns out well, as it did for me the 1st time around---but heartbreaking when it goes wrong.
opentohealing 8 Feb 2012
Jane, darling. Hope u r well. Did u ever go to see Dr. Prasad in NY. The more I research, the more positive things I hear about him. I've already seen Massry, and only talked to Prasad via Skype. (bad connection) He also does a ton of corrective work apparently, with a light hand. He did say, however, that he's had some success with Pelevé under the eyes. I know u mentioned you've done a lot of lasers and chemicals, etc. Perhaps a consult wouldn't hurt. Thinking of you today.
JaneSt 9 Feb 2012
Hi M.chelle. For 5FU shots right now, I am seeing Robert Schwarcz. For cortisone and other stuff, I was seeing the original ps and he's good at those. The first time around I waited about 4 months before doing anything (cortisone) but subsequently, I injected a few weeks later. You will get results with cortisone no matter what. There may or may not be permanent. It's quite likely that it wouldn't grow back a 100% so you could still have some long-term improvement.
JaneSt 9 Feb 2012
Thank you Open. Why don't you just fly out and see Prasad? This should be a cheap season to fly. I am gradually seeing the 5fu effects and will continue with that so no plans to go see Prasad. I don't feel that any of these ultrasound/laser devices are the answer for me. They are not precise enough but I can see how they may be beneficial if there are larger globs of fat.

I feel for you when it seems like you're in limbo. Every day feels wasted. I think you should try 5fu and get tested if you're scared of having intolerance. I don't know that anything can happen that is worse then spending years to come like this. Try it in just one spot. It's working for me.
JaneSt 9 Feb 2012
*than
Marita Hanson 12 Feb 2012
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This comment does not follow our Community Guidelines and/or Terms of Service. We reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.
notsogood (RealFriend) 12 Feb 2012
Marita...you have written almost the same post before but then you disappeared and never responded to anyone asking about your "supposed" method or give us what any hint as to what it involves. So I don,t understand the purpose of your post.
CyberJ 12 Feb 2012
Yeah, it sounds more like someones trolling for business. I'm sure when you call she'll have a payment plan ready to go. They should actually take the time though to read some of the comments here to know this is a thread about fat and not fillers.
notsogood (RealFriend) 12 Feb 2012
CyberJ...well I stand corrected as far as Maritas existence. she did respond to me by private message and she has a legitimate business in new York called Skin Magic LTD and has a sight on the Internet. She uses radio frequency for treatment. I did ask her if she has used it successfully on fat transfer or simply tried it on synthetic fillers. Hopefully she will respond to us here at this post to let us know. Her price list is listed at her site. could get a bit pricey for several treatments, but perhaps for a series she has a better price. It is now priced per session at her site. has anyone here tried radio frequency? I'm guessing it might not work all that well for natural fat transfer, but for those of you who live in New York it might be worth looking into. Carol...any thoughts on RF that you might share with us?
M.chelle. 19 Feb 2012
Thank you so much Jane for your response. I am going to see Dr. Schwarcz tomorrow for a consultation.
Would you mind telling me who your original p is that you're seeing for cortizone shots? I have a feeling that cortizone may be the best way for me to address my particular situation and my ps reused to administer it when I requested it. She did not want to admit she made a mistake with the placement of the fat and therefore did not address any of my concerns. Thank you Jane.
Carol11 13 Apr 2012
I just saw this post, sorry, about RF to correct a bad or overfilled FT. I am a medical esthetican had have all of these toys. It doesn't work on correcting the FT. Save your money.
notsogood (RealFriend) 14 Apr 2012

Thanks Carol, I guessed it might not be too helpful, but thought I would at least throw it out there if anyone interested in pursuing it.  Appreciate you letting us know that its a no go. 
anku 10 Nov 2011
i had fat grafted from my thighs to my breasts and lips ....how long will it take for the fat in the lips to get absorbed they look abnormally large....there are severe hematomas on both thighs and my breasts look great at the moment but i think after a few months 90% of the fat will get absorbed....has snyone gotten this done can u tell me after how long will i see the final results how much usually gets absorbed .....my face is swollen n lips look horrible i can't stop cryin i'm 24 and it's been 7 days since the procedure .....
notsogood (RealFriend) 10 Nov 2011
Anku...7 days post op is way too soon to see a result. It will take at least a month to see anything close to a final result. For most of us, who had anything done on our faces, it was closer to 6 months. However, I don't know how long the breast area takes to recover...but I'm guessing a lot longer than 7 days. No need to panic at this point. Check out some of the comments on fat transfer reviews at this site and you will see that it takes quite a while for the post op swelling to go down. Some doctors neglect to tell their patients how long it will take...or underestimate the healing time. Good luck to you.
anku 10 Nov 2011
Thank u so much Ma'am it wad very kind of u to have replied. I guess will have to wait n c, currently I'm taking phlogam for d swelling n vit e for d hematomas. Will try n post snaps . Thank u once again.
Feelia 10 Nov 2011
Are you sure it is fat and not just swelling? If it was postinflammatory swelling that might explain why the cortisone shots help that well.
I think Dr. Hoenig has experience in injecting 5-Fluoruracil.
notsogood (RealFriend) 10 Nov 2011
Feelia...I think you missed the part that she is ten years past the fat transfer and is only 30ish years old. After that period of time, and at her young age...it would not merely be "swelling". I am told (by a person who recently tried to make an appt with Dr. Hoenig) that he is no longer treating fat transfer problems for new patients, and is now referring fat transfer patients to someone else (see my post dated yesterday). Never hurts to call and check for sure though.
Feelia 10 Nov 2011
Oh, ok, i totally missed that. :-/

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