Eyelid Fat Grafting: Fat Retention Rate and Results? Dr. Kim Hyun-jo’s <Q&A>

Eyelid Fat Grafting: Fat Retention Rate and Results?

Dr. Kim Hyun-jo’s <Q&A>

Hello.

This is Objet Plastic Surgery.

Among those looking into eyelid fat grafting,

some repeatedly come across the term “retention rate”

but are unsure of its exact meaning,

while others may want to picture more specifically

how their appearance might change

after the procedure.

Even after searching, it can often be difficult to find a clear answer because the standards vary depending on the source.

So today, we have put together two questions that Objet frequently receives in a Q&A format and will address them one by one.

After reading this, you should have a clearer overall understanding of the questions you may currently have.

Retention rate? Results?

Here are the answers

Let’s begin by looking at the term “retention.”

Retention refers to the process in which transplanted fat receives blood vessels at its new location and survives as if it were part of your own tissue.

Not 100% of the transplanted fat remains exactly as it was.

Some of it is gradually and gently absorbed over time, while the remaining amount settles as “retained fat.”

Because the retention rate varies from person to person, it is difficult to give an exact figure.

However, one thing is clear: this rate can vary significantly depending on how the fat is placed.

If too much fat is concentrated in one area, blood vessels may not reach the central portion.

Only the outer part receives nutrients, while the fat inside does not receive sufficient blood flow and may not settle evenly.

That is why, in thin and delicate areas such as the eyelids, the fat should be spread evenly in multiple thin layers.

When placed this way, blood vessels can grow in from the surrounding tissue to each individual fat particle, which may help the retained fat remain in place for a longer period of time.

Then what might the results look like?

The most noticeable early effect of eyelid fat grafting is a change in overall appearance.

As we age, facial subcutaneous fat decreases and tissue descends. When volume is lost, particularly above the eyes, the upper eyelids can appear sunken,

causing a tired or gloomy appearance to become more pronounced.

When autologous fat is used to fill the hollow area, it gently restores the lost volume, so the facial features can appear more defined.

The fact that your own fat is used also has a significant impact on achieving a natural appearance.

Because it is tissue taken from your own body, rather than an external implant, it generally causes less of a foreign-body sensation

and tends to move relatively naturally along with your facial expressions.

Because of this, one of the most common comments after the procedure is that the person looks “well rested.”

Fat should be placed “well,” not simply “in large amounts”

At this point, you may have the following thought:

“Then wouldn’t it make sense to put in a generous amount from the beginning, so that even after some of it is absorbed, an appropriate amount would remain?”

It may sound reasonable at first, but with eyelid fat grafting, it often has the opposite effect.

As mentioned earlier, when a large amount is concentrated in one area at once, the tissue in the center may not receive sufficient blood vessels.

Some of the fat that does not survive may be gently absorbed,

but if a large amount has been clumped together, it may not settle evenly and the surface may appear uneven.

The eyelid skin is particularly among the thinnest areas of the face.

Because the skin is so thin, even small irregularities underneath can easily show through on the surface.

For this reason, at Objet, rather than filling the area as much as possible in a single session, we first prioritize placing the fat in thin layers only to the extent that the area is naturally restored.

After observing how much has been absorbed and whether both sides appear balanced, we may reinforce the area in a second procedure if necessary, adding only the amount that is lacking.

From the procedure through recovery! Here is what to expect!

The fat is harvested from areas with sufficient volume, such as the abdomen, flanks, or inner thighs.

Because only a small amount is harvested from a location selected according to your body type with minimal discomfort,

most people do not need to wear compression garments separately.

The donor site is closed with dissolvable sutures and finished with taping,

while the grafted area is simply covered thinly with a DuoDERM dressing.

Anesthesia is administered while you are comfortably asleep, like during a sedated upper endoscopy.

Local anesthesia is administered at the same time while you sleep, so there is generally little discomfort during the procedure.

Because waking up from sedation is usually quick, many people can return home the same day.

Some swelling and bruising may occur after the fat is placed layer by layer using a fine needle.

However, because the procedure is performed through tiny passages without an incision, severe swelling or bruising is uncommon.

In most cases, it settles within one to two weeks to the point that daily activities are not significantly affected.

During this period, be careful not to press firmly on or rub the eye area,

and it is also advisable to temporarily avoid sleeping in a position that puts pressure on your side of the face so that the fat can stabilize in place.

Today, we have focused on frequently asked questions about the retention rate and results of eyelid fat grafting, as well as what to expect during recovery.

The proportion of transplanted fat that settles varies depending on how it is placed,

and the results depend more on “how naturally it settles” than on “how much volume is added.”

Dr. Kim Hyun-jo of Objet Plastic Surgery takes into account that eyelid skin is the thinnest skin on the face and that even small irregularities underneath can show through.

Rather than adding a large amount at once, the fat is placed in multiple thin layers so that blood vessels can grow into it.

Instead of overfilling the area from the beginning, the amount that has been absorbed over time is assessed first,

and only the amount needed is added in a second procedure to ensure that both sides look balanced.

If the area above your eyes looks hollow in the mirror, or your appearance seems tired or gloomy,

we recommend beginning with a consultation to calmly assess how much volume would be appropriate for the condition of your eyelids.

This has been Objet Plastic Surgery.

Thank you.

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• This post is medical information prepared by Objet Plastic Surgery Clinic in compliance with the Medical Advertising Act.

• The results of the procedure may vary from person to person, and side effects may occur.

We recommend that you make a decision about the procedure only after having a thorough consultation with a medical professional in advance.