THE WONDERS OF STEM CELLS

TRADITIONAL FACE LIFT GOES TO THE OPERA

I am amazed but not surprised with my patients response when any mention of fat is suggested as part of their facial procedures: “my friend had Dr. X inject her with fat and none of it took”. The patient pictured above is now two years post Cell Assisted Lipotransfer (CAL) which is the most advanced technique of fat grafting. 

Since January of 2011 I have provided Adivive treatments to approximately 200 patients with significant take in 90% of patients treated. More recently the addition of PRP and CAL has not only increased the long term volume retained but has significantly reduced bruising and down time.

Adivive, CAL and PRP is now used in the majority of traditional face lift and eye lid surgery procedures to produce a prolonged natural youthful look and reduce the need for future synthetic fillers.

Typical results after LJO brow lift and eyelid surgery enhanced with adipose derived stem cells (Adivive plus PRP). 

In terms of total body aesthetics as well as fee reduction (up to 50%), SlimLipo of the donor site is often performed at the same time. 

This patient had her abdomen and face treated on a Wednesday and back to work on Monday.

Very pleased patient who underwent total face lift, LJO brow lift and eyelid surgery and recently had Adivive/PRP to face after weight gain. Post Adivive pictures will be posted after her next visit.

We have been researching the application of adipose derived stem cells in the area of regenerative and therapeutic uses for three years. We are now a participating IRB member of the Cell Surgical Network of California and will extend our technology to other specialties in the near future.

Lewis J. Obi, MD

www.obiplasticsurgery.com

SUZANNE SOMERS AND THE FUTURE OF BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

“Suzanne Somers is famous for her alternative approach to health. So when she lost most of one breast to cancer 10 years ago, she wasn't about to settle for just any old implant. Here, the story of how she waited for — and got — the breast she'd always wanted."   Allison Takeda

The Birth of Cell-Assisted Lipotransfer for Breast Reconstruction

A few years later, something did come along. In 2003, Kotaro Yoshimura, MD, a professor and surgeon at the University of Tokyo in Japan, began testing an innovative procedure he called cell-assisted lipotransfer, or CAL, in which autologous adipose-derived stem cells (those extracted from a person’s own fat) are injected along with other fat cells to plump up or replace tissue, as in the breast. To help remedy some of these issues, Dr. Yoshimura came up with the idea to enrich the injected fat with a higher concentration of stem cells. Stem cells are thought to help preserve and even regenerate fat cells by stimulating growth of blood vessels.

Adipose tissue, or body fat, already contains a certain number of stem cells — about one for every four adipocyte fat cells — but Yoshimura and his colleagues believed that increasing the concentration could enhance survival rates of the tissue and reduce post-operative atrophy. To do this, they used liposuction to remove fat from another part of the patient’s body (for example, her stomach, hip, or thigh), set aside a portion of it to be reinjected, and then isolated the stem cells from the remaining tissue to be combined with the reserved fat. This stem cell-rich mixture was then used as a kind of natural cosmetic filler. Pictured below is Dr. Yoshimura and Dr. Lewis Obi in Boston early 2011.

Prior to meeting Dr. Yoshimura, Dr. Obi had met Dr. Hi Young Lee of South Korea which led to the installation of the first FDA approved Lipokit/Adivive system at the Obi Plastic Surgery Clinic in January of 2011. 

After more than one hundred cases, Dr. Obi then became a member of the California Stem Cell Treatment Center is now a participating member of Cell Surgical Network (CSN) Investigational Review Board. Founding members Dr. Berman and Dr. Lander established a protocol to study the efficacy and potential adverse effects of adipose (adult fat) derived stem cells.

The Cell Assisted Lipotransfer (CAL) that was used by Dr. Aronowitz and Dr. Yoshimura to reconstruct Suzanne Somers breast last year is similar to what Dr. Lewis Obi has been performing.

Five years ago, Dr. Obi was one of the first plastic surgeons in the world to integrate Palomar’s LifeSculpt (SlimLipo) into his practice. Below is an example of a totally non surgical breast reconstruction using a combination of CAL on the irradiated/lumpectomy cancerous breast while non surgically laser lifting the opposite breast. Dr. Aronowitz elected to surgically lift Somers opposite breast.

Since the integration of Adivive fat grafting and SlimLipo laser treatments, Dr. Lewis Obi has adopted many other new innovations for his breast surgery patients. These include Vectra XT™ 3D imaging and Natrelle™ 410 solid matrix implants, only to mention a few.

www.obiplasticsurgery.com

INTRODUCTION OF VOLUMA™ LARGE VOLUME FILLER AT THE LEWIS OBI PLASTIC SURGERY CLINIC

VOLUMA™ LARGE VOLUME FILLER

An attractive face is characterized by smooth round contours, high cheekbones and a clean, well-defined jaw line. These features together comprise the 'triangle of beauty' or 'heart of face', with its base at the top and summit below. 

As we age, facial fat loss, gravity and a decrease of the skins natural elasticity conspire to reverse this triangle's composition. This results in a narrower, less youthful forehead and temple area, and a wider, heavier jaw line. Because the forehead and eyes lose padding, irregularities develop along with prominent veins. Once beautiful prominent eyes sink in to the sockets due to fat loss and atrophy of soft tissue enveloping the eyeballs. 

Voluma™ is Allergan’s answer to more invasive procedures such as Dr. Lewis Obi’s larger volume stem cell concentrated fat injections (Adivive™). The advantage to Adivive is that 2 to 4 syringes of Voluma ($1500-$3000) may be performed in the office with minimal bruising and down time. This product was been used abroad for a decade and recently approved for use in the U.S. only this week. Allergan claims that results will persist for up to 18 months. Below are results after 2 to 6 syringes of Voluma™

For larger and more permanent soft tissue enhancement of the face, it is my opinion that the only safe filler is the patient’s own processed fat. Three years ago this month, I was provided with the first U.S. FDA approved Lipokit™/Adivive™ Fat Processing System from Medikahn in South Korea. Since then I have treated almost 200 patients without complications and significant long term results. Volumes used range from 25 to 60cc with an average take of between 60 to 90 percent depending on enhancements. Fees range from $3500 to $6000.

With the use of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem Cell Assisted Lipotransfer (CAL), I have been able to enhance long term graft survival close to 90% (3 to 7 years).

The addition of laser neck tightening  (SlimLipo™) was the basis for the OPERA Lift-Obi Palomar External Rejuvenation Esthetics. Down time for most patients with Adivive averages 5 to 7 days and is performed with local anesthesia and minimal sedation. An important component of my face lifting procedures has been the integration of large volume stem cell micro fat grafting to restore  the “triangle of beauty” or the so called “heart face of youth”.

www.obiplasticsurgery.com

Dr. Lewis Obi's Preview to his 3 part Breast Cancer Awareness Series

"Medicine's contribution to art, is the art of plastic surgery" - a quote coined by Dr. Lewis Obi was has dedicated his life to his craft.  This month we would like to dedicate our attention to the most beautiful of God's creation:  Eve and all of the women who have followed in her footsteps. Therefore, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month we focus on the myriad of procedures that Dr. Obi performs in the area of both aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery.  Being skilled in both areas has provided patients an added benefit because of Dr. Obi's vigilance and expertise in assessing tissues in such a high cancer risk area.  Also, the arsenal of treatment modalities from traditional techniques to lasers, adult fat derived stem cells (ASC) and a host of innovations, provides Dr. Lewis Obi's patients with many unique choices.

We will be presenting a 3 part series on the latest innovations in the area of breast surgery including CAL (cell assisted lipotransfer), Natrelle Style 410 gummy bear implants and much more!

www.obiplasticsurgery.com