Under-eye fat repositioning and mid-face lifting: How to achieve a natural transition from under-eyes to cheeks? (Before and after photos)

 

hello, Director Baek In-soo of Garnet Plastic Surgery no see.
Puffy under-eyes or deep tear troughs can give the impression of looking tired. In the clinic, I often meet patients who say, "Even though I get enough sleep, people tell me I look tired."

 

Under-eye fat repositioning is Surgery to soften the under-eye contour by reducing the height difference between protruding fat and sunken areas. Depending on the patient's condition, considering a mid-face lift together can also help improve the boundary extending from under the eyes to the cheeks.

 

Today, we will examine the causes of changes under the eyes, the principles of the surgery, expected effects, recommended candidates, and side effects in turn.

 

🔹 What causes the under-eye area to look puffy and sunken?

The protrusion of fat and the hollowing of the surrounding area work together.

There is not just one cause for the area under the eyes to appear puffy or sunken. The following factors have an impact, either individually or together.

 

🔸 Orbital fat protrusion
The area under the eyes may appear puffy as the tissue supporting the fat around the eyes weakens.

 

🔸 Tear trough sinking
A shadow is created by the contrast between the hollowness and protruding fat under the inner corner of the eye.

 

🔸 Changes in midfacial tissue
As the volume and tissue position of the cheeks change, the boundary between the under-eye area and the cheeks may become more pronounced.

 

🔸 Structural characteristics of an individual
Depending on bone structure and fat distribution, protrusion and hollowness under the eyes can occur even at a young age.

 

The surgery plan is based on age rather than In distinguishing the causes of protrusion, hollowness, and skin sagging Let's begin. This is because even with the same 'under-eye bulge,' the approach to correction differs depending on whether the bulge is caused by a significant amount of protruding fat or appears relatively prominent due to surrounding sunken areas.

 

🔹 How is under-eye fat repositioning performed?

It moves protruding fat to sunken areas to alleviate height differences.

Under-eye fat repositioning is a surgery that alleviates height differences by moving protruding orbital fat to sunken areas, such as the tear trough. The key feature is that the fat is not simply removed, but relocated to the necessary areas to adjust the facial contour.

 

🔸 ① Assessment of under-eye condition
Check the amount of fat and the location of the protrusion, the depth of the tear trough, skin elasticity, and eyelid support.

 

🔸 ② Regional Movement and Fixation
We move the fat according to the surgical method and ensure it settles stably.

 

🔸 ③ Combine with mid-face lifting if necessary
If cheek sagging is accompanied by deep furrows, the displacement and fixation of the mid-facial tissues are reviewed together.

 

✔ Mid-face lifting is not a process included in all under-eye fat repositioning procedures. For some patients, transplanting only the under-eye fat is sufficient, while for others, it is better to address both together due to prominent cheek sagging and furrows. The decision is made based on an examination.

 

🔹 What effects can you expect?

We examine the protrusion under the eyes, the tear trough, and the connection leading to the cheek together.

Changes to look forward to	detail
Relief from under-eye protrusion	Defines the contours of bulging fat pockets.
Tear trough improvement	Reduces the height difference between the protrusion and the recess.
Reducing under-eye shadows	The dark impression caused by structural curves can be improved.
Natural connection between the under-eyes and cheeks	If suitable, a mid-face lift can be combined to soften the boundaries.

 

📌 Before and After Under-Eye Fat Repositioning · Before and After Mid-Face Lifting (Photos of a patient who agreed to public disclosure)

 

The degree of effectiveness varies depending on the individual's fat volume, tear trough depth, skin elasticity, and mid-face condition. Therefore, during the consultation, along with "what can be improved" "What is difficult to change with this surgery alone" I will first explain it by dividing it.

 

🔹 Who would I recommend this to?

It can be considered for those with both protrusion and depression.

The following are candidates who may consider lower eyelid fat repositioning.

 

🔸 Those with both protruding under-eye fat and sunken tear troughs
🔸 For those concerned about looking tired due to unevenness under their eyes
🔸 For those with mild skin sagging who require fat repositioning

 

Conversely, in the following cases, additional surgery or other approaches are considered.

 

🔸 Cases where cheek sagging and midfacial grooves are prominent — Review for concurrent mid-face lifting
🔸 In cases of severe sagging skin and eyelid laxity — Review of lower eyelid surgery, etc.
🔸 Pigmented dark circles or swelling above the cheekbones are the main cases — Review a separate approach tailored to the cause

 

🔹 What is the recovery process like and what are the side effects?

Since it is surgery, you should be aware of the possible changes in advance.

After surgery, swelling, bruising, eye irritation, and temporary dry eyes may occur. In most cases, these gradually subside during the recovery process, but the duration varies depending on the individual.

 

✔ Commonly occurring changes — Swelling and bruising, eye irritation, temporary dry eyes
✔ Possible side effects — Asymmetry, uneven contours, remaining protrusion or depression, lower eyelid displacement and ectropion, persistent dry eye
✔ rarely Infection and bleeding may occur, and very rarely, it may affect vision.

 

Therefore, before surgery Identifying both expected changes and possible side effects This is important. Please ask any questions you may have during the consultation, and if you are concerned about any changes after surgery, we recommend confirming them together during your medical examination rather than trying to make a judgment on your own.

 

 

🔹 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Does it also improve dark circles?

Shadows caused by unevenness under the eyes can be alleviated. Dark circles caused by pigmentation or blood vessels require a separate evaluation.

 

Q2. How is it different from removing fat?

Fat removal reduces the amount of protruding fat, while fat redistribution adjusts the contour by moving fat to sunken areas. Depending on the condition, partial removal may also be performed together.

 

Q3. Is it necessary to get a mid-face lift as well?

The decision is made based on the cause of the sagging cheeks and furrows. In some cases, lower eyelid fat repositioning alone is sufficient.

 

Q4. How are lower eyelid fat repositioning and lower blepharoplasty different?

Fat repositioning focuses on correcting the location of fat. Lower blepharoplasty can address sagging skin and the eyelid supporting tissues as well.

 

Q5. Is the effect permanent?

Aging continues even after surgery. The degree of maintenance and the likelihood of recurrence depend on the tissue condition and the scope of the surgery.

 

🔹 Conclusion

🔹 Key Points
The bulging and sunken appearance of the area under the eyes is the result of orbital fat protrusion, tear trough hollowing, and changes in mid-facial tissues working together. Under-eye fat repositioning is Surgery to transfer protruding fat to sunken areas to reduce height differences In addition, if cheek sagging and furrows are prominent, a mid-face lift is considered together.

 

🔹 Verification points
Not only how much fat protrudes, How sunken the tear troughs and cheeks are, and the extent of skin sagging Please examine this together. If the cause is different, the necessary surgery will also differ.

 

🔹 Reasons why specialist consultation is necessary
In under-eye fat repositioning, rather than the act of moving the fat itself, I Whether the line from under the eyes to the cheeks connects naturally We place great importance on this. Since the causes of the same concern vary from person to person, the most important step is the process of diagnosing the extent of what is needed for you.

 

Please check the puffiness under your eyes, the depth of your tear troughs, and the boundary with your cheeks in front of a mirror. Feel free to ask any questions you may have at any time ✨

 

 

Garnet Plastic Surgery Clinic

Director Baek In-soo

- Graduated from Korea University College of Medicine
- Graduated from Korea University Graduate School (Major in Plastic Surgery)
- Plastic surgeon at the National Medical Center
- (Former) Chief Director of Jewelry Plastic Surgery
- Regular member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- Regular member of the Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
- Regular member of the Korean Craniofacial Society
- Regular member of the Facial Contouring Research Group of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- Regular member of the Oculoplastic Surgery Research Group of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
- Regular member of the Rhinoplasty Research Group of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons