Facial Fillers and HIV Cure

[Catman]

Something just crossed my mind with all this talk about facial and butt fillers. So what happens if a cure for hiv/aids is discovered and we are here for it with our faces and asses full of man made fillers? What will happen when our body starts growing back the lost fat? Will those permanent fillers affect or deform the body? Has anybody ever thought of this? 

[chadnla]

Well if it's an actual implant, then it can be removed with little scarring (watch Nip/Tuck). Fillers are a completely different product..they are typically absorbed by the body over time.  products like Restylane and Juvederm are for nasolabial folds (lines from the nose down around the mouth..aka smile lines) and last 4-6 mos. A product called Radiesse was just recommended for approval by an FDA recently (final approval should come soon) for aesthetic and lipoatrophy purposes. Its clinical data shows results upwards of a year or more. Downside is that there are tiny micruspheres in the injection that help to stimulate collagen growth and these can cause granulomas in a patient's face albeit a low % of patients. Another product called Sculptra was approved last year specifically for facial wasting and clinical results have been good for 2 yrs or more.  The flip side of this is cost. Treatments for Restylane or Juvederm will run about $500 depending where you live.  The latter two will likely be $1,000 - $2,000. Not sure if sculptra is covered by insurance for HIV patients.

Best thing is to talk to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

[Catman]

Thanks for your reply. I'm considering radiesse but I'm having afterthoughts. Pricey at $800 for each injection. The doc said I needed about 4. I might at least do two and if it looks good, find the bucks for the second two.
I know it's temporary but permanent fillers freak me out. I'm still undecided about going through with the procedure because I'm very picky about my face and am very tied to my looks. I like my face with the lipo but it bothers me when I'm asked at work if I have lost weight. I haven't. If I do have the procedure it will be during mid December before new years.That way co-workers will say "Hey man, have you been munching a lot this x-mas!" Happy Thanksgiving.

[chadnla]

well good luck with it. Radiesse will be a popular product generally just because it lasts longer. If you did Restylane, you're probably looking at 3 treatment sessions over the course of a year which equates to $1200-$1500 so Radiesse is probably better from a cost standpoint.

take before and after photos.  maybe post them for others if you're satisfied with the treatment.

best,
chad

[burky]

Ahhhhh.... youngsters.  After the cure for Aids arrives I suggest the prudent response is still not to remove your fillers as you will need them in a few years to prevent the natural lipodystrophy of aging.  Just consider yourself well prepared!    Of course maybe they will solve aging too however I'm quite sure we'll see the cure for Aids first!