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?
Answer: Caution! 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 directly. This is a tricky proposition, to say the least, because the lumps can be in all layers of the lower eyelid, from the epiperiosteal layer to the shallow subcutaneous layer, with the orbital septum and the orbicularis muscle in the middle. Often, correction of the problem will involve midface elevation through a cheeklift, canthal restoration to support the amount of work to be done on the different layers, direct removal of fibrous fat injection tissues, possibly placement of new grafts. In our practice we typically use nontraumatized autologous fat fascial grafts (LiveFill) placed precisely, usually in the eye-cheek junction or the tear trough region. Or sometimes lumpy fat injection grafts can be removed directly through a transconjunctival approach or directly through the skin through tiny incisions, it all depends. A traditional blepharoplasty usually involves reduction in fat from the lower eyelid, which would not typically deal with the fat injection lumps. Your case underscores two points. First is that the lower eyelid is an unforgiving anatomic area. Second is that patients should have great caution before undergoing even seemingly minor procedures such as fat injection to the lower eyelid. It never hurts to seek several opinions from plastic surgeons with special interest in the midface (i.e. cheeklifts, revision lower blepharoplasty) before proceeding with this next very critical step.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Caution! 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 directly. This is a tricky proposition, to say the least, because the lumps can be in all layers of the lower eyelid, from the epiperiosteal layer to the shallow subcutaneous layer, with the orbital septum and the orbicularis muscle in the middle. Often, correction of the problem will involve midface elevation through a cheeklift, canthal restoration to support the amount of work to be done on the different layers, direct removal of fibrous fat injection tissues, possibly placement of new grafts. In our practice we typically use nontraumatized autologous fat fascial grafts (LiveFill) placed precisely, usually in the eye-cheek junction or the tear trough region. Or sometimes lumpy fat injection grafts can be removed directly through a transconjunctival approach or directly through the skin through tiny incisions, it all depends. A traditional blepharoplasty usually involves reduction in fat from the lower eyelid, which would not typically deal with the fat injection lumps. Your case underscores two points. First is that the lower eyelid is an unforgiving anatomic area. Second is that patients should have great caution before undergoing even seemingly minor procedures such as fat injection to the lower eyelid. It never hurts to seek several opinions from plastic surgeons with special interest in the midface (i.e. cheeklifts, revision lower blepharoplasty) before proceeding with this next very critical step.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Correct bad transfer results with blepharoplasty
Yes. This is an option for you. It will require marking of the fat lumps and tedious dissection and patience by your surgeon. There is no right time to do this but at 6 months, I think you have been sufficiently patient for improvement. I would seek out an oculofacial surgeon listed by ASOPRS.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Correct bad transfer results with blepharoplasty
Yes. This is an option for you. It will require marking of the fat lumps and tedious dissection and patience by your surgeon. There is no right time to do this but at 6 months, I think you have been sufficiently patient for improvement. I would seek out an oculofacial surgeon listed by ASOPRS.
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November 14, 2009
Answer: Transconjunctival blepharoplasty is an excellent way to correct eyelid lumps after fat transfer It sounds as though you have had the correct procedure and that your surgeon knows what he/she is doing. Try to relax and be patient and follow your doctors advice. It is normal to wrry and be concerned. But you made a decision, it sounds as though the correct procedure was done. Worry will not help--it will only make your recovery more difficult. Try to be patient and relax.
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Answer: Transconjunctival blepharoplasty is an excellent way to correct eyelid lumps after fat transfer It sounds as though you have had the correct procedure and that your surgeon knows what he/she is doing. Try to relax and be patient and follow your doctors advice. It is normal to wrry and be concerned. But you made a decision, it sounds as though the correct procedure was done. Worry will not help--it will only make your recovery more difficult. Try to be patient and relax.
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April 12, 2009
Answer: There are other ways to help this issue 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 of the fat to be dissolved by the body through the action of the steroids. There are risks with the use of steroids so you should be aware of these before undergoing these injections. This course may take several injections, and it may take a couple of months for the steroids to fully work. The other option is to actually make an incision and take the fat out. The third option is to actually carry out micro liposuction to take the fat away. Going to someone with a lot of experience with fat grafting can help avoid some of these issues, but even the best will have some lumps. Fat grafting is a very complicated process for the surgeon and there a lot of steps that go into this procedure. Each step can affect the survival of the fat which can lead to lumps because some cells survive and some cells don't. The more reliable the process you have the better chance you will get even survival of the fat and hence a better result. Its all in the technique! Consulting a Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon would be something that I recommend. We specialize in the face and are highly qualified to help you with this.
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CONTACT NOW April 12, 2009
Answer: There are other ways to help this issue 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 of the fat to be dissolved by the body through the action of the steroids. There are risks with the use of steroids so you should be aware of these before undergoing these injections. This course may take several injections, and it may take a couple of months for the steroids to fully work. The other option is to actually make an incision and take the fat out. The third option is to actually carry out micro liposuction to take the fat away. Going to someone with a lot of experience with fat grafting can help avoid some of these issues, but even the best will have some lumps. Fat grafting is a very complicated process for the surgeon and there a lot of steps that go into this procedure. Each step can affect the survival of the fat which can lead to lumps because some cells survive and some cells don't. The more reliable the process you have the better chance you will get even survival of the fat and hence a better result. Its all in the technique! Consulting a Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon would be something that I recommend. We specialize in the face and are highly qualified to help you with this.
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December 28, 2008
Answer: Correction of lower eyelid nodules after fat transfer 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 heeded. Nodules arising from fat necrosis may ultimately subside or may remain permanently. If your surgeon believes they will remain permanently, the best option may be to surgically excise the lesions with a blepharoplasty type incision. Be advised that there are inherent risks associated with a surgical approach including assymetry, scar tissue, eyelid retraction, unsatisfactory results, and need for further surgery. An experienced blepharoplasty surgeon is advised.
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CONTACT NOW December 28, 2008
Answer: Correction of lower eyelid nodules after fat transfer 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 heeded. Nodules arising from fat necrosis may ultimately subside or may remain permanently. If your surgeon believes they will remain permanently, the best option may be to surgically excise the lesions with a blepharoplasty type incision. Be advised that there are inherent risks associated with a surgical approach including assymetry, scar tissue, eyelid retraction, unsatisfactory results, and need for further surgery. An experienced blepharoplasty surgeon is advised.
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December 9, 2008
Answer: Relax, Turn Off Your Computer, and Be Patient 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 will not help in your recovery at all. There is nothing to do at this point but heal as well as you can. Your surgeon should be able to tell you how he/she feels the operation went. As you can see in the other answers here, after 6 months, blepharoplasty is a method of addressing lumps after fat transfer. After a few months, if there is still a problem, then return to your surgeon for an answer, or if you prefer, consult with the best opthalmoplastic surgeon that you can find. Try to relax, turn off the computer, and be patient. I hope that all goes well and that you heal beautifully. Be well. Dr. P
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Answer: Relax, Turn Off Your Computer, and Be Patient 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 will not help in your recovery at all. There is nothing to do at this point but heal as well as you can. Your surgeon should be able to tell you how he/she feels the operation went. As you can see in the other answers here, after 6 months, blepharoplasty is a method of addressing lumps after fat transfer. After a few months, if there is still a problem, then return to your surgeon for an answer, or if you prefer, consult with the best opthalmoplastic surgeon that you can find. Try to relax, turn off the computer, and be patient. I hope that all goes well and that you heal beautifully. Be well. Dr. P
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