Under-eye fat repositioning

Smooth bags and tear-trough hollows

Moves the fat that bulges under the eyes into the hollow below it, usually from inside the lower lid, so bags and dark hollows look smoother. It is done under sedation or general anaesthesia, and bruising and swelling mostly settle in 1–2 weeks. It can be combined with double eyelid surgery in the same trip.

Downtime
7–14 days
Minimum stay
10 days
Sessions
1
Two side profiles of the same closed eye. Before: a small fat pad bulges above the bone rim of the eye socket with a hollow below it, and a dotted arrow shows the fat moving over the rim into the hollow. After: the lower lid runs into the cheek in one smooth curve.
  1. The bulge. Fat from behind the lower lid pushes forward above the bone rim of the eye socket. This is the under-eye bag.
  2. The hollow. Just below it, where lid meets cheek, sits a groove (the tear trough), which makes the bag look deeper.
  3. Repositioning. Instead of removing all of the fat, the surgeon moves it down over the rim into the hollow.
  4. After. The lid-cheek line becomes one smoother curve. The change is a softening, not a new face shape.

Schematic. How much fat is moved, and whether some is removed or skin is trimmed, is the surgeon's call.

Estimated price range

KRW 800,000 – 2,500,000

≈ USD 594 – 1,857

Varies by clinic and your condition. The final price is confirmed after consultation.

Converted at a fixed rate as of 2026-09-11

Types and indicative prices

Many operations combine two or more of these. Prices are indicative ranges from Seoul clinics; the surgeon recommends a plan and the clinic quotes it after consultation.

  • Fat repositioning from inside the lid

    Through the inside of the lower lid (transconjunctival), with no external scar, the bulging fat is moved into the hollow of the tear trough. Suits under-eye bags with little excess skin, often in younger patients.

    Indicative price
    KRW 800,000 – 2,500,000≈ USD 594 – 1,857
    Downtime
    7–10 days

  • Lower blepharoplasty with skin removal

    An incision just below the lash line removes excess skin, usually together with fat repositioning, and the stitches come out within a week. Suits loose or wrinkled lower-lid skin as well as bags.

    Indicative price
    KRW 1,200,000 – 3,300,000≈ USD 892 – 2,452
    Downtime
    7–14 days

  • Non-surgical alternative: tear-trough filler

    Filler softens a mild hollow under the eye without surgery. The effect lasts months rather than permanently, so it suits a small hollow without much bulging fat.

    Indicative price
    KRW 150,000 – 400,000 · per session≈ USD 111 – 297
    Downtime
    0–2 days

    See Dermal filler

Good to know

  • Plan at least 10 days in Korea: the post-op check and any stitch removal come in the first week, and the extra days let bruising settle before a long flight home.
  • Use cold compresses during the first 48 hours, sleep with your head raised, and avoid bending and straining.
  • No contact lenses or eye makeup until the clinic clears you.
  • Avoid heavy lifting, swimming and hard exercise for about 10–14 days, until the surgeon says otherwise.

Questions

Which method will I have?

The surgeon decides at consultation. The inside approach suits bags with little loose skin; an incision below the lashes is used when excess skin also needs removing.

When will I look presentable?

Most people are presentable in about 10–14 days. Some redness can take a few more weeks to fade, and healing differs between individuals.

Can I combine it with double eyelid surgery?

Yes, upper and lower lid surgery are often done in one session. The surgeon advises whether it suits you and how long to stay.

When can I fly home?

The NHS advises not flying for 7–10 days after facial cosmetic surgery, and lower-lid surgery is often given 10–14 days before a long flight. The surgeon gives the final clearance.

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