Stem Cells

Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Diego, CA

A stem cell is an undifferentiated cell capable of developing into specialized cell types. They play a crucial role in tissue growth, repair, and regeneration. (1) Stem cell therapy offers a cutting-edge approach to supplement one’s recovery after another procedure or treatment, potentially enhancing both healing and results.

At Alexus Plastic Surgery, we believe in enhancing each patient’s natural beauty and health through custom-tailored treatments. Led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John Alexander II, our team combines traditional procedures with advanced approaches to provide exceptional results and comprehensive rejuvenation.

If you are ready to schedule your personal consultation and explore stem cell treatment, please submit our online contact form or call our San Diego office at (888) 463-9532.

About Stem Cells

Stem cells are unspecialized cells within the human body that can differentiate into other types of cells. Stem cells exist within embryos and adult cells and are often explored for their ability to stimulate collagen, assist with wound healing, regenerate tissue, and more. At Alexus Plastic Surgery, we utilize stem cells with the intention of helping you recover from other surgical procedures and treatments by reducing your recovery time and enhancing your results. The stem cells may either be administered through an IV or injected directly for precise targeting. We offer both bone marrow-derived stem cells and placental stem cells to tailor treatment to your unique circumstances and goals.

  • Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC): BMAC stem cells are harvested from your bone marrow before the procedure. They can be used alone or combined with your fat for enhanced results. Typically, 5–6 cc of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) is collected, which contains a mix of mesenchymal stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, platelets, and growth factors.
  • Placental Stem Cells: Our placental stem cells are sourced from safe, secondary placental tissue. Placental-derived mesenchymal stem cells are considered immune evasive, meaning they can modulate the immune response to reduce the likelihood of rejection. (2) They are ideal if you wish to avoid or do not qualify for a bone marrow extraction procedure.

Multipotent Stem Cells

Multipotent stem cells are a type of stem cell that can evolve into a specific range of cells that perform certain biological functions. Multipotent stem cells are primarily found in bone marrow, with the two primary examples being hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. Placental tissue contains various types of stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are commonly harvested for therapeutic purposes. (3)

  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Mesenchymal cells were originally discovered in bone marrow, but can be found in the menses blood, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, and more. (2) These cells are primarily explored in regenerative medicine due to their anti-inflammatory and tissue-restructuring potential.
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Hematopoietic stem cells are a type of multipotent stem cell that can specifically develop into all types of blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. These cells can be found in several organs, such as peripheral blood, bone marrow, and umbilical cord blood. (4)

Stem Cell Benefits

Stem cell therapy is associated with several benefits, including:

  • Accelerated Healing: Stem cells may potentially stimulate and expedite wound healing, tissue regeneration, and minimize scarring.
  • Reduced Inflammation: One of the remarkable properties of stem cells is their ability to strengthen the immune system, potentially leading to less inflammation during recovery.
  • Pain Management: Stem cells have been investigated for their capacity to manage chronic pain conditions through their regenerative properties, which are thought to reduce post-treatment discomfort.
  • Natural Solution: There is a significant reduction in risk and complications when using autologous stem cells, as the body recognizes them as its own.
  • Personalized Options: Our stem cell treatments can be used after most procedures and tailored to your conditions to optimize results.

Candidates

Ideal candidates for stem cell therapy include those recovering from surgical procedures or other soft tissue injuries. Those recovering from orthopedic or sports injuries may also make suitable candidates.

Patients interested in stem cell therapy should be in generally good health with no underlying medical conditions that could affect their ability to receive the treatment. Our team will conduct a thorough assessment during each patient’s consultation to determine their candidacy for stem cell therapy.

BMAC Cell Harvesting

If your procedure requires the use of your own stem cells, your specialist will need to collect the cells before starting the procedure. A local anesthetic will be administered to ensure you feel relaxed and comfortable, but remain awake. The specialist will insert a small needle into the bone, usually through the back of the hip, due to its ease of access and abundance of marrow. (5) A syringe is attached to the needle to gently withdraw a small amount of bone marrow fluid. The fluid is then processed to isolate the mesenchymal stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, cytokines, platelets, and growth factors.

Procedure

Once either the BMAC or the placental stem cells are ready to be administered, your specialist will prepare either an intravenous (IV) infusion treatment or syringes for localized injections.

IV Infusion Therapy

If you are receiving an IV infusion, the stem cells will be diluted in a sterile solution. A catheter will be inserted into the designated vein before it is connected to an IV bag containing the stem cell solution. The formula will slowly drip into your bloodstream, directly delivering the stem cells. This treatment is often completed within less than an hour.

Localized Injections

For localized injections, your specialist will fill the syringes with your selected stem cell solution. These stem cells are then gently administered directly into targeted areas. Common injection sites include the joints, skin, or surgical sites.

Recovery

Following your stem cell therapy session, you can return to certain aspects of your schedule immediately. It is recommended to avoid physical activities, saunas, and consuming alcohol for 24-48 hours. If you underwent an IV treatment, you may feel fatigued, while those who received injections may experience tenderness at the insertion sites.

You may also experience bruising or soreness if you underwent BMAC harvesting, but these effects typically dissipate after one or two days and may further be managed with either pain medications or a cold compress as directed.

Results

Results may manifest in a smoother, optimized recovery period. Stem cell therapy is sought for its potential to enhance wound closures, minimize inflammation, and support long-term tissue regeneration. Stem cells are also thought to promote neocollagenesis, or the process of new collagen formation. Neocollagenesis may reduce the appearance of scars and enhance the overall health and appearance of the skin after a surgical procedure.

Cost of Stem Cell Therapy in San Diego

The cost of each patient’s stem cell therapy can vary depending on the source of the cells and what conditions are being addressed. Our specialist will discuss the cost of the treatment during the consultation once a treatment plan has been established.

Alexus Plastic Surgery additionally offers flexible financing plans through our reputable partner Cherry.

To discover the cost of your stem cell therapy treatment, please contact us online or call our San Diego office at (888) 463-9532.

FAQ

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are unique cells that can transform into other types of cells and aid with tissue repair and wound healing.

Is stem cell therapy safe?

Stem cell therapy is considered safe, especially when your own stem cells are used. This helps minimize the risk of rejection or other complications.

How long does it take to see the results of my stem cell treatment?

You may start noticing improvements within weeks, but ultimately, this will depend on what you are recovering from.

Are there any side effects to stem cells?

Mild side effects such as temporary swelling or discomfort at the injection sites are possible, but severe complications tend to be rare.

Will my insurance cover stem cell therapy?

Insurance coverage for stem cell therapy varies widely. We recommend contacting your provider directly to understand your benefits.

Where do you harvest the stem cells from?

Patients can choose to either harvest stem cells from their own bone marrow or use placental stem cells sourced from secondary placental tissue.

Can I use stem cells to help heal from any procedure?

While stem cells can be used for most procedures, your specialist will discuss what options are available for your stem cell therapy treatment.

References

  1. Zakrzewski W, Dobrzyński M, Szymonowicz M, Rybak Z. Stem cells: past, present, and future. Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 2019;10(1). https://stemcellres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13287-019-1165-5
  2. Ankrum JA, Ong JF, Karp JM. Mesenchymal stem cells: immune evasive, not immune privileged. Nature Biotechnology. 2014;32(3):252-260. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.2816
  3. Ryu DJ, Jeon YS, Park JS, Bae GC, Kim J, Kim MK. Comparison of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate and Allogenic Human Umbilical Cord Blood Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Implantation on Chondral Defect of Knee: Assessment of Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Outcomes at 2-Year Follow-Up. Cell Transplantation. 2020;29:096368972094358. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0963689720943581
  4. Lee JY, Hong SH. Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Their Roles in Tissue Regeneration. International Journal of Stem Cells. 2019;13(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.15283/ijsc19127
  5. Chahla J, Mannava S, Cinque ME, Geeslin AG, Codina D, LaPrade RF. Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Harvesting and Processing Technique. Arthroscopy Techniques. 2017;6(2):e441-e445. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eats.2016.10.024