Dr. Rogers Centers and our team of multispecialty experts are happy to announce the launch of the Stem Cell Treatment Team of San Antonio, an Affiliate of Cell Surgical Network. We are studying the clinical applications of adipose-derived stem cells and growth factors for degenerative conditions.

Contact our Clinical Study Coordinator at 210-625-5963 or complete a contact form on our website for more information.

 

 

Our Technology

At Dr. Rogers Centers, we use stem cells withdrawn from a sample of the patients very own fatty tissue at the time of their appointment. While gathering them from bone marrow and blood sample have been common in the past, we have found an easier, less invasive approach through simply withdrawing them from a region of fatty tissue closer to the surface of the skin. It’s been shown that stem cells acquired through liposuctioned fat are greater in quality than those of bone marrow.

Once stem cells harvested from fat have been re-injected into the designated treatment area, they begin making repairs on damaged tissue, bone structures, ligaments, and much more. Stem cells are unlike any others across the body in that they have the ability to replicate properties of other cells to heal the treatment area.

Stem cell therapy through our techniques are much more affordable than other, more invasive approaches. Additionally, we apply a local anesthetic on the harvesting site to enhance patient comfort during this experience.

NonEmbryonic Adult Stem Cells

Adult stem cells are highly unique in that they can replicate properties of damaged or dying cells to repair a given area. Upon injection, they actively seek out areas to heal from an injury, disease, or otherwise and stimulate the body’s natural healing. While it’s been known to gather stem cells from a patient’s bone marrow, we withdrawn them through fatty tissue where they are greater in quantity and quality. Common conditions that can be treated through stem cell therapy are several severe neurological diseases, renal failure, degenerative complications, erectile dysfunction, and even heart disease.

What is regenerative medicine?

The purpose of regenerative medicine is to create living, functioning tissues to replace or heal a designated area that has been affected by an injury or a medical condition.

What are the tools of regenerative medicine?

Many medical professionals have used many different kinds of medications and hormones to address disease and help the body heal itself. Regenerative medicine is constantly changing field where more and more advances are made. Stem cell therapy has captured the attention of many medical professionals as a safe and effective form of regenerative medicine to both heal the body and rejuvenate the skin.

What is a stem cell?

A stem cell is any cell that has the ability to replicate itself to reflect other cells. Some different types of stem cells include embryonic (those that can become any cell across the body), pluri-potential (stem cells taken from unborn embryos), adult stem cells (which are found within various tissues across a fully developed person) and mesenchymal stem cells (those extracted from fat that specialize in bone or cartilage repairs). Our specialists possess the tools and techniques to effectively withdraw stem cells from fatty tissue to help you achieve the best possible results.

How do adult stem cells heal?

Also known as progenitor cells, adult stem cells remain inactive until the body sustains an injury or damage from a disease. Essentially, an injury or afflicted area signals the stem cells to heal the body!

What diseases and problems can be treated?

This ultimately depends on the condition and affected area. One of our specialists will carefully evaluate the area during your consultation appointment and determine whether you may be an ideal candidate for stem cell therapy.

Is our procedure FDA-approved?

While the use of stem cell therapy has not yet been approved by the FDA, Dr. Roger’s Centers does meet the guidelines warranted by the FDA relating to the treatment of an injury or condition using a patient’s own tissue.

Does Dr. Rogers Centers use any embryonic stem cells?

We strictly use mesenchymal stem cells– those extracted from liposuctioned fatty tissue– that have the capability of reflecting the properties of cartilage, bone, muscle, fat, ligaments, blood vessels, and various organs.

Why does Dr. Rogers Centers take a multispecialty treatment approach to regenerative medicine?

Patients that seek stem cell therapy all experience distinctive injuries or conditions. During your consultation, one of our specialists will thoroughly evaluate the designated area as well as review your medical history to coordinate an effective treatment plan. While we mainly use your own stem cells during this process, we may also recommend supplementing this treatment with hormone replacement therapy or another one of our options to help you achieve amazing results along with a greater quality of life.Ultimately, it may take an optimal treatment plan as well as time for desired results to become noticeable.

What types of specialties are represented at Dr. Rogers Centers?

We specialize in a wide range of treatments and programs including primary care, hormone therapy, weight loss, gynecology, regenerative medicine, and a myriad of medspa aesthetic solutions.

Why do patients request stem cell treatment?

Often, patients who are diagnosed with a certain condition or sustain an injury are presented with a surgical procedure to improve their health and wellness. Stem cell therapy is becoming more notorious as an all-natural minimally invasive alternative that can grant positive results without any of the intense discomfort, harsh side effects or downtime from surgery.

Once a candidate is selected for treatment, how does Dr. Rogers Centers obtain a person’s stem cells?

Stem cells are harvested during a process similar to a liposuction procedure. The procedure is simple and relatively short, lasting only a few minutes. For your additional comfort, this minimally invasive procedure may be performed under local anesthesia.

The small amount of fat is then processed into Stromal Vascular Fraction, or SVF. SVF is produced in a sterile environment and contains growth factors and mesenchymal stem cells. This process requires 90 minutes or less and is then ready for deployment.

Why does Dr. Rogers Centers use liposuction fat rather than bone marrow as a source of stem cells?

Traditional bone marrow harvesting of stem cells can be an uncomfortable process, and it typically yields a collection of 5,000 to 60,000. It requires several days for these to be prepared for deployment as they are cultured into millions of cells.

However, technological advancements have made it possible to harvest 500,000 to one million stem cells from fat via liposuction technologies. This allows for the collection of 10 to 40 million with just one session.

These adipose stems cells are diverse and have the ability to transform into a variety of types of cells. They can be used for a variety of treatment areas, including blood vessels, bone, cartilage, connective or tendon tissue, muscles, nerve tissues, and more.

How is the fat obtained?

Fat is harvested during “mini liposuction” procedure. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia in a sterile environment, and the fat is typically taken from the abdominal area.

Special equipment is used to obtain fat cells, and 100cc of fat is usually required. Once the procedure is complete, there is minimal discomfort and are minimal restrictions associated with recovery.

How does Dr. Rogers Centers control sterility in the processing of the stem cells?

Special “closed system technology” is used when harvesting stem cells to ensure they do not come in contact with the outside environment at any point of the process. Sterile techniques and oral antibiotics also aid in infection prevention.

Does Dr. Rogers Centers use stem cells from any other animal source or person?

No. Each person’s autologous stem cells are removed and deployed on an individual basis. This eliminates the risk of infection or risk of introducing mammalian DNA to treatment

Why do some stem cell facilities around the world require days to weeks before removal of mesenchymal stem cells until reinsertion into the patient?

Obtaining stem cells from bone marrow or blood in small quantities is a much longer process. Not only are the quantities smaller, but then time needs to be allotted for adequate culture growth.

By harvesting adipose stem cells from fat, this allows for the natural harvesting of almost 2,500 times the number of stem cells. This also eliminates the need for culture growth, meaning stem cells can be ready for deployment within 90 minutes.

Some stem cell treatment centers make extraordinary claims about their success in the treatment of various problems. Why doesn’t Dr. Rogers Centers?

It is imperative to not prematurely promote technologies. While Dr. Rogers Centers is making progress in pioneer research and treatment of diseases, investigative data is being collected to be prepared for peer reviewed literature to promote advancements in cellular based regenerative medicine. Medical claims and advertising testimonials can be inappropriate for treatments without FDA approval.

Can stem cells treat cancer?

Stem cell treatments have been important to cancer therapy for several decades. Hematopoietic stem cells, which are similar to mesenchymal stem cells, have been used in bone marrow to restore bone marrow and replace red blood cells. This practice, which is known as stem cell transplant, is associated with risk to patients.

However, the use of stem cells to treat cancer is different than repairing damaged tissue. New exploration with stem cell therapy treatments investigate “TROPISM,” which is the ability of stem cells to target and treat tumors. This process delivers powerful cancer destroying agents to deep parts of the immune system that may be otherwise unreachable. Dr. Rogers Centers is playing a key role in clinical trials for the unique use of stem cells to target cancer tissues that have been otherwise unresponsive to conventional treatments.

Can stem cells cause cancer?

While some have heard of cancer or tumors caused by stem cells, these are extremely rare and caused by embryonic cells.

Dr. Rogers Centers does not use embryonic cells. Adult mesenchymal stem cells are used, and these stem cells are not known to cause cancer.

What about patients with known cancers?

Stem cell therapy is considered safe and is not known to affect dormant cancers. For those who have undergone and responded successfully to cancer treatment, there should be no reason to avoid stem cell deployment.

However, those with active cancers should avoid stem cell deployment aside from an active stem cell treatment protocol.

Are there reports of autologous adipose-derived adult mesenchymal stem cells harming any humans or animals?

Since Dr. Rogers Centers began treating patients in 2010, all outcomes and adverse events are followed. We have an extraordinary safety record, and all patients are entered into a database to follow and report even the most minor of adverse reactions. While there have been few reports of serious complications, all information is critical to the development and advancement of stem cell technology and science.

What claims are currently made by Dr. Rogers Centers about what stem cell therapy can do for you?

None. Our goal is to ensure cell based medicine is accessible to all interested patients and provide ongoing research data as part of Institutional Review Board (IRB) validated studies. It is important to provide stem cell treatments to patients over their lifetimes, enabling us to gather significant data about the range of degenerative conditions treated. Objective and subjective data is more comprehensive than simple anecdotal or testimonial information.

There are a bevy of stories about the improvement of conditions, but we do not make any claims regarding the intended treatment. Preliminary safety data has been submitted to the FDA as part of an approval application, which is under consideration/ Regardless, your individual stem cells are your own to be used in your own body, and they are not medicine for cell. Statistical analysis and evidence is more powerful than a claim and should be suffice to indicate whether or not a treatment is truly and significantly effective.

Are any biological agents added to the stem cells such as medications or mixtures containing Plasma Enriched Platelets?

By harvesting stem cells from adipose and isolating the cells, this can yield higher numbers of stem cells than other harvesting methods. According to data review, treatment successes appears to correlate with treatment cell numbers. The cells we use for treatment are in a mixture called Stromal Vascular Fraction, or SVF. This combines stem cells in a powerful mixture of growth factors.

When treating some orthopedic and urologic diseases, administering platelet rich plasma, or PRP, to a patient appears to elicit a better response to stem cells. PRP enriches growth factors, and autologous PRP is obtained from a patient’s own blood.

Dr. Rogers Centers does not add any foreign substances or medications to stem cells.

Can I be expected to improve after stem cell treatment at Dr. Rogers Centers?

The degree of improvement depends on the specific condition that is being treated. In a treatment involving the restoration of joint cartilage, a patient may not experience the expected results until several months following treatment.

Results can also vary depending on each patient. Some patients may experience great improvements, while others may not immediately notice any significant results.

Because there is a lack of research and data, the FDA prevents Dr. Rogers Centers from guaranteeing the success of treatments. However, eligible candidates for this stem cell therapy will be informed that we believe stem cell therapy can be beneficial, or undetermined,  in some cases because it is still being studied.

How long does it take to see improvements?

Because stem cell therapy is reliant on the natural healing processes of the body, restoration time may vary. The time in which results are noticeable may depend on the condition and severity of the condition being treated.

Is everyone a candidate?

Not everyone is considered a suitable candidate for stem cell therapy since only certain medical problems are treated here at Dr. Rogers Centers. Candidates must be considered medically stable through an initial medical evaluation. Depending on the severity, as well as the specific condition, not everyone is approved for this treatment.

Are any patients automatically excluded?

Yes. Patients with certain medical illnesses, including cancer, are excluded. Patients who are severely ill, have a bleeding disorder, or take blood thinners, require careful consideration. If a patient has an infection anywhere within the body, the infection must first be fully treated.

Who decides who is eligible?

One of our caring professionals here at Dr. Rogers Centers can determine whether a patient is eligible based on medical history and exams, as well as an evaluation of your current health. For cases that are considered complex, they may be reevaluated by our ethics advisory committee.

Does a candidate have to participate in research to receive treatment at Dr. Rogers Centers?

No. There are no requirements or incentives, including financial, that require patients to participate in studies. However, Dr. Rogers Centers is taking a proactive role in the advancement of clinical research and the development of stem cell science. The privacy of patients opting to participate in studies will be maintained, and future research studies are regulated by an authorized agency that maintains the validity, transparency, and protection of those enrolled.

What are some diseases that Dr. Rogers Centers does not treating at this time?

We do not treat any psychiatric conditions at this time.

What are the costs of the consultation and treatment?

A consultation with one of our medical professionals here at Dr. Rogers Centers may include an office evaluation, evaluation of x-rays, review of medical records, or in some cases a verbal evaluation over the phone. The final cost of your consultation and treatment may vary based on the condition being treated and evaluation requirements.

What does the cost of the procedure include?

Due to advances in medical technology, Dr. Rogers Centers is able to offer stem cell treatments at competitive prices. The total costs will be finalized following your medical evaluation.

How many injections are required for success?

The number of required treatments depends on your specific condition. Most patients only require one treatment, especially those with orthopedic conditions. The number of suggested injections is personalized for each patient.

Where can I learn more information about stem cell treatments?

You can learn more about innovative stem cell therapy by reaching out to us here at Dr. Rogers Centers and speaking to one of our caring professionals.