[Newsis]
[Newsis]

Singer Lee Young-ji's expressed satisfaction with her under-eye fat repositioning surgery has sparked growing public interest in the procedure. While the surgery can help reduce the appearance of fatigue, its effectiveness varies depending on the cause of dark circles, and potential side effects mean a thorough diagnosis is essential before going under the knife.

Lee recently shared what she called a proud moment while interacting with fans on social media. Asked about a memorable experience, she said a customer who visited her while she was working took one look at her face and remarked, "Your under-eye fat repositioning turned out great."

Lee had revealed in April that she underwent the procedure. "I deliberated for four years before doing it," she said. "People kept asking if I was tired every day, so it was always on my mind. I'm not going to do anything else from now on."

Under-eye fat repositioning is not simply a procedure to remove protruding fat beneath the eyes. Instead, it involves shifting the bulging fat into the sunken area below it to create a smoother, flatter contour. The technique is primarily used to address both the puffy "eye bags" caused by protruding fat and the hollowed "tear trough" depression beneath them.

Fat tissue surrounds the eye to protect the eyeball. As the supporting structures around the eye weaken with age — or due to congenital anatomy — this fat can push forward, causing puffiness under the eye. When the area below simultaneously becomes hollow, the contrast sharpens and creates a shadow that can make a person look more tired or older than they actually are.

When under-eye fat protrusion and tear trough hollowing occur together, the results of fat repositioning can be relatively pronounced. Even younger people with a genetic tendency toward prominent under-eye fat may be candidates for the procedure. Those with significant skin laxity, however, may not achieve sufficient improvement from fat repositioning alone and may require additional treatment.

The outcome for dark circles also depends on their underlying cause. Structural dark circles — shadows cast by the combination of fat protrusion and hollowing — may appear reduced after fat repositioning. Dark circles caused by pigmentation or by blood vessels showing through thin skin may see only limited improvement from the procedure alone.

Results can last for a relatively long time, but the surgery does not permanently halt aging. The repositioned fat and tissue changes hold for a period, but as skin elasticity declines and bone and fat structures shift over time, hollowing or sagging may eventually return.

Side effects are also possible. Swelling and bruising are common immediately after surgery, and the eyes may temporarily feel dry or irritated. If swelling or changes in eyelid position prevent the eye from closing fully, the tear film can become unstable, worsening dry-eye symptoms.

Rarer complications include ectropion — where the lower eyelid is pulled down or turned outward — as well as asymmetry, infection, bleeding and the possibility of revision surgery. Vision changes and serious vision impairment, though extremely rare, have also been reported, making this a procedure that should not be taken lightly.

People with pre-existing dry eye syndrome, weak lower eyelid elasticity, or difficulty fully closing their eyes should be especially cautious. Before the procedure, it is important to identify whether dark circles stem from fat protrusion, pigmentation or visible blood vessels, and to have the overall condition of the eyes, skin elasticity and dry-eye status evaluated together.


rainbow@heraldcorp.com