What is the solution for overfilled under eyes? (Photos)

Question

Hello! I got fat transfer to my cheeks and under eyes exactly a month ago today and my cheeks of healed well but after the swelling have one down I'm starting to see a very baggy and overfilled under eye. I attached a picture of how it looked when I was all swollen up. I am now aware that is not recommended to do fat under the eyes so I'm hoping for solutions, is it possible to fill the rest of my cheek up to conceal the bags? I would like a more fuller look anyways.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. First of all, I would advise you to wait and do nothing. Swelling after fat grafting can take 6 months or more to resolve completely. If you think you are over-filled now, in a few months, you might think things are perfect. Be patient and follow with your surgeon. If at 6 months, you are still unhappy, then discuss options for improvement.Hope this helps!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Keep in mind, swelling is typical after fat transfer and can last 3-6 months. I recommend prp to help improve final results. Icing the area, predisone, ibuoprofen and venus legacy treatments can help reduce swelling. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

I notice under eye fat bags which is mostly your own eye fat but it could be combination. You may benefit from lower blepharoplasty with fat bags repositioning.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

Fat is frequently placed into the lower lids, usually with excellent results.  It may initially stay more swollen in the lids than in the cheeks, so this may still go down more.  On occasion some people will get some persistent swelling and even some firmness in the fat.  We treat this with injections of anti-inflammatories.  And in the rare person that a fatty nodule persists, it can be removed surgically.

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

Hi , thanks for the pictures and such a good question. You are right fat transfer under the eyes is not recommended, because is not and adequate space for fat integration, there is no  good vascularity, a lot of ligaments and less muscles, so is not a well irirgated zone.
Your correction will consist in the extirpation of the fat transfered. What is best for corrrection of  hollow eyes is to harvest a strip of fat from  any other part of the body and put it in the space needed.
Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Val Lambros, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

I have been doing fat grafting for more than 25 years. This is a problem with fat grafting under the eyes. Getting fat out is very difficult and . Steroids do not work  here and can cause secondary deformities which are hard to get rid of. Surgery frequently trades one deformity for another. There is some interest in using Kybella here but it is very new and complications are not known nor the effectiveness of the treatment. In any event you need to wait a few months before trying anything,

What is the solution for overfilled under eyes? (Photos)

Answers (6)

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