Lipolysis / Lipodissolve

How does Lipolysis work?

We have compounds in our digestive systems designed to digest and break down the fat component in our food to enable it to be taken up by the liver and used for energy and other purposes. By modifying these compounds and injecting them directly into the fat tissue, the fat tissue will be similarly digested and broken down. As the fat cells are broken down their lipid content is released to the liver where it is used up for energy in much the same way as the dietary fat. The result is that fat cells are physically broken down and removed permanently.

Who should have Lipolysis?

Lipolysis should not be considered as a treatment for general weight loss as this should be done by diet and exercise. The ideal candidate is a person who is within 10 kg of his or her ideal body weight and who exercises regularly and maintains good eating habits, but is unable to lose persistent localised areas of fat deposits. For men, this is usually the abdomen and waist. For women, it is usually on the abdomen, thighs and hips, buttocks, inner knees, and arms. Other common areas are the neck (under the chin), the folds in front and behind the shoulders, and the fat rolls on the back. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are excluded from the treatment, as is anyone under 18 years of age.

Is Lipolysis safe?

At GMC Cosmedical we use compounds that are natural to our bodies (lecithin’s, digestive enzymes and vitamins) and so allergy or intolerance to them is rare. These compounds are designed to digest fat cells only (other tissues in the areas injected are spared) making the injection treatment selective for breaking down fat tissues.

What will I experience?

Freshly prepared solutions are injected and dispersed through the fat layer by multiple injections. The area starts to swell within a half hour and some bruising is common afterwards. There is only modest pain or tenderness for an hour or two which is readily controlled by a single dose of simple analgesics such as Panadol or Neurofen if needed.

The swelling, bruising and tenderness settle quickly, usually within a few days, and there is little change apparent for the next 4 weeks so it is better not to keep checking (“the more you look the less you see”). The main ‘melt down’ period for the area treated is between 4 – 6 weeks and the cycle is complete at 8 weeks, after which another treatment can be carried out if required.

There is a recommended maximum amount of fat that can be treated at any one time so that the liver processes are not overloaded when burning up the fat. Depending on how much fat needs to be removed, most areas only require 1 – 3 treatments.

What happens if I gain weight again?

The fat cells are removed permanently and therefore the treated area can never become as large as it would have been otherwise.

How is it different to Liposuction?

Lipolysis is carried out in the office and does not require a surgical theatre, anaesthesia, incisions, compression garments, antibiotics or time off work. The risks associated with Lipolysis are minimal.