Although there are those who would love nothing more than to be rid of areas of body fat forever, and they are most likely aware of liposuction, there is another procedure being bandied about as a new technology. It’s called Lipodissolve, or injection lipolysis, and it is billed as a “non-surgical alternative” to liposuction. It basically melts the fat. And, while there are many cosmetic surgeons out there who use the Lipodissolve technology, it is still under scrutiny. In fact, it’s not even FDA-approved.
What It Is
There’s the rub; there is no standard formula for Lipodissolve, so the ingredients vary. This is probably one of the main issues with the treatment. However, most of the chemical cocktails may include one of two different compounds, or may include both: phosphatidylcholine (PPC) and/or deoxycholate.
- Phosphatidylcholine – a compound extracted from the soy bean.
- Deoxycholate – a derivative of bile. Bile is what breaks down fat in our intestines.
Other ingredients include multivitamins, enzymes, alpha lipid acid, and plant extracts. Some cosmetic surgeons also include hormones, antibiotics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications to their treatment.
Having said this, there are a number of reputable cosmetic surgeons who use a standard chemical mix whose risks are very small.
What It’s For
Lipodissolve, like liposuction, can be used on many parts of the body. Arms, trunk, legs, chin, and other areas are good targets for Lipodissolve. And, because it is done through injections, you don’t have to worry about incisions and having a cannula inserted into your body to suck out the fat. Many people would prefer not to go through this kind of healing process, even though the results are scientifically proven.
By injecting you in areas where there are fatty deposits you wish removed, you not only don’t have to worry about anesthetic, but the fat is dissolved rather than sucked out. Treatments are done four to six weeks apart, and there is usually no down-time after the procedure. That is, if all goes well.
What Can Happen
There is currently a lawsuit in Illinois, brought forth by a woman who was seriously injured after her Lipodissolve procedure. She had the procedure at a medical spa called Pure Med Spa, which is one of the new cosmetic surgery chains popping up around the country. According to the woman and her lawsuit, she allegedly has rotting flesh on her legs for nearly five months. This is because the concentration of phosphatidycholine/deoxycholate was most likely too high. As one cosmetic surgeon put it, “it’s like battery acid. It’ll eat through anything.” Predictably, Pure Med Spa claims they’ve done thousands of these procedures, and that their staff is highly trained. (So is the staff at McDonald’s, especially the teenagers at the fry counter.)
There are other cases of calcium deposits forming beneath the skin and allergic reactions to the injection. If you are allergic to soy, there is no reason why you should even consider Lipodissolve. In fact, stop reading now.
However, there is potential for Lipodissolve to become one of the main procedures performed in this country. Liposuction is already one of the most popular procedures here, and Lipodissolve has been used in Europe since the ’80s. And maybe the risks are truly minimal, as the makers and different cosmetic surgeons claim. But before you decide that Lipodissolve is right for you, you need to grill your cosmetic surgeon with questions about it. If they are a good one, they will answer all of your questions, and be able to point to their success with this procedure.
If you would like more information about Lipodissolve, please contact an experienced cosmetic surgeon in your area.
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