Here’s the latest in stem cell therapy from Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo

MANILA, Philippines - If you did not know any better, you could have easily mistaken them for a couple of chic yuppies, as they casually walked into the room. You might have thought they were in their late 20s or early 30s, too young to be the accomplished doctors that they are. In fact, Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo and her husband Dr. Z Teo both look at least 10 years younger than their actual age.

You are in Dr. Aivee’s clinic, which does not look like a clinic at all, with its posh furnishings, bright lighting and chandeliers, stark white walls and gilded mirrors. You are convinced you are in a clinic when you are ushered into its inner sanctum, which looks much like an operating theater, where you witness a Fat Stem Cell Repair Therapy (FSCR) in progress.

It is the latest advancement in stem cell treatment. The process involves extracting an amount of fat from the patient’s own body and harvesting a good supply of stem cells that’s been found to be naturally abundant in the body’s fat tissues, making it an important source of stem cells in the human body .

“It involves a relatively simple and safe technique, using the latest technology in our center,” says Dr. Z, who also has his own clinic in Singapore. The process is fast and efficient.

The procedure is minimally invasive and is done on an out-patient arrangement.

“What is important to understand is the difference between the open and closed methods of extracting the stem cell from the fat,” Dr. Z explains. With the open method, the stem cell is extracted manually by the operator, which exposes it to the air and increases the possibility of contamination as well as compromises efficiency in the extraction. An efficient stem cell extraction will yield more than 100 million stem cells from an average 100-200 cc of fat aspiration. An inefficient extraction may yield only half that amount, consequently decreasing the efficacy of the treatment.

“Our center uses ultrasonic lipo-aspiration to make sure the yield of stem cells is of the highest count and quality.” The latest and most advanced closed system is used. The machine is called Automatic  Stem Cell Isolation System. “The unique design of this machine is that it is fully automated,” Dr. Z explains. “Stem cells can now be extracted efficiently and safely without any exposure to contaminants or risk of human error. With this machine, stem cells can also be extracted in less than two hours, thus ensuring that the cells isolated are extremely fresh. There is also now no need for culturing the stem cells in the laboratory to get sufficient cells because there are plenty of stem cells available from fat to harvest from.”

The fat is not exposed to the air as the fat aspiration is placed straight from the patient into the machine. We saw for ourselves how the deep papaya-colored fat aspiration was processed through the state-of-the-art machine, and in less than two hours, pale pinkish liquid stem cells flowed out and automatically filled a sterile syringe.

Dr. Z Teo and Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo: “We want to make our patients younger-looking and healthier, both from the inside and outside.”

Dr. Aivee then injected the stem cells into the patient’s face. More injections were made in other parts of the body. The 42-year-old female patient, under local anesthesia, appeared relaxed and did not exhibit the slightest hint of pain.

“The majority of our patients doing the FSCR therapy are for anti-aging and for rejuvenation of face (stem cell face lift) and whole body,” Dr. Aivee shares. “A lot of the patients who undergo the treatment also have other concerns like joint pains, hair loss, vaginal dryness, arthritis, hypertension, diabetes and many other medical conditions. Fat stem cells are used for reconstructive as well as therapeutic purposes. It is not only for beauty, but for total rejuvenation.” Dr. Z speaks from his own experience. He suffered from a knee injury some years back. With the stem cell treatment, he is again able to enjoy his favorite sports such as tennis and running.

“This treatment has been established in a lot of countries for a few years now,”

Dr. Aivee shares, “A few years ago, my husband, Dr. Z, mentioned how the treatment was getting promising results in Singapore. At that time, we felt our patients were not yet that open to stem cell procedures. But with the increasing interest in stem cell therapy, there’s a growing demand for the treatment. The beneficial effects of the procedure are in terms of anti-aging, whole body regeneration, hair growth, vaginal rejuvenation, erectile dysfunction and certain medical conditions as well as prevention of diseases. Patients would rather have the treatment done here than travel abroad.”

In the past, all the unwanted fat from liposuction would go to waste; now it is known to be a rich source of useful stem cells. In fact, you can have your liposuction and segue into your Fat Stem Cell Repair Therapy in the same session.

“Fat is good. God made fat for some purpose. He is very wise,” says Dr. Jung Kwang Seup, a respected plastic surgeon and pioneer in liposuction in Asia, who shared his experience and expertise at the press lunch held recently at Dr. Aivee’s clinic. Born in Korea, Dr. Jung grew up in Brazil where he took his early schooling and medical school at the Catholic University of San Paulo. He received further training in the US and in France, where he met Dr. Pierre Fournier, the “Father of Lipomatic,” who became a great influence in his career.

“He introduced me to the world of fat,” Dr. Jung says. In 1995, on a trip to Korea, he met his wife, Sung Hee Kwan. He decided to stay and establish his practice in his native country.

“Dr.  Jung is one of the pioneers of liposuction and stem cell therapy. We always collaborate with stem cell experts all over the world to ensure we’re always abreast with the latest advancements in stem cell therapy,” Dr. Aivee says.

There are two sources of stem cells, embryonic and adult tissue, Dr. Jung explains.

While embryonic stem cells present certain ethical concerns and safety issues, adult stem cells do not. Embryonic stem cells may be rejected by the body’s immune system but not if he receives his own stem cells. Adult stem cells can be isolated from bone marrow, blood, umbilical cord, and fat. It involves no harm to human life. Autologus application means “derived or transferred from the same individual’s body.” There is no antibody reaction, no rejection.

Dr. Jung listed the indications of Fat Stem Cell Repair Therapy, which he classified under the headings aesthetic, wellness, and medical. Much study is still being done in the field of therapeutic applications for certain diseases such diabetes, cancer, COPD, asthma, autism as well as cardiovascular, hematological, liver, immune, and neuro-degenerative diseases. It has certainly gained popularity in the area of aesthetics, for anti-aging, skin rejuvenation, fat transfer, breast augmentation, scar and hair loss, as well as for over-all wellness, to improve sexual function and general health.

“Our field of specialty is very interesting and exciting because of the constant advancements and innovation in dermatology and anti-aging. That’s why we always keep ourselves updated with the latest technology so we’re always at par with the best centers in the world,” Dr. Aivee remarks. “We are motivated by our relentless pursuit to get the most advanced treatments to make our patients young and healthy, both from the inside and outside.”

Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo’s clinics are located in Fort Bonifacio, 2nd floor, East Bldg., Burgos Circle, 403-3245, 403-1982; Alabang Bellevue Hotel, ground floor, Tower Wing, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, 822-1546; Las Pinas Doctor’s Hospital, Rm 503, Medical Arts Bldg. 8009 JJ Aguilar Ave., Pulanglupa II, Las Pinas City, 825-5236 loc. 503; Paragon Medical Suites, 11-04/05, Paragon Shopping Center, 290 Orchard Road, Singapore, (+65) 9090555-6. Visit www.aiveeaguilarteo.com.