Re: Christie Gorrie, Sculptura and Bio-Alcamid

[Guest guest]

> > Hi ,> I totally agree with your sentiments. Bio-Alcamid (a similar product to> Sculptra, but permanent) has recently been approved for special use in> Canada.

Dear Christie,

As a long time supporter of the use of Bio-Alcamid, I need to commend you on the magnificent work you are doing in bringing this information to the Canadian public, but I have to disagree with you when you say it's a similar product to Sculptura.

Both in its chemical composition, and its method of action, not to mention the differences in costs and longevity, Bio-Alcamid is in some senses the 'opposite' of Sculptura.

First of all Bio-Alcamid has been in clinical use for a couple of years as a cosmetic product before New-Fill (Sculptura's old name) came on the scene as a facial filler.

Sculptura, L-polylactic acid is a 'sugar' placed in the skin and gets absorbed. Bio-Alcamid is totally synthetic (other then the 97% water it's made of) and is place under the skin and can't absorb.

Sculptura is now described a collagen promoting intra-dermal (inside the skin) implant. Bio-Alcamid is described as a sub-dermal, injected prosthesis.

Initially New Fill was said to fill skin with a long term material that took from a few months to upwards of 18 months to be absorbed. Longer then other temporary fillers like Bovine Collagen and Hyluron.

Afterwards, (let me have my fun here) much like how the search for Weapons of Mass Destruction suddenly was suddenly disappeared in favor of " Liberation and Elections for Iraq" as the main reason for the invasion, New Fill now is said to promote NEW collagen growth AFTER it gets absorbed by the body, and now it is said to absorb relatively quickly and need 'touch ups' to promote even more new collagen growth.

Bio-Alcamid on the other hand is not a skin filler at all and causes no growth of new tissues other then the .02 mm encapsulation.

The clinical and research data shows that unlike materials that get injected inside the skin, with Bio-Alcamid there is no danger of uncontrolled fibrotic growth which is one of the drawbacks of ALL skin implants including Sculptura, when placed in thin areas like the temples.

Fortunately, I was told by a MD friend that the fibrosis caused by the improper use of Sculptura in these areas can be treated with some success by injections of Kenalog 40, a catabolic (tissue destroying) steroid, and most have resolved after a few months of injections.

Bio-Alcamid on the other hand replaces the fat which is lost in facial wasting and gets implanted (I really over saying injected, since I'm scared to death of needles) in the area UNDER the skin where the fat used to be before facial wasting.

In terms of cost, some doctors such as the pioneering Dr. Doug Mest, one of the key players in getting Sculptura approved, have worked hard along with our very own to keep the price down and to have a patient assistance program implemented. I hope it's going better then some of the stories we have read on this list. I for one would love to hear more of the successes in getting approval since all we seem to be getting are depressingly negative reports.

The chiseling, money grubbing dermatologists we have heard about on this list who are taking advantage of peoples' desperation, will, I was told by a Catholic Priest friend of mine, burn in hell for all eternity while being poked endlessly with dull needles.

Regardless, by my calculations, even adding travel costs, Bio-Alcamid still is more cost-effective, and, more importantly, for people on a limited life- expectancy with AIDS like me, it's more TIME-EFFECTIVE since it's finished in 1 to 2 treatments.

I had my facial wasting corrected by the people of Clinic'estetica 4 years ago. It was completed start to finish in 12 weeks for 4 cessions and other then the pesky ageing matter, I'm doing OK.

..

In the past, it was said that 3 or 4 treatments were necessary to fix faces, but there seems to be a learning curve in this and the results I have seen at a recent audit I did at Clinic'estetica suggests to me that for most people, save the stage 4 and 5 It takes one cession to fully restore a face. Other body parts such as glutes (butts) and sunken chests as well as other body defects and enhancements including "that part" can be done in one cession.

In the meantime I would like to see you guys North of the Border campaign to allow HIV(+) Americans to be able to travel and receive Bio-Alcamid treatments in Canada, I know it's a long shot but it should be part of your educational work to help out your less fortunate brothers and sisters in the medically backward parts of North America like the US.

Al Benson,

Proud Member of the Reality Based Community