If a doctor removes too much fat with upper bleph...will that fat grow again? What happens to the eye with age... skin droops?

Question

I had upper bleph and the doctor removed too much fat and left too much skin. How will this look in the future?

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

During an upper eyelid blepharoplasty if too much fat is removed the fat does not grow back. The future result as one ages cannot be predicted.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Fat that is removed in upper eyelid surgery does not normally grow back.  Pictures of you or an exam would be needed to give you further advice as to what might improve your problem.

Joseph A. Eviatar, MD, FACS · Answer

If too much fat is removed, the upper eyelid can appear progressively more hollow as fat does not "grow back".  This is why we often remove very little (and often no) fat these days, especially in the central portion of the eyelid which may look hollow, over time (we've all seen celebrities with this look!)   I see many of these patients however and filler can be used (off label) to improve the hollowness of the upper lid if needed and sometimes skin tightening with devices or lasers can be helpful as well.All the best!

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

If your eyes are sunken in a bit, sometimes fillers can be delicately placed to provide fullness.  Hard to say without an exam.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Quite difficult to respond without photos.  You could undergo additional skin resection which is a minor procedure.  The results would be definitive whereas fat grafting does have a degree of uncertainty.  Everyone ages differently and prognostication as to your personal situation would require a consultation.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

It would be very helpful to see some before and after pictures to answer this question.  There is fat in the lids that extends back behind the eye.  With age, some of this fat may move forward.  So after your fat removal, you may notice some fullness again after several years.  In the meantime, you can fill under the bone with some hyaluronic acid filler, or fat.  If you have some excess skin that can be excised.  It may make the lid appear deeper however.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

It is hard to comment without pictures. You can see your surgeon to evaluate to remove more skin or do fat grafting to replaced the removed fat.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

I usually try to remove little, if any fat, from the upper eyelids to avoid a hollow or skeletonized upper eyelid. The fat will not grow back after removal but can be replaced with either fat transfer or dermal fillers if you have developed a hollow upper eyelid. Replacement of that volume can be very, very tricky so please seek a consultation with a plastic surgeon experienced in volume/ fat replacement in the upper eyelid. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

If a doctor removes too much fat with upper bleph...will that fat grow again? What happens to the eye with age... skin droops?

Answers (8)

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