Beverly Hills, CA (PRWEB) March 20, 2009 - The recent lift of stem cell research restrictions by President Barack Obama has been heralded by stem cell researchers across the nation.

The action has reversed an eight year research ban and, to many, signifies the coming of a new era of potential cures for many debilitating diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and many cancers.

Among the advocates for stem cell research and technology are plastic surgeons like Dr. Payman Simoni who have seen the benefits of stem cell use first hand.

"Many people do not realize that stem cells have been utilized in plastic surgery for decades now," said Simoni.

Stem cells are special cells that have the ability to become other types of cells, like skin, bone, nerve, or muscle tissues. Embryonic stem cells are the most well-known and controversial type. But there are other stem cells in the body called adult stem cells.

"Fat carries a good number of adult stem cells which have been utilized in modern plastic surgery procedures such as fat grafting, fat transfers and fat injections," said Dr. Simoni.

Fat transfers and fat injections involve harvesting fat, sometimes called adipose tissue, from unwanted areas of the patient's body. This harvested tissue is then injected into areas of the face to fill in wrinkles and areas that typically lose tissue mass as a result of aging.

This method of injecting filler is often considered safer than other methods because the patient's own tissue is being used.

Surgeons noticed unexpected benefits in their fat transfer patients. "Patients who receive fat injections from me look unbelievably younger in their one year follow-up," explained Dr Simoni.

"The reason is, the stem cells in the fat injections bond with the patient's tissues in their face, adding to lost bone and muscle tissue while improving the quality of the skin."

Dr. Simoni uses fat injections as part of his face lifts to create the ultimate youthful beauty. Performing under local anesthesia, Dr Simoni's advanced face rejuvenation has been featured around the world as Simoni LiftTM.

In Europe, surgeons process the fat to get a high concentration of stem cells. This supercharged stem cell fat is then used to rejuvenate the skin and the face. Fat stem cells have even been used in reconstructive plastic surgery.

In 2004, surgeons in Germany used stems cells from fat tissue of a seven year old girl to help repair major damage to her skull. The large hole in the skull is now replaced by solid bone.

In 2006, researchers in UCLA announced successfully transforming adult fat stem cells into smooth muscle cells, which help the normal function of a large number of organs like the intestine, bladder and arteries.

"With the Obama Administration embracing and allowing further research into this revolutionary medical technology, the sky is now the limit," concluded Dr. Simoni.

About Dr. Simoni

Payman Simoni, M.D. received his undergraduate degree from Yeshiva University and his M.D. degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

He served as general surgical resident at University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital and completed his Facial Plastic Surgery and Head & Neck surgery training at University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital.

Dr Simoni has two board certifications in Facial Plastic Surgery by American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgery and American Board of Head and Neck Surgery/Otolaryngology.

In the media, Dr. Simoni has been featured on The View, Entertainment Tonight, 10 Years Younger, The Insider, and in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and Ok! Weekly.