A Non-Surgical Alternative when Liposuction & Laser Lipolysis are not an Option
Introduced in Italy in the 1980s, and later improved and modified in Europe in 2002, LipoDissolve injections are now being performed across the US as a nonsurgical option for localized fat removal. The LipoDissolve procedure involves injecting a mixture of two naturally occurring soybean-derived ingredients, phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholate (PCDC), beneath the skin to dissolve or alter fat cells. The PCDC solution and dissolved fat are then naturally eliminated from the body through urine and feces. Up to six treatments are typically needed to produce results for a given body treatment area. Side effects are typical and include pain, significant swelling, burning, itching, occasional bruising, abnormal skin sensation, and tissue hardness or induration with occasional lumpiness. Optimal candidates for LipoDissolve should have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30 with a reasonable high threshold for tolerating fairly significant pain and swelling for up to several weeks in the treated area. Dr. Hogue uses ultrasound guidance during his physician-administered LipoDissolve injections to visibly guide the injected PCDC solution into the mid to deep fat space layers to ensure precision and patient safety. The PCDC solution is mixed with lidocaine for patient comfort, and with air to make it echogenic or visible by ultrasound. To date, over 50,000 treatments using PCDC have been performed with no reported serious side effects. The use of PCDC injections for cosmetic purposes is considered off-label by the FDA, but is widely used by physicians for its safety profile, much like the use of BOTOX for cosmetic purposes to treat facial wrinkles. Prospective patients should realize that PCDC injections into the "fat space" during LipoDissolve procedures may cause the treated fat to become severely hardened and fibrotic, which may significantly interfere with a subsequent liposuction or laser lipolysis procedure. Consequently, every patient who chooses to undergo LipoDissolve injections should be informed by their treating physician that these injections may preclude them from being an optimal liposuction and laser lipolylsis candidate. Patients considering LipoDissolve should be aware the total cost of six injections for a given treatment area may exceed the cost of simply undergoing tumescent liposuction and laser lipolysis for the same treatment area.