What to expect from fat transfer for tear trough hollows

Tear trough hollows create a shadow where the lower eyelid meets the cheek. Fat transfer involves collecting a small amount of fat from another body area, preparing it, and placing it carefully beneath the eye or at the cheek transition. The aim is to restore soft contour rather than fill the skin surface. The result can be affected by eyelid anatomy, skin thinness, bags, pigmentation, and asymmetry. Some swelling, bruising, and unevenness are expected while the grafted area settles, and the clinician will judge the developing contour over time.

Discuss dry eyes, allergies, previous eyelid or facial surgery, medicines and supplements, smoking or vaping, and any tendency to bruise. Arrange transport and help at home. After treatment, keep your head raised as advised, use only approved compresses, avoid pressing or rubbing the eyes, and protect the area from sun. Bruising, puffiness, tightness, and temporary changes in sensation can make the eyes look different before improvement appears. Resume exercise, contact lenses, makeup, and skincare only according to the surgical instructions.

Contact the surgical team promptly for increasing redness, drainage, fever, worsening pain, or swelling that is rapidly becoming one-sided. Seek emergency help for sudden vision change, severe eye pain, difficulty moving the eye, marked swelling that affects vision, breathing difficulty, or fainting. Do not massage a new lump or inject another product into the area without examination.

Ask whether the hollow is the main cause of the shadow, where fat will be taken and placed, how bags or pigmentation would be managed, and what asymmetry may remain. Ask about the surgeon’s plan for protecting the eye, follow-up timing, and what changes should be reported immediately.