Eyes
Under-eye fat repositioning in Korea
Under-eye fat repositioning treats eye bags by keeping the bulging fat and moving it into the groove below. It suits bags with a dark groove and fairly firm skin. Surgery takes about 1 hour under local anesthesia or sedation, with same-day discharge. Most people return to daily life in 5 to 7 days and plan that long in Seoul.
Who is a good candidate for under-eye fat repositioning?
- Your under-eye bags come from fat that bulges forward, with a hollow or dark groove (the tear trough) just below
- Your lower eyelid skin is fairly firm, without much loose skin or deep wrinkling
- You look tired even after a good night’s sleep, and concealer does not hide the shadow
- You would rather keep your own fat and use it to fill the groove than have it removed
When it may not be the right choice
- You have a lot of loose skin or deep wrinkles under the eyes. Lower blepharoplasty, which can also remove skin, is usually the better fit
- Your dark circles come from skin color or thin skin rather than a bulge or groove. Moving fat does not change skin color
- Your lower eyelid is already loose or pulled down, or you have untreated dry eye or an eye infection
What happens on the day of under-eye fat repositioning?
- Consultation with the surgeon. They check the bulge, the groove, your skin and how firm your lower eyelid is.
- Local anesthesia or sedation keeps you comfortable during the procedure.
- Working through the inside of the lower eyelid or a fine cut just below the lashes, the surgeon frees the bulging fat, spreads it into the groove and fixes it in place. This takes about 1 hour.
- You rest briefly and go back to your hotel that day. The white of the eye may already look puffy or red, which is expected.
What is recovery like after under-eye fat repositioning?
- Days 1 to 3
- Swelling and bruising peak, and the white of the eye can look puffy or red for a few days. Cold compresses and a raised head while you sleep ease it.
- Days 5 to 7
- Any stitches come out at the check. Most people are back to daily life by now, and sunglasses cover any bruising that is left. Ask the surgeon before using makeup under the eyes.
- Weeks 2 to 4
- Bruising fades. The area can feel firm or slightly lumpy while the moved fat settles. The firmness and lumps usually soften.
- Months 1 to 3
- The last swelling goes down and the contour under the eye usually looks smoother. The outcome is judged at about three months.
How long should you stay in Seoul after under-eye fat repositioning?
Five to seven days in Seoul covers it. Under-eye bruising is at its worst in the first three days, and any stitches come out at the check on day 5 to 7. After that you can usually fly, even if some bruising still shows, and sunglasses hide it on the way home. Avoid alcohol, saunas and rubbing your eyes for two weeks.
What are the risks of under-eye fat repositioning?
- Swelling and bruising, including a puffy white of the eye, which are expected and temporary
- Lumps, an uneven contour or a groove that still shows, which may need another procedure or filler later
- Too much or too little fat moved, so a bulge or a hollow remains
- The lower eyelid pulling down or turning outward (lid retraction or ectropion), more likely if the lid was already loose
- Dry or irritated eyes, sensitivity to light or blurred vision for a short time
- Infection or bleeding. Bleeding behind the eye is rare, but it can harm vision. For a sudden change in sight or severe eye pain, get emergency care first, then tell the clinic
What affects the cost of under-eye fat repositioning in Korea?
No price is shown for under-eye fat repositioning yet; the clinic sends a quote after reviewing your photos. The quote is set by the approach (through the inside of the lid or a fine cut below the lashes), by whether any skin is trimmed, and by whether fat grafting, ptosis correction or a facelift is added. When it arrives, check that it names the surgeon and covers anesthesia, follow-up visits and stitch removal.
More questions
Is under-eye fat repositioning the same as eye bag removal?
Both treat eye bags, but they handle the fat differently. Classic eye bag removal takes the fat out. Repositioning keeps it and moves it into the groove below, so the area looks smoother and less hollow. Some surgeons remove a little fat and move the rest.
Does under-eye fat repositioning leave a visible scar?
Not if the surgeon works through the inside of the lower eyelid, because there is no cut on the skin. The surgeon tells you whether any stitches need removing at the check. If skin needs to be trimmed, the cut sits just below the lashes and usually fades over a few months.
How long do the results of under-eye fat repositioning last?
The change is meant to be long-lasting, because your own fat is moved into place, not injected like a filler. Your skin and face keep aging, though, so some puffiness or hollowing can return over the years.
When can I fly home after under-eye fat repositioning?
Usually right after the check on day 5 to 7. Some bruising or a puffy white of the eye can still show on the flight, which is normal, and sunglasses cover it.
Related procedures
Sources
- Clinic figures as published by Urban Plastic Surgery, collected October 3, 2026. Your surgeon confirms your own plan.
- Eyelid Surgery Procedure Steps. American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- Transconjunctival orbital fat repositioning for tear trough deformity in young Asians. PubMed, US National Library of Medicine
- Transconjunctival or Transcutaneous Approach for Fat-preserving Lower Lid Blepharoplasty?. PubMed Central, US National Library of Medicine
- Eyelid Surgery Risks and Safety. American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Cases and clinic figures come from our partner clinic, Urban Plastic Surgery. The partnership does not change what we publish about risks and recovery.