This page outlines precautions, side effects, and risks associated with stem cell therapy — including fat collection, post-procedure care, and infusion.
While stem cell therapy offers new medical possibilities, treatment outcomes vary by individual. This is a self-pay procedure not covered by Japan's public health insurance.
Please do not self-assess suitability. If you have any concerns, our physicians will provide an objective face-to-face evaluation at consultation.
Fat Collection: Potential Risks & Discomfort
For all stem cell therapy patients
- Subcutaneous hematoma (leading to skin hyperpigmentation on the abdomen, depending on the severity)
- Bleeding from the wound site
- Pain and swelling (edema) at the wound site
- Anemia due to blood loss
- Anaphylactic reaction (including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, decreased blood pressure, and shock)
- Peritoneal perforation (There is a risk of injury to the peritoneum during the procedure.)
After the Procedure
- Day of Procedure: Showering permitted — keep surgical site dry
- Within 2 days: Keep the waterproof tape securely attached. Avoid smoking and alcohol, and stay well hydrated.
- Within 1 week: No baths, hot springs, or soaking
- Within 2 weeks: Avoid strenuous exercise
Contact us immediately if you experience:
- Increased redness or swelling at the incision site
- Fever ≥ 38°C (100.4°F)
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Asymmetry in leg length
For Patients Considering: Frailty, Diabetes, Menopausal/Andropause, Cerebrovascular Disease, Chronic Pain, Liver Dysfunction Treatment
Infusion Side Effects & Disadvantages
We will administer the cells while monitoring the patient's vital signs and health status using a monitor. After the infusion is complete, you will be asked to remain in the clinic for approximately 15 to 30 minutes for observation. If symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, numbness in the limbs, or dizziness occur after returning home, please contact the emergency contact number immediately.
- Anaphylactic reaction (e.g., abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, shock)
- Pulmonary embolism (blockage of blood vessels in the lungs; severe cases may cause difficulty breathing)
- Pain at the injection site, internal bleeding, nerve damage (e.g., numbness in the limbs)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bleeding (e.g., difficulty stopping bleeding, internal bleeding, blood clots)
- Allergic/hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., itching, hives, chills, fever, rhinitis, asthma symptoms, tearing)
We are prepared for emergencies in accordance with the "Guidelines for the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Pulmonary Thromboembolism and Deep Vein Thrombosis (2017 Revised Edition)." Furthermore, we have confirmed coordination with nearby hospitals for necessary patient transfer in such an event.
Who May Not Be Suitable for Stem Cell Therapy
- Those who have a hypersensitivity (severe allergy) to the anesthetic agents used during fat harvesting (such as Xylocaine for local anesthesia).
- Those who test positive for pathogenic microorganisms (such as HIV). (*If HIV is found after fat collection, the treatment will be stopped and the fat will be discarded.)
- Those who have had allergic reactions to Amphotericin B, human albumin, streptomycin, gentamicin, or vancomycin.
- Those who cannot understand the contents of the consent and explanation document for this Regenerative Medicine procedure.
- Those who have a concomitant malignant tumor (cancer).
- Patients who are pregnant or undergoing hemodialysis.
- Others deemed unsuitable for the implementation of this Regenerative Medicine procedure by the treating physician.
Conditions Requiring Careful Medical Evaluation
- Those with severe cardiac, blood, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, neurological, or psychiatric diseases.
- Those who have experienced allergic reactions to penicillin (Note: Generally, other antibiotics are used during the cell culture process).
- Those with a bleeding tendency.
- Those with a history of hypersensitivity to heparin.
- Those with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
- Those who have been in complete remission from malignant tumors for 5 years or more without recurrence.
In addition to the above, there are several other criteria for receiving the treatment. Furthermore, even after you have consented to the treatment, the results of the pre-treatment screening tests may indicate that you are ineligible to receive the therapy. We will explain the results obtained from these tests to the patient.
Not sure if you're eligible? Book a Consultation
For Patients Considering: ED Treatment
Local Injection: Side Effects & Disadvantages
Many research institutions and medical facilities have reported that the side effects of this treatment are generally mild and that no serious adverse effects have been observed.
However, because this is a relatively new treatment, the possibility of unknown long-term side effects cannot be completely ruled out.
- Temporary pain, subcutaneous bleeding, and inflammation (heat, redness, swelling) may occur at the administration site and in rare cases fever or vomiting may occur
- There is a possibility of infection at the administration site
- Antibiotics and other substances (such as amphotericin B and streptomycin) are used in cell culture, and allergic or other foreign-body reactions may occur in response to these agents (although repeated washing is performed, they cannot be completely removed)
- ASC has the ability to differentiate into various types of cells. Therefore, although it cannot be said that there is absolutely no possibility of differentiation into tumor cells or tumor formation, no such cases have been reported in Japan
- In addition, as a serious possible adverse reaction to drugs used during the ASC
- Other possible side effects include hypersensitivity reactions (fever, facial flushing, hives, etc.) and nausea
Who May Not Be Suitable for Stem Cell Therapy
- Patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy (for a malignant disease such as prostate cancer) and for whom five years have not yet passed since the surgery.
- Infection, inflammation, or trauma on penile skin
- HIV positive status
- Malignant tumors
- Allergy to local anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine) used during fat collection
- History of allergic reactions to amphotericin B, human albumin, streptomycin, gentamicin, or vancomycin
- Currently undergoing dialysis
- Minors
- Unable to understand the informed consent documentation
- Anyone deemed unsuitable by the treating physician
Conditions Requiring Careful Medical Evaluation
- Severe cardiac, hematological, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, neurological, or psychiatric disorders
- Bleeding tendency or coagulation disorders
- History of penicillin allergy (alternative antibiotics are generally used during cell culture)
- Malignant tumor with complete remission exceeding 5 years and no recurrence
※There are several criteria for receiving this treatment. Even if a patient has consented to participate in the treatment, the treatment may still not be provided depending on the results of the pre-treatment examinations used to determine whether these criteria are met.
Not sure if you're eligible? Book a Consultation
For Patients Considering: Osteoarthritis, Hair Tissue Treatment
Local Injection: Side Effects & Disadvantages
Many research institutions and medical facilities have reported that the side effects of this treatment are generally mild and that no serious adverse effects have been observed.
However, because this is a relatively new treatment, the possibility of unknown long-term side effects cannot be completely ruled out.
- Approximately 6 months for full therapeutic results.
- Temporary pain, subcutaneous bleeding, and inflammation (heat, redness, swelling) may occur at the administration site and in rare cases fever or vomiting may occur
- There is a possibility of infection at the administration site
- Antibiotics and other substances (such as amphotericin B and streptomycin) are used in cell culture, and allergic or other foreign-body reactions may occur in response to these agents (although repeated washing is performed, they cannot be completely removed)
- ASC has the ability to differentiate into various types of cells. Therefore, although it cannot be said that there is absolutely no possibility of differentiation into tumor cells or tumor formation, no such cases have been reported in Japan
- Other possible side effects include hypersensitivity reactions (fever, facial flushing, hives, etc.) and nausea
Who May Not Be Suitable for Stem Cell Therapy
- Patients who have undergone radical prostatectomy (for a malignant disease such as prostate cancer) and for whom five years have not yet passed since the surgery.
- Infection, inflammation, or trauma on penile skin
- HIV positive status
- Malignant tumors
- Allergy to local anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine) used during fat collection
- History of allergic reactions to amphotericin B, human albumin, streptomycin, gentamicin, or vancomycin
- Currently undergoing dialysis
- Minors
- Unable to understand the informed consent documentation
- Anyone deemed unsuitable by the treating physician
Conditions Requiring Careful Medical Evaluation
- Severe cardiac, hematological, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, neurological, or psychiatric disorders
- Bleeding tendency or coagulation disorders
- History of penicillin allergy (alternative antibiotics are generally used during cell culture)
- Malignant tumor with complete remission exceeding 5 years and no recurrence
※There are several criteria for receiving this treatment. Even if a patient has consented to participate in the treatment, the treatment may still not be provided depending on the results of the pre-treatment examinations used to determine whether these criteria are met.
Not sure if you're eligible? Book a Consultation
