What is Lipodissolve?

Lipodissolve is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure used to remove fat cells from the body. It typically serves as an alternative to liposuction, a procedure in which fat cells are surgically sucked out from beneath the skin. In lipodissolve, a mixture of chemicals are injected under the skin. These chemicals act to break down and remove fat cells. Lipodissolve is not permanent. It can provide body sculpting benefits to improve appearance, but results must generally be maintained with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Cosmetic surgeons perform the lipodissolve procedure by injecting a mix of chemicals and medications into the fat layer beneath the skin. The injections generally contain phosphatidylcholine, deoxycholate, alpha lipic acid, and vitamins. Certain herbal extracts, enzymes, antibiotics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also be added to the injection.

The chemicals in these injections can react with fat cells in the body to literally melt them away. Results typically appear within three weeks of the procedure. Results may appear more quickly or more slowly, however, depending on the size of the treatment area and the depth of the patient's fat layer. The typical patient wishes to treat a fat layer 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 cm) thick. These patients will most likely need three to four sessions and may not see their desired results for three to four months.

Lipodissolve, unlike some other cosmetic body sculpting procedures, requires very little downtime. Most patients find that they can return to their normal lifestyle within 48 hours, and can go back to work within three to four days. Side effects of lipdissolve are usually mild and include inflammation, bruising, and slight pain. Side effects normally disappear after seven to ten days.

Because it is a cosmetic procedure, lipodissolve is often not covered by medical insurance. The procedure can cost anywhere from several hundred to several thousand US Dollars. Any physician or cosmetic surgeon generally can perform the procedure.

Residents of the United States who are considering this body sculpting alternative to liposuction should be aware that it currently remains under evaluation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Researchers do not yet know what happens to the dissolved fat. Some believe that it leaves the body through natural excretion, while others are concerned that it may reappear in other, more dangerous places, such as the arteries.

Because lipodissolve has not yet been approved by the FDA, protocols for the procedure have not yet been established in the US. Those who wish to undergo this experimental procedure are generally advised to confirm the administering physician's qualifications and experience. Patients also should ask about the ingredients and amount of ingredients to be used in the injections, and to carefully consider the experiences of that physician's previous lipodissolve patients.