Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
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fat face and buffalo hump
May 1, 2008
I have been HIV+ for 14 yrs. with no side effects except for having 3 chins and a buffalo hump. It seems that all the other solutions for other peoples problems has been weight loss but I am 53 yrs old and can't seem to lose any weight at all atleast not fast enough but is there a surgery that can help get rid of the fat face and hump and is there a Dr. who is willing to do it cheap? I live in San Antonio, TX and I only have Medi-care and I have not heard of any Dr. in town who can do it. Can you help me? I get tired of people staring at me all the time, it's embarrasing. GOD Bless You.
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Response from Dr. Pierone
Hello, and thanks for posting.
Liposuction is an option for treatment of excessive fat accumulation in surface locations. Liposuction techniques have improved and the buffalo hump and chin fat are treatable. Generally this is not an inexpensive procedure, although some surgeons will give discounted rates. Most health insurance plans in the United States will not pay for liposuction since it is considered a cosmetic procedure. I have one patient with private insurance who has had several liposuction procedures for protease inhibitor-related lipohypertrophy. In her case we were able to get partial coverage of these procedures, but only after multiple letters and appeals to her insurance carrier.
You should be able to do some research and see who is performing this procedure in your region and make an appointment for a consultation. This will give you an idea of the availability and price of surgery for your problem.
The other question is whether your regimen is promoting the weight gain and lipohypertrophy. This side effect is typically associated with protease inhibitors-based therapy and switching to a different regimen may help reverse this problem.
If you repost with more details I should be able to provide some guidance.
Thanks for posting and good luck!
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