Cosmetic Surgeons Applaud Obama Administration’s New Direction in Stem Cell Research

Plastic surgeons and their patients have personally witnessed the benefits of utilizing adult stem cells in their procedures. The Obama Administration's recent reversal of eight years of stem cell research restrictions points to revolutionary era of medical innovation.

Many people do not realize that stem cells have been utilized in plastic surgery for decades now. Fat carries a good number of adult stem cells which have been utilized in modern plastic surgery procedures such as fat grafting, fat transfers and fat injections. Patients who receive fat injections from me look unbelievably younger in their one year follow-up. The reason is, the stem cells in the fat injections bond with the patient's tissues in their face, adding to lost bone and muscle tissue while improving the quality of the skin.

With the Obama Administration embracing and allowing further research into this revolutionary medical technology, the sky is now the limit. The recent lift of stem cell research restrictions by President Barack Obama has been heralded by stem cell researchers across the nation. The action has reversed an eight year research ban and, to many, signifies the coming of a new era of potential cures for many debilitating diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and many cancers. Among the advocates for stem cell research and technology are plastic surgeons who have seen the benefits of stem cell use first hand.

Stem cells are special cells that have the ability to become other types of cells, like skin, bone, nerve, or muscle tissues. Embryonic stem cells are the most well-known and controversial type. But there are other stem cells in the body called adult stem cells. Fat transfers and fat injections involve harvesting fat, sometimes called adipose tissue, from unwanted areas of the patient's body. This harvested tissue is then injected into areas of the face to fill in wrinkles and areas that typically lose tissue mass as a result of aging. This method of injecting filler is often considered safer than other methods because the patient's own tissue is being used.

Surgeons noticed unexpected benefits in their fat transfer patients. In Europe, surgeons process the fat to get a high concentration of stem cells. This supercharged stem cell fat is then used to rejuvenate the skin and the face. Fat stem cells have even been used in reconstructive plastic surgery. In 2004, surgeons in Germany used stems cells from fat tissue of a seven year old girl to help repair major damage to her skull. The large hole in the skull is now replaced by solid bone. In 2006, researchers in UCLA announced successfully transforming adult fat stem cells into smooth muscle cells, which help the normal function of a large number of organs like the intestine, bladder and arteries.

Beauty is about being whole and complete. Our comfort level with our bodies affects the degree to which we can be fully self-expressed and engaged in the full pursuit of life...supporting our growth and development or keeping us separate from all that we can be. Wouldn't it be convenient to post a plastic surgeons search to solve on the Internet and wait for board-certified plastic surgeons to respond? We know how difficult it is for consumers to find board-certified plastic surgeons and for plastic surgeons to actively seek new clients. We also recognize the enormous advantage in bringing this plastic surgeons search service online.

Currently, the resources available to individuals and board-certified plastic surgeons are very limited. Word of mouth referrals might be the most common conduct a plastic surgeons search, but it has several obvious flaws. It leads consumers to only a small number of plastic surgeons based on the limited experiences of a few people. Often, none of these plastic surgeons practice in the prospective patients' geographical area. Yellow page ads and online directories are even poorer cosmetic surgeons search resources. They provide no means for board-certified plastic surgeons to distinguish themselves or to target messages to particular individuals.

Finally, referral services recommend plastic surgeons on a rotational basis, serving no one's interests. Surgeons have an equally difficult time finding new clients, particularly sole practitioners and plastic surgeons in smaller practices. Advertising is costly and subject to legal restrictions. Surgeons must devote substantial efforts to generating word-of-mouth referrals; unfortunately, when they do receive client inquiries, they often come from clients seeking help outside the surgeons area of expertise or at a time when the doctors are too busy for new work. Plastic surgeons need a solution that quickly and efficiently filters cases to them that fit in their schedules and expertise.

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