Under-Eye Fat Repositioning: Brightening the Under-Eye Area

No one can escape the traces of time.

As aging begins, changes appear in various parts of the body, and among them,

the eyes, with their thin skin, are particularly prone to sagging and drooping.

Especially if there is a lot of fat around the eyes, the under-eye area can protrude, making dark circles appear darker. ​

Dark circles, under-eye fat, and under-eye hollowness can inadvertently make one look older or

lead to a tired and angry impression, often causing significant stress.

If you are experiencing issues with dark circles or under-eye fat that require improvement,

you might consider under-eye fat repositioning surgery.

Typically, as we age, skin aging begins,

and as a result, the skin sags and loses elasticity.

This can lead to the formation of fat under the eyes, and as this fat thickens,

it can protrude prominently.

As elasticity decreases, structures like the forehead and eyebrows can also descend.

Instead of the entire eyelid sagging uniformly, the outer part tends to descend first.

This is because the facial muscles between the eyebrows, which cause frowning, still support the inner eyelid skin,

whereas the outer skin descends unprotected.

When the outer skin sags, the balance of the double eyelid line breaks, and the line descends from the middle,

resembling the eyes of a middle-aged person.

Even those with thin eyelids can find their eyelids becoming thicker and

more puffy than before when they sag.

Everyone naturally experiences aging as they get older and enter middle age,

and when signs of aging appear, wrinkles form due to a decrease in collagen production,

and the skin generally sags downwards.

Sagging under-eye fat creates a shadow-like appearance around the eyes,

and deep wrinkles can give an aged look. Under-eye fat repositioning surgery can address

the fundamental cause of these issues.

This procedure, which also works to remove dark circles, involves moving the protruding under-eye fat

to sunken areas like the under-eye hollows to balance the appearance,

literally repositioning it to achieve an ideal shape.

It can be a suitable option for those who usually have puffy under-eyes with wrinkles and sagging, or under-eyes that are hollow, making them look older or

dark and sickly, or for those stressed by protruding under-eye fat,

or concerned about a tired and dull impression.

For under-eye fat repositioning surgery, a customized plan considering various factors such as individual facial under-eye design and the time constraints of busy modern individuals

is necessary to expect positive outcomes.

Generally, if skin laxity is not severe, an incision can be made inside the eyelid to

locate the fat pad, spread the fat within, and fix it in place.

Conversely, if skin laxity is severe, the difficulty increases.

The inner conjunctiva of the eye can be opened with a laser or radiofrequency, and the fat can be removed.

At this point, some individuals may worry about scarring after the surgery.

However, because the principle involves making an incision inside the eye, it is barely noticeable from the outside,

and symptoms such as bleeding, swelling, and bruising can be reduced, leading to a somewhat faster recovery period.

It is beneficial to be aware of this advantage.

Sometimes, people confuse under-eye fat repositioning with under-eye fat removal.

There is a clear difference between them, and remembering it can help you

respond appropriately when symptoms appear.

Under-eye fat can result from a combination of various factors such as aging, congenital factors, irregular lifestyle habits and stress,

accumulated fatigue, and mid-facial bone structure.

While it is commonly seen in middle-aged and older adults,

it is now also being found in younger individuals regardless of age.

Under-eye fat is highly likely to become puffy again over time. Considering this,

to prevent it from reappearing, a process is needed to strengthen the orbital septum, which acts as a supporting structure,

to prevent the fat from pushing out again.

After moving the fat to the appropriate position, the fat is fixed, and the orbital septum is

fixed once more through a double fixation to reduce the possibility of recurrence.

Under-eye fat removal is a relatively simple surgery, but due to the contour of the under-eye bone,

the eyes can appear hollow, so autologous fat grafting can be applied simultaneously.

In contrast, under-eye fat repositioning involves spreading the under-eye fat over the lower under-eye bone

and repositioning it to eliminate the puffy appearance of the fat and flatten sunken areas.

Furthermore, it is not a simple procedure but requires a comprehensive assessment of various factors such as individual under-eye skin, muscles, and bone structure.

It can be defined as a high-difficulty surgery, focusing not merely on removing protruding fat

but on repositioning it into the sunken under-eye hollows.

As observed, it has a different aspect from under-eye fat removal,

so it was important to remember the differences through this opportunity.

Under-eye fat repositioning surgery is a relatively brief procedure, taking about 30 minutes to 1 hour,

so it carries less burden. However, after the surgery, thorough post-operative care is crucial to alleviate pain and

prevent capsular contracture.

Pain and swelling typically show gradual improvement after 1 to 2 weeks.

If precautions are followed well during this period, prompt efficacy can be expected.

If prescribed medication, it must be taken according to instructions,

and strenuous exercise or activities should be avoided immediately after surgery.

Cold compresses can help with pain and swelling, so if swelling does not easily

subside, applying them intermittently is beneficial.

Entry to places that can raise body temperature, such as public baths and saunas, should be avoided for one week.

Alcohol consumption and smoking, which can cause infection and inflammation later, must be avoided,

and if contact lens wear is necessary, they should be worn after one week,

ensuring proper management.

Thus, if you are considering this procedure, careful consideration is needed in choosing the medical team.

If you work with a board-certified plastic surgeon boasting extensive know-how and clinical experience,

regardless of the patient's type, various examinations and consultations can lead to

finding appropriate alternatives.

It was also important to check if a systematic post-operative care system was in place.

This is because if post-operative care is not properly managed, issues like loosening or

asymmetry cannot be ruled out.

Therefore, here, the same medical team focuses on each patient from beginning to end,

allowing for a thorough understanding of the progress without missing any details.

The eyes are an important area where even small changes can affect the overall image,

so it is recommended to proceed with thorough and sufficient consultation.

** This posting is an advertisement written by Diva Plastic Surgery in compliance with the Medical Advertising Act. **

Frequently Asked Questions

What is under-eye fat repositioning?

Under-eye fat repositioning is a surgical procedure that moves protruding under-eye fat to sunken areas, such as the under-eye hollows, to balance the appearance and achieve an ideal shape. It can also help remove dark circles.

When is under-eye fat repositioning surgery suitable?

It is suitable for cases where the under-eye area is puffy, wrinkled, or sagging; when the under-eye area is hollow, making one look older or dark; when protruding under-eye fat is a source of stress; or when a tired and dull impression is a concern.

How do under-eye fat repositioning and under-eye fat removal differ?

Under-eye fat repositioning improves both puffiness and hollowness by repositioning fat and strengthens the orbital septum to prevent recurrence. Under-eye fat removal is a method of simply removing fat, which can make the eyes appear hollow, sometimes requiring simultaneous autologous fat grafting.

I am worried about scarring after the surgery.

Under-eye fat repositioning surgery is generally performed by making an incision inside the eye, so scars are barely visible from the outside. It also reduces bleeding, swelling, and bruising, offering the advantage of a somewhat faster recovery period.

How long is the recovery period after under-eye fat repositioning surgery?

Pain and swelling usually subside gradually after 1 to 2 weeks. Thorough post-operative care, including taking prescribed medication, avoiding strenuous exercise or activities, applying cold compresses, and refraining from alcohol and smoking, as directed by the medical team, is crucial.

Is there a possibility of recurrence after under-eye fat repositioning?

Yes, under-eye fat is likely to become puffy again over time. To reduce this, a process of moving the fat to an appropriate position and then double-fixing the orbital septum is necessary to lower the possibility of recurrence.