Condition: Excess fat

What is Excess Fat?

Many people, even close to their ideal body weight can have a specific area of fat that does not respond to diet or exercise. These areas include the ‘love – handles’, ‘saddlebags’ and localized fat on the upper arms, under the chin (‘turkey neck’), on the abdomen, areas of the back and on the buttocks. Many women are frustrated by fat that accumulates on the abdomen above surgical scars from a caesarian section or hysterectomy.

Treatment: Lipotherapy - Body Sculpting

What is Lipotherapy / Lipodissolve / Body Sculpting

There is an increasing interest in North America about the use of injections to destroy localized fat and minimize the appearance of cellulite. For those who exercise and diet consistently, and still have stubborn areas, this is the treatment for them. Lipotherapy is often referred to as ‘Lipodissolve’ (since the fat dissolves), ‘Lipolysis’ or ‘injection Lipolysis’.

We all know what we should do: eat a healthy, well balanced diet and exercise regularly. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to achieve, and sometimes it isn’t enough. Most of us get irritating pockets of fatty tissue that don’t go away, no matter how many sit ups or curls we do. This is why liposuction has become such a popular procedure. Until recently, liposuction or other surgical treatments have been the only way to get rid of this excess tissue, but what if you don’t want to go under the knife and general anaesthesia?

Melting superfluous fat away by means of an injection, Lipotherapy is a fascinating idea turned into reality by Dr. Rittes, a South-American dermatologist. In 1995, she developed a procedure in which specific medication is directly injected into undesired fat deposits. The active substance is a natural compound derived from the soy bean. The body uses the same substance, phosphatidylcholine, in a number of chemical pathways, particularly in the area of fat metabolism.

Lipotherapy injections should not be regarded as a new miracle drug for weight reduction. However, in the case of some fat deposits, which cannot be removed by diet or exercise, Lipotherapy injections can be effective. They do this by enhancing the natural metabolic process during which fat is degraded, then eliminated from the body. Although this is a newer idea to North America, the procedure has been used for over 10 years in Brazil and about as long in Europe. This medication has been used intravenously for more than 30 years to dissolve fat emboli in the blood stream. Patricia Rittes M.D. has performed over 24,000 clinical fat dissolving treatments and 2,000 lower eyelid blepharoplasties since 1995 with this same technique.

What areas can be treated with Lipotherapy

Lipotherapy injections have shown good results for minor to medium sculpturing of specific areas of the body such as the abdomen, upper arms, thighs, double chins, jowls and hips. Lipotherapy has shown excellent results to smooth and even remove cellulite. In comparison, surgical liposuction does not treat cellulite and in fact can enhance pre-existing cellulite, making it more prominent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you expect?

Usually 6 to 7 injections are given per area, resulting in some stinging and burning for about 15 to 30 minutes afterwards. The area does get sore, and will sometimes bruise, but these are transient effects. Most often people need 2 to 6 sessions, 2 weeks apart with a re-evaluation 8 weeks after the last session. It is best to limit each session to four areas of the body, each area being approximately 80 cm2 of skin surface. The results are long-lasting because the fat cells are destroyed, but if you gain a lot of weight the body will store it somewhere!

Why choose Lipotherapy?

Some physicians prefer lipotherapy to liposuction because it is safer and gives better long-term results. However, lipotherapy is not a complete replacement for liposuction. Lipotherapy is better suited for sculpting small areas or as an option for patients who may be more sensitive to invasive procedures.

Why not Liposuction?

Liposuction can cause permanent damage to fat cells, nerve damage, infections and bleeding.
Future weight gain after liposuction can appear as disproportionate.
Permanent damage from liposuction can cause structural damage to the mesoderm that appears as cellulite, skin irregularity or waviness of the skin surface.
When diet and exercise have failed you, and you don’t want to resort to surgery, think about Lipotherapy. It is quick, relatively painless and requires little or no down time. Treatments can be done in 15 minutes or less. It is another option available for those stubborn fatty pockets, but not an excuse to eat that second piece of pie!