Lipoatrophy, or Facial Wasting
Facial lipoatrophy is the loss of fat beneath the skin, which can result in sunken cheeks, indentations, and hollow eyes.
About 50 percent of patients with HIV experience a condition known as lipodystrophy syndrome, which includes facial wasting and a characteristic gaunt appearance, after treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HAART is the most effective therapy to treat HIV/AIDS known today and is used by many patients with HIV to prevent the onset of acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome. Lipoatrophy also occurs in certain individuals as part of the normal aging process.
The treatment of facial wasting and the loss of subcutaneous fat (fat under the skin) is aimed at replacing lost volume. Numerous injectable fillers as well as various surgical reconstructive options have been shown to be effective and can lead to a long term improvement in the appearance of the lipoatrophic areas.
BIO-ALCAMID
Bio-alcamid is an injectable filler that has been used in Europe since 2000 and that is now available in Canada on a case by case basis. Unlike all previous fillers used for the treatment of lipoatrophy, Bio-alcamid is permanent. When injected under the skin it replaces depleted fat, restoring the natural fullness and contours of the face. One or more smaller touch up injections may be required.
More information about this exciting product can be found at www.purmedical.com
HYALURONIC ACID BASED FILLERS
Several hyaluronic acid based fillers are available (Restylane™, Restylane Fine-Lines™, Perlane™, Hylaform™, Hylaform Fine-Lines™, Hylaform Plus™, Juvederm™, Dermalive™, and Dermadeep™) that, when injected into your skin, work with your body's own hyaluronic acid to create the volume needed to fill soft tissue deficits. They can be used to correct frown lines, deep smile lines and to enhance the lips. Being a naturally occurring substance, hyaluronic acid is gradually broken down by the body over a period of several months. The treated areas remain slightly red and swollen for 24 hours. On rare occasions, patients have experienced temporary swelling, redness and tenderness at or near the injection site several weeks after treatment.
CHEEK AUGMENTATION
In certain patients, cheek implants can effectively reverse many of the visible effects of facial wasting. Implants are fashioned from a variety of materials with silastic being the most common.
Surgery is performed under twilight anesthesia in Dr. Denton's fully accredited operating facility in Vancouver, British Columbia. Most individuals return to their normal routine in one to two weeks.
"I just returned from Vancouver BC where I got a few more cc’s of Bio Alcamid from Dr. Andrew Denton. He did an excellent job, I’m very satisfied, and I’d recommend him to anyone as another option for Bio Alcamid.
I had 2 previous treatments for Bio Alcamid from Clinic Estectica in Tijuana. That worked out very well, but I needed just a few more cc’s to replace Sculptra which has continued to disappear. I didn’t need enough Bio Alcamid to go to San Diego and Clinic Estetica again, so driving from Seattle to Vancouver was an attractive option. I got another 6cc’s of B.A. from Dr. Denton.
Dr. Denton was very good, and the results look great. If you live in Western Canada or the Western US, Dr. Denton is a great option for Bio Alcamid."
The Toronto Star: Saving face: Injections of synthetic gel help plump up sunken cheeks often experienced by those on long-term anti-HIV therapy 
 back to surgical procedures
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