Dr. Sam Lam Plastic Surgery Forum

Hello doctor
Please may know.......Is "Stem cell enriched Fat graft" injected for Facial Rejuvenation?

I think that stem cells are a bit of a hype in my opinion. Maybe I will change my mind as evidence unrolls. That being said, if stem cells are truly present in the fat, I am injecting them with my fat so I think that is probably a good thing. My feeling for why the fat gets better over a year or two is that it continues to improve with blood supply. However, it could be also stem cells. hope that answers it.
best,
sml

thanks...

hello doctor,
i have another question regarding fat transfer..
Breast augmentation done with "stem cell enriched fat transfer"...they tell that fat volume retention rate is estimated to be 80% or more as compared to just fat transfer for breast augmentation..which is 30-70%..
May i know your view on this.

since i do not do fat transfer for breasts i have no comment. however, for the face since i get great retention and i know if i put a certain amount of fat in i get a certain result in a year so i do not want any better retention or the face may be unpredictably full.
best,
sml

thanks..

you are welcome.
sml

hello doctor,
Is fat grafting done for lip augmentation...

yes it is, but i don't. i don't like doing fat transfer for the lips for three reasons:
1. tremendous recovery on the order of 3 months typically.
2. in many cases it goes away (high resorption rate).
3. if it stays, it can look "done". i fix one (not mine) almost every single week.
best,
sml

thanks

may i know ...your preferred option for LIp Augmentation.

for people under 30 who will be having more lip thinning and aging, i tend to prefer temporary products like Juvederm or Restylane. for someone over 30, i prefer a conservative silicone micro injection for a permanent result. i find that silicone is permanent, soft, and natural looking (if done well).
best,
sml

Pls may i know...Reason behind opting silicone microinjection in Patients greater than 30yrs..and may i know the name of the silicone preparation you use..thanks in advance.

this is not a hard and fast rule. i have injected silicone into younger patients. basically, the answer is that i do not want to do something permanent that someone younger with fuller lips may regret as she or he ages. because lips thin anyway over time, there is a built in safety mechanism if you will. however, in general, i tend to err on conservatism. watch this video:
http://www.lamfacialplastics.com/galler ... ation.html
also, i used Silikon 1000 by Alcon Labs. (Fort Worth, TX).
best,
sml