The examination will evaluate the areas of concern and the quality of your skin. Other treatment options available will be discussed. You can see photos of recent patients before and after the procedure. Patient references are available upon request. The estimated number and costs of the treatments will be explained. Photographs will be taken for your medical record.
Every patient has a different tolerance for discomfort. Our aim is to make your treatment and recovery as pleasant as possible. Each procedure involves multiple needle sticks. Anesthesia is not routinely used. After the procedure a mild pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be helpful the first 3-4 days following the treatment. Some mild swelling and bruising can be expected.
This is considered a cosmetic procedure. Health insurance does not cover lipodissolve treatments.
- Allergic reactions. Multiple medications are used in the lipodissolve formulation. As with any medication, there are potential risks from allergies or undesirable side effects. Fortunately, these are very infrequent and complications are rare. While fat removal with lipodissolve is not FDA approved, the medications have been approved for human use and thousands of patients have used these lipodissolve solution without adverse outcome. Phosphatidyl choline is the primarily active ingredient in the lipodissolve solution.
- Bruising–As an expected part of the procedure, there will be some mild bruising and swelling. The amount of bruising is variable from patient to patient, and usually resolves in 10-14 days. Make sure you list all of the prescribed medicines and supplements you take. To minimize bruising avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and other non-prescription supplements.
- Scars–Each lipodissolve treatment involves many needle sticks using a very small needle. Very rarely some people can make conspicuous scars from even a small needle stick. There is no way to know if you are one of those people unless you've had a past history of this occurring. If you have any history of bad scarring or keloid formation, be sure and discuss this with Dr, Jones, Patients who make noticeable scars may need additional scar intervention.
- Unevenness–The goal of any body-shaping procedure is to create the body shape you desire. Lipodissolve treatment can create an uneven surface and contour deformity by either under removing fat or over removing fat. The most common complaint about lipodissolve is that the treatment is inadequate in removing fat and more aggressive fat removal, such as liposuction, is needed. If lipodissolve removes too much fat, which is rare, it can create a concave deformity, which may require fat grafting for correction. You will not obtain a perfect contour after one procedure, and multiple treatments are necessary
- Insufficient Skin Tightening–Lipodissolve treatments can produce some skin tightening. The solution causes inflammation of the skin, producing collagen on the underside of the skin, which causes skin tightening. Lipodissolve is more effective in certain areas of body fat and not everyone gets significant fat removal. Proper diet and exercise are still a critical part of obtaining a result.
- Insufficient improvement. Patient selection is essential. Lipodissolve can produce limited fat removal. When more fat removal is needed, liposuction and/or direct excision of fat during a lift procedure are options that should be considered.
Alternative Treatments
Lipoplasty–Lipoplasty, also known as liposuction, can remove stubborn, excess fat, but it does not address the issue of loose skin. When loose skin or cellulite is a significant concern, you want to consider a lift or tuck procedure that removes the excess fat and lax, redundant skin. A lift procedure has a greater capacity to create smoother, tighter skin. Often both lipoplasty and a lift procedure are performed together, or in stages.
Change your lifestyle habits — Proper nutrition along with regular exercise is not only an alternative treatment, but should be part of your postoperative plan.
Lose Weight–Losing weight will change your body shape, but it does not allow you to contour areas where stubborn fat exists. Removal of fat at a specific area can be achieved with lipodissolve, laser lipolysis (‘Smart Lipo’), liposuction, or direct removal.
Exercise–Exercise will help strengthen and tone the muscles of your abdomen, but it cannot tighten skin.
How is Lipodissolve performed?
Our goal is to make your experience as easy and comfortable for you as possible. You will be asked to stop smoking and avoid certain vitamins and drugs that can cause bleeding, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and vitamin E. Additional preoperative instructions and prescriptions to be used postoperatively will be provided. For convenience, we recommend that you have your prescriptions filled several days prior to the procedure. Lipodissolve treatments are performed in the office. We recommend that you have someone drive you home.
Dr. Jones will see you before the procedure and place ink marks on the skin. Antibiotics are not routinely needed for this procedure. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. The procedure is generally started by the physician and completed by our registered nurse, whose is trained and certified in this treatment.
The lipodissolve procedure consists of injecting the lipodissolve solution into the marked areas with injection site being 1.5 to 2 cm apart. The amount used is standardized to allow sufficient time for the triglyceride byproducts to be metabolized. Following the procedure, you will be permitted to go home after you consume some fluids.
What can I expect after a Lipodissolve treatment?
A few minutes after the procedure you will start to see bruising, swelling, and tenderness. You may even develop areas of firmness. These changes are present from 7-10 days and start to improve after 3 days. Most people do not need prescription pain medicine, but it is available if necessary. You may take ibuprofen 600mg every eight hours for discomfort. You will be seen in the office 8 weeks later for the next treatment.
The day after your procedure you may take a shower as usual. The swelling will make your clothes tight for a few days. Some patients find a compression garment comforting.
You can expect to be sore for up to 2 weeks. You may start to walk immediately after the procedure and increase this as tolerated. Rigorous aerobics or jogging may be resumed as tolerated. No change in your sexual activity is necessary. You may return to work the next day. Swelling and bruising will gradually resolve over 7-14 days. Most swelling resolves in 6-8 weeks. The next treatment to the same area can be treated in 6-8 weeks.
What is the long-term outcome for most people?
The results of lipodissolve can be gratifying when small amounts of fat removal are needed. Specific areas tend to respond better. You have a improved shape and less fullness in undesirable areas. You feel better about the way you look.
Lipodissolve does not stop aging or correct the lifestyle habits that contributed to your preoperative body shape.
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