At EyeFACE Institute, we believe the eyes tell your life story — laughter, worry, joy — and the delicate area beneath the eyes is one of the first to show signs of aging, fatigue, or volume loss. As Canada’s leading specialized eyelid and facial plastic surgery clinic, with over 1,500 procedures performed annually, we are deeply committed to restoring a refreshed, natural look with precision and care.
One of our signature procedures is fat transfer under the eyes, a refined method of under-eye cosmetic enhancement that blends surgical finesse, artistry, and anatomical insight. Below is a comprehensive guide — what it is, how it works, who is a good candidate, how it compares to alternatives, what to expect, and why EyeFACE is ideally suited to perform it.
What Is Fat Transfer Under the Eyes?
Also called under-eye fat grafting or periocular fat transfer, this technique uses the patient’s own body fat as a “natural filler” to replenish lost volume in the tear troughs or hollows beneath the eyes. In essence:
- Harvesting: A small amount of fat is gently removed (via micro-liposuction) from a donor zone such as the abdomen, thigh, or flanks.
- Processing: The aspirated fat is purified and filtered to isolate viable fat cells (adipocytes) and remove fluids or debris.
- Grafting / Injection: Using very fine cannulas or needles, the processed fat is precisely injected in microdroplets into the under-eye region, often in a grid or layered pattern to ensure smooth blending and integration.
- Integration: Over subsequent weeks to months, a portion of the transplanted fat develops a new blood supply and becomes stable, contributing to a lasting volumetric effect.
This method replaces the hollowed look with soft fullness, achieving a rejuvenated, less tired appearance without relying on synthetic fillers. Because the tissue is your own, the risk of allergic reaction is avoided, and the result tends to feel and behave like natural tissue.
Under-Eye Cosmetic Surgery: Beyond Fat Transfer
While fat transfer addresses volume deficit, under-eye cosmetic surgery (often via lower eyelid blepharoplasty or related oculoplastic techniques) addresses structural and anatomical concerns such as:
- Excess eyelid skin (skin laxity or sagging)
- Protruding orbital fat (“eye bags”)
- Weakening or descent of supporting ligaments (orbital septum)
- Lower eyelid malpositions (e.g. ectropion)
- Wrinkles or skin texture irregularities
In many patients, combining fat grafting with eyelid surgery yields synergistic results: the structural reshaping smooths out bulges, while the fat transfer replaces volume in hollows, balancing the appearance. At EyeFACE Institute, this combined, tailored approach is a hallmark of our care philosophy.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate?
Not everyone will benefit optimally from fat transfer or under-eye surgery, but many people are good candidates when assessed carefully. Typical criteria include:
- Visible under-eye hollows, tear troughs, dark circles from volume loss
- Sufficient donor fat for harvesting
- Realistic expectations about what the procedure can do
- Good general health, non-smoker or willing to stop smoking before and after
- No uncontrolled medical conditions (bleeding disorders, uncontrolled hypertension)
Individuals with very thin bodies (insufficient donor fat) or those with primarily skin laxity (rather than hollowing) may be directed more toward other techniques or combinations of surgery and fillers.
Procedure Details & What Happens in Surgery
At EyeFACE Institute, we emphasize precision, safety, and patient comfort throughout the process. While the specifics depend on individual anatomy, a typical protocol might be:
- Preoperative planning: Detailed facial assessment, photographic documentation, discussion of goals and risks
- Anesthesia: Local anesthesia with sedation (twilight sedation) is commonly used, though deeper sedation or general anesthesia may be employed in select cases
- Fat removal: Gentle micro-liposuction from donor site
- Processing: Centrifugation, filtration, or decanting to purify and concentrate the fat
- Injection: Microdroplet injection into the under-eye area, often layering from deep to superficial planes
- Closure & dressing: Tiny puncture sites are closed; compression or dressings may be applied
Because the technique uses very fine instrumentation and is performed under magnification, the risk of lumpiness or irregularities is minimized when executed by an experienced oculoplastic surgeon.
Risks, Benefits & What to Expect
Benefits
- Natural look and feel: Because the injected tissue is your own, the outcome tends to integrate seamlessly
- Longer-lasting results: Unlike synthetic fillers that gradually metabolize, stable transplanted fat can remain for years or even permanently (though some resorption occurs).
- Lower risk of allergic reaction: No foreign substances
- Dual benefit: Donor fat removal may provide minor contouring benefit at the harvest site
Risks / Potential Side Effects
As with any surgical procedure, there are inherent risks:
- Bruising, swelling, redness, or temporary discomfort
- Over- or under-correction (fat may shift or partially resorb)
- Formation of lumps, cysts, or asymmetry
- Infection or bleeding (though rare)
- In very rare and serious cases, inadvertent injection into a blood vessel can lead to vascular complications — emphasizing the importance of surgeon expertise
EyeFACE Institute’s surgeons are highly trained, and employ microcannulas, slow injection techniques, and anatomical safety zones to mitigate risks.
Recovery & Timeline
- Expect some swelling and bruising in the first week; this gradually subsides
- Final contour settles gradually over 2–4 months, as the grafted fat establishes new blood supply
- Most patients can resume light daily activities within days; strenuous activity is delayed (often 2 weeks or more)
- Sun protection and careful postoperative care are essential
Why Trust EyeFACE Institute with Under-Eye Fat Transfer & Cosmetic Surgery?
- Dedicated specialization: EyeFACE Institute focuses exclusively on eyelid and facial aesthetic surgery, giving us deep domain expertise.
- Volume & experience: Over 1,500 eyelid and facial plastic procedures annually provide breadth of experience and exposure to diverse anatomies.
- Art + Science: Our surgical philosophy combines meticulous anatomical planning with aesthetic sensibility, ensuring results that look natural and harmonious.
- Personalized care & safety: Every candidate is assessed individually; we tailor the technique, volume, and adjuncts (e.g. blepharoplasty) to match your facial structure.
- Comprehensive service: From preoperative counseling to postoperative follow-up, we walk you through the journey — with transparency, empathy, and technical excellence.
As the founder of EyeFACE Institute (Dr. Harmeet S. Gill, Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon) often emphasizes, our guiding principles are precision, purpose, and trust — in other words, we aim for surgical results that honor the patient’s identity and safety above all.
Tips for Prospective Patients & Final Thoughts
- Bring your photos (younger selves) to consultations — this gives us insight into your baseline anatomical layout
- Ask about “overcorrection” strategy: surgeons often introduce a bit more volume to offset expected resorption
- Discuss combining procedures — e.g. fat transfer + lower blepharoplasty — for more holistic rejuvenation
- Follow postoperative instructions strictly (cold compresses, head elevation, sun avoidance)
- Be patient: the final result evolves over months
Conclusion
Under-eye cosmetic surgery and fat grafting are powerful tools in the facial rejuvenation arsenal. When performed by a specialized, experienced team in a trusted setting like EyeFACE Institute, they can restore youthful fullness and vibrancy to one of the most expressive parts of your face. If you’re concerned about hollowing, dark circles, “eye bags,” or a fatigued look, schedule a personalized consultation with us.
Let us help your eyes reflect not your age — but your vitality.
- Visit us at our Toronto clinic
- Book Consultation
- Call to schedule your consultation: (647) 351-6501
