Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Facial Lipoatrophy
There are now treatments for facial lipoatrophy such as Bio Alcamid, Sculptra, and Restylane, however these treatments can be very costly. The BCPWA Society has been advocating for the Ministry of Health to provide coverage of these procedures through the BC medical services plan. As with any treatment, there can be side effects. Some potential side effects of the above mentioned treatments may include pain, swelling, bruising, redness and infection. What have been your experiences with these treatments? Are you happy with them? What questions do you have about these treatments?
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9 comments:
How can I access these treatments? Will my family doctor provide them to me if I am HIV+ or do I have to go to a specialist?
Treatments for facial lipoatrophy can be very expensive and should get coverage by the BC Medical Services Plan.
In response to your question dated June 6th, 2007 at 10:56 am, you need to get a referral from your doctor to a cosmetologist. To see list of cosmetologists in Vancouver performing treatments for facial lipoatrophy, look at the Face Forward website at www.faceforward.ca & look under referrals. You will also find out about a subsidy program on this website.
Thanks for the information about the faceforward website.
In response to your question regarding access to treatment dated June 06/07. If Your family doctor who's familiar with and or well inform about hiv/aids then his/her will provide you with excellent treatment. Otherwise ask to referral to hiv Specialist.
In November, 2004, John McCahill, President of Pur Medical Corporation in Toronto contacted me through my website. John informed me of a product being brought to Canada that will help to restore the natural appearance in the face for people living with HIV antiretroviral drug induced Lipoatrophy. The product, called Bio-Alcamid or polyalkylimide made by Polymekon, an Italian company, is a synthetic gel made up of 96% water and 4% synthetic reticulate polymer. It is injected below the skin to restore volume and natural contours of the face. Bio-Alcamid is one of the only products that can be used in large volumes necessary to correct this problem with results that are permanent.
I received a Bio-Alcamid treatment procedure for my Lipoatrophy/facial wasting as a volunteer patient with Bio-Alcamid on November 28th 2004 and I am very happy with the results.
To-date over 1000 Canadians have had a Bio-Alcamid procedure; either through the Face Forward subsidy program or paying for the cost of the Bio-Alcamid treatment themselves.
For more information:
Face Forward Foundation Subsidy Program: http://www.faceforward.ca/financial.htm
Bio-Alcamid received Health Canada approval . http://www.purmedical.com/approval.htm
Polyalkylimide gel safe and effective for treatment of facial lipoatrophy. http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/80227380-8415-4C05-93C6-4492ABD4A841.asp
Pur Medical Corporation http://www.purmedical.com
Before and After photos http://www.purmedical.com/beforeAfter2.htm
HIV/AIDS LIPOATROPHY - BEFORE & AFTER http://www.positivelypositive.ca/articles/lipoatrophy.html
Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ since 1984 www.PositivelyPositive.ca bradford@positivelypositive.ca
It seems that there are only three options for facial fillers: the non-permanent and very expensive Radiesse, the permanent and very expensive Silskin (silicone oil), and the permanent less expensive Bio-Alcamid. Graded a "level two" on a scale of one-to-four, I had 12cc of Radiesse injected as part of a clinical study. At about $800 per cc, it would have been way too costly. After two years, it's effect had diminished by about 50%. As a top-up, I opted for Bio-Alcamid at $300 per cc. I needed almost 7 cc. I'm pleased and would recommend Bio-Alcamid.
I hate to be the nay-sayer. But I've seen quite a few results that haven't been very good, and quite lumpy. I'm not so sure this particular product is the answer and in fact they've stopped using it in Holland.
There are other products that are not available in Canada yet. I was a fortunate enough to have access to one, which I won't name. The point is I don't think we should be satisfied with the status quo.
I have seen some good results with bio-al. but the not so great results in Toronto are more than I'd care for, and a risk I would not take especially since it is my face we are talking about.
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