Own-cell programmes
Cell365 Well names three sources of your own cells: blood, bone marrow and fat. Below is what each involves and what to ask. The clinic’s answers for your case come in writing before you book.
From your blood
Blood is drawn and processed. Some menus list options by the amount of blood drawn. That is the volume collected, not the dose of cells that goes back in.
- What exactly does the final product contain? Is it PRP or a cell preparation?
- Is it injected into an area, or given by intravenous drip?
- Who prepares it, and what checks are done?
Background reading: PRP vs stem cells from your blood (COMEDI)
From bone marrow
Bone marrow is drawn from the hip bone and concentrated. In Korea, injecting concentrated bone marrow into the knee joint is an assessed medical procedure for specific stages of knee osteoarthritis. Ask whether your knee falls within that, and what imaging the doctor needs.
From fat
A small amount of fat is taken under local anaesthesia, and a cell-rich fraction (SVF) is separated. The clinic’s English materials describe four stages and three programmes.
| Stage | What happens | Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Fat harvest | A small amount of fat is taken | From where, and how long does it take? |
| SVF extraction | The cell-rich fraction is separated | Inside the clinic or at a lab? |
| Banking (optional) | Cells are frozen and stored with Monit Cell, a cell storage company | For how long, at what yearly cost, and what if I do not return? |
| Procedure | Cells are injected | Into which area, how many sessions? |
Cells from your fat used on the day of harvest.
Cells frozen and stored, with a first re-injection included.
Stored cells retrieved and used again later.
Background reading: Fat stem cells and SVF in Korea (COMEDI)
Questions
Is PRP a stem cell treatment?
No. PRP is plasma with platelets prepared from your own blood. A cell preparation is a different product. Ask the clinic which one it proposes.
Is SVF the same as stem cells?
No. SVF is a mixed fraction of cells from fat tissue. Cultured cells are a different product grown in a lab.
What happens to stored cells?
Ask what is done to them before they are used again: thawed and injected, or processed or cultured first. The answer changes which Korean rules apply.
Ask before you book
Send your question, your dates and any X-ray or MRI report you already have. COMEDI, the registered coordinator for international patients, gets the clinic’s written answer and a written quote before you travel. Replies within 24 hours.