Phil Castle, The Business Times

Dr. William Merkel uses a variety of techniques in his plastic surgery practice to achieve what for many of his patients is a single goal — restoring a full and youthful appearance in their faces.

But one technique could prove doubly useful, Merkel says, in not only transferring fat from their abdomens and flanks to their faces, but also extracting stem cells that offer additional benefits. Stem cells have been shown to promote healing as well as relieve pain and work for everything from rejuvenating the face to treating joints to regrowing hair on scalps.

It’s part of what Merkel sees as significant advance for his practice as well as health care generally. “This is a next awakening in medicine.”

Merkel, one of the first plastic surgeons in Western Colorado, operates Plastic Surgery Specialists in Grand Junction. He provides a range of surgical and nonsurgical services along with skin care and hormone replenishment.

Merkel says he’s performed fat transfers for more than 25 years, but improving technology has made it possible to also harvest stem cells.

Stem cells have the ability to develop into almost any type of cell in the body as well as serve as a kind of internal repair mechanism, Merkel says. “They know where to go to fix what’s bad in our bodies.”

There are three major sources for stem cells, he says, including bone marrow and umbilical cords. But the adipose fat in the abdomen and flanks also serves as a plentiful source of stem cells. That’s the same area from which he transfers fat.

Merkel says he can use a technique in which he extracts fat from a patient, then filters the fat to produce smaller and smaller particles. The process also can be used to harvest stem cells.

Combined with platelet rich plasma extracted from blood, the solution offers what Merkel says is an ideal filler to restore facial fullness for patients with sagging or sunken cheeks or hollowed temples. The solution also can be used fill laugh lines and create fuller lips.

The process also can be used to treat pain in joints or wounds with stem cell injections, he says.

Extracting stem cells from a patient’s own fat offers a savings of money and time over purchasing stem cells from donated umbilical cords, Merkel says. Moreover, there’s no risk of rejection or allergic reaction because a patient is using his or her own tissues.

While every patient is different, Merkel says it’s generally better if they come to see him sooner rather than later to address their concerns. “I can turn this around. I can restore natural fullness back to their face.”

Merkel says he isn’t satisfied unless his patients are satisfied. “ Our focus is on the patient. We want every patient satisfied with their treatments and we arduously pursue that.”

Merkel opened his practice in 1975 and was at that time the first and only plastic surgeon in Western Colorado. He estimates he’s cared for more than 25,000 patients since then.

He says he’s one of the first plastic surgeons in the region to offer liposuction as well as the one of first to use lasers to treat varicose veins. That makes stem cell extraction and rejuvenation and pain treatments the latest advancements he offers.

That combination of experience and technology differentiates his practice from other providers, he says.

Merkel performs such surgical procedures as face lifts and breast augmentation. But he says his practice has shifted over the years as he strives to use the least invasive techniques to achieve the results his patients desire.

A variety of techniques reverse facial aging, he says, including laser treatments, chemical peels and microdermabrasion. Anti-aging topical products also are available.

Regardless of the techniques, Merkel says he also strives for a naturally youthful appearance. “I focus on the natural.” He says he asks patients to bring in photographs that show what they looked like when they were younger to guide him in restoring that appearance.

While Merkel says he’s considered retirement, he’s not planning on it anytime soon. “I’m going to continue doing what I’m doing and producing happy, healthy patients.”

For more information about stem cell treatments and Plastic Surgery Specialists, call 242-9127 or visit the website at www.DoctorMerkel.com.