허쉬성형외과의원

What is the difference between Under-Eye Fat Repositioning and Under-Eye Fat Removal?

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If you are concerned about the areas under your eyes that appear particularly bulging, dark circles that appear dark, and a tired appearance, you may look for Under-Eye Fat Repositioning or Under-Eye Fat Removal at least once.

But when you actually search for it, “Are Under-Eye Fat Repositioning and Under-Eye Fat Removal different surgeries?”

“If there is a lot of fat, wouldn’t it be better to just remove it?” “If you do fat relocation under the eyes, does that mean the fat is not removed at all?” Questions like this may arise.

In conclusion, the two methods have something in common: correcting the imbalance of orbital fat that appears to protrude under the eyes. 

In actual surgery, the amount and location of fat under the eyes, the degree of loss, skin elasticity, etc. can be checked, and then removal of some of the fat or relocation to the necessary area may be considered.

So, what exactly is the difference between Under-Eye Fat Repositioning and Under-Eye Fat Removal, and in what cases can each be considered?

Today, we will take a closer look at the structures and surgical methods under the eyes provided by HERSHE Plastic Surgery.

​Not everyone who looks puffy under the eyes is the same.​​​​​​

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First, it is important to understand the structure under the eyes.

There is fatty tissue called orbital fat under the eyes. This fat plays a role in protecting the structures around the eyes. 

Depending on the location of the fat or the condition of the surrounding tissue, it may appear to protrude forward.

In particular, if the fat under the eyes protrudes forward and the lower part is relatively sunken, it not only makes you look like you have a lot of fat. 

Shadows may appear as a boundary is created between the bulged and extinguished areas.

These shades can sometimes make the under-eye area look dark or tired, even if the actual pigmentation is not severe.

At HERSHE Plastic Surgery, dark circles are not caused by pigment alone, but by protruding fat under the eyes, sagging skin, 

It is advised that several factors such as shadows and thinning of the skin can play a combined role.

Therefore “There is a lot of fat under the eyes, so it must be removed at all costs.” Rather than simply judging that

“Where and how much fat protrudes, and how much is missing underneath it?” It is important to look at them together.

What is Under-Eye Fat Removal?​​​​​​​

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Under-Eye Fat Removal is literally a method of removing some of the excess orbital fat that appears to protrude forward from under the eyes.

If the fat under the eyes is mainly protruding and the area that has been removed is relatively large or there is little need for fat relocation, 

you can consider adjusting the amount of fat.

HERSHE Plastic Surgery's Under-Eye Fat Repositioning guidance also allows the removal of excessively protruding orbital fat through the inner conjunctiva of the eye. 

Depending on the condition under the eyes, only the fat may be removed, or if necessary, some of the fat may be rearranged or transplanted.

In other words, the key is to control the excess fat as needed. However, there is an important part here.

Removing a lot of fat under the eyes doesn't always make them look better.

This is because if the fat under the eyes is protruding and the lower part is sunken, 

the difference between the bulging and sunken areas may be more noticeable if only the protruding fat is removed.

Therefore, recently, the process of checking the volume balance of the entire area under the eyes has become more important than simply reducing the amount of fat.

So what is the difference between Under-Eye Fat Repositioning?​​​​​​​​

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Under-Eye Fat Repositioning is not a method of unconditionally removing all protruding fat, 

but is a method of adjusting the balance of volume by moving the necessary fat to the sunken area under the eyes.

To put it simply, it's like this:

Protruding fat under the eyes

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Control the required amount of bulging fat

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Move some fat to relatively exposed areas such as the tear trough

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Relieves the curve between bulging and sagging

At HERSHE Plastic Surgery, excess fat is removed while relocating fat under the eyes through the inner conjunctiva of the eye. 

We provide guidance on moving some of the fat below the lacrimal trough ligament to flatten the area that appears hollow.

Therefore, rather than understanding the Under-Eye Fat Repositioning as a “surgery that leaves all the fat” as the name suggests,

“A method of controlling necessary fat and redistributing it to necessary areas.” It is more accurate to understand this as:

What Is the Main Difference Between Under-Eye Fat Removal and Under-Eye Fat Repositioning?​​​​​​​​

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Here's a quick comparison of the two methods:

1. Under-Eye Fat Removal

Focus on reducing the amount of protruding orbital fat

Remove some unnecessary protruding fat

Also consider cases where the sagging under the eyes is not significant.

Determine the scope of removal by checking the amount and location of fat

2. Under-Eye Fat Repositioning

Considering the balance between protruding fat and sunken areas

Some excess fat can be removed

The necessary fat moves to sunken areas such as tear troughs.

Focus on alleviating curves caused by bulging and sagging.

Therefore, the two surgeries are simply “Fat removal = surgery to remove fat”

“Fat relocation = surgery that does not remove any fat” It is not accurate to distinguish between them.

According to the HERSHE Plastic Surgery website, Under-Eye Fat Repositioning 

and Under-Eye Fat Removal broadly have something in common: improving the imbalance in the distribution of orbital fat under the eyes. 

In the case of Under-Eye Fat Repositioning, the concept is to remove excess fat and spread some of the fat to the affected area.

In the end, what is more important is the current condition under the eyes rather than the name of the surgery.

What if the area under your eyes is bulging, but it's gone all the way to the bottom?​​​​​​​​​

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In this case, rather than just thinking about simple fat removal, you can also consider fat relocation under the eyes.

For example, when you look in the mirror

The front area under the eyes is bulging and protrudes.

The area just below it looks hollow.

The boundary between the two areas is clear

Looks like dark circles because of the shade

If you are concerned about looking tired even after getting enough rest

It is difficult to see it simply as a problem of “having a lot of fat under the eyes.”

This is because there is a possibility that protrusions and extrusions co-exist.

In this case, you can consider fat relocation under the eyes, which moves some of the fat to the sunken area while adjusting the protruding fat as needed.

HERSHE Plastic Surgery also provides guidance on how to adjust the volume balance under the eyes 

by relocating the fat under the eyes when there is both protrusion and relative thinning of the fat under the eyes.

If I have dark circles, do I need fat relocation under my eyes?

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There is one thing to note here as well.

Not everyone who has dark circles needs fat relocation under the eyes.

dark circles have various causes. Typically Protruding fat under the eyes, sunken under eyes , sagging skin ,shadows under the eyes,

When the skin is thin and blood vessels are visible , pigmentation Many factors can affect it, including:

In particular, if the fat under the eyes protrudes forward and the lower part of the eye looks sunken,

a shadow may appear at the border and the area under the eyes may appear darker.

If structural shading is the main cause, it is necessary to examine the location and disappearance of fat.

Conversely, if the main cause is pigmentation or problems with the skin itself, controlling fat alone may not be enough to achieve the desired change.

Therefore, rather than deciding, “I have dark circles, so I should redistribute fat under the eyes,” it is important to first determine the cause of dark circles.

Will the cuteness disappear if I relocate the fat under the eyes?​​​​​​​​​

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​Another area that many people wonder about when considering fat relocation under the eyes is aegyo fat.

“If we remove or relocate the fat under the eyes, wouldn’t the aegyo fat disappear?”

You may be worried, but aegyo fat and under-eye fat do not have the same structure.

The aegyo fat is a natural volume located just below the eyes, and the under-eye fat is the orbital fat that appears to protrude forward from under the eyes.

Therefore, it is not accurate to simply understand that fat relocation under the eyes is a surgery to remove or create puffiness.

Rather, if the fat under the eyes was previously protruding forward and the aegyo fat was relatively hidden, 

the existing aegyo fat may become more visible after adjusting the protruding fat. 

In the end, the important thing is not how much fat is removed, but to check the relationship between the current fat under the eyes, eyelids, and skin and muscles.

If the skin is sagging, will just relocating the fat under the eyes be enough?​​​​​​​​​

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​This part must be considered separately between Under-Eye Fat Repositioning and lower blepharoplasty.

Not everyone who has bulging under the eyes needs lower blepharoplasty.

If the fat under the eyes is mainly protruding and the skin sagging is not severe and there is sagging, undereye fat relocation can be considered.

On the other hand, The skin under the eyes is saggy , fine wrinkles have increased ,Sagging skin is noticeable

,In cases where overall aging changes appear in the lower eyelidslower blepharoplasty may also be considered.

lower blepharoplasty is a surgery that deals with sagging skin and tissue of the lower eyelid, 

and depending on the individual's condition, it may also involve fat removal or relocation.

That is, The main concern is the protrusion and loss of fat → Consider relocation of fat under the eyes, etc. 

Concerned with sagging skin and wrinkles → Consider lower blepharoplasty You can understand it this way.

However, because the actual anatomical structure under the eyes is different for each person, 

it is necessary to directly check the current condition rather than deciding on the surgical method based on this standard alone.

What is the recovery period after eye fat relocation surgery?​​​​​​​​​