Facial Fat Loss (Lipoatrophy)
Dr. Zanelli is regarded as one of the nation’s experts in facial restoration after fat loss from HIV disease and treatment. He has been performing corrective treatments for facial lipoatrophy for more than 18 years, and he is the only physician in Northern California who performs microdroplet silicone injections for permanent correction of HIV lipoatrophy.
Loss of fat (lipoatrophy) in the face contributes to an aged appearance, and if severe can make a patient look ill when in fact they may feel very well. Mild facial fat loss may be due to normal aging, and severe fat loss may be secondary to HIV and treatment regimens. Facial fillers such as Sculptra and Radiesse are now FDA-approved for correction of lipoatrophy. For permanent correction Dr. Zanelli uses an FDA-approved medical-grade silicone, which is approved for intraocular injection; Its use for lipoatrophy thus is considered off-label. The superior result that hundreds of patients have received with microdroplet silicone treatments for lipoatrophy has changed their lives. Since 2002, Dr. Zanelli has performed more than 3,000 microdroplet silicone procedures for facial lipoatrophy.
Here is part of a letter received from one of Dr. Zanelli’s appreciative lipoatrophy patients:
“Dear Dr. Zanelli, ...MOST importantly, I want to thank you for giving me my life back. Okay yeah, that sounds like a grandiose statement for something you may feel was a trivial procedure. The fact is, you’ve given me back confidence in ways I can’t even articulate. I am able to focus on life, on career, on goals, and on being happy, versus being distraught over what my meds were doing to my face. I am so happy with what you’ve done for me and with how compassionate and gentle you were with me during the process. Truly, you've had a profound impact on me. Thank you, K.T.”
Photos, un-retouched, of some of Dr. Zanelli’s patients (individual results may vary):
*Please mouse over images to see before and after images
