LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Hi Dr Lam...I have an infectious disease called MAC, that is family to tubercolosis. I have had this disease for a long time and after approximately ten years of numerous testing, I was finally correctly diagnosed and is currently under treatment (six months of two antibiotics). MAC is a "wasting" disease and at 35 years old, 5ft 3inches, I am finally up to 103lbs. I am on a strict regiment to gain weight but my face had become gaunt from the disease. My cheeks and the rest of my face are starting to fill in, but my eyes are still sunken in with very dark circles around it. I don't believe I can regain the fat around my eyes from any of the materials I have read.

I have also had sinus surgery and continued sinus problems, which is one of the effects of MAC, helping to attribute to the dark circles. I am of mixed decent (White Caucasian and East Indian), with more of a dark olive complexion. I have read and is most interested in your fat transfer techniques but understand that this is not something you normally perform on someone my age. Also, I am only interested in having the procedure performed around/under the eye and not the entire face, as is the normal procedure, per information from your staff.

I would truly appreciate your advice on what might be the best two/three options for me. I am looking for something that is long lasting yet still affordable, with minimum side effects. One third of my life has been spent with constant visits to doctor after doctor and I apologize if my request seems unreasonable. I just can't go through the ordeal of continued doctor visits to try to fix something if it goes wrong. And my medical expenses over the years have been astronomical. Again, your advice will be truly appreciated given my situation.

Regards,
Ari

honestly, given your weight fluctuations and changes and also your limited budget and desire for long-term results in only a small specified area of your face, i believe your best option would be Artefill under your eyes. you need to have a skin test first for collagen and wait a couple of weeks before you have it done. also, if i don't do it, please make sure you have someone very experienced and using microcannulas to do it since it is permanent and you have one shot at doing it right.

Thank you for your quick response Dr. Lam, much appreciated. I have been reading the posts in this forum and I have learned a lot about what options are available to me. I agree that Artefill seems like the next best option but I am still interested in the fat transfer if this is something you will be willing to perform on me and if you think it will give the best results. From studying my face closely, it seems the area will be the tear trough and maybe a little on the under eyelid. Do you also inject fat/fillers in the area of the corner of the eye where it meets the nose? I will send a separate email to the address you have provided in other posts to get a quote on the price, recovery time, etc. for the fat transfer.

In regards to my weight, I was unable to attain anything above 100lbs prior, but my goal is to reach 115lbs and stabilize there now that we know what is wrong with me and is treating it. If you do not think the fat transfer is a good option I will have to be tested for collagen by someone else as I do not live in Texas, but would prefer you to perform the procedure once a decision is made. Would you apply Artefill to any other parts of the body, say the leg? I have been so thin for so long that I look very vascular and have some prominent veins in a couple of spots on one of my legs. Is there something you can recommend for this? And will you be willing to perform the procedure? I want to look and feel healthy and is saving up to get this accomplished

hi,
yes, i can perform fat for you. however, if you are talking about economics and you just want the tear trough done, Artefill is more appropriate for cost and results because in most cases I can do it with a single syringe maybe a syringe and a half. however, if you want full face done, then oftentimes fat is much more economical because i can put 20 to 40 cc of fat without running up a huge bill on fillers. it really depends on if you just want the tear trough, i would go Artefill (more predictable and less expensive). if you want global, then fat is typically more economical and more powerful.

no, artefill should not be filled to make a leg fuller. that is unsafe and also cost prohibitive. if you have veins, you should probably treat that with an appropriate laser. if you want quotes, please just email my staff at info@lamfacialplastics.com.
best,
s.