[Jaejun Plastic Surgery & Dermatology] Under-eye fat: Under-eye fat repositioning vs. lower blepharoplasty — which procedure is right for me?

The bulging fat under the eyes,

why does it appear?

Our eyes are surrounded by muscle and fat called the orbital septum.

When this orbital septum loosens, fat pushes forward and becomes bulging.

This is a natural phenomenon caused by aging,

but it can also commonly occur in people in their 20s and 30s who have thin, less elastic skin or feel a lot of fatigue around the eyes.

Both procedures are intended to improve bulging under the eyes, so many people mistakenly think they are the same surgery.

However, the two procedures differ depending on the incision method, surgical technique, and the degree of visible skin sagging.

Under-eye fat repositioning surgery

is a procedure in which the conjunctiva on the inner side of the eyelid is incised with a laser, removing and repositioning excess under-eye fat. Because it is performed through the conjunctiva, there is no visible scar, and recovery is relatively quick, allowing a faster return to daily life.

Lower blepharoplasty

is a procedure in which the skin is incised along the lower lash line to remove sagging and unnecessary skin and fat. Because the skin is directly excised, a recovery period is needed, but it can firmly tighten sagging skin and even muscle, making it one of the popular procedures for middle-aged patients.

Under-eye fat repositioning procedure

Design the treatment by diagnosing the range and shape of the protruding fat under the eyes.

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Make a minimal laser incision in the conjunctiva on the inner side of the eyelid.

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Through the conjunctiva, remove excess under-eye fat, reposition it to fill sunken areas, and secure it in place.

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A firm and brighter eye area!

Lower blepharoplasty procedure

Determine and design the amount of skin to be removed by considering the condition of sagging skin and the shape of the fat.

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Make an incision close to the lower lash line to remove sagging and unnecessary skin and fat, then reposition the remaining fat.

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Fix the sagging muscle to the periosteum to remove wrinkles, then suture it closed. (Fixed to the periosteum at the outer corner of the eye)

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A brighter, firmer under-eye area!

The biggest difference is the incision location and whether skin is excised.

Under-eye fat repositioning

involves making an incision on the inside of the eyelid to organize the fat, and because absorbable sutures are used, there is no separate need for stitch removal.

Lower blepharoplasty

involves making an incision in the skin under the eyes, then tightening the area while organizing the fat, and excising unnecessary skin. Because it is a direct lifting procedure, it can improve protruding fat and under-eye wrinkles at the same time.

If the under-eye skin lacks elasticity and is also sagging, then removing and repositioning only the fat with under-eye fat repositioning may make the sagging skin stand out even more.

Also, even in middle age, if the skin still has good elasticity and is not significantly sagging, improvement may be possible with under-eye fat repositioning alone. After consulting with a specialist with extensive clinical experience, it is better to find the surgical method that is right for you.