Injections for body reshaping
This technology is called by many names: Injection-Lipolysis Mesotherapy Lipolysis (Lipodissolve, Flab-Jab, Fat-away-injection, Mesotherapy, Lipolysis, and Lipomelt).
The medication used is manufactured by the German company Nattermann. It is a prescription only medication. The main active ingredient Phosphatidylcholine is derived from soya beans is manufactured in Germany, and it has been on the market now for 30 years. It was originally used in an oral form to lower Cholesterol and to improve a fatty liver. The injectable version is licensed for the treatment and prevention of fat embolism. The main active ingredient Phosphatidylcholine is derived from soya beans, Phosphatidylcholine is used and licensed in many European countries, it is mixed with some alcohol to enhance the effect of lipolysis. It breaks up the fat and also causes the whole fat cell to be destroyed.
On the body about 6-10 vials equalling between 30-50 ml are injected, for the face it is just one vial. Lipostabil is combined with Saline and a small amount of Vitamin B and a vasodilating (blood vessel widenining) drug (Pentoxiphylline).
The skin is cleaned, and then multiple small injections about 1.5cm apart are set directly into the fat tissue. The injections themselves are almost pain free, but the burning pain and swelling sets in after a few minutes. This is actually a positive sign, that the medication is working. It is advisable to take some pain killers beforehand. Afterwards the skin is cleaned again, no dressing or bandage is required. The swelling lasts for about 4 days. However it is advisable not to attend the sauna, sunbed or gym for one week. It is not possible to remove all the fat of a certain area in one session. If more medication was used, the subsequent swelling simply would be too much.
At the conclusion of the two weeks, fat loss will be noticed; however, studies indicate three consecutive treatments are recommended as the minimum required to ensure aesthetic improvement. Additional treatments are carried out for areas with larger fatty deposits in order to achieve the desired size. Reports indicate that the fat loss achieved through Injection Lipolysis treatments typically does not return, but as with many fat loss programs, new weight gain can build up new fat in the same areas. A balanced diet along with regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle is recommended to optimize and maintain SKIN's Injection Lipolysis treatments.
After 6-8 weeks the next treatment is due. Most patients need a series of 2-4 treatments, occasionally up to six. Sometimes the effect doesn't become visible before the third treatment. The efficiency can be considerably enhanced by additional mechanical treatments like for example Ultrasound Lipolysis or Beautytek (low frequency electrical current), which also help to tighten the skin and connective tissue surrounding the fat tissue. The importance of daily physical exercise and a healthy nutrition (some people have very interesting ideas of what this is!), the avoidance of cigarettes and alcohol in order to maintain the good results can not be stressed enough.
There are about 5% non-responders to this treatment. Sometimes it is not possible to understand, why a person hasn't responded. Research revealed that an underlying latent underactive thyroid gland can be the culprit. This is a condition you wouldn't necessarily know about. Patients usually know when they have full blown hypothyroidism. But before that there might be several years of the mild form of the disease, and the patient has not been diagnosed. If there are signs of weight gain, feeling cold, lack of energy, depression, irregular periods, it might be worth having your Thyroid Function (blood test) checked with your GP first.
Cautions and side effects
There are individuals, who are allergic to Soya. This implies that they are not suitable candidates for this treatment. In fact they are allergic to the protein contained in the Soya products. Phosphatidylcholine however is a Lecitin- an emulgator, which we find in lots of food, e.g. chocolate, and usually people are all right with that. In these cases it is advisable to inject a small amount only, and then leave the patient a few hours in the practice for close supervision.
Side effects are common, and should be expected after the treatment. There will be a painful, red, hard and warm swelling of the injected area. This is usually more noticeable on the legs than the rest of the body. It lasts up to about 4 days. You might feel a bit unwell and tired immediately afterwards. During the weeks after the injection the released fat has to be metabolized by the body and expelled in the bile and stool. You will notice that by developing some mild diarrhoea. Fat tissue is storage to a large amount of Oestrogen. This hormone will be released from the destroyed cells and will be circulating in your body. This may lead to intermenstrual breakthrough vaginal bleeding, which is absolutely nothing to worry about. In rare cases small palpable lumps might develop in the fatty tissue. They will disappear after a few months. The same applies to darker discolorations of the skin, which can sometimes develop after the treatment. There is a very small risk of a post-injection infection. This risk in fact is always present whenever one inserts a needle into the human body (Insulin, Heparin, Contraceptive injection)
