Journal · Under-eye surgery
Why Under-Eye Surgeries Fail Elsewhere and How We Revise Them
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lee Young-geun, board-certified plastic surgeon · Last reviewed:
Over-resected fat, inadequate release of the tear trough ligament, and unaddressed septal laxity cause 90% of revisions. Rebuilding requires precision reconstruction, not simple correction.
The three classic failures
1. Premature recurrence: Occurs when fat was repositioned without tightening the orbital septum, allowing deeper fat to spill over the rim again within 1-2 years.
2. Sunken hollow deformity: Caused by over-aggressive fat extraction, leaving the patient looking fatigued and older than before surgery.
3. Persistent tear trough line: Occurs when the arcus marginalis and retaining ligaments were not thoroughly released down to the bone, leaving the dark depression untouched.
The reconstructive approach at SINSA L
Revision surgery requires anatomical restoration. Dr. Lee carefully dissects prior scar planes, releases tethered ligaments completely, mobilizes any preserved orbital fat, and supplements depleted volume with delicate autologous micro fat grafting. Each step is tailored to the exact defect.
Written by Dr. Lee Young-geun, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Founder & Sole Surgeon, SINSA L Plastic Surgery, Sinsa, Gangnam, Seoul. Published 2026-04-27.
FAQ
Related questions
How long after primary surgery should I wait for a revision?
Typically at least 6 months, allowing acute post-surgical swelling and scar maturation to stabilize before revision.
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