Periorbital Fat Grafting: The 3D Lift

The eyes are probably the most intimate aspect of anyone’s appearance. As cosmetic and plastic surgeons, we have mainly focused on the vertical dimensions of the upper eyelid and aspects of redundant fat or skin in the lower eyelid. By now, it should be apparent that there is an important three-dimensional element to the periorbital area—something that has largely been neglected until recently. Now, we understand the importance of not just lifting the tissues upward or removing “unwanted” fat, but rather of lifting the skin in a specific anterior direction away from the underlying skeleton and soft tissue structures it covers.