Fat Away Injection: Injection Lipolysis

In injection lipolysis (synonyms: Fat-away injection; phosphatidylcholine lipolysis; lipolysis; injection lipolysis) is a non-invasive method for the selective reduction of small to medium fat deposits on the entire body. In the course of weight reduction through dieting, on the other hand, it is not possible to select the affected areas of the body where the body fat is to be reduced. Originally, the lipolysis method originated in Brazil and has been steadily gaining importance in Europe for several years.

Indications (areas of application)

Injection lipolysis is performed on the following body regions:

  • Axillary folds
  • Outer thigh
  • Cellutite treatment on the thigh
  • Double chin
  • Fat bulges on the shoulder-arm joints
  • Sagging cheeks
  • Hips
  • Inner thighs
  • Knee
  • Lipomas
  • Upper arms
  • Upper abdomen
  • Thigh, inner
  • Upper knee area
  • Riding pants
  • Back roll
  • Back section
  • Bags under the eyes
  • Transition to the thigh
  • Lower abdomen
  • Lower buttocks
  • Cheeks

In less than one in 100 patients, lipolysis is unsuccessful, because in such cases often existing underlying diseases (eg, hypothyroidism – hypothyroidism can lead to tissue proliferation in the neck region) prevent the achievement of the therapeutic goal. Furthermore, soft fatty tissue is easier to treat by this therapy than already hardened tissue, which is more common in older patients. Thus, the risk of treatment resistance (no response to treatment) is more likely in older patients.

Contraindications

Before treatment

Before treatment, an intensive medical history discussion should be conducted that includes the medical history and motivation for the procedure. The procedure, any side effects, and the consequences of the surgery should be discussed in detail. Note: The requirements of the explanation are stricter than usual, since courts in the field of aesthetic surgery demand a “relentless” explanation. Furthermore, you should not take acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), sleeping pills or alcohol for a period of seven to ten days before the treatment. Acetylsalicylic acid (platelet aggregation inhibitor) and also other analgesics delay blood clotting.Smokers should begin to reduce nicotine consumption as much as possible four weeks before surgery to avoid wound healing problems.

The procedure

The principle of injection lipolysis is lipolysis by injection of the phospholipid phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylcholine is a substance that causes lysis (dissolution/dissolution) of fat cells in adipose tissue. The lysis of the cells has been scientifically proven, so that the effect of lipolysis is considered undisputed in medicine. The active ingredient in lipolysis, phosphatidylcholine, is obtained from soybeans. However, in order to be able to inject it, a solvent is needed which also contains surface-active properties (group of substances which can accumulate on the surface of liquids). Such a substance is deoxycholic acid (special bile acid). In this compound, the “dissolution of fat” can be achieved. About the course of treatment:

  • As a first step of treatment, cooling of the body tissue to be treated is performed, so that both hypoalgesia (reduced pain sensation) in the puncture area and the formation of hematomas (“bruises”) occurs less frequently.
  • Following this, if necessary, an additional local spray anesthesia (application or spraying of a liquid with anesthetic effect) is performed.
  • Once the anesthesia (numbing) of the injection site has been performed, the active ingredient compound can be injected through a small syringe 1 to 1.5 cm under the skin into the subcutaneous adipose tissue (depot fat). The amount of active ingredient is directly dependent on the volume of adipose tissue to be removed. However, there is disagreement among various experts about the dosage of phosphatidylcholine to be selected.
  • As a rule, depending on the extent of the area to be treated, 2 to 4 treatments are necessary at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks. Already after 10 days, the first successes of the therapy are visible.
  • The phosphatidylcholine causes within a few weeks, a permanent reduction of fat in the injected region. The fat is thereby broken down by the body in a natural way.

That the application of lipolysis is not limited to the reduction of fat deposits, but can also be used in cellulite therapy and here the course of treatment changes, the following aspects of this treatment with the fat way injection are to be emphasized:

  • Lipolysis therapy in cellulite treatment follows a 3-step plan. The first stage is to perform the lipolysis treatment already described. Compared to conventional lipolysis treatment, a more extensive application is performed for cellulite reduction.
  • After an eight-week break in treatment, the second stage of treatment is to be performed. This is characterized by a special injection procedure, in which at a depth of 4 to 5 mm through various movement maneuvers the needle is to be felt under the skin and only then the active ingredient is released into the tissue. Due to the shallower depth compared to subcutaneous fat reduction, a fat melting is achieved here above the subcutaneous layer, so that a tightening of the skin can be seen as a result.
  • After another eight-week treatment period, only a very small amount of phosphatidylcholine is injected in the third stage of treatment to allow a longer lasting effect.

Possible complications

  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Itching
  • Pain
  • Circulatory problems (these occur more frequently in hypotonics – people with low blood pressure).
  • Burning sensation at the injection site
  • Hematoma (bruise)
  • Pressure sensitivity
  • Cysts

Benefit

Injection lipolysis represents a safe procedure with few side effects for the reduction of small and medium fat deposits in the various body regions listed. Especially the effect of skin tightening without the need of skin removal makes it a first choice therapy.