Lipodissolve

Austrian Lipodissolve

Frequently Asked Questions about Lipodissolve- the New Non-Surgical Liposuction

Austrian Lipodissolve is the most exciting cosmetic procedure since the introduction of Botox. It involves tiny microinjections of a plant extract called phosphatidylcholine. Dr. Christopher Quinn, Medical Director of Enhanced Image Medspa, is one of the first physicians in the Midwest to offer this treatment. The following contains some of the more common questions regarding this cosmetic enhancement, but as always, it is best to meet individually with Dr. Quinn and/or one of his assistants for a free consultation to determine if the treatment is right for you.

What is Phosphatidylcholine? Phosphatidylcholine is the most abundant component in all cells. Phosphatidylcholine for Lipodissolve comes from soybean lecithin and is a lipid (fat) lowering agent, which has been approved in a number of countries for the treatment of fat embolism.

What is it used for?
Phosphatidylcholine was historically used as a fat dissolving agent to treat fat embolism. It was discovered by physicians in South America and Europe to offer a safer alternative to surgical liposuction.

Are there any other benefits with the injections?
Yes, several. Provided physicians are well trained in the therapy, Lipodissolve injections dissolve the fat cells so that any weight gain years after the treatments will be accumulated evenly, unlike liposuction where uneven dents form and fat is stored in unnatural places.

How does the “choline” in Lipodissolve work?
The choline has shown ability to break the bonds in the fat cells. The fat gradually liquefies and is slowly eliminated from the body in urine and feces.

Is Lipodissolve safe?
Although phosphatidylcholine is soybean based, it may cause allergic reactions in a small percentage of people as with any product. However, compared to the traditional liposuction procedures, there is hardly any risk. Recent clinical and safety reports from Austria have given Lipodissolve a 98% success rate with complete safety reports. It must be emphasized that the therapy is too new to know exact long-term effects, but to date no reported adverse effects are known from the past ten years. When phosphatidylcholine has been applied for other medical purposes, no adverse effects have been observed. Manufacturers deem it safe for children above age 2, which again confirms its safety. Common side effects include local pain, minor itching sensation for a few hours, and temporary bruising.

Are there reports of failure?
Yes. In Europe, the failure rate was 8% in 2003 from clinical use and dropped to only 2% in 2004. The percentage may be slightly higher from use where physicians lack additional knowledge of Mesotherapy. Best results are seen by physicians properly trained to understand dosage and therapy requirements on a case by case basis.

How much does the procedure cost? In America, Lipodissolve sessions usually cost $350.00-500.00 per area, per treatment session. Although the number of sessions may vary between different patients, the treatment course is usually much more affordable than liposuction. Because we do so many treatments at Enhanced Image Medspa, we are able to offer the best prices (typically starting at just $350 per treatment, with discounts for multiple areas). Because of Dr Quinn’s advanced training, we also believe we offer the best results with the minimum amount of treatments needed (typically 3-6 depending upon the patient’s goals).

Have dangerous side effects been reported from clinical use?
Brazilian based Patricia Rittes, M.D. has performed over 24,000 Lipodissolve treatments and 2,000 lower eyelid blepharaplasties since 1995 with phosphatidylcholine. Dr. Rittes reports that during this period she has not seen one single case of serious side effects.

Are Lipodissolve injections right for me?
Lipodissolve injections have shown good results for minor to medium body sculpting of specific areas of the body like stomach, upper arms, thighs, hips, and so forth. Lipodissolve has shown excellent results in smoothing cellulite. In comparison, surgical liposuction does not treat cellulite and in fact damages blood vessels and lymphatics, which makes cellulite even more prominent. Lipodissolve is not an effective therapy for obese patients.

Can Lipodissolve replace Liposuction? Lipodissolve has overwhelming positive reports that should deem it an alternative for some patients seeking non-invasive body contouring. Lipodissolve does not replace liposuction, but can certainly complement liposuction. The reason to prefer Lipodissolve to surgical procedures is patient safety and better long-term results. 1. Liposuction can cause permanent damage to fat cells and nerve damage, neither of which has been reported in any Lipodissolve procedure. 2. Liposuction can cause infections and bleeding, leading to death; Lipodissolve treatments have extremely low rates of infection and no reports of bleeding or deaths. 3. Future weight gain after liposuction can appear as disproportionate. Future weight gain from Lipodissolve is distributed evenly without bumps or waves. 4. Permanent damage from liposuction can cause structural damage to the mesoderm that appears as cellulite, skin irregularity, or waviness of the skin surface; no structural damage or irregularities have been reported with Lipodissolve. The downside of Lipodissolve compared to surgical procedures is that the effect is gradual and the process takes about 3-6 months to show final results.

What should be expected following a treatment?
There may be minor pain, throbbing, and tenderness in the treated areas and some bruising that can last 2-7 days.

Will the fat treated areas return?
No, the dissolved fat has not been reported to return. But if a patient gains weight later in life for whatever reason it can be stored in the areas that were previously treated.

Call today for a FREE consultation!
248-922-4800