Re: Removal of BioAlcamid

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Dr Canaan is the only one I know in the US removing Bioalcamid from inside the face.  I got my removal done in March 2008.  My face was not sunked in afterwards since I did not have much BoAlcamid, but a friend of mine who had a lot removed did not seem to need extra correction after he got his face cleaned up.

The doctor does  it outpatient in one sitting.  Medicare paid for the whole thing.

Here is his contact  info:

Canaan , MD1200 Binz St Ste 380

Houston, TX77004Phone: (713) 864-6659

On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 4:01 PM, R. <johnrsf94114@...> wrote:

Hi J.,I had some BioAlcamid removed from my cheeks by Dr. Casavantes two months ago, through tiny incisions just above the jaw, where the BioAlcamid had migrated to from my cheeks.   Essentially, he  and his assistants squeezed as much material out of the incisions as they could, then used a canula to open up a channel on one side where the material wouldn't come out initially from pressure alone. There was no scarring noticeable to me from the incisions. I had the removal done because of migration, but Dr. Casavantes told me that the material removed from one cheek appeared brownish in color, suggesting infection.  I took Cipro for two days prior to seeing Dr. Casavantes and for five more days after seeing him.  Having had skin infections (boils) drained

in the past, the procedure seemed very similar.Since the removal of BA by Dr. Casavantes, I have had a couple of episodes of inflammation in both cheeks where the material was removed. I saw a dermatologist at home in San Francisco to assess the inflammation, and neither I nor the dermatologist believe that there is any infection, as the inflammation subsides on its own after a day or two, with no signs of infection (which would presumably worsen without treatment.) I have some hard nodules now where the BioAlcamid was, which actually makes up a bit for the loss of volume from the material removed, but has a somewhat lumpy appearance. I will see my dermatologist again soon to have some additional material removed from the jowls through the outside of my cheeks. I may consider asking my dermatologist to remove the BA from the inside of the cheek as well, if that will eliminate further episodes of inflammation.  I will be sure to have my

dermatologist culture any material he removes, which was not done before.  I have elected to see a dermatologist in my home city of San Francisco because my medical care here is covered by insurance, and travel to Tijuana is somewhat difficult and costly. Dr. Casavantes agreed at my last visit to consult with my dermatologist in San Francisco if requested, and said he would do so for other patients and their doctors as well.

I asked Dr. Casavantes about the possibility of being treated with PMMA in my cheeks at some point in the future, as he had made it clear when I made my appointment for BioAlcamid removal that he would not inject me with PMMA at the same appointment. He assured me that most patients who have PMMA as well as BioAlcamid (it is impossible to remove all traces of BioAlcamid) do not develop infections , although some have.  He could not give me a more precise estimate of the rate of complications because his office does

not keep statistics on complications.My BioAlcamid removal and its aftermath have been frustrating for me, and I'd appreciate hearing from others who have had BioAlcamid removed about their experiences, including those of you who have subsequently been treated with PMMA, either through the list or by private email.

Mon May 16, 2011 1:09 pm (PDT)

,

After the procedure, were your cheeks sunken again? Did you have another PMMA injection afterwards? If so, how long did you have to wait?

One last question - since I'm not for Texas, do you know if the Dr. will

require multiple visits? It would be pretty expensive to have to fly there multiple times.

Thanks

J

>

> From someone in this list...

>

> , I'm considering removing just the BA from my face since it

migrated---very disappointing. Q's were asked some time ago about your removal process with Dr .

>

> If you don't want to post your answers, could you pls. email me directly w/ your responses to keep it private? I'd appreciate it greatly.

>

> a. how it went for you? Was the doctor successful in removing

> all of the product?

>

> It went great. Around 90 percent of the BioAlcamid was removed by cutting from the inside of my mouth. It healed well in two weeks. No pain, no inflammation.

>

> b. With the antibiotic prophylaxis, of 1 week before and 1 month

> after, able to stem any infection that you may have gotten?

>

> Yes, no infection at all

>

> c. Does the doctor still perform this procedure? Would you recommend this method as a way to remove the product?

>

> Dr Canaan is the only doctor that I know doing this in the US. He is in Houston. Medicare paid for all of it. It was an outpatient procedure. He cut from the inside of my cheek to remove the pocket of BA. Probably 4 stitches that disappeared after three weeks. If

you were to fly to Houston, I think you can just spend the money for a one night hotel stay and fly home the day after. Of course, you may beinflamed depending on how much volume he extracts. My volume was very

localized and not big. JJand others in this list can give you more details on their experience since they go a lot of product removed. I have seen JJ and he looks great and back to normal, but I would let him speak about it.

>

> d. I'm not sure how they discover where the BA is, since it seems

that pmma & BA are both stuffed in there. How do they find & just remove the BA in the cheeks?

>

> PMMA actually does not accumulate as product. Collagen grows around

the micro spheres. On the other hand, BioAlcamid remains as a pocket of

product that can be removed.

>

> Thank you, Regards,

>

>

> Vergel

> powerusa dot org

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