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What is LIPO DISSOLVE?
Lipo-dissolve injections have become an
increasingly popular means to remove excess fat. The
procedure goes by many names (e.g., Lipostabil®,
Lipodissolve, Flab-Jab, Lipojection, Lipotherapy, etc.) and
involves the injection of mixtures of various chemicals into
the fat through multiple microinjections administered over
multiple treatment sessions. The desired end result is the
gradual removal of localized fat deposits. Lipo-dissolve
injections are generally not regarded by medical
professionals to be as potent as liposuction, a powerful yet
invasive surgical procedure in which multiple liters of fat
are 'sucked' from patients in a single session.
Lipo-dissolve therapy typically requires that dozens of
small 'fat burning' injections of compounded
phosphatidylcholine/deoxycholate (PCDC)
be injected into fat and connective tissue over several
sessions. These drugs are not FDA-approved.
What is the
standard lipo dissolve procedure?
There is no standard process/procedure
that has been studied in controlled clinical trials or to
the satisfaction of the FDA. Therefore, the procedure will
differ depending on the provider. FDA-approved drugs have a
standardized drug formula and method of administration. With
lipo-dissolve, individual providers determine dosing and
technique. The lipo-dissolve procedure "typically" involves
an average of 2-4 treatment sessions spaced 4-8 weeks apart. According
to the Aesthetic Surgery
Journal, the maximum safe
dose of PC is 100 ml per session with approximately 0.4 ml
delivered with every micro-injection.
However, because studies have not concluded a standard
protocol outlining specific number of sessions, number of
microinjections per session, and amount of PC needed for
results, this average may vary greatly.
How is the
drug cleared from the body?
There is no scientific support for theories about how the
drug is cleared from the body. It is unclear exactly how the
body metabolizes and excretes the drug and the broken down
fat cells. The injected chemicals are believed to trigger an
inflammatory response as the fat cells are broken down and
are thought to be excreted in the urine and feces. Without
pharmacologic studies (those that study the compound's
mechanism of action and are required for FDA-approved
drugs), these theories cannot be confirmed.
What areas
can be treated with the injections?
Currently, people use PCDC in a variety
of areas (chin, abdomen, thighs). However, no
well-controlled studies have examined where in the body the
drug may or may not work. There is no FDA-approval for this
drug for any part of the body.
Are the
injections a proper treatment for weight loss?
Without FDA-approval, this answer is
unknown. But according to lipo-dissolve providers, the
answer is no. Lipo-dissolve is not a viable means to lose
weight. The ideal candidate is at a healthy weight but
possesses localized fat deposits
that cannot be reduced by exercise and diet. Lipo-dissolve
may be successful in reducing inches but may not show any
reduction in actual weight.
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