How Long Will Under-eye Fat Grafting Results Last?
October 10, 2024 - Rhys Branman, MD
Under-eye fat grafting results last at least three years, according to a new study. During the fat transfer procedure, fat is taken from another part of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, using liposuction and is injected below the lower eyelid to add volume to the area.
“It’s becoming a very common procedure and a way to naturally rejuvenate especially the lower eyelid area,” study author Dr. Cory Yeh, a plastic surgeon from Laguna Woods, California, told Reuters.
“The vast majority of patients are seeing results up to three years,” Yeh said. “The question is always, are we going to be seeing results past that point?”
About the study
The study, published in Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, tracked photos of 99 people who had the fat-transfer procedure between 2004 and 2008.
The patients, who were between 35 and 71 years old and mostly women, had photos of their eye area taken every few months for up to four years following the surgery. Other members of the study team rated how much improvement, if any, they saw in patients’ faces from their pre-surgery photos.
In pictures taken within the first year after the surgery, 5 percent of patients showed no improvement, 51 percent had mild improvement and 44 percent had marked improvement. For two to three years post-surgery, 14 percent of patients had no improvement, 68 percent had mild improvement and 18 percent had marked improvement. However, the researchers only had data on 22 patients that far out.
Researchers said the findings matched their expectations.
“We know that the person’s going to continue to age, and that they’re going to continue to lose volume” under the eyes, Yeh said. “I would have been shocked if we’d said, ‘No, everybody remains perfect.'”
Fat grafting vs non-surgical alternatives
The current study did not look at any results from patients who got injections, such as Restylane®, another option for adding volume under the eye. Fat grafting offers longer-lasting results and less maintenance, although it does have a higher cost and a higher risk of complications compared to injectables.
Schedule a consult to learn more
If you’re ready to talk to a cosmetic surgeon about your facial rejuvenation options, we invite you to call or contact us for a consultation with expert facial surgeon Dr. Rhys Branman. He will listen to your goals and concerns, answer your questions, and help you decide the best approach to make the improvements you have in mind.
Dr. Branman has extensive experience in performing facial procedures and has been helping Little Rock, Arkansas fat transfer patients meet their goals since 1998. He would be happy for you to come in for a consult to learn more about your facial plastic surgery options.
