Lipogems

What is Lipogems?

Lipogems is a regenerative medicine treatment which harvests adipose tissue (fat) from your own body and processes it via a unique system into an injectable substance with remarkable healing and regenerative properties.

In the past, FAT has been characterized as being bad for us; something to eliminate from a healthy diet and something to work off of our midsections. However, research has shown that not only is consuming certain types of FAT beneficial to our health, our own body FAT has many properties that are essential to optimize the body’s function, including cushioning and support for our joints and help support the repair of damaged or injured tissue.

Your own FAT tissue is vital to your body’s health and well-being; it is used as an energy source, insulates and cushions your body, and is essential to the proper function of your nerves and muscles. Additionally, your fat can help cushion and support structures. In short, FAT doesn’t deserve its bad reputation!

Advantages of using FAT in Orthopaedics

• FAT is minimally invasive to harvest
• Most people have a lot of extra FAT
• FAT is the highest quality tissue
• FAT has 100-500 times more reparative cells than other similar tissue.
• Research has shown that as a person ages, their FAT maintains its reparative properties unlike other similar tissue, such as bone marrow, which may lose healing capacity with age.

What's the difference between Lipogems & Stem Cell Injections?

How exactly does Lipogems Work?

LIPOGEMS is ideal for patients that have an orthopaedic condition, unable to get major, invasive surgery, would like another option to major, invasive surgery, or would like to be used in conjunction with their surgery.

Microfragmented adipose tissue processed by the LIPOGEMS System is used to provide cushion and support to help the natural healing process by supporting the repair, replacement, reconstruction of damaged or injured tissue.

The LIPOGEMS minimally invasive procedure is performed in a physicians office or a surgical setting and can be completed in less than an hour.

The fat is first harvested. It’s then gently processed  and/or cleaned with the LIPOGEMS device and then delivered into areas in the body to promote healing.

One great advantage of LIPOGEMS is that the fat cells can be delivered to multiple areas of the body. For patients that suffer from orthopaedic conditions in multiple areas of their body, the LIPOGEMS device can easily process the fat tissue to be used in all those areas in just one visit.

Advantages of Lipogems

• SIMPLE AND QUICK PROCEDURE: LIPOGEMS preserves the reparative cells inside of the fat. The minimally invasive procedure can be performed in less than an hour in the physician’s office or in a surgical setting.
• OPTIMAL SIZE: The LIPOGEMS device gently resizes the fat tissue to an optimal size that is easy for injection and also allows for greater interaction with the treatment site to help repair, reconstruct, replace the damaged or injured tissue.
• MAY BE USED IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS: For patients that suffer from orthopaedic conditions in multiple areas of their body, the Lipogems device can easily process the fat tissue to be used in those areas.
• PURE: Only uses saline to wash away the contaminants such as blood, oil, and cell debris.
• FDA CLEARED: LIPOGEMS is FDA Cleared for use in Orthopaedics and Arthroscopic Surgery.
• BEST QUALITY TISSUE: Your own fat has the best quality tissue and there is minimal risk of rejection and infection.

The Lipogems Process

Experience the Difference of LIPOGEMS

Are You A Candidate For Lipogems?

You might be a candidate if:

• You would like to explore Lipogems as a minimally invasive alternative to a major surgical intervention.
• Your doctor determines Lipogems may be used in addition to your surgery.

FDA Cleared for use in Orthopaedics

The LIPOGEMS process may offer a minimally-invasive option to major, invasive orthopaedic surgery. When utilized in orthopaedic medicine, LIPOGEMS technology supports a healing environment to help aid in the repair, replacement, reconstruction, and support of damaged or injured tissues.

Orthopaedic physicians, surgeons and researchers are the first to use the award winning LIPOGEMS device that gently processes and uses your body’s own fat tissue to cushion and support areas of injury or damage as your body heals itself. Ideal for patients that have an orthopaedic condition, unable to get major, invasive surgery, would like another option to major, invasive surgery.

Backed by Strong Scientific Evidence

Lipogems Microfragmented Fat is supported by over 160+ peer reviewed publications in leading journals and conducted by well respected scientists and researchers from leading institutions across the world. Majority of the studies (98%) are independent research (no funding was given).

Set Yourself Up For Success!

Bring the following to your appointment to help your orthopaedic physician doctor create a plan that is right for you

• My Profile Sheet
• Previous X-Rays, MRI’s, and Films from the last 6 months
• List of your Questions

AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE

The recovery process varies for each patient. Your doctor will determine the best treatment and recovery plan.

• Ask your doctor what you should look out for after your procedure.
• Contact your doctor if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms or pain.
• Ask your doctor about any specific questions that you may have about your recovery protocol.
• It is important to closely follow instructions regarding post-procedure activity, treatment, and follow up care.

Here is what you may expect following the procedure:

• A compression garment maybe given to you to wear for a few days after the procedure.
• You may experience mild to moderate swelling or local inflammation at the injection site and/or harvest side for a few days.
• You may have some bruising at or around the site of the fat harvest.
• You may be given some pain medication and should follow the doctor’s recommendations.
• Ice may be used to reduce local inflammation or swelling. Your doctor will recommend how long the ice should be used.
• It is not recommended for you to take steroids following the LIPOGMES procedure.
• Your doctor will help you determine which activities you can perform and put you on an appropriate treatment plan.
• It is not recommended that you participate in strenuous activity for at least 1-2 weeks following the procedure, depending on your procedure and treatment sites.

Lipogems FAQs

Is Lipogems right for me?

Talk to your doctor to find out if Lipogems is right for you; you may be a candidate for Lipogems if:

• You suffer from an injury or ailment that limits your normal daily functioning or physical activity.
• You have painful joints with limited range of motion, such as your knee, ankle or shoulder.
• You have a soft tissue defect in your tendons, ligaments, and/or muscles (in order to restore orthopaedic function, these defects may require tissue repair and regeneration, as well as cushioning and support).
• Treatment options, such as physical therapy, NSAIDS, or steroid injections have not provided you with significant relief.
• You would like to explore Lipogems as a minimally invasive option to a major surgical intervention.
• Your doctor determines Lipogems may be used in addition to your surgery.

You may not be a candidate for Lipogems if:

• You currently have a systemic infection.
• You suffer from an autoimmune disease.
• You currently are taking blood thinners or anti-coagulation medication.
• You are being treated for any other malignancy or blood borne disease.
• You have an allergy to Lidocaine.
• You are currently breastfeeding or plan to begin breastfeeding in the near future.
• You have undergone previous abdominal surgery.
• You have a hematologic condition.

What applications can Lipogems be used for? Is this for acute or chronic conditions?

If you are suffering from an orthopaedic condition, your doctor may determine that using our own powerful fat with the Lipogems system may be an option for you. Patients that suffer from orthopaedic conditions that have damaged or injured tissue may need to be repaired, reconstructed, replaced or supported using your own fat tissue. Depending on your condition, your doctor may decide to use the Lipogems technology for acute or chronic injuries.

Will I be receiving my own cells or will they come from another person?

Your own fat cells are the best cells. Your own fat will have less likelihood for rejection.

How many procedures have been performed?

More than 25,000 Lipogems procedures have been performed worldwide, and your physician can speak with you about the possible outcomes associated with this procedure.

What is the recovery/downtime?

The recovery process varies for each patient. Your doctor will determine the best treatment option for you.Your doctor will help determine what activities you can perform and put you on an appropriate treatment plan. Patients should not engage in strenuous activity for at least 1-2 weeks following the procedure.

Is this covered by insurance?

Similar to most new technologies, the Lipogems procedure is not covered by insurance at this time. Please speak to your doctor about using your flexible spending account.

What you may expect after the procedure.

• Your physician will apply an absorbent dressing pad and compression tape or wrap to the area and may recommend a compression garment or bandage to wear for 24-48 hours following the procedure.
• There may be some drainage from the harvesting site, which typically ceases within 24 hours.
• You should follow your physician’s recommendations for post-operative medications.
• Do not over-exert yourself; let your tissue start its repair process!
• Slowly return to physical activity as recommended by your doctor.

Are there risks of possible complications from the Lipogems procedure?

Mild to moderate swelling or soreness at the injection site may occur, depending on the location of the treatment site.

What is the difference between using your own powerful fat vs. other cell therapies?

Your own powerful fat has 100-500x more reparative cells than other similar therapies. Not all fat technologies are FDA cleared for use. In fact, Lipogems is the only technology that is FDA cleared for use in orthopaedics.

How long will it last?

As with all procedures, the individual results may vary. The lifetime of any procedure is limited and depends on several factors like patient weight and activity level. Your doctor will counsel you about strategies for your post-procedural care. It is important to closely follow your physician’s instructions regarding post-procedure activity, treatment and follow-up care.

How often can I get or do I need this?

The procedure is a one time procedure. However, the effects may vary based on the individual and their activity level. Sometimes, a separate procedure may be needed in the future.

How long will this stay in my body?

Lipogems is injected precisely into areas of the body in order to help establish an environment conducive to tissue healing and repair. As part of this overall process, Lipogems provides cushioning and structural support to your body’s tissues wherever it is injected.

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