SIME 2024: Discovering Beauty with Dr. Pierfrancesco Bove
K: Good morning Dr. Bove, we read in your biography that you've always combined your passion for cosmetic surgery with your passion for photography and painting, managing to bridge two seemingly distant but actually connected worlds. What connection do you see between these worlds?
B: The role of a cosmetic surgeon is unique because it requires a great deal of manual skill. We work with our hands, like artisans, only instead of sculpting wood or marble, we sculpt the human body. There are many parallels with art, from painting to photography. Even in my own presentation, I showcase artworks from various eras, from Ancient Greece to the present day, to demonstrate that the common thread has always been and will always be beauty. While the concept of beauty may evolve over time, aesthetic taste remains relevant, personal, and meaningful. As the saying goes, "beauty will save the world."
K: So, for you, beauty is both a starting point and an arrival point?
B: Exactly. Beauty is our source of inspiration, and we want patients to share this vision. I try to immerse them in an aesthetically pleasing and stimulating environment, even in my office, to make them feel surrounded by beauty. When a patient chooses a cosmetic surgeon, they should find a competent professional with whom they share a common aesthetic taste. Beauty is subjective, and the choice of professional should reflect this individuality.
K: Moving on to the topic of the seminar you will present at SIME 2024, “Buttock Reshaping with Micromolecular Hyaluronic Acid,” can you give us a preview?
B: Well, I chose to use the term "micromolecular" in the seminar title because I want to emphasize that, although hyaluronic acid's micromolecular nature is usually considered a limitation for body treatments, I find it an advantage. Its micromolecular consistency allows for more natural absorption in the body and offers more natural and long-lasting results. Contrary to expectations, the product isn't noticeable to the touch after just a few days, but it guarantees a long-lasting filling effect. The metaphor I often use with colleagues during training sessions is that of a wall: it's like building a wall with small bricks rather than huge blocks. Even if it takes longer, the result is more flexible and natural.
K: Can I ask you for a somewhat delicate comparison: what advantages do you see in this hyaluronic acid technique compared to lipofilling or permanent implants for buttock remodeling?
B: First of all, they are different approaches because lipofilling and implantation require surgery, while filler offers advantages in terms of comfort for the patient, as it can be performed even during a lunch break and does not require extensive recovery.
Furthermore, it's worth noting that lipofilling typically involves inserting a surplus of approximately 30% fat, as some of it is rapidly reabsorbed, making the result less predictable. It's also important to consider that the injected fat may shrink if the patient loses weight, and it's important to note that most patients who choose gluteal fillers are very physically active and diet-conscious.
Buttock implants, despite evolving toward simpler surgical procedures over time, carry the risk of complications and require more invasive procedures, the health impacts of which could become apparent in the future, especially in relation to their possible removal or replacement.
On the other hand, hyaluronic acid treatment for the buttocks is simpler and requires minimal post-treatment care, offering visible and long-lasting results after just one week. I often advise patients to consider it as a long-term project: although the initial expense can be significant, the long-lasting results and the possibility of additional maintenance treatments make this option highly satisfying over time. I have patients who continue to enjoy exceptional results for 4-5 years after receiving hyaluronic acid treatment, thus confirming its effectiveness and long-term satisfaction.
K: Returning to the AMWC in Munich, you recently attended this conference, which attracted record numbers. What, in your opinion, are the new perspectives in aesthetic medicine?
B: The AMWC is a key event in the field of aesthetic medicine and plays a key role in defining future trends. Personally, I believe that regenerative aesthetic medicine represents one of the most promising directions. The combined use of regenerative techniques with hyaluronic acid fillers could open new frontiers in the field. For example, I've heard of fat cryopreservation for stem cells, which could be integrated with hyaluronic acid-based treatments. This synergy is very exciting and could represent the future of aesthetic medicine.