Lipodissolve Injection
This is the non-surgical injection treatment that eliminates fats. It utilizes natural polyene phosphatidylcholine, a cholesterol-lowering injection for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, which is directly injected into the subcutaneous fat deposits based on a fixed formulation, and damages adipocyte membranes to initiate cell necrosis and emulsion dissolution before it is excreted into the lymphatic circulation and metabolized by the liver outside the human body. The results are observed after the slow elimination of adipocytes via a physical mechanism, so there are approximately 1-2 weeks of observation and waiting periods after each injection, and patients generally need to receive injections more than 3-4 times to obtain expected results. Because the treatment duration of Lipodissolve injections is relatively long and lipid dissolution differs along with individual physiques, Dr. Chuang frequently recommends these injections be applied to body parts with regional obesity but in no need for large-area liposuction or superficial fat deposits that are hard to be distinctly improved by liposuction such as the jaw, cheek, neck, upper back, or accessory breast or even the upper arm, saddle bags, knee, calf, or subcutaneous lipoma.
Compared with liposuction, Lipodissolve injections are also targeted at the dissolution or damage of adipocytes, but they differ in the mechanism of the excretion of adipocytes, so they should be correctly injected into the fat layer to have the maximal effects. The advantages are unnoticeably gradual results and little to no recovery time and pain as well as free injection at small sites with flexible usage, while the drawbacks are the slow onset of effects and difference of results along with individual physical conditions. Besides, if given for a long term or several times, the costs are high; therefore, it cannot completely replace liposuction. Different from the previous mesoderm therapy that injects drugs into the skin superficial layer, it is less likely to cause skin necrosis. Therefore, as long as patients have normal metabolic functions and no other underlying endocrine disorders, Lipodissolve injections administered at safe doses achieve certain results of fat dissolution and offer a noninvasive weight loss option for patients unable to undergo liposuction.
General instructions
- Apply a warm compress to and massage the treated site for 1 week after the injection to prevent lumping.
- It is contraindicated for patients with liver diseases or autoimmune system disorders.
- It is contraindicated for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Ideal candidates
- Patients with mild obesity who do not need to undergo liposuction
- Those with regional obesity but unable to undergo liposuction
- Those with liposuction contraindications or high risks
- Those with old fat accumulation that could be improved by exercises or weight loss
- Those who have received liposuction but show uneven skin or lumps
Potential Complications
- Liver index increase
- Redness
- Swelling and lumps at the treated site
- Results short of expectation
Treatment advantages
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It is a noninvasive injection and has short recovery time.
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There are no risks associated with liposuction.
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Fats are less likely to regrow once eliminated.
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It is injected several times at different sites.
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Treatment course is flexibly adjusted.
Treatment drawbacks
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Treatment course is time consuming and long.
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Treatment results may differ along with individual metabolic functions.
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Treatment costs may increase based on sites of injection and number of courses.
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It may aggravate liver loads.