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What is Fat Grafting Under the Eyes?

As people age, facial fat thins leaving bags and dark circles under the eyes. When creams and moisturizers aren't working, fat grafting may be a good option. Less invasive than face or eye lifts, and longer lasting than synthetic fillers, fat grafts are becoming a trend in facial reconstruction, according to Dr. Samuel Lam. With its own set of risks and benefits, fat grafting for under eye issues may be an alternative to plastic surgery.

  1. The Procedure

    • Small amounts of fat are removed, with a blunt cannula, from the patient's stomach or thigh. The fat cells are gently washed to remove debris and blood. The fat is then injected into the deep tissues of the upper cheek, below the eyelid. For under eye procedures, a combination of fat cells and larger granules known as fat pearls is recommended to produce even volume, according to a paper written by Drs. Ashok Thopaldy and Thomas Gampper.

    Recovery and Post-Operative Care

    • Icing the injected areas frequently during the first 24 to 48 hours is recommended by Thopaldy and Gampper to reduce swelling. Four to six weeks after the procedure, patients return to their surgeon to assess results. If the results aren't acceptable to the patient, the procedure can be repeated three months after the first surgery.

    Side Effects and Complications

    • All procedures run the risk of side effects and complications. The most common complication reported is over- or underfilling. Infection is also a concern, as well as shifting of the graft, if the injection wasn't placed correctly. A lumpy texture of the graft can occur if fat cells clump together after injection. One case of bilateral blindness was reported by Beth Kapes of "Dermatology Times", when fat was inadvertently injected into an artery.

    What to Expect

    • First and foremost, patients need to be realistic. This procedure will not make a 50 year old woman look 25 again. Patients can expect to see a reduction in wrinkles and bags around the eyes, according to Dr. Lam. But, the results will vary from patient to patient and Drs. Thopaldy and Gampper caution that multiple procedures may be necessary to get a desired outcome. Patients must also be aware that fat grafting is a semi-permanent procedure, and volume may fade with time.

    Alternatives to Fat Grafting

    • The two most popular synthetic fillers on the market today are Hyaluronic Acid (Restylane) and collagen. Synthetic fillers have the same risks and benefits of fat transfer, but there is also the added risk of allergic reactions. Synthetic fillers also break down easier than fat, so results don't last as long.

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