Autologous Fat Grafting in Annapolis, MD
Looking for a way to refresh your look without relying on synthetic implants or fillers. At Sandel Duggal Center for Plastic Surgery in Annapolis, MD, we offer autologous fat grafting, a natural approach that uses your own fat to restore volume, smooth lines, and bring back youthful contours. Think of it as recycling in the best possible way: fat that’s gently removed from one area of your body is purified and then carefully placed where you’d like more fullness.
Patients from Annapolis, Baltimore, and even Washington, D.C. appreciate this option because it’s safe, long-lasting, and delivers results that look like you, but refreshed. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Claire Duggal takes her time to understand your goals and uses advanced techniques to create subtle, beautiful changes. If you’re hoping to enhance natural curves, autologous fat grafting can be tailored to fit your needs. Call us today at (410) 266-7120 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and learn more from one of the best board-certified plastic surgeons in Maryland.
What is Autologous Fat Grafting?
Autologous fat grafting refers to removing fat from any desired area using liposuction, and the re-injecting this liquid fat into other areas of the body. In this way, the body is fully contoured by removing fat from the abdomen, waist, back, bra-roll, inner or outer thighs, or any other undesirable area. Contour and fullness can be improved by injecting this fat into the buttock region, breasts, or face.
Injecting autologous, meaning your own fat, into the buttock region is also known as a Brazilian butt lift. This can be done to restore fullness, enhance curves, and improve the shape of the buttock. It can be combined with abdominoplasty and liposuction to improve waist and buttock shape.
Injecting autologous fat into the breasts can be done alone for conservative breast augmentation, or in combination with a breast lift or implants to improve shape and fullness in select areas of the breasts. Specifically, fat can be used to improve the fullness of the upper breast and the cleavage region.
What Are the Benefits of Autologous Fat Grafting?
Autologous fat grafting offers natural, long-lasting facial and body enhancements by using your own fat to restore volume, smooth wrinkles, and enhance your contours. Some of the primary benefits of autologous fat grafting include:
- Natural results
- Long-lasting improvements
- Dual benefit of contouring
- Safe and biocompatible methodology
- Versatility
- Scar repair and skin quality
- Smaller incisions and injection sites compared to implants
Dr. Claire S. Duggal offers various surgical and non-surgical procedures of the face and body to her many patients in the Annapolis area. Dr. Duggal’s top procedures include breast augmentation, mommy makeover and tummy tuck. To learn more about how her specialties can address your unique needs, we invite you to book an appointment today! Dr. Duggal and our staff look forward to meeting you!
Am I a Good Candidates for Autologous Fat Grafting?
The best candidates for autologous fat grafting are healthy individuals who want to restore lost volume in a natural and long-lasting way. Because the procedure relies on transferring fat from one area of the body to another, it’s essential that you have enough donor fat available in places like your abdomen, thighs, or hips. It’s especially effective for if you’re noticing signs of aging such as facial hollowing, thinning hands, or diminished fullness in your breasts or buttocks.
Non-smokers tend to be better candidates since tobacco and nicotine products can interfere with circulation and healing. You will need quit for several weeks before and after your fat grafting procedure to avoid any healing complications. Additionally, maintaining a stable weight is also important to ensure lasting results. Above all, patients should have realistic expectations. Fat grafting creates subtle, natural-looking improvements rather than dramatic changes, and in some cases, more than one session may be necessary to achieve the best outcomes.
What Happens During Autologous Fat Grafting?
When your procedure begins, you’ll be comfortably anesthetized to ensure a safe and pain-free experience. Dr. Duggal starts by gently removing fat from donor areas of your body, commonly the abdomen, thighs, or hips, using liposuction. The harvested fat is then strategically purified in a device called a centrifuge to separate healthy fat cells from other fluids.
Once the fat is prepared, Dr. Duggal strategically injects it into the areas where you’d like more volume, such as the cheeks, under-eye hollows, hands, breasts, or buttocks. She places the fat in small, precise layers to create smooth, natural-looking contours that blend seamlessly with your existing tissue.
The entire process typically takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on how much fat is being transferred and how many areas are being treated. Because the procedure uses your own fat, there’s no risk of allergic reactions, and results often last much longer than synthetic fillers.
Recovery is usually straightforward. You may experience mild swelling or bruising in both the donor and grafted areas, but most patients return to normal activities within a few days. Over time, the transferred fat establishes a blood supply, allowing it to survive and provide lasting rejuvenation.
What To Expect During Autologous Fat Grafting Recovery
Most patients are able to go home the same day as their fat grafting procedure. You’ll need someone to drive you home, and it’s best if you have a friend or trusted family member that can stay with you for the first 24 hours.
The most discomfort usually occurs in the first few days, both at the donor site where fat was removed and in the areas where it was placed. Pain medications can help manage this, and most patients find the soreness improves quickly. Plan to spend the first few days resting at home while incorporating gentle walking to promote circulation and healing.
Bruising and swelling are common in the first couple of weeks, and you may notice it in both the donor and grafted areas. Light activity is fine after the first week, and you can gradually increase to more strenuous exercise as your body recovers. Most patients feel ready to return to office-type work within about a week, while more physically demanding jobs may require 2 to 3 weeks before you’re comfortable.
Because transferred fat needs time to establish a blood supply, it’s important to avoid pressure or trauma to the treated areas during recovery. Over the following weeks, swelling will subside and your results will begin to look more refined and natural.
Contact Us Today
Sandel Duggal Center for Plastic Surgery is recognized as one of Maryland’s leading practices, and Dr. Claire Duggal has extensive expertise in facial and body rejuvenation procedures. If you’re considering autologous fat grafting, schedule a consultation to discover whether this natural, long-lasting treatment is the right choice for you. Learn why patients throughout Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. trust Dr. Duggal for results that look refreshed and authentically you. Contact us online or call (410) 266-7120 to take the next step towards restoring youthful contours with confidence.
Autologous Fat Grafting in Maryland FAQs
Many patients enjoy their results for many years since the transferred fat cells can establish blood supply and are able to survive long term.
Because this procedure uses your own fat, there’s no risk of allergic reaction or rejection, making it a safe alternative to synthetic fillers or implants.
Yes, autologous fat grafting is often performed alongside facelifts, eyelid surgery, breast augmentation, breast lift, or liposuction for more comprehensive rejuvenation.
The amount varies depending on your goals and available donor fat, but most procedures involve modest transfers for natural-looking enhancements.
Common treatment areas include the face, hands, breasts, buttocks, and even scars or depressions in the skin.
Not all fat cells survive the transfer process. Typically, a percentage is reabsorbed by the body, which is why multiple sessions may sometimes be recommended.
Initial improvements are visible right away, but final results become more apparent after swelling subsides. This is usually within a few weeks to months.
Only tiny incisions are made in the donor areas and injection sites, so scarring is minimal and usually fades nicely overtime with proper care.
Yes, fat grafting can be used to balance uneven contours in the face or body, creating a more harmonious appearance.
Scheduling a consultation with Dr. Claire Duggal is the best way to determine if this procedure aligns with your goals and anatomy