What is LipoDissolve®?
LipoDissolve® is a series of micro-injections developed to dissolve fat deposits of the face and body. It was originally discovered in Italy in the early 1980’s and modified and improved in 2002 as a more effective treatment option for treating localized fat reduction without surgery. LipoDissolve® is a procedure of injecting primarily a mixture of two naturally occurring chemicals, phosphatidylcholline and deoxycholate, into the skin. Phosphatidylcholine is made out of two fatty acid tails connected to a choline molecule. Phospatidylcholine, also known as lethicin, is one of the components of soybean oil. It is also a lipid or fat that constitutes 70% of cell membranes in humans. Deoxycholate is the most common occurring bile acid and its job is to help dissolve fats we consume. Normally, both are secreted by the gallbladder when we eat a high fat meal to aid digestion.
How do I know if LipoDissolve® is right for me?
You may be a candidate for LipoDissolve® if you have small areas of fat deposits that need reduction, or you are unable to undergo liposuction. During your consultation the physician will evaluate your condition and profile, and decide whether LipoDissolve® is the right solution for you.
How does LipoDissolve® work?
When the LipoDissolve® mixture is injected into fat tissue of the skin, the fatty tails of the phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholate mix with the fatty tails of the lipids on the cell wall of the fat cell and the aqueous or electrically charged side of the phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholate mix with water. The phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholate are working as detergents causing the oily cell wall and other fats to be dissolved in the watery fluid around the fat cell. This causes the cells to burst and release their enzymes. The immune system, led by white blood cells migrating into the fat tissue, is then activated to clean up the debris from the dissolved cells. This inflammatory response of the body is responsible for some of the soreness felt after a procedures. Soreness can last several weeks. The inflammatory response not only completes the destruction of the fat cells; it also causes some collagen and other proteins to be deposited in the area leading to the tightening and compacting of the subcutaneous tissue. Biopsies of sites show that the destruction of the fat cells is permanent. The fat and cellular debris that have been cleared are returned with the immune cells as waste into the normal metabolic pathways.
How effective is LipoDissolve®?
Results may vary depending on the site that is treated. Most patients can expect a reduction of two to six centimeters or one to two inches of circumference per treatment. :
- Lower Belly (female) 6.2 centimeters
- Upper Belly (female) 5.9 centimeters
- Love Handles (male) 4.2 centimeters
- Lower Belly (male) 4.1 centimeters
- Saddle Bags (female) 3.5 centimeters
- Upper Thigh (female) 3.0 centimeters
- Knee (female) 2.6 centimeters
* Data from 127 female treatment sessions and 14 male treatment sessions
Will the fat return after LipoDissolve® treatment?
The fat will return if you gain more weight in the future. Follow up observations of LipoDissolve® have shown that the fat deposits often stay off quite well in the treated area even if some overall weight gain is experienced.
Can results become uneven?
Different injection techniques can be used for either skin retraction or fat reduction. In procedures for fat reduction there have been no reports to date of unevenness in the injection areas. Often LipoDissolve® has been used to correct uneven effects from other procedures, such as liposuction, lipoplastymand coolsculpting.
Is LipoDissolve® supported by research?
Yes, LipoDissolve® is supported by clinical studies and monitoring of effects in Europe and the USA . Your clinic can provide you the details of these studies on request.
The Use of Phosphatidylcholine for Correct of Localized Fat Deposits
Is LipoDissolve® safe?
Yes, it is considered very safe. It is a mixture of naturally occurring substances that we eat every day. The mixture that is injected is primarily a combination of phosphatidylcholine also known as soy lecithin and B vitamins. Dietary supplements of phosphatidylcholine or lecithin are advocated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Thousand of treatments have been given and no serious adverse event has been reported. Some of the medically approved uses of phosphatidylcholine include:
- Phosphatidylcholine is given intravenously to treat liver diseases such as fatty liver, also known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
- Phosphatidylcholine is also given intravenously dissolve plaques in artery walls as a treatment for heart disease in Europe. It is also given in the US and Europe intravenously to dissolve fat emboli after trauma. Subcutaneous injection of the mixture is considered an off label use of the mixture. Many medicines we take every day are not labeled for all of the purposes for which we use them. For example, aspirin is not labeled for use to treat headaches, however it is generally considered safe.
What are the side-effects?
Common side-effects might include some light burning, bruising, swelling and aching in the area injected. Women should avoid treatment just before and during their menstrual period, as this may create a greater degree of discomfort and swelling. Cellulite treatment is generally is more uncomfortable but this can be reduced with topical anesthetics or ice.
Your clinic will explain during your consultation treatment reactions that are both common and rare and what side effects can be expected.
Do the injections hurt?
Most people experience very mild discomfort from the injections. The needle is very small the same size that is used to give an insulin injection. Some people report mild soreness at the injection after the shot is given. This soreness can last up to a week.
How long is the downtime or recovery?
Depending on the body area treated, patients often return to normal activity immediately after treatment. Patients having facial treatments for a double chin or facial fat may have extensive and unattractive swelling and may wish to stay off work for 3-4 days, although this is not necessary. The normal time for swelling to resolve is one week. Some minor swelling or soreness may persist longer.
How many treatments will I need?
This varies from patient to patient and body areas targeted. It is normal that results are seen in 1-4 sessions, although your case can differ.
How long does it take to work?
The treatments take about 30 minutes to perform. Initially there is some increased swelling for up to a week. It takes 6 to 8 weeks for the full body sculpting effect to occur and the inflammatory process to be complete.Treatments are repeated every 6 weeks. If you address large body areas, such as the abdomen, and require several sessions, you may notice minimal results between the first and second session. Many smaller areas, like double chin, often give satisfactory results two months after a single session.
Results vary from patient to patient. Sculpting can be very dramatic in some patients and have excellent cosmetic results, while minor in other depending on their body type and metabolic profile.
How does LipoDissolve® differ from mesotherapy?
Injection technique and medications are unique for LipoDissolve®. Mesotherapy is a slower imitation of LipoDissolve® with stronger medications and may require as many as 20 sessions and can become very expensive. LipoDissolve® contain a standardized mixture of pharmaceutical agents that has been monitored and researched for safety. The general response time is 1-4 sessions for results, depending on body type and metabolism and whether the patient is an appropriate candidate.
Can muscle be dissolved with Lipodissolve® ?
If the proper technique is followed the solution injected should not have any contact or effect on the muscles underlying the skin.
Why can’t the treatment be spread out over a larger area, or split between areas?
If the treatment is spread out over a larger area or split between 2 or 3 areas it will be less effective
Why does it take 3 or 4 treatments per area to get the results?
Sometimes dramatic results can occur after one treatment such as 2 or 3 inches lost in one area. This occurs in the minority of treatments. Most people see only small results in one treatment usually an inch or less. The majority of people respond after 2 or 3 treatment in one area. 95% of people respond with 2 or three inches of loss after 4 treatments. You must remember that the response also depends on the area treated and if there is any overall change in weight of the person treated. This is why we strongly recommend planning on treating each area 3 or 4 times to make sure you are in 95% who respond to the treatment.
Why do we perform tape measurements, weights and photodocumentation at every visit?
An obvious change in body weight can have a significant result on the success of the outcome. We use our data including photos [without identifying makers as much as possible] and measurements for research. The results are gradual and may not be appreciated until before and after comparisons can be made.
