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?
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
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
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
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
July 23, 2017
Answer: You may need to look at other options. I think Dr. Wallach thought your surgery was two days previous and if that were the case I completely agree with his assessment. However, if you had fat transfer 6 months ago then you may have issues with the fat not surviving or scar tissue forming where the fat transfer was attempted. The lower lid and area below the lids is one of the more delicate places on your body and small amount of tissue can make a big difference. When I was in training at Yale University, we had a professor who had spent considerable time analyzing this area and the best way to restore a "hollowed out" look. He correctly concluded that in lower lid blephs when people remove fat, it tends to make people look more gaunt and that the problem is that fat in that area has descended and can be restored by positioning it at a level consistent with its position when you were younger. The difference between fat transfer and this technique is you're not devascularizing (cutting of the blood supply) to the fat you're moving so it is more reliable and produces a more predictable result (critical in an area where the skin is so thin). In addition - you may have needed a procedure to tighten the skin of your lower lids to begin with and it is possible the fat transfer has emphasized this need. It is difficult to suggest specifically what you should do without a close examination but at 6 months out I think it is likely that you should consider a revision to improve the look of the lower lids. I hope this helps. Steven Williams, MD
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
July 23, 2017
Answer: You may need to look at other options. I think Dr. Wallach thought your surgery was two days previous and if that were the case I completely agree with his assessment. However, if you had fat transfer 6 months ago then you may have issues with the fat not surviving or scar tissue forming where the fat transfer was attempted. The lower lid and area below the lids is one of the more delicate places on your body and small amount of tissue can make a big difference. When I was in training at Yale University, we had a professor who had spent considerable time analyzing this area and the best way to restore a "hollowed out" look. He correctly concluded that in lower lid blephs when people remove fat, it tends to make people look more gaunt and that the problem is that fat in that area has descended and can be restored by positioning it at a level consistent with its position when you were younger. The difference between fat transfer and this technique is you're not devascularizing (cutting of the blood supply) to the fat you're moving so it is more reliable and produces a more predictable result (critical in an area where the skin is so thin). In addition - you may have needed a procedure to tighten the skin of your lower lids to begin with and it is possible the fat transfer has emphasized this need. It is difficult to suggest specifically what you should do without a close examination but at 6 months out I think it is likely that you should consider a revision to improve the look of the lower lids. I hope this helps. Steven Williams, MD
Helpful 4 people found this helpful