lipogems Archives - San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group

What is Lipogems and How Does it Work for Healing?

Feb 28, 2025

In recent years, medical science has made significant advancements in regenerative medicine, one of which is Lipogems. This innovative technique utilizes adipose (fat) tissue to harness the body’s natural healing properties. Lipogems stands out as a minimally invasive procedure that offers promising results for patients suffering from various musculoskeletal conditions. By employing the unique characteristics of adipose-derived stem cells, it aims to reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair.

The essence of Lipogems lies in its ability to extract and process adipose tissue, which is abundant in stem cells and growth factors. This procedure not only provides a source of regenerative cells but also offers a scaffold for tissue healing. As a result, it has garnered attention in the fields of orthopedics, sports medicine, and aesthetic treatments, making it a versatile option for many patients.

As more individuals seek alternatives to traditional surgical methods, the demand for therapies like Lipogems continues to rise. This article aims to delve into the science behind Lipogems, its procedural aspects, and the conditions it effectively treats, providing a comprehensive understanding of this revolutionary healing technique.

The Science Behind Lipogems: Understanding Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

At the core of Lipogems therapy are adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). These cells are unique due to their ability to differentiate into various cell types, including bone, cartilage, and fat cells. This versatility makes them invaluable in regenerative medicine. Research has shown that ADSCs possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can significantly aid in the healing process.

Adipose tissue is rich in these stem cells, making it an excellent source for regenerative therapies. Unlike other sources, such as bone marrow, adipose tissue can be harvested easily and in larger quantities, providing a substantial number of stem cells for therapeutic use. Additionally, the processing of adipose tissue in Lipogems preserves the architecture and microenvironment necessary for stem cell function, enhancing their effectiveness.

Understanding the role of these stem cells is crucial for appreciating how Lipogems works. When injected into damaged tissues, ADSCs promote healing by stimulating the regeneration of damaged cells and reducing inflammation. This natural approach aligns with the body’s intrinsic healing mechanisms, offering a safer and often more effective alternative to conventional treatments.

How Lipogems Works: Step-by-Step Process

The Lipogems procedure is designed to be efficient and minimally invasive. Here’s a step-by-step overview of how it works:

Consultation and Assessment: The process begins with a thorough consultation where the physician evaluates the patient’s medical history and current condition. This assessment helps determine if Lipogems is a suitable option for the individual.
Harvesting Adipose Tissue: Once deemed appropriate, a small amount of adipose tissue is harvested, typically from the abdomen or thighs. This is done using liposuction, a minimally invasive technique that involves making small incisions to extract the fat.
Processing the Tissue: The harvested adipose tissue is then processed using the Lipogems technology, which involves washing and breaking down the fat. This process isolates the stem cells and growth factors while preserving the natural extracellular matrix, which is vital for healing.
Injection into the Target Area: After processing, the resulting solution containing stem cells and growth factors is injected into the area requiring treatment. This could be a joint, tendon, or other damaged tissue, depending on the patient’s condition.
Post-Procedure Care: Following the injection, patients are provided with care instructions to facilitate healing. This may include rest, physical therapy, or follow-up appointments to monitor progress.

By understanding this step-by-step process, patients can appreciate the meticulous care involved in Lipogems, ensuring that they receive the best possible treatment tailored to their needs.

Conditions Treated with Lipogems Technology

Lipogems technology has shown efficacy in treating a variety of conditions. Here are some of the most common applications:

Osteoarthritis: This degenerative joint disease often results in significant pain and reduced mobility. Lipogems can help by restoring joint function and alleviating discomfort through its regenerative effects.
Tendinopathies: Conditions such as tennis elbow and Achilles tendonitis can benefit from Lipogems injections. The stem cells work to repair damaged tissues, promoting healing and reducing pain.
Cartilage Damage: Injuries to cartilage can lead to long-term complications. Lipogems provides a source of cells that can regenerate cartilage, potentially delaying or avoiding joint replacement surgery.
Sports Injuries: Athletes frequently face injuries that require quick and effective treatment. Lipogems has emerged as a promising option for treating soft tissue injuries, allowing athletes to return to their sport sooner.
Aesthetic Applications: Beyond orthopedic uses, Lipogems can also be utilized in cosmetic procedures, such as facial rejuvenation, where regenerative properties can improve skin texture and volume.

The versatility of Lipogems makes it an attractive option for a range of conditions, allowing patients to explore alternatives to traditional treatment methodologies.

The Lipogems Procedure: What to Expect

Patients considering Lipogems can expect a well-structured procedure that prioritizes comfort and safety. Here’s what to anticipate during the entire process:

Preparation: Before the procedure, patients are advised to follow specific guidelines, such as avoiding blood thinners and alcohol. This preparation helps minimize complications and ensures a smoother experience.
Local Anesthesia: To enhance comfort during the fat harvesting process, local anesthesia is administered. This allows the procedure to be performed with minimal discomfort, ensuring that patients remain relaxed throughout.
Fat Harvesting and Processing: The liposuction process typically takes around 30 minutes, followed by the processing of the adipose tissue. The entire procedure, from harvesting to injection, can be completed in about one to two hours.
Injection and Follow-Up: After processing, the injection is performed using ultrasound guidance for precision. Patients usually experience minimal downtime, with many resuming normal activities within a few days. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor progress and assess the effectiveness of the treatment.

Patients can feel reassured knowing that the Lipogems procedure is designed to be efficient, with a focus on achieving optimal results while ensuring their comfort throughout the process.

Recovery and Results: Healing with Lipogems

Understanding the recovery process is vital for patients undergoing Lipogems treatment. The timeline for recovery can vary based on the individual and the condition being treated. However, most patients can expect the following:

Initial Recovery: After the procedure, patients may experience mild swelling or discomfort in the treated area. This is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers and should subside within a few days.
Physical Activity: Patients are generally encouraged to resume light activities shortly after the procedure, while more strenuous activities may be restricted for a few weeks. Adhering to the physician’s recommendations regarding physical activity ensures optimal healing.
Long-Term Results: Many patients begin to notice improvements in their symptoms within several weeks. However, the full benefits of Lipogems may take several months to manifest as the body continues to heal and regenerate damaged tissues.

The regenerative capabilities of Lipogems can lead to significant improvements in pain relief and mobility, with many patients reporting enhanced quality of life post-treatment.

Who is a Good Candidate for Lipogems Treatment?

Determining eligibility for Lipogems treatment involves a careful evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional. Generally, good candidates include:

Individuals with Chronic Pain: Patients suffering from chronic joint pain, tendonitis, or injuries that have not responded to conventional treatments may benefit from Lipogems.
Active Individuals: Those who lead an active lifestyle, including athletes, who seek quick recovery from injuries often find Lipogems to be an appealing option.
Patients with Degenerative Conditions: Individuals with conditions like osteoarthritis or cartilage damage may find relief through Lipogems, especially if they wish to avoid surgical interventions.

However, not everyone may be suitable for this treatment. Factors such as underlying health conditions, obesity, or the presence of infections may disqualify some individuals. A thorough consultation with a healthcare provider is essential to assess suitability and discuss potential risks and benefits.

Is Lipogems Right for You?

As regenerative medicine continues to evolve, Lipogems emerges as a promising option for those seeking alternatives to traditional treatments. Its minimally invasive nature, coupled with the use of the body’s own healing mechanisms, presents patients with an opportunity for recovery without the risks associated with more invasive surgeries.

Considering the various conditions treated by Lipogems and the positive outcomes reported by many patients, it is worth exploring whether this innovative therapy aligns with their health needs. Consulting a knowledgeable healthcare provider can help individuals determine if Lipogems is the right choice for them and provide personalized insights into the potential benefits and expected results.

If you’re interested in learning more about Lipogems and how it can help you on your healing journey, reach out to a qualified physician today to explore your options.

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Brian Farber of the San Diego Sockers Successfully Returns to the Soccer Field

Sep 19, 2017

After suffering a potentially career-ending knee injury, Brian Farber of the San Diego Sockers in the Professional Arena Soccer League searched for a treatment to get him back in the game. After a few failed attempts, Farber turned to regenerative medicine. He would later become one of the first people in San Diego to receive this innovative regenerative medicine treatment.

Farber had suffered a knee injury and torn patellar ligament about two and a half years earlier. Initial treatment with physical therapy and platelet-rich plasma injections were unsuccessful. He was not a candidate for surgery and was told that he would “just have to live with the pain”. But, the pain made it difficult to resume professional soccer and his other favorite daily activities such as jogging with his wife and teaching at his soccer academy. Farber had even considered retiring from professional soccer.

Fortunately, a colleague introduced him to Dr. Christopher Rogers, founder of the San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group. Dr. Rogers had treated many other patients successfully and was confident that stem cell therapy would heal Farber’s injury. Dr. Rogers is the first physician in San Diego to offer this state-of-the-art and FDA compliant treatment known as Lipogems®.

Lipogems is a medical device which uses a patient’s own fat (adipose) tissue harvested with a legally marketed lipoplasty system (mixed with a specific FDA approved solution) Dr. Rogers uses high-resolution ultrasound imaging to visualize the injury and to inject the solution into the injured tissue.

Farber decreased his activity for ten days to facilitate the healing process. Follow-up care included physical therapy, progressive strengthening, and BEMER technology, which uses pulsed electromagnetic waves to stimulate cellular activity and improve circulation. Within three months Farber was feeling strong and by six months he was feeling good enough to play competitive soccer.

Farber, who is known to his soccer fans as “Flash” is pleased that he can stand up to his nickname once again. He says that “it feels great to run without pain”. He was recently voted Comeback Player of the Year and selected to the Indoor National Team. He is preparing for the Indoor World Cup.

Dr. Rogers and his team at the San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group are excited for Brian. We are rooting for Brian and his team this year.

For more information regarding the San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group regenerative medicine, please visit our site.

For more information on Lipogems therapy please visit:

http://www.understandLipogems.com

https://sdomg.wpengine.com/services/lipogems/

Exciting New Research on Lipogems Treatment for Achilles Tendon Tears

Jun 30, 2017

Chronic degenerative tendon disorders (tendinopathy) occur frequently and are difficult to treat. Tendon injuries are often associated with significant physical dysfunction and disability, due to the limited self-repair capacity and propensity for scar formation. Non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy is a common cause of ankle pain and typically occurs 2 – 6 cm proximal to the tendon insertion on the calcaneus.

Athletes, whether elite or recreational, are the most common group to present with Achilles tendinopathy, but it is also found in people with advanced age, obesity, diabetes or hypertension. Other risk factors for Achilles tendinopathy include previous tendon injury, decreased muscle strength, altered gait kinematics, limited ankle dorsiflexion, training errors, and the use of steroids or fluoroquinolones.

Conservative Treatment for Achilles Tendon Tears

Conservative care of Achilles tendinopathy includes removal of precipitating factors, rest, training routine modifications and the use of orthotics to correct foot or ankle malalignment. Decreased myotendinous flexibility may be treated with stretching. Muscle weakness is treated with progressive eccentric strengthening exercises twice a day for up to 12 weeks using either the Alfredson or Silbernagel protocol. Combining these protocols with low-energy shock-wave therapy (ESWT) may improve outcomes. With this said, up to 33% of patients will fail conservative care and consider surgical excision of the pathologic tissue with or without tendon transfer augmentation.

Lipogems® for Achilles Tendon Tears

There is a new treatment option out there. Recent studies have demonstrated that lipoaspirate contains and produces growth-factors, such as platelet-derived growth-factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth-factor (FGF), transforming growth-factor beta (TGF-β), and vascular endothelial growth-factor (VEGF) 1. These growth factors are known to play an important regulatory role in cellular proliferation, cellular migration, matrix synthesis and angiogenesis. The Lipogems® system can produce a non-expanded, rinsed, and microfragmented adipose tissue graft that maintains an intact stromal vascular niche and contains cellular elements with mesenchymal stem cell and pericyte characteristics

Recent Case Study

Dr. Christopher Rogers recently presented a case study at the TOBY conference in Las Vegas. He and his team were able to successfully treat a 16 year old girl who had developed functionally limiting chronic Achilles tendinopathy and partial tear that were non-responsive to conservative care. She was treated with ultrasound guided lipoaspirate (Lipogems®) and LP-PRP injection combined with a progressive strengthening program. She achieved a resolution of her pain and restoration of physical function at the six month follow-up. Ultrasound and MRI imaging revealed a diffuse fibrillar pattern consistent with regenerated tendon fibers that had replaced the tendinopathic and partially torn tendon regions.

Tendon engineering is an interesting challenge for the orthopedic medicine physician. Lipoaspirate and LP-PRP have the potential to stimulate tenocyte proliferation, matrix synthesis and angiogenesis which can lead to regeneration of a degenerated Achilles tendon. Future clinical trials using lipoaspirate for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy and partial tears are warranted.

We’re pleased to have been the first medical center in San Diego to offer the revolutionary LIPOGEMS® regenerative medicine therapy. Call us today to schedule an appointment. 760-909-2355

Rated Best New Technology in Sports Medicine: Lipogems

Jun 14, 2017

Do you suffer from an injury or ailment that limits your normal daily functioning due to a soft tissue defect in the tendon, ligament, muscle or cartilage? Have treatment options, such as physical therapy, medications or steroid injections, not provided permanent relief for you? You may want to consider Lipogems as a minimally invasive alternative to a major surgical procedure.

What is Lipogems Treatment?

Lipogems® is a disposable, single-use, FDA approved device for processing and same-day injection of fat tissue. It’s a non-expanded and micro-fractured autologous fat tissue product for treating joint and tendon injuries. This cutting-edge technology uses your body’s own fat tissue to cushion and support areas of injury or damage as your body heals itself. The fat tissue can be removed from the abdomen or thigh areas. This tissue is then precisely injected into the patient’s injured areas with the use of ultrasound or X-ray guidance.

Lipogems has now been successfully performed in more than 8,000 clinical cases globally, and we’re pleased to have been the first medical center in San Diego to offer this revolutionary regenerative medicine therapy.

Benefits of Lipogems

Mesenchymal stem cells require support from other cells and proteins to exert their healing benefits. Unlike other so-called “stem cell” treatments, the unique advantage of Lipogems® is that the complete healing environment of the fat tissue is captured, carefully processed, and then precisely injected. This improves cell viability and regenerative capacity.
Unlike steroid or gel injections, the tissue will stay in the treated area for years allowing your body to maximize the benefits for an extended period of time.
The Lipogems procedure can be performed in less than one to two hours in an outpatient clinical setting.
Due to their innovation, Lipogems was awarded Best New Technology in Sports Medicine in 2016 by leading sports medicine physicians.

How quickly will you see results?

Seeing improvements following the Lipogems® procedure typically depends on your age, degree of injury and overall health. Some of our patients note improvement the day following the procedure, while other people may take up to 2-3 months to see improvement. More than 90% of our patients have seen significant improvement in less than 3 months.

Patients undergoing the Lipogems procedure at our clinic undergo a strict screening procedure to assure that they are very good candidates for the treatment. We have been tracking our outcomes for more than 15 months. At this time, more than 90% of our patients have seen significant relief with the treatment, often being able to resume normal, pain-free physical activity. This has led them to improve their fitness, lose weight and improve the quality of their lives in a meaningful way. If you think you can benefit from Lipogems treatment, call us today at 760-483-9060.