Featured Physician: Dr. Cameron M. Govonlu, M.D

Welcome back to our Featured Physician series! We're excited to showcase our Regeneris Physician Affiliates and tell you about their practices, why they became interested in regenerative medicine, and technologies they're excited about.

Today we'd like to introduce you to Dr. Cameron M. Govonlu, a pain management physician at Physicians Pain Management Center in Raynham, Ma.

1. Can you tell us details about you/your practice?

As a person, all my life, I have been passionate about problem-solving, fixing broken things and design and symmetry.

When I started my surgical internship training at Methodist Hospital in Dallas, in 1976, my goal was to become a cosmetic plastic surgeon but due to the unexpected death of the plastic surgeon at Methodist Hospital as well as the field being highly-competitive with limited plastic surgery fellowships, it did not seem that I could secure my path to this specialty.

After a one year internship and six months of surgical residency, I decided to apply for anesthesiology residency in Southwestern Medical School and I got matched to Parkland Hospital in Dallas. During this three years’ internship and residency in anesthesiology, I took additional rotations in pain clinic, clinical hypnosis, and acupuncture.

After completing my residency I moved to Massachusetts where my wife had family and ancestors and started working at West Roxbury VA Hospital providing anesthesia for open heart and major vascular surgery as well as working with paraplegic and quadriplegic veterans. Later on, I moved to private practice at Morton Hospital in Taunton in 1982 where I practiced combined pain management and anesthesiology. I took multiple additional week-long courses all over the country in pain management and cadaver training and completed my board certification in anesthesiology with added qualifications in pain management.

In 1998 I decided to choose interventional pain management as my second career and started a free-standing office space interventional pain management in Taunton which was the first office space interventional pain management in southeastern Massachusetts.

2. Why did you get involved in regenerative medicine?

After two relocations I have settled in my current practice at 1244 Broadway, Raynham, Massachusetts.

I found my practice extremely gratifying and rewarding and up to today it has been the best twenty years of my career.

I have continued taking different courses learning the latest technologies in interventional pain management as well as taking additional courses in age management and bio-identical hormone therapy, aesthetics and prolotherapy.

As time went by PRP became a better substitution for prolotherapy and eventually stem cell revolution evolved to its current status. I took additional courses in stem cell therapy in both age management and pain management cadaver courses and have become extremely interested in the field not only recognizing that stem cell therapy will be the future of medicine but also the fact that it involves repairing diseased joints, ligament, discs and a host of other medical conditions and I can use my tools and interventional skills to get involved in this field and slowly adapt it as my third career in this lifetime.

I am very excited to be part of Regeneris Medical recognizing that Dr. Ryan Welter has already carved the way and established a structure for this new revolution in our area and I hope that as time goes by I become more and more active in this field.

Learn more and schedule an appointment with Dr. Govonlu by visiting his website

Featured Physician: Dr. Ryan Welter, M.D

Welcome back to our Featured Physician series! We're excited to showcase our Regeneris Physician Affiliates and tell you about their practices, why they became interested in regenerative medicine, and technologies they're excited about.

Today we'd like to introduce you to Dr. Ryan Welter, M.D. Founder and CEO of Regeneris Medical in Boston, MA.

1. Can you tell us details about you/your practice?

Regeneris Medical began with the simple idea that the human body contains most of what it needs to heal itself within its own stem cells and biologic mediators. We have embraced a focused commitment to providing research level therapies to patients today, allowing patients access to the most advanced regenerative therapies available.

2. Why did you get involved in regenerative medicine?

Through regenerative medicine and outstanding patient-centric service, I see an opportunity to change the face of modern medicine. It is my goal to be recognized as an innovative and respected leader in the field of regenerative medicine in practice, research, and education.

3. What are some of the most exciting technologies within this field?

I believe that in the near future, almost every medical treatment will include at least some component of this emerging technology. I foresee a day when Doctors are much less dependent on pharmaceuticals and have harnessed the natural healing and regenerative properties of the human body to the fullest extent.

4. What is a fun fact you'd like to share?

I have my own YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/WelterMD) where I share skincare treatments, exciting new announcements, and an inside look of a cosmetic surgeon's life. Check it out if this interests you!

Learn more and schedule an appointment with Dr. Welter by visiting RegenerisBoston.com

Consider the Regeneris BioHip Protocol Before a Total Hip Replacement

Pain in your hip joint is never fun. Waking up in the middle of the night with pain, not being able to walk as much as you used to, or needing to take an excessive amount of Aleve or Ibuprofen are all signs that your hip may be degenerating quickly. The typical treatment options include hip injections or hip replacement surgery, which in some cases can make the pain worse. The team at Regeneris Medical has developed a new protocol called the Regeneris BioHip. The BioHip is a treatment method that uses your body’s own stem cells to restore and repair damage of the hip. It is based on the premise that cells can and should promote the body’s healing process, so that you can gain full range of motion back in your hip, and not have to remove the joint and replace it with a prosthetic.

Why You Should Consider the BioHip Protocol

There are many reasons to consider the BioHip protocol before considering the traditional surgical route:

Lower anesthesia risks - When you have to go under general anesthesia (such as during a total hip replacement), you are increasing your risk of complications exponentially. There are also a lot of side effects that can be caused by general anesthesia, such as vomiting, sore throat, shivering or sleepiness. Our Regeneris BioHip protocol is performed under local anesthesia (just to the hip), significantly decreasing your chances of experiencing side effects.

No time in the hospital - When you have a major surgery, such as a total hip replacement, you will need to spend a significant amount of time recovering in the hospital. This can be uncomfortable and disruptive to your routine and the routine of those who will be taking care of you. The Regeneris BioHip allows you to recover from the comfort of your own home, as you return home a few hours after your procedure.

Lower cost - Before insurance coverage, a total hip replacement can cost you upwards of $39,000. The Regeneris BioHip, on the other hand, costs under $10,000 and the final cost depends on your personalized treatment program.

Technology Used

There are two main state-of-the-art stem cell technologies used in the BioHip protocol:

1. Stormal Vascular Fraction (SVF) - SVF is a way to extract stem cells from fatty areas of the body, rather than blood or bone (which many people associate with stem cells). A tiny amount of fat is removed from the body via a minimally invasive liposuction procedure at the beginning of your treatment (under local anesthesia). The stem cells that are taken out of that fat come at a much higher yield than if they came from bone or blood, which is why we utilize this technology.

2. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) - PRP is an injection prepared from your own blood. Platelets provide an environment in the body that is optimal for healing injuries. When combined with stem cells, PRP aids in the regenerative process significantly, allowing for healing of the damaged tissue.

While the timing and efficacy of this process are currently being looked at more closely in our research protocols, the injected cells should immediately begin secreting growth factors to stimulate healing. Depending on how well your body reacts to the protocol, the results could last years.

Let’s Get Started

Contact Regeneris Medical today to speak with a doctor and discuss the BioHip as a treatment option for your hip pain, and remember -- don’t operate, regenerate!

Will options such as the Regeneris BioShoulder become the new standard of care over traditional shoulder surgery?

Pain in your shoulder area is not fun. Aching, tenderness or discomfort can affect many areas of your life, from your job to your hobbies. After seeing a doctor, you may be thinking that shoulder surgery is your only option - it is not. The Regeneris BioShoulder protocol gives you the option to regenerate, not operate.

What is the BioShoulder protocol?

The Regeneris BioShoulder protocol is an injection that brings stem cells and progenitor cells (taken from your own body) to the damaged tissues, in this case your shoulder. It’s minimally invasive and is performed on an outpatient basis.

Why would I try BioShoulder before considering surgery?

Surgery is a big step and should be carefully considered before making a decision. The Regeneris BioShoulder is a good option to consider before surgery because of its low anesthesia risks, quick recovery time and high quality results. Before committing to an invasive surgery, you may want to consider the minimally invasive Regeneris approach.

Low anesthesia risks

We all know that when you have a major surgery like shoulder surgery, you will be put under using general anesthesia. But did you know that general anesthesia increases your risk of complications, and is more likely to cause side effects like vomiting or dizziness? During your BioShoulder treatment, our team uses only local anesthesia (specific to one area of the body). This greatly reduces your chance of complications and side effects, and also means you’ll be awake during the treatment, but unable to feel your shoulder area.

Quick recovery time

Because shoulder surgery is so invasive, you’ll most likely need to stay in the hospital for a day or two, followed by being in a sling for up to 6 weeks, followed by physical therapy. This means a long road to full recovery. With the Regeneris BioShoulder, you’ll return home the same day and recover from the comfort of your own home.

High quality results

What your surgeon might not tell you is that shoulder surgery may only last you 15 - 20 years, at which point you would either have to consider your options or get another surgery. Having multiple surgeries only further increases your chances of complications and side effects. The amount of time between BioShoulder injections vary patient to patient, however the results are immediate.

The team at Regeneris Medical highly encourages you to research your options and consider a Regeneris BioShoulder before undergoing shoulder surgery. Many employees and friends of Regeneris Medical know individuals who have had shoulder surgery and are still in the same amount of pain that they were before the procedure, or worse. We want to help. Learn more about the Regeneris BioShoulder and contact us today using the form below or by calling 855-734-3678.

Will options such as the Regeneris Bioknee become the new standard of care over traditional Total Knee Replacement?

Unfortunately, the total knee replacement procedure is becoming more and more common. The U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health state that 4.7 million people had total knee replacements in 2010, and that the average age of those patients gets younger and younger. TKRs are highly invasive and potentially very painful. Dr. Ryan Welter and the team at Regeneris Medical knew there had to be another option. There is now an alternative to TKR that is safe, effective, and offers superior results - the Regeneris BioKnee. The Regeneris BioKnee activates the body’s natural healing process to allow for natural healing of the joint, potentially giving patients increased range of motion and less pain. In a typical knee replacement, an implant made of metal and plastic is implanted into the patient’s knee. The Regeneris BioKnee protocol calls for the use of the patient’s own stem cells, allowing for a safer, less invasive approach. Patients can typically go home the same day.

There are a multitude of reasons to try the Regeneris BioKnee procedure before thinking about a total knee replacement, with the most important being the results. Total knee replacements typically last 5 - 15 years and then the patient has to undergo another operation to not only implant another device, but to remove the old device. The Regeneris BioKnee procedure lasts 7 - 10 years, at which point another injection is needed to start the body’s healing process up again. Although the turnover times are about the same, the Regeneris BioKnee is much less invasive and carries less of a risk of damage to the surrounding tissue.

Hospital Stay

The Regeneris BioKnee requires much less time in the hospital. The procedure itself is outpatient, meaning that you would go home the same day. A total knee replacement usually requires at least a week in the hospital due to the high risk of infection. This also significantly raises the cost of the procedure.

Cost

The Regeneris BioKnee is significantly less expensive than a total knee replacement. A TKR typically costs around $49,000 due to the surgery and recovery costs. The Regeneris BioKnee ranges in price between $2,500 to $7,500 depending on the patient’s individualized treatment plan. During your initial consult, your Regeneris physician will discuss the price points of your agreed upon treatment.

Recovery Time

Recovery, and the pain that can come with it, is often times the scariest part of considering a treatment for your knee. Total knee replacement recovery is painful and extensive. It requires a strict physical therapy regimen that can sometimes damage the knee. After your Regeneris BioKnee procedure, you will be told not to participate in any rigorous physical activity for up to two weeks, in order to let your knee heal. After that, gentle stretching is encouraged.

The team at Regeneris Medical highly encourages you to research your options and consider a Regeneris BioKnee before undergoing a total knee replacement. Many employees and friends of Regeneris Medical know individuals who have had total knee replacements and are still in the same amount of pain that they were before the procedure, or worse. We want to help. Learn more about the Regeneris BioKnee and contact us today using the form below or by calling 855-734-3678.