Each surgery is a work of art

Academic Training

Dr. Carlos Ríos is a Surgeon from the Universidad Libre Colombia, located in the city of Cali (1997). He completed his General Surgery service at the Santa Casa da Misericordia Hospital in Rio de Janeiro (Period 1999-2001).

Subsequently, he specialized in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery (2001-2004).

He also completed his residency for this specialization at the Santa Casa da Misericordia Hospital in Rio de Janeiro.

In 2004, he completed his specialization in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, also pursuing postgraduate studies in aesthetic plastic surgery at the Gama Filho University in Brazil.

Beginnings with Biopolymers

During his service at the Santa Casa da Misericordia Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, he had the opportunity to encounter cases of patients with severe inflammation, a consequence of injections of modeling substances in the buttocks.

Most of these patients belonged to the LGBT community (primarily transvestites and transsexuals), who were ignored by medicine for several reasons, including: there were no precedents, records, or previous research on such cases and thus the medical approach for these patients was unknown. There were no scientific findings precisely because most of the affected individuals were considered irresponsible people who decided to inject “anything” to change or enhance their bodies.

Twenty years ago, this was the landscape surrounding biopolymers. Currently, there are few doctors dedicated to the care of these patients, as in 2003 there were very few plastic surgeons who studied and treated people affected and/or victims of biopolymers.

This topic interested Dr. Carlos Ríos, and he decided to begin research and approach these patients.

He knows all the diseases caused by biopolymers. To date, he has been caring for patients with biopolymers for more than 18 years, and over this time he has been perfecting the techniques for removing biopolymers. Currently, he treats patients who have had biopolymer migration in the lumbar region, intramuscular area, ischiorectal fossae, genitals, hips, calves, and face.

Sharing Knowledge

Dr. Carlos Alberto Ríos is also a lecturer and speaker for brands such as Allergan (Botox and Juvederm) and Motiva (silicone implants).

Additionally, he has participated in international conferences, teaching his techniques to colleagues, and plastic surgeons, and presenting research advancements on the consequences of illicit substance injections, also known as biopolymers.

Understanding the reality of biopolymer victims and the little attention this issue has received, Dr. Carlos Ríos has promoted debate and the creation of legislative projects to establish solutions, such as the prohibition of their use and free access to health services in all countries. The purpose of these efforts is to have this disease recognized as a public health issue.

Advancements, Studies, and Research

Dr. Carlos Ríos is conducting research projects on biopolymers and the consequences they cause in carriers. These studies are carried out in collaboration with the Colombian government, along with specialists in various fields of medicine such as immunology, infectology, microbiology, forensic medicine, public health, pathology, among others.

Furthermore, he has dedicated efforts to demonstrate through experiments that some technologies and/or techniques are not favorable for the treatment of patients with biopolymers. He has shared these experiments at various conferences to generate medical knowledge and on social media for public awareness. This way, patients receive information that allows them to make correct decisions when choosing the appropriate technique to remove biopolymers.

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Dr. Carlos Alberto Ríos

He dedicates much effort to the approach of patients with biopolymers. However, he also performs aesthetic procedures and plastic surgeries with extraordinary results.