Over the last six months, at least 10 Lipodissolve™ centers have opened in metropolitan areas across the country. As many as 50,000 Americans have sought treatment at such centers, making Lipodissolve the latest trend in body contouring. But what is it?

Lipodissolve is a minimally invasive alternative to liposuction that targets stubborn pockets of fat in troublesome areas like the hips, inner thighs, abdomen, buttocks, love handles, and more.

“You notice the difference in inches, not pounds. This is not a magic wand,” said owner of a Lipodissolve center, Matt Taranto.

The Procedure

The procedure involves a microinjection of a mixture of naturally-occurring chemicals that break up fat cells so they can be flushed out of the body. The injections are made directly into the targeted area just under the skin.

According to experts, the procedure works for only small areas at a time and takes anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks to produce results. Temporary side effects include redness, bruising, swelling, or hardness around the area of treatment.

What The Experts Say

Proponents of Lipodissolve see it as a less painful and more convenient alternative to liposuction. Some experts, however, remain skeptical. Lipodissolve has not received approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has announced plans for a study on the treatment but said it could not yet endorse Lipodissolve treatments because “we don't have enough clinical data or FDA approval to support their use.”

ASAPS president Mark Jewell said, “Our goal is to provide physicians and their patients with the information they need to make good decisions.”

“Maybe it's worth a shot. But there are no standardized formulas and no standard techniques. That doesn't mean it's not good. We just don't know a lot about it,” said American Society of Plastic Surgeons spokesman, Dr. Alan Matarasso.

Lipodissolve is popular in Europe, where it has been used for years. In the U.S., treatments run approximately $400 per session, with two to six treatments needed at six to eight week intervals.

Interested in learning more? Please contact us to locate a board certified plastic surgeon near you who can discuss your body contouring options.