The procedure is usually not covered by health insurance, although some coverage might be possible for correction of defects caused by disease or trauma. Patients' expectations sometimes exceed what can actually be accomplished. Even after two negative tests, an extremely small number of patients still react with inflammatory skin lesions which remain for months and need steroidal therapy. Almost invariably, though, these clear without residual effects. Many physicians consider collagen replacement the treatment of choice for the applications described earlier.
Patients are generally very pleased.
Patients considering this procedure should consult with a physician experienced in the technique of collagen implantation before making a decision. Dr. David F Frankel came to the Sansum Clinic in 1992 from private practice of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery in Miami, Florida and the faculty of the University of Miami School of Medicine. Dr. Frankel graduated from Dartmouth College, received his Masters Degree in Business from Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration and his M.D. from the University of Miami School of Medicine. He completed his internship in Surgery and residency in Dermatology at the University of Miami where he remains a Clinical Professor in the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery. Dr. Frankel is a Fellow of the American Board of Dermatology and was an investigator in the clinical trials leading to FDA approval of Zyderm.