FAQS
Answers to some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is regenerative medicine?
Regenerative Medicine is the process of creating living, functional tissues to repair or replace tissue or organ function lost due to damage, or congenital defects. This field holds the promise of regenerating damaged tissues and organs in the body by stimulating previously irreparable organs to heal themselves
Using stem cells, it might be possible not just to replace a damaged or worn out organ or tissue, but to grow a new one, inside or outside the body. This could lead to new treatments for chronic diseases and conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, burns, spinal cord injuries and arthritis
Blood stem cells are already in use to treat patients whose blood-forming and immune systems have been destroyed, for example by treatment for leukemia. The stem cells are infused into the patient and regrow the blood-forming and immune system from stem cell
Our Technology
We use adipose derived stem cells for deployment & clinical research.
The new focus is on non-embryonic, adult mesenchymal stem cells which are found in a person’s own fat, blood, and bone marrow. Cell therapy around the world is shifting its focus from bone marrow based cells to adipose (fat tissue) derived cells since these cells are easy to obtain and generally very robust. Adipose fat is an abundant and reliable source of stem cells Scroll up
The best quality adipose cells are derived from liposuctioned fat which can be performed at the bedside in an essentially closed system to protect sterility. Autologous stem cells from a person’s own fat are easy to harvest, abundant in quantities up to 2500 times those seen in bone marrow Scroll up
Clinical success and favorable outcomes appear to be related directly to the quantity of stem cells deployed. Once these adipose derived stem cells are administered back in to the patient, they have the potential to repair human tissue by influencing healing and also forming new cells of mesenchymal origin, such as cartilage, bone, ligaments, tendons, nerve, fat, muscle, blood vessels, and certain internal organs. Scroll up
Stem cells’ ability to form cartilage and bone makes them potentially highly effective in the treatment of degenerative orthopedic conditions. Their ability to form new blood vessels and other tissues makes them suitable for mitigating a large number of traumatic and degenerative conditions
We have anecdotal and experimental evidences that stem cell therapy is effective in healing and regeneration. Stem cells seek out damaged tissues in order to repair the body naturally. See “Studies” page for successful testimonials demonstrating efficacy of stem cell therapy. In an effort to provide relief for patients suffering from certain degenerative diseases that have been resistant to common modalities of treatment, we have initiated pilot studies as investigational tests of treatment effectiveness with very high numbers of adipose-derived stem cells obtained from fat tissue Scroll up
Autologous Stem Cells
This technological breakthrough allows patients to safely receive their own autologous stem cells in extremely large quantities. As a not-for-profit organization our treatments and research are patient funded and we have endeavored successfully to make it affordable
All of our sterile closed procedures are non-invasive. Patients who are looking for non-surgical alternatives to their degenerative disorders can participate in our trials by filling out the treatment application to determine if they are candidates. We are proud to be a state of the art project developer in the new field of Regenerative Medicine Scroll up
What are the tools of regenerative medicine?
Traditionally, we have used various medications and hormones to limit disease and help the body repair itself. For example, hormone replacement therapy has, in many cases, shown the ability to more optimally help the immune system and thus help us repair diseased or injured tissues. Genetic research is an evolving area where we will eventually learn and utilize more ways of specifically dealing with gene defects causing degenerative disease Scroll up
Stem Cell Healing Power
Stem cell therapy has already shown considerable promise in treating many degenerative conditions. Stem cells communicate with our tissues and with each other through a complex system of protein signaling molecules called Cytokines or “Growth Factors GF”. The science of using Growth Factors with Stem Cells is evolving and represents the next main area of growth in regenerative medicine Scroll up
How do adult stem cells heal?
These adult stem cells are known as “progenitor” cells. This means they remain dormant (do nothing) unless they witness some level of tissue injury. It’s the tissue injury that turns them on. That’s when they get to work. So, when a person has an injury or a degenerative problem, the stem cells tend to go to that area of need and turn on the healing process. They may simply change into the cell type that the damaged area needs for repair, they also appear to reduce inflammation and signal Growth Factors with other mechanisms of tissue regeneration. Stem Cells decline in number and fitness by age
Healing Mechanism
Stimulus regenerative healing in Stem Cells could simply change into the type of injured tissue needed for repair or they could send out signals that induces the repair by some other mechanism. Suffice it to say that there are multiple animal models and a plethora of human evidence that indicates stem cells are significant reparative cells Scroll up
What diseases and problems can be treated?
This will depend on the type of degenerative condition you have. A specialist will evaluate you and discuss whether you’re a potential candidate for stem cell therapy. If after you’ve been recommended for treatment, had an opportunity to understand the potential risks and benefits, and decided on your own that you would like to explore this avenue of treatment, then you can be considered for treatment. Of course, even though it’s a minimally invasive procedure, patient will still need to be medically cleared for the procedure Scroll up
SVF Stem Cells Biological Properties
Can Divide and renew themselves
Unspecialized
Generate specialized cell types
SVF Stem cells Therapeutic Properties
Anti-Inflammatory
Regenerative
Immunomodulatory
ADULT STEM CELLS ARE USED FROM ADIPOSE TISSUE (fat). WHY?
The area around our waist functions as a storage unit where we save our energy and perfectly healthy adult stem cells in case our body needs either one of those. Adult stem cells have been used for a variety of medical conditions to repair and regenerate acute and chronically damaged tissues in humans
HOW DOES A STEM CELL TREATMENT CENTER OBTAIN A PERSON’S STEM CELLS?
Once a candidate is selected for treatment, stem cells are harvested and deployed during the same procedure, which takes less than three hours. Patients first undergo a minimally invasive liposuction type of harvesting procedure by a Board-certified cosmetic surgeon in the specialized, fully accredited treatment facility Scroll up
STEM CELL PROCESS
The harvesting procedure generally can be done where cells are then processed and are ready for deployment. They are returned to the patient’s body Scroll up
Are all stem cell treatment centers the same?
ALL Other Clinics
Nurses act as sales to entice patients
Unsubstantiated claims and testimonials
Dubious cell quality: amniotic, allogeneic, "light" activated etc.
No protocols, just sales of machines or weekend courses
No significant support once supplies are paid for
No data collection
Little ongoing education
What Is The Best Source For Stem Cells?
Mesenchymal stem cells (or ‘adult’ stem cells) have the capability to become different types of tissues (blood vessels, muscle tissue, etc.) and are capable of communicating with other cells. In combination with other proteins, molecules and regenerative cells found in adipose tissue, they also have the ability to reduce inflammation, regenerate damaged tissue, and grow new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. Stem cells from adipose tissue are more accessible and abundant. They can be processed immediately and reintroduced into the body right away. (SVF yields 10-100 times more regenerative cells then bone marrow) Scroll up
Are there any side effects?
Generally speaking, aside from the initial pain at the injection site, the patient will not experience any discomfort. Less than 10% of (mostly lumbar puncture) patients have developed a minor fever, headache, nausea or vomiting. However, these side effects have never lasted longer than three days and usually resolve within 24 hours. No long term negative side effects have been reported Scroll up
How long will it take to see results?
Each treatment and patient is unique, and there is no guarantee of what results will be seen or how quickly they may be observed. Some patients have commented on changes during the course of their treatment, others have experienced improvement within 6 months of returning home. The good thing is that stem cell healing process, once it starts working in the body, it will not stop due to natural cell’s Biological and Therapeutic Properties Scroll up
Some patients may not demonstrate improvement at all after treatment due to body medical ineligibility for this therapy. Our physicians will directly inform patient of his/ her stem cell treatment eligibility after standard medical evaluation Scroll up
Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) Therapy
Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) of adipose (fat) tissue is a rich source of preadipocytes, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC’s), endothelial progenitor cells, T cells, B cells, mast cells as well as adipose tissue macrophages
Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) is obtained from liposuction of excess adipose tissue. The Lipoaspirate, a disposable byproduct of liposuction, contains a large population of stem cells called Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs), that shares a number of similarities with the bone marrow stromal cells, including the multilineage differentiation capacity
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are Adult Stem Cells traditionally found in fat, bone marrow and (Umbilical) Cord Blood. These are Multipotent Stem Cells, MSCs differentiate to form adipocytes, cartilage, bone, tendons, muscle, and skin.
Doctors are rarely able to extract more than a few million HSCs from a placenta and umbilical cord-too few to use in a transplant for an adult, who would ideally get 7 to 10 million (CD34+ cell surface marker) cells per kilogram body weight, but often adequate for a transplant for a child Scroll up
WHAT DOCTORS ARE DOING THIS?
Authorized clinicians certified to practicing Regenerative Medicine conducting liposuction and stem cell injection procedures may come from primary care physicians in several medical specialties including Cosmetic Surgery, GP, Sports Medicine, Urology, Neurology, Cardiology, Orthopedic Surgery, Rheumatology, or Pain Management and others Scroll up
Our Doctors in the U.S. design the treatment protocol for Stem Cell Therapy per each individual case to ensure the best possible outcome. Our doctors offer treatment at large using our cutting-edge technologies of stem cells applications and other therapies to treat devastating diseases Scroll up
What is a stem cell?
A stem cell is basically any cell that can replicate and differentiate. This means the cell can not only multiply, it can turn into different types of tissues. There are different kinds of stem cells. Most people are familiar with or have heard the term “embryonic stem cell.” These are cells from the embryonic stage that have yet to differentiate – as such, they can change into any body part at all. These are then called “pluripotential” cells. Because they are taken from unborn or unwanted embryos, there has been considerable controversy surrounding their use. Also, while they have been used in some areas of medicine – particularly, outside the United States – they have also been associated with a tumor (teratoma) formations. A teratoma typically contains a mixture of partially differentiated cell types. Scroll up
Another kind of stem cell is the “Adult Stem Cell.” This is a stem cell that already resides in one’s body within different tissues. In recent times, much work has been done isolating Bone-Marrow-Derived Stem Cells. These are also known as “mesenchymal stem cells” because they come from the mesodermal section of your body. They can differentiate into bone and cartilage, and probably all other mesodermal elements, such as fat, connective tissue, blood vessels, muscle and nerve tissue. Bone marrow-derived stem cells can be extracted and because they are low in numbers, they are usually cultured in order to multiply their numbers (in lab for future use Scroll up
As it turns out, fat is also loaded with Mesenchymal Stem Cells. In fact, it has hundreds if not thousands of times more Adipose-Derived Stem Cells compared to Bone Marrow. Today, we actually have tools that allow us to separate the stem cells from fat (Adipose Tissue). Because most people have adequate fat supplies in their bodies, and the numbers of stem cells are so great, there is no need to culture the cells over a period of days (or weeks) and they can be used right away. It is possible to obtain and deploy 50-100 million adipose-derived stem cells in a single treatment vs. 5,000 – 60,000 cells from bone marrow Scroll up
Can stem cells treat cancer?
Stem cells have played an important role in cancer therapy for five decades. Hematopoietic stem cells (similar to mesenchymal stem cells and also found in stromal vascular fraction SVF) have been used to restore bone marrow and replace blood cell lines after planned ablation of a cancer patient’s bone marrow. This is known as a “stem cell transplant” and is associated with significant risk to cancer patients. Of course this is different than a regenerative therapy using stem cells to replace or repair damaged tissue. Scroll up
Having that said, new advances in cancer therapy have exploited stem cell property known as “TROPISM” which is the ability of stem cells to target tumors. This property has been used to help carry cancer killing agents that are capable of killing infected cells in the body (CD8 cytotoxic (killer) T cells -identified by the presence of the CD8 protein on their surfaces) deep into the cancer where the body’s immune system cannot always operate effectively. We are involved in cutting edge clinical trials using stem cells to carry cancer-killing biologic agents deep into cancer tissue that has not responded to conventional therapy Scroll up
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE REQUIRED?
Most patients, especially those with orthopedic conditions, require only one treatment (session). Certain types of degenerative conditions, particularly autoimmune disorders, may respond best to a series of stem cell deployments. The number and necessity of any additional treatments would be decided on a case-by-case basis Scroll up
DO OUR TREATMENT CENTERS USE EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS?
No. Only adult mesenchymal adipose-derived stem cells are used. These cells are capable of forming bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, ligaments, blood vessels, and certain other cell types Scroll up
Are All Stem Cell Treatment Centers the Same?
Our Group
IRBs: We do research
NIH and FDA registered
No irresponsible claims
Extensive protocols for deployment, SOPs, and online database
Best quality stromal vascular fraction (SVF)
Collects and publishes data
Cell Banking and expansion ability under IRB
IP, Technical, and Marketing Support
Doctor’s Malpractice Insurance coverage