Dr. Peter Rubin with Dr. Oz

Using Stem Cells to Re-Grow Breast Tissue

On Friday, December 16, 2011, Dr. Rubin along with Dr. Oz and Suzanne Somers discussed the role stem cells may play in plastic surgery. Dr. Rubin says, “We are optimistic about stem cell based technologies for breast reconstruction, and need to approach the topic cautiously and with great respect for the safety of our patients. These are experimental therapies, and we need to collect data under approved clinical studies to be able to tell if this will be safe and effective.”

On the Dr. Oz Show, Somers opened up about her battle with breast cancer and the stem cell surgery that she says, helped reconstruct her breast. Somers’ procedure is considered to be a minimally invasive method of restoring breast volume using fat moved from another part of the body.

Consumers Should Use Caution

Despite celebrity endorsements, Dr. Rubin says consumers really need to be cautious when considering stem cell therapies. He says, “The biggest problem encountered with fat grafting is that fat can lose volume or be absorbed by the body over time leaving less of an affect from the original treatment.”

As a practicing plastic surgeon and a scientific researcher in stem cells, Rubin says, “There are encouraging data from laboratory and clinical studies to suggest that the use of adult stem cells is a very promising field, but as our comprehensive review of the current scientific literature shows, the data available today do not substantiate the marketing claims being made to patients seeking aesthetic surgery and aesthetic medical treatments.”

Dr. Rubin recently led a special joint task force to research and address concerns over claims and clinical practices using stem cells that have not been substantiated by scientific evidence.  As a medial advisory  board member for the ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com, Rubin details some of the confusion over stem cells in the following videos:

1. Researchers Explore Stem Cell Facelift
2. Plastic Surgeons Say Do Not Believe the Stem Cell Hype
3. Stem Cell Facelift Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-Dr.-Rubin

The two leading plastic surgery associations, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), back up Rubin’s statements saying, “While there is tremendous potential for the future use of stem cells in aesthetic surgical procedures, the scientific evidence and other data are very limited in terms of assessing the safety or efficacy of stem cell therapies in aesthetic medicine.

Rubin wants patients to know that while this technology is promising, it is an experimental treatment and should only be done as part of an approved clinical trial.   He says patients should always see a board certified plastic surgeon for a proper evaluation before considering any stem cell procedure.

About The Plastic Surgery Channel

The Plastic Surgery Channel is a company devoted exclusively to educational programming about cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Our goal is to provide credible, up-to-date information to people considering plastic surgery or a cosmetic procedure, as well as coverage of the latest news and hot topics from the field of plastic surgery.

Unlike shows you might see on network or cable television, the programming on The Plastic Surgery Channel does not strive to be sensationalist, focusing solely on extreme cases, nor is it solely devoted to a documentary-style overview of various medical procedures. Rather, we strive to inform — and in some cases entertain — viewers by providing relevant, engaging content that covers all facets of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. We rely on experienced, board certified leaders in the field as content consultants, and conduct substantive research to verify the accuracy of the articles and videos that we present.

Of course, The Plastic Surgery Channel is not meant to replace the advice of medical professionals. Viewers are reminded to always consult a medical professional before making any decisions about plastic surgery or any other form of surgery.

For more information about our programming and our faculty, please email us at info@theplasticsurgerychannel.com

Underlying tissues of the human body support the skin and give it the plumpish appearance of a youthful person. As the aging process sets in, these tissues gradually break down and cause tiny lines and noticeable wrinkles to develop on the skin. A non-surgical cosmetic procedure, fat injection can help aging individuals restore their youthful appearance by filling in sagging or wrinkling areas of the skin.

Fat injection involves harvesting of fat from the patient’s own body, processing the fat, and then injecting it back to other parts of the body where it is needed. The procedure is also known as microlipoinjection and autologous fat transplantation.

What Microlipoinjection Does

When a patient receives fat injections, the fat fills some space underneath deep wrinkles, creases on the face, or sunken areas. When the fat is injected, the surface of the skin is stretched and wrinkles are eliminated, restoring the smoothness of the face.  Fat injections can also be used in the cheeks and lips to make them look fuller and plumper.

How Microlipoinjection is Performed

Using techniques similar to liposuction, fat is extracted from areas of the body that serve as donors. The extracted fat is processed with the use of a centrifuge. Finally, the extract is injected into the areas of the body where treatment is sought. The entire procedure can take 1 to 1 ½ hours, depending on how many injections are needed to achieve the desired results.  Recovery time is usually 7 to 10 days.

The desirable effects of the fat injections last for a few months, after which time the injected fat will be absorbed by the body. To experience the effects for a longer period, the patient must have multiple treatments.

Side Effects of Microlipoinjection
Swelling and redness, as well as itching and mild discomfort, are common for the first couple of days after the procedure. Because fat is donated from the patient’s own body, there is no risk of allergic reaction.

Fat injections can be an effective way to reduce wrinkles and facial scarring and enhance the skin of the face. By restoring the volume of certain areas of the face, fat injection can help reduce these signs of aging and help people project a more youthful appearance.