Can fat grafting replace infraorbital implants for under-eye hollowing? (structural vs camouflage)

MikeAnthony

MikeAnthony

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Hey guys, I’m trying to figure out the best way to fix my under-eye hollowing / tear troughs. From what I understand, my issue seems to be a mix of hollowing and weak midface support (negative vector). I was originally considering infraorbital / malar implants, but I was quoted around $20k+, so now I’m looking into fat grafting as a more affordable option.





My main questions are:





  1. Can fat grafting realistically achieve a similar aesthetic result to infraorbital implants for under-eye hollowing, or is it noticeably worse in terms of projection and structure?
  2. If the issue is structural (bone deficiency / lack of support), is fat grafting basically just camouflage rather than a true fix? Can fat actually compensate for weak bone support or will it always fall short compared to implants?







I’m trying to decide if fat grafting is a legit standalone solution or more of a temporary compromise before going the implant route. Would appreciate input from anyone with experience or knowledge on this.
 

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yussimania

yussimania

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Fat grafting to replicate an implant will actually cause scleral show lad

Think about it, fat floating above the periosteum that isn't anchored to anything is just gonna be a dense ball of gunk sitting there and gravity will bring that down and sag your lower eyelid - I've asked a few people and they have confirmed this has happened to them

Not to mention as LT puts it "a speed run to lower bleph" due to your lack of bony support resulting in orbital fat to bulge against the orbital septum with age
 
cutecel1337

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Hey guys, I’m trying to figure out the best way to fix my under-eye hollowing / tear troughs. From what I understand, my issue seems to be a mix of hollowing and weak midface support (negative vector). I was originally considering infraorbital / malar implants, but I was quoted around $20k+, so now I’m looking into fat grafting as a more affordable option.





My main questions are:





  1. Can fat grafting realistically achieve a similar aesthetic result to infraorbital implants for under-eye hollowing, or is it noticeably worse in terms of projection and structure?
  2. If the issue is structural (bone deficiency / lack of support), is fat grafting basically just camouflage rather than a true fix? Can fat actually compensate for weak bone support or will it always fall short compared to implants?







I’m trying to decide if fat grafting is a legit standalone solution or more of a temporary compromise before going the implant route. Would appreciate input from anyone with experience or knowledge on this.
Go with implants
 
MikeAnthony

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Fat grafting to replicate an implant will actually cause scleral show lad

Think about it, fat floating above the periosteum that isn't anchored to anything is just gonna be a dense ball of gunk sitting there and gravity will bring that down and sag your lower eyelid - I've asked a few people and they have confirmed this has happened to them

Not to mention as LT puts it "a speed run to lower bleph" due to your lack of bony support resulting in orbital fat to bulge against the orbital septum with aged
Fat grafting to replicate an implant will actually cause scleral show lad

Think about it, fat floating above the periosteum that isn't anchored to anything is just gonna be a dense ball of gunk sitting there and gravity will bring that down and sag your lower eyelid - I've asked a few people and they have confirmed this has happened to them

Not to mention as LT puts it "a speed run to lower bleph" due to your lack of bony support resulting in orbital fat to bulge against the orbital septum with age
Dm me please , thank you for feedback
 
cutecel1337

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The only route I see that can work with low risk is eppley but that cost is insane I feel stuck
Eppley is jew, i think everyone can make a custom implant in eu for 2x less
 
MikeAnthony

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Eppley is jew, i think everyone can make a custom implant in eu for 2x less
Do u know any out of country surgeons specializing in the Inframalar regions and do 3d custom saddled ? That’s my issue seems Eppley only one
 
cutecel1337

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Do u know any out of country surgeons specializing in the Inframalar regions and do 3d custom saddled ? That’s my issue seems Eppley only one
Giant if he didn’t scammed i thought i had same thing with eppley (brow ridge augmentation) but he is one who post results, just contact someone who does custom implants ill make a single thread abt this with list in future
 
MikeAnthony

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Giant if he didn’t scammed i thought i had same thing with eppley (brow ridge augmentation) but he is one who post results, just contact someone who does custom implants ill make a single thread abt this with list in future
Please help me pursue this as I have no knowledge of how to do out of country with these specific implants being so niche
 
medialcanthus

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Fat grafting to replicate an implant will actually cause scleral show lad

Think about it, fat floating above the periosteum that isn't anchored to anything is just gonna be a dense ball of gunk sitting there and gravity will bring that down and sag your lower eyelid - I've asked a few people and they have confirmed this has happened to them

Not to mention as LT puts it "a speed run to lower bleph" due to your lack of bony support resulting in orbital fat to bulge against the orbital septum with age
@Ascendant2364
 
MikeAnthony

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100% agree , I think the supras are ok the infraorntial and mid face clearly deficient , wanted to see if I could camouflage for now with fat graft but it’s unlikely . I’m pursuing custom infraorbital and malar implants . But the only reliable surgeon / designer I see is eppley whose prices are insane . I’m really looking for guidance on other options with same level results
 
Ascendant2364

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@Ascendant2364
Oh yea totally it cant replicate bone he's right. If your infras are actually recessed then it isnt a good choice. In my case my infras are good but my under eyes dont have enough fat. So its a case by case thing.
 
MikeAnthony

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Oh yea totally it cant replicate bone he's right. If your infras are actually recessed then it isnt a good choice. In my case my infras are good but my under eyes dont have enough fat. So its a case by case thing.
Do you have any recommendations for fully custom infraorbital malar implants , or a way to get this in process , I got the eppley 23k quote way out of budget looking for out of USA surgeons who do this regularly . Budget 10-18k, was just in talks on DM with Giant , but after reading reviews on people paying and year long delays not taking risk .
 
Ascendant2364

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Do you have any recommendations for fully custom infraorbital malar implants , or a way to get this in process , I got the eppley 23k quote way out of budget looking for out of USA surgeons who do this regularly . Budget 10-18k, was just in talks on DM with Giant , but after reading reviews on people paying and year long delays not taking risk .
Yea i can dm you
 
BronzeSpartan2

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Consider consulting with an oculoplastic surgeon who does implants regularly, like Dr Ramesh.
 
cometohaunted

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Hey guys, I’m trying to figure out the best way to fix my under-eye hollowing / tear troughs. From what I understand, my issue seems to be a mix of hollowing and weak midface support (negative vector). I was originally considering infraorbital / malar implants, but I was quoted around $20k+, so now I’m looking into fat grafting as a more affordable option.





My main questions are:





  1. Can fat grafting realistically achieve a similar aesthetic result to infraorbital implants for under-eye hollowing, or is it noticeably worse in terms of projection and structure?
  2. If the issue is structural (bone deficiency / lack of support), is fat grafting basically just camouflage rather than a true fix? Can fat actually compensate for weak bone support or will it always fall short compared to implants?







I’m trying to decide if fat grafting is a legit standalone solution or more of a temporary compromise before going the implant route. Would appreciate input from anyone with experience or knowledge on this.
Interested in this, looking for a similar thing
 
lurking truecel

lurking truecel

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get spacer graft for lower eyelid retraction, then get implants, you dont need saddled or a complex design. Then fat on top
 
F

Fax

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get spacer graft for lower eyelid retraction, then get implants, you dont need saddled or a complex design. Then fat on top
Would it be possible to do spacer grafts after the infraorbital malar implant, assuming that might give him enough support?
 
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lurking truecel

lurking truecel

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Would it be possible to do spacer grafts after the infraorbital malar implant, assuming that might give him enough support?
Yes it would
 
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bjebb007

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I think you are a good candidate for implants. If you don't want implants route I think you need like ptosis repair, lower eyelid retraction, fat graft
 

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