Introduction
Tear troughs, the hollows under the eyes, can make individuals look tired and aged. Autologous fat filling of tear troughs has emerged as a popular cosmetic procedure in New York City, offering a natural and long - lasting solution to address this concern. In this article, we will explore the top 5 popular hospitals for this procedure in the city, along with in - depth information about tear troughs, the procedure itself, and what to expect.
Understanding Tear Troughs
A tear trough is an anatomic area of the face, located between the upper cheek and the lower eyelid region. These hollows can cast a shadow and create the appearance of a darkened under - eye area, making one look tired or prematurely aged. Tear troughs can be genetic, but they may also develop due to the natural loss of collagen as we age. Reduced collagen levels in the under - eye area lead to transparent, thin skin, increasing the visibility of underlying blood vessels and creating a darkened under - eye area.
Tear trough filler injections are a non - invasive cosmetic treatment option for rejuvenation of the under - eye area. The injections are placed between the lower eyelid and upper cheek to replenish volume and smooth out the under - eye hollows that can cast a shadow and result in the appearance of dark circles.
Autologous Fat Filling of Tear Troughs: An Overview
Autologous fat filling involves using a patient's own fat, which is harvested from areas like the abdomen, hips, or thighs, and then injected into the tear trough area. This method offers several advantages, including a lower risk of allergic reactions as the fat is from the patient's own body, and the potential for long - lasting results. The fat cells, once transplanted, can establish a blood supply and remain in the area, providing a natural - looking volume enhancement.
Top 5 Popular Hospitals in New York City for Autologous Fat Filling of Tear Troughs
1. [Hospital Name 1] - Neinstein Plastic Surgery
Neinstein Plastic Surgery is well - known for its expertise in tear trough filler treatments. Their approach to tear trough fillers is an ideal alternative to surgery for many patients. The goal of their injections is to blend the eyelid with the cheek to give a rested and youthful appearance.
Pre - procedure Preparation: Prior to the appointment, patients are asked to not use blood thinners like aspirin for 5 days before the procedure. On the day of the injections, they remove any makeup and numb the skin for 20 minutes.
Injection Process: At Neinstein Plastic Surgery, they inject very deep (almost directly on the cheek bone starting about half - way up the nose) and slowly move a small wave of the hyaluronic acid up towards the tear trough area. This technique is safe, predictable, and dramatically reduces the risk of bruising in the area. Once the injections are complete, they place ice on the eyes for 5 minutes and the patient takes a one - time dose of steroids to reduce swelling. Since they numb the skin and the injections have some numbing material as well, patients should only experience some mild discomfort. They also only use cannulas (no needles under the skin), which means less trauma to the tissues.
Recovery and Aftercare: Patients are advised not to rub or massage the treated area immediately following the treatment. When cleansing the face or applying makeup, they should use gentle, sweeping motions to avoid excessive mobility of the area. Patients should wait 24 hours before resuming strenuous activities that raise their heart rate and blood pressure, such as exercise and sex. Bruising at the treatment site may occur. They may resume other normal activities immediately. Temporary, minimal to moderate swelling may be expected. Applying cool compresses to the area treated (avoiding pressure) is recommended. It may be normal to experience some tenderness at the treatment site that can last for a few hours or, at times, a couple of days. Patients may take acetaminophen/tylenol if they experience any mild tenderness or discomfort. They should wait a minimum of four weeks before receiving any laser treatments. The clinic has led light therapy devices available for patients to bring home to speed healing and incorporation of the product into the skin.
2. [Hospital Name 2] - Dr. Kolker's Practice
Dr. Kolker is an experienced plastic surgeon offering facial fat transfer procedures, including autologous fat filling of tear troughs. He has a unique approach to the procedure and focuses on achieving natural - looking results.
Consultation and Planning: During the initial consultation, Dr. Kolker thoroughly discusses the patient's desires and expectations for the New York City facial fat transfer procedure. He conducts a thorough examination of the skin and soft - tissue relationships, paying particular attention to skin tone, texture, elasticity, depth of folds, wrinkles, or depressions, and the underlying bone or cartilage support. He then carefully helps the patient plan the autologous fat graft or fat - transfer techniques, and the combination of cosmetic surgery and fat - graft techniques, that will help achieve the most natural and desired result.
The Procedure: The fat cells are removed using a very small cannula and are then carefully prepared as fat grafts. The fat grafts are then transferred into the tear trough area using a small needle. Since these fat - graft cells are the patient's own, they will not be rejected. Although some resorption is possible, fat grafts last considerably longer than most fillers. The fat grafts in Dr. Kolker's practice are performed in his office - based surgical suite, accredited by the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). Depending upon the patient's needs, the fat - graft procedure takes between 30 minutes (for very mild corrections) and 3 hours (for more substantial volume restorations). When performed as an isolated procedure, fat grafts can be performed under local anesthesia. More often, the facial fat transfer or autologous fat - graft process is combined with another cosmetic surgery procedure and is performed under light sedation or general anesthesia when indicated.
Recovery: Following facial fat transfer, NYC patients will go home on the same day with a friend or family member. If the fat grafts are performed as an isolated procedure under local anesthesia, Dr. Kolker suggests taking two or three days before returning to work, however many are able to return to work the following day. When the fat - graft procedure is used to correct moderate or substantial lines, folds, or areas of deficiency, or in conjunction with other facial or body - contouring procedures, the return to work may range from seven to fourteen days. Swelling is very common after fat transfer or autologous fat grafts and often resolves after two weeks, however it may take up to 12 weeks for the final results of the fat - graft procedure to be evident. Light aerobic activity (elliptical, walking, bicycle) may be resumed as early as four to five days following fat grafts, and more strenuous activity is begun at two to three weeks.
3. [Hospital Name 3] - Dr. Shridharani's Luxurgery
Dr. Shridharani at Luxurgery is a board - certified plastic surgeon who has extensive experience in fat - transfer procedures. His practice offers personalized treatment plans for autologous fat filling of tear troughs.
Consultation: During the consultation, Dr. Shridharani reviews the areas that the patient would like to have contoured and examines those areas to see if it is a good option for fat harvesting. He also assesses the patient's overall health and discusses their aesthetic goals.
The Fat - Transfer Process: The fat is liposuctioned from common areas such as the abdomen, waist, pubis, upper back, hips, thighs, arms, knees, calves, and ankles. The harvested fat is then prepared and injected into the tear trough area. Patients have the option of having their procedures performed at the office or at area hospitals and “surgicenters” in New York City. The office and facility have certification and accreditation by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for the procedure.
Results and Aftercare: It takes the body six months to one year to see the final results of most surgeries. However, patients will see the overall change in contour and fullness within days after the procedures. It is common to have swelling and bruising during this time, so the shape will change and improve in the ensuing weeks to months. Dr. Shridharani rarely uses drains/tubes during fat - transfer surgery. Patients are not required to stay overnight and generally go home the same day. Some patients choose to stay in a nearby luxury hotel with private nurses who monitor them overnight while they rest and recover.
4. [Hospital Name 4] - Haideh Hirmand, MD
Dr. Haideh Hirmand offers micro - fat transfers to the eyelids, tear troughs, and peri - orbital areas. Her technique focuses on precision and natural - looking results.
Hirmand Technique: Dr. Hirmand uses stem - cell - enriched fat cells for micro - fat transfers. Fat is harvested fresh using custom - made small cannulas, processed to purify and to concentrate the stem - cell - enriched portion, which is then separated and injected through access holes, in very small quantities with special small - caliber blunt cannulas to achieve the desired effect. The areas for the transfer are marked in a precise manner in an upright position at the beginning of the procedure. Special small - caliber blunt cannulas are used for both the harvesting and the injection to minimize damage to the fat cells during harvesting or to the tissue in the recipient site. These blunt cannulas also deliver micro - droplets of fine fat harvest, prevent large fat clumps from forming, and result in a smooth full contour. The fat - transfer preparation for the areas around the eyes is finer and the particles smaller in size than the fat used for the rest of the face.
Recovery: The procedure is performed under local and/or sedation. It takes 30 - 60 minutes depending on complexity and is an outpatient procedure. There may be bruising and swelling, which can be covered with concealer. The bruising and swelling is less with each transfer, and the recovery is faster.
5. [Hospital Name 5] - Gotham Plastic Surgery
Gotham Plastic Surgery offers fat - injection procedures as an alternative to artificial dermal - filler materials. Their team of expert physicians is skilled in performing autologous fat filling of tear troughs.
The Procedure: Fat injection, also referred to as fat grafting or fat transplant, is performed on an outpatient basis at their JCAHO - accredited office - based surgery facility. The procedure is typically completed in under an hour and may be performed with local anesthesia. Fat is first harvested from an area of excess on the body, such as the outside of the leg or the stomach, using a very small cannula and gentle liposuction techniques. The harvested fat is then prepared and re - injected into the tear trough area.
Recovery: There is minimal downtime or recovery associated with fat injection. Some minor swelling or bruising may occur, which typically resolves within 48 hours. Most patients experience little discomfort. Work and other normal activities can often be resumed the same or next day.
Benefits of Autologous Fat Filling of Tear Troughs
- Natural Appearance: Since the fat is from the patient's own body, the results tend to look more natural compared to some synthetic fillers.
- Long - Lasting Results: Fat grafts have the potential to provide long - term volume enhancement, with some fat cells establishing a blood supply and remaining in the area for an extended period.
- Lower Risk of Allergic Reactions: As the fat is autologous, there is a lower risk of allergic reactions or immune - related complications.
- Multiple Areas Can Be Treated: The harvested fat can be used to treat other areas of the face or body if desired, providing additional benefits in terms of overall facial or body contouring.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
While autologous fat filling of tear troughs is generally considered safe, there are some potential risks and side effects:
- Swelling and Bruising: Swelling and bruising at the injection and harvesting sites are common and usually resolve within a few days to weeks.
- Fat Reabsorption: Some of the transferred fat may be reabsorbed by the body, which may require additional treatments to achieve the desired results.
- Lumpiness: In some cases, the injected fat may form lumps, which can be corrected with additional procedures.
- Infection: There is a small risk of infection at the injection or harvesting sites, which can usually be treated with antibiotics.
- Asymmetry: There may be a slight asymmetry in the treated area, which may require further refinement.
Choosing the Right Hospital
When choosing a hospital for autologous fat filling of tear troughs in New York City, consider the following factors:
- Surgeon's Experience: Look for a surgeon with extensive experience in fat - transfer procedures, especially in the tear trough area.
- Reputation: Read patient reviews and testimonials to get an idea of the hospital's reputation and the quality of its services.
- Facility Accreditation: Ensure that the hospital or surgical facility is accredited by a recognized organization, such as the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF).
- Customized Treatment Plans: A good hospital will create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs and goals.
- Aftercare Support: Consider the level of aftercare support provided by the hospital, including follow - up appointments and guidance on recovery.
Conclusion
Autologous fat filling of tear troughs is a popular and effective cosmetic procedure in New York City, offering a natural way to rejuvenate the under - eye area. The top 5 hospitals mentioned in this article - Neinstein Plastic Surgery, Dr. Kolker's Practice, Dr. Shridharani's Luxurgery, Haideh Hirmand, MD, and Gotham Plastic Surgery - each have their own unique approaches and expertise in performing this procedure. However, it's essential to do thorough research and consult with a qualified surgeon before making a decision. By choosing the right hospital and surgeon, you can achieve the desired results and a more youthful, refreshed appearance.
If you're interested in learning more about autologous fat filling of tear troughs or scheduling a consultation, reach out to one of these top hospitals in New York City today. Don't let tear troughs make you look tired and aged - take the first step towards a more youthful appearance!
